16 shlokas · Weeks 16–32

Shlokas on the good qualities you hope your child will have

Every parent has hopes for the kind of person their child will become. The verses on this page put some of those hopes into words: kindness, truthfulness, courage, patience and a love of learning. You'll find the Saraswati Vandana that many children later sing at school, the Gita's own list of divine qualities, Satyameva Jayate, Vidya Dadati Vinayam, and short Ya Devi verses that honour the Goddess as kindness, intelligence and memory.

These verses suit weeks 16 to 32. Say them in the morning, and someone close to you can join in. Pick one verse, chant it 3 to 11 times, then read its meaning aloud. Many parents find the meaning is what stays with them, so it's fine to start there.

To be honest, chanting cannot programme qualities into a baby. A child's nature comes from genes, health, love and upbringing. What these verses can do is help you think about the values you want in your home. Children tend to pick those up from watching the people who raise them.

Last updated 11 October 2026

How to practise these verses

For every verse below, unless it says otherwise.

Best time: Morning
How to practise: 3–11 times, then read the meaning aloud
Who can chant: Mother and father
Best weeks: Weeks 16–32

Honest noteA prayer of hope. A child's nature comes from genes, health, love and upbringing. Chanting cannot 'programme' qualities.

Wisdom and learning

Ya Kundendu – Saraswati Vandana

या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता ।या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना ।या ब्रह्माच्युतशङ्करप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता ।सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा ॥

ya kundendu-tushara-hara-dhavala ya shubhra-vastravrita, ya vina-vara-danda-mandita-kara ya shveta-padmasana, ya brahmachyuta-shankara-prabhritibhir devaih sada vandita, sa mam patu sarasvati bhagavati nihshesha-jadyapaha

Traditional Saraswati vandana

Meaning

Saraswati, white as jasmine, moon and snow, dressed in white, holding the veena, seated on a white lotus, worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva: may she protect me and remove all dullness.

Why we suggest this

Saraswati is the goddess of learning and music, the classic choice for a child's wisdom.

What you can expect

A peaceful, musical chant, lovely set to a simple tune.

Wisdom and learning

Saraswati Namastubhyam

सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि ।विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा ॥

sarasvati namas tubhyam varade kamarupini, vidyarambham karishyami siddhir bhavatu me sada

Traditional

Meaning

Saraswati, giver of blessings, I bow to you. I am beginning to learn. May I always succeed.

Why we suggest this

Children learn this verse first at school. Your baby can 'hear it first' from you.

What you can expect

A link from womb to childhood; you can keep using it after birth.

Strength and courage

Buddhir Balam Yasho Dhairyam

बुद्धिर्बलं यशो धैर्यं निर्भयत्वमरोगता ।अजाड्यं वाक्पटुत्वं च हनुमत्स्मरणाद्भवेत् ॥

buddhir balam yasho dhairyam nirbhayatvam arogata, ajadyam vak-patutvam cha hanumat-smaranad bhavet

Traditional Hanuman verse

Meaning

Remembering Hanuman brings intelligence, strength, good name, courage, fearlessness, health, alertness and skill in speech.

Why we suggest this

It lists, in one line, eight good qualities parents wish for.

What you can expect

Positive hopes, said aloud daily.

Good character

Divine Qualities – Part 1

अभयं सत्त्वसंशुद्धिर्ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः ।दानं दमश्च यज्ञश्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम् ॥

abhayam sattva-samshuddhir jnana-yoga-vyavasthitih, danam damash cha yajnash cha svadhyayas tapa arjavam

Bhagavad Gita 16.1

Meaning

Fearlessness, a pure heart, steady wisdom, generosity, self-control, worship, study, discipline and honesty.

Why we suggest this

Gita 16.1–3 is the Gita's own list of 'divine qualities'.

What you can expect

A clear set of values to reflect on as parents.

Kindness

Divine Qualities – Part 2

अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम् ।दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम् ॥

ahimsa satyam akrodhas tyagah shantir apaishunam, daya bhuteshv aloluptvam mardavam hrir achapalam

Bhagavad Gita 16.2

Meaning

Non-violence, truth, freedom from anger, letting go, peace, no gossip, kindness to all beings, no greed, gentleness, modesty and steadiness.

Why we suggest this

Kindness and gentleness, the qualities parents most want.

What you can expect

A reminder to model these yourself, which is how children truly learn them.

Good character

Divine Qualities – Of One Born to the Divine

तेजः क्षमा धृतिः शौचमद्रोहो नातिमानिता ।भवन्ति सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातस्य भारत ॥

tejah kshama dhritih shaucham adroho natimanita, bhavanti sampadam daivim abhijatasya bharata

Bhagavad Gita 16.3

Meaning

Brightness, forgiveness, steadiness, cleanliness, no ill-will, no pride: these belong to one who is born with a divine nature.

Why we suggest this

The word 'abhijata', 'born', makes this the most birth-linked verse in the Gita's list of virtues.

What you can expect

A meaningful close to the three-verse series.

Kindness

Kindness to All

अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च ।निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी ॥

adveshta sarva-bhutanam maitrah karuna eva cha, nirmamo nirahankarah sama-duhkha-sukhah kshami

Bhagavad Gita 12.13

Meaning

Without hatred for anyone, friendly and kind, free of selfishness and pride, steady in joy and sorrow, forgiving.

Why we suggest this

A beautiful picture of a kind person.

What you can expect

A gentle mood; good before sleep.

Wisdom and learning

Hayagriva – Foundation of All Learning

ज्ञानानन्दमयं देवं निर्मलस्फटिकाकृतिम् ।आधारं सर्वविद्यानां हयग्रीवमुपास्महे ॥

jnanananda-mayam devam nirmala-sphatikakritim, adharam sarva-vidyanam hayagrivam upasmahe

Hayagriva Stotra, verse 1 (Vedanta Desika)

Meaning

We worship Hayagriva, full of knowledge and joy, clear as crystal, the base of all learning.

Why we suggest this

A favourite in South Indian homes for a child's learning.

What you can expect

A calm, clear chant.

Learning with humility

Vidya Dadati Vinayam

विद्या ददाति विनयं विनयाद्याति पात्रताम् ।पात्रत्वाद्धनमाप्नोति धनाद्धर्मं ततः सुखम् ॥

vidya dadati vinayam vinayad yati patratam, patratvad dhanam apnoti dhanad dharmam tatah sukham

Hitopadesha, introduction

Meaning

Learning gives humility. Humility makes one worthy. Worth brings wealth. Wealth used rightly brings goodness, and then happiness.

Why we suggest this

A famous saying about education with good character.

What you can expect

Hopes for your child, put into simple words.

Truthfulness

Satyameva Jayate

सत्यमेव जयते नानृतम् ।

satyam eva jayate nanritam

Mundaka Upanishad 3.1.6 (India's national motto)

Meaning

Truth alone wins, not falsehood.

Why we suggest this

Short, powerful and easy to repeat.

What you can expect

A value to build your family on.

Self-belief

Lift Yourself Up

उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् ।आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः ॥

uddhared atmanatmanam natmanam avasadayet, atmaiva hy atmano bandhur atmaiva ripur atmanah

Bhagavad Gita 6.5

Meaning

Lift yourself up by your own effort. Do not let yourself sink. You are your own best friend, and can be your own enemy.

Why we suggest this

Self-belief for your child, and for you on hard days.

What you can expect

A lift in confidence.

Kindness

The Goddess as Kindness

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु दयारूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

ya devi sarva-bhuteshu daya-rupena samsthita, namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), chapter 5

Meaning

To the Goddess who lives in all beings as kindness: I bow to her again and again.

Why we suggest this

A one-line prayer for a kind-hearted child.

What you can expect

A soft, warm feeling.

Wisdom and learning

The Goddess as Intelligence

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु बुद्धिरूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

ya devi sarva-bhuteshu buddhi-rupena samsthita, namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), chapter 5

Meaning

To the Goddess who lives in all beings as intelligence: I bow to her again and again.

Why we suggest this

A one-line prayer for a clear, bright mind.

What you can expect

A simple, rhythmic chant.

Wisdom and learning

The Goddess as Memory

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु स्मृतिरूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

ya devi sarva-bhuteshu smriti-rupena samsthita, namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), chapter 5

Meaning

To the Goddess who lives in all beings as memory: I bow to her again and again.

Why we suggest this

Memory is honoured as a form of the Goddess. A prayer for a sharp mind.

What you can expect

A calm, steady practice.

Contentment and resolve

Contented and Firm

सन्तुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः ।मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः ॥

santushtah satatam yogi yatatma dridha-nishchayah, mayy arpita-mano-buddhir yo mad-bhaktah sa me priyah

Bhagavad Gita 12.14

Meaning

One who is always content, self-controlled and firm in resolve, whose mind and heart are given to me, is dear to me.

Why we suggest this

Contentment and determination, two qualities that help a child through life.

What you can expect

A peaceful sense of 'enough'.

Wisdom and learning

Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah

ॐ ऐं सरस्वत्यै नमः ॥

om aim sarasvatyai namah

Traditional Saraswati beej mantra

Meaning

Salutations to Saraswati. 'Aim' is her seed sound.

Why we suggest this

Short and easy to repeat for a child's learning.

What you can expect

A focused, gentle practice.

How to practise: 108 times on a mala, or 11 times