Shri Maihar Sharda Chalisa

Shri Maihar Sharda Chalisa is a devotional hymn to Maa Sharda of Maihar, the Goddess of knowledge, speech and music, worshipped on Trikut Parvat in Satna district, Madhya Pradesh. In tradition she is linked with Saraswati, and the Chalisa also calls her the daughter of Brahma. It does not tell one long plot, so the sections below explain what the verses actually say.

The opening doha says her murti is swayambhu (self-manifested) and that she sits at Maihar holding a rosary and book, with a veena in her hand. The first verses hail her as Sharda Maharani, Adi Shakti and a bringer of the world''s welfare, famous in the three worlds in a four-armed form. They say she appeared about two thousand years ago ("do sahasra varsh anumana"), that Maihar became famous across the world, and that she lives on Trikut Parvat in a city of great light. Her face is like the autumn moon, her body shines like a crore suns, and her vehicle is a royal swan. She wears swinging earrings and a jewel on her forehead, and holds a veena, a book and the abhaya mudra.

The Chalisa then recalls the Goddess in battle. It says Sharda''s Chandi form destroyed the demons Chand and Mund, that as Durga Bhavani she killed Mahishasura, and that she cut down Raktabeej in the fight (see the Durga Chalisa and the Kali Chalisa). The message is that the same Shakti who gives knowledge also protects. Harihar and Brahma''s circle honour her, and Varun and Kuber welcome her.

The verses then name those who received her grace. Tulsi, Surya and other scholars sang her praise, Kalidas became very famous by her kindness, and Valmiki and Narada serve her again and again. Tradition ties Kalidas and Valmiki with Saraswati''s grace as well (see the Saraswati Chalisa). The Chalisa adds that she is Brahm-swarupa, that Shiva and Brahma are worshipped by kings, that Brahm and Shakti are not different, that the Vedas sing her virtues, and that she is present in every atom. It also says that remembering her name keeps the heavy troubles of Kali Yuga away, that the sun, moon and stars shine by her kindness, and that she creates, sustains and ends the world (see the Gayatri Chalisa for another hymn on the Mother of knowledge).

The later verses are a prayer. Sorrow and poverty are removed by her grace, learning and intelligence bring happiness, those who worship Sharda cross the ocean of worldly life, and the pure knowledge she gives brings welfare. The worldly pleasures bring great sorrow, but remembering Sharda gives joy, and the mind becomes calm through japa and meditation. The Chalisa says that one who serves her finds no heavy sorrow anywhere, and that one who recites it receives her blessing. The closing doha bows to her feet, asks for devotion and knowledge, asks her to remove all ignorance and to live always in the heart, and calls Maihar her home. These are matters of faith. Students and artists recite it for focus and clarity, and the real fruit of learning comes with steady work.