“Medha” is a Sanskrit term that generally means intelligence, wisdom, or intellect. “Suktam refers to a collection of hymns or verses in the Vedic scripture. So, “Medha Suktam” refers to a collection of hymns or verses used as praying for getting Medha (Memory Power, Intelligence and Concentration)
This Medha Suktam praises Goddess Saraswati, but other deities are also invoked to bless us with intelligence. It is found in the Krishna Yajur Veda, Taittiriya Aranyaka. This is an essential mantra for all learners, especially children.
Verse 1
ॐ यश्छन्दसामृषभो विश्वरूपः ।
छन्दोभ्योऽध्यमृताथ्संबभूव ।
स मेन्द्रो मेधया स्पृणोतु |
अमृतस्य देवधारणो भूयासम् ।
Transliteration in English
Om yashchandasāmr̥ṣabho vishvarūpaḥ.
Chandobhyo'dhyamr̥tāthsambabhūva.
Sa mendro medhayā spr̥ṇotu.
Amr̥tasya devadhāraṇo bhūyāsam.
Meaning in English
May the ‘Om,’ the symbol of the Lord who embodied the Universe, the most exalted mantra of Vedas, manifested as the essence of Vedas, bless me with intelligence. May I be blessed with the Supreme Knowledge that leads to immortality.
Verse 2
शरीरं मे विचर्षणम् । जिह्वा मे मधुमत्तमा ।
कर्णाभ्यां भूरिविश्रुवम् ।
Transliteration in English
Sharīraṃ me vicarṣaṇam. Jihvā me madhumattamā.
Karṇābhyāṃ bhūriviśruvam.
Meaning in English
May my physical body become very active. May my tongue always speak sweetly. May my ears listen only well.
Verse 3
ब्रह्मणः कोशोऽसि मेधया पिहितः ।
श्रुतं मे गोपाय ।
Transliteration in English
Brahmaṇaḥ kośo'si medhayā pihitaḥ.
Śrutam me gopāya.
Meaning in English
Thou art encased Brahman and concealed from the intellect. May I always remember all the scriptures.
Verse 4
मेधादेवी जुषमाणा न आगाद्विश्वाची भद्रा सुमनस्यमाना ।
त्वया जुष्टा नुदमाना दुरुक्तान् बृहद्वदेम विदथे सुवीराः ।
Transliteration in English
Medhādevī juṣamāṇā na āgādviśvācī bhadrā sumanasyamānā.
Tvayā juṣṭā nudamānā duruktān bṛhadvadema vidathe suvīrāḥ.
Meaning in English
May the all-pervasive, beneficent goddess of intelligence be pleased to come to us. Blessed with your wisdom, may those who delight in speaking harshly become enlightened and reject useless talk to become happy and strong.
Verse 5
त्वया जुष्ट ऋषिर्भवति देवि त्वया ब्रह्माऽऽगतश्रीरुत त्वया ।
त्वया जुष्टश्चित्रं विन्दते वसु सानो जुषस्व द्रविणो न मेधे ॥
Transliteration in English
Tvayā juṣṭa ṛṣir bhavati devi tvayā brahmā'gata śrīr uta tvayā.
Tvayā juṣṭaś chitram vindate vasu sāno juṣasva draviṇo na medhe.
Meaning in English
O Goddess, blessed by you, one becomes a sage, wise, or wealthy. Blessed by you, one obtains various kinds of wealth. O Saraswati, be pleased with us and grant us wealth.
Verse 6
मेधां म इन्द्रो ददातु मेधां देवी सरस्वती ।
मेधां मे अश्विनावुभावाधत्तां पुष्करस्रजा ।
Transliteration in English
Medhāṃ ma indro dadātu medhāṃ devī sarasvatī.
Medhāṃ me aśvināvubhāvādhattāṃ puṣkarasrajā.
Meaning in English
May Indra grant me intelligence, and may Goddess Saraswati grant me intelligence. May the twin Gods (Ashvini Kumaras), garlanded with lotus flowers, grant me intelligence.
Verse 7
अप्सरासु च या मेधा गन्धर्वेषु च यन्मनः । दैवीं मेधा सरस्वती सा मां मेधा सुरभिर्जुषता ँ स्वाहा ॥
Transliteration in English
Apsarāsu cha yā medhā gandharveṣhu cha yanmanaḥ.
Daivīṃ medhā sarasvatī sā mām medhā surabhirjuṣhatām swāhā.
Meaning in English
May I be blessed with the divine wisdom of Goddess Saraswati, who blessed the minds of celestial beings (Apsaras and Gandharvas).
Verse 8
आमां मेधा सुरभिर्विश्वरूपा हिरण्यवर्णा जगती जगम्या ।
ऊर्जस्वती पयसा पिन्वमाना सा मां मेधा सुप्रतीका जुषन्ताम् ।
Transliteration in English
Āmāṃ medhā surabhīrviśvarūpā hiraṇyavarṇā jagatī jagamyā.
Ūrjasvatī payasā pinvamānā sā mām medhā supratīkā juṣantām.
Meaning in English
May Saraswati, all-pervasive, shining like gold, always sought after, come to me. May I be blessed by the powerful, smiling Saraswati and be nourished with her milk of wisdom.
Verse 9
मयि मेधां मयि प्रजां मय्यग्निस्तेजो दधातु
मयि मेधां मयि प्रजां मयीन्द्र इन्द्रियं दधातु
मयि मेधां मयि प्रजां मयि सूर्यो भ्राजो दधातु ।
Transliteration in English
Mayi medhāṃ mayi prajāṃ mayyagnistejo dadhātu
Mayi medhāṃ mayi prajāṃ mayīndra indriyaṃ dadhātu
Mayi medhāṃ mayi prajāṃ mayi sūryo bhrājo dadhātu.
Meaning in English
May Agni give me intelligence, continuity of progeny, and splendor.
May Indra give me intelligence, continuity of progeny, and virility.
May Surya give me intelligence, continuity of progeny, and prowess.
Verse 10
हंस हंसाय विद्महे परमहंसाय धीमहि ।
तन्नो हंसः प्रचोदयात् ।
Transliteration in English
Haṃsa haṃsāya vidmahe paramahaṃsāya dhīmahi.
Tanno haṃsaḥ pracodayāt.
Meaning in English
May we realize the inner Self, mediate upon the Supreme Self, and let the Self Illuminate our path and enlighten us.
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Om shāntiḥ shāntiḥ shāntiḥ.
Om. Peace, peace, peace.