As children we were taught to chant Saraswathi shloka. I chant this to this day. Our elders always advised us to worship Ma Saraswathi and seek her blessings. Here is the lyrics of “Ya Kundendu Tusharahara Dhavala…” on the occasion of Dasara Sapthami. On this day Ma Saraswathi is worshiped along with books.
In Sanskrit:
या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता
या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना।
या ब्रह्माच्युत शंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता
सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा॥१॥
In English:
Ya Kundendu Tusharahara Dhavala Ya Shubhra Vastravrita
Ya Veena Varadanda Manditakara Ya Shveta Padmasana
Ya Brahmachyuta Shankara Prabhritibihi Devaih Sada Pujita
Sa Mam Pattu Saravatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha Jadyapaha॥1॥
