मेधासूक्तम्
Medha Suktam (Sanskrit: मेधासूक्तम्, romanized: Medhasūktam) is a suktam (set of mantras contained in the Vedas) addressed to Medha (wisdom), personified as a goddess. Because goddess Medha is considered as a form of Saraswati, Medha Suktam is quite popular as a hymn to goddess Saraswati; as a prayer seeking wisdom and capability to learn.
There are at least two popular versions of Medha Suktam. One version is a set of six verses from Mahanarayana Upanishad, which forms part of Taittiriya Aranyaka in Krishna Yajurveda. There is one more version comprising nine mantras, which appears as a khila sukta (khilani) to the Rig Veda. There is one more set of five verses in the Atharva Veda, which too reads like a hymn to goddess Medha, but this is not popularly recognized or chanted as such. In essence, Medha Suktam relates to the worship of knowledge visualized as a goddess, and has been commonly chanted as a prayer to Saraswati.
The meaning of the world Medha (in the feminine gender, as used in Medha Suktam) is "power of understanding endowed with consciousness". The other meaning of Medha (in the masculine gender) is Yajna. which is not applicable in this context.
1. om medhaam mahyamangiraso medhaam saptharishayoo daduhu
Medhaamindrashchaagnishcha medhaam dhaathaa dadaathu me
Angirasa (a sage known as the mediator between men and gods) gives me intelligence. The seven sages (extolled in the vedas) give me intelligence. Indra (king of gods) and Agni (god of fire) give me intelligence. Let the creator (Brahma) give me intelligence.
2. medhaam me varuNo raajaa medhaam devii sarasvathii
medhaam me ashvinou devaavaadhaththaam pushkarasrajaa
May king Varuna (the god of waters and rains), goddess Saraswathi and the two Ashwin gods (twin gods of medicine) bedecked with lotus garlands bestow intelligence on me.
3. yaa medhaapsarassu gandharveshu cha yanmanah
daivii yaa maanushii medhaa saa maamaavishathaadimaam
That intelligence which is among the apsaras (celestial female dancers), and the mind of the gandharvas (celestial male musicians), whether divine or human intelligence, may that enter me here.
4. yanme noktham thadramathaam shakaiyam yadanubuve nishaamatham nishaamahe
mayi vratham saha vratheshu bhuuyaasam brahmaNaa sangamemahi
That which I have learnt, let that be gratified to me. Whatever I am learning should be fruitful to me. I behold/perceive/hear (knowledge) what has already been perceived/heard (by others). Let me be engaged in a religious act (i.e., ‘vrata’ of learning) with avowed observance; and may I be in the company of Brahman (i.e., let me acquire knowledge of Brahman).
5. shareeram me vichakshanam vaangme madhumad-duhaam
avruddhamahamasou suuryoo brahmaNaanii sthhaha shrutham me maa prahaasiih
May my body be clear sighted (i.e., I be healthy and wise), my speech be like sweet milk, I be young, and retain what I learn (like this sun who is situated in Brahman). My knowledge/scholarship may not be derided/ridiculed.
6. medhaam devii manasaa rejamaanaam gandharvajusthaam prathi no jushasva
mahyam medhaam vada mahyam shriyam vada medhaavii bhuuyaasama jaraa jarishNu
May the goddess grant me intelligence, analysed by the mind. Being pleased by the gandharvas, may she in turn be pleased with me. Declare intelligence for me! Announce wealth for me! May I become intelligent and overcome old age.
7. sadaspathimadbhutham priyamindrasya kaamyam sanim medhaamayaasisham
You have granted desires of that Indra, who is the master of the assembly and who likes miracles. Please grant me the same capability and intelligence.
8. yaam medhaam devaganaah pitharashchopaasathe
thayaa maamadya medhayaagne medhaavinam kuru
That Medha (goddess of intelligence), whom the group of gods and ancestors worship, O Agni, from her intelligence, make me intelligent today.
9. medhaavyaham hamsumanaah supratheekaha shraddhaathmanaah sathyamathih sushevaha
Mahaayashaa dhaarayishnuhu pravakthaa bhuuyaasamasmai sharayaa prayooge
May I be possessed of intelligence, having a good mind, with pleasant disposition, with a mind full of faith, with a truthful intellect, with great fame, being a bearer/sustainer (of knowledge) and an expounder in the propagation of this (knowledge).
