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“Jai Ambe Gauri” is a popular Aarti dedicated to Goddess Durga, also known as Ambe, Gauri, or Shyama Gauri. Aartis are devotional hymns sung in praise of deities, typically during religious rituals, while offering a lamp in a circular motion. This Aarti glorifies the different forms, beauty, and powers of Goddess Durga, who is regarded as the mother of the universe. She protects her devotees from evil, granting them prosperity, happiness, and peace.
Goddess Durga symbolizes strength, compassion, and the power to destroy evil. “Jai Ambe Gauri” is frequently recited during festivals like Navratri, Durga Puja, and other celebrations dedicated to the Goddess. Through this Aarti, devotees seek her blessings and protection from life’s hardships, praising her role as the remover of sorrows and obstacles.
Jai Ambe Gauri Aarti
Jai Ambe Gauri,
Maiya Jai Shyama Gauri.
Tumko nishdin dhyaavat,
Hari Brahma Shivri.
Om Jai Ambe Gauri..॥
Maang sindoor virajat,
Teeko mrigmad ko.
Ujjwal se dou naina,
Chandravadan niko.
Om Jai Ambe Gauri..॥
Kanak samaan kalevar,
Raktambar raajai.
Raktpushp gal maala,
Kanthan par saajai.
Om Jai Ambe Gauri..॥
Keheri vaahan raajat,
Khadag khappar dhaari.
Sur-nar-munijan sevat,
Tinke dukh haari.
Om Jai Ambe Gauri..॥
Kaanan kundal shobhit,
Naasaagre moti.
Kotik chandra divaakar,
Sam raajat jyoti.
Om Jai Ambe Gauri..॥
Shumbh-Nishumbh bidaare,
Mahishasur ghaati.
Dhoomr vilochan naina,
Nishdin madmaati.
Om Jai Ambe Gauri..॥
Chand-Mund sanhare,
Shonit beej hare.
Madhu-Kaitabh dou maare,
Sur bhayheen kare.
Om Jai Ambe Gauri..॥
Brahmaani, Rudraani,
Tum Kamlaa rani.
Agam nigam bakhaani,
Tum Shiv patraani.
Om Jai Ambe Gauri..॥
Chausath Yogini mangal gaavat,
Nritya karat Bhairo.
Baajat taal mridanga,
Aru baajat damroo.
Om Jai Ambe Gauri..॥
Tum hi jag ki maata,
Tum hi ho bharta.
Bhaktan ki dukh harta,
Sukh sampati karta.
Om Jai Ambe Gauri..॥
Bhuja chaar ati shobhit,
Var mudra dhaari.
Manvaanchhit phal paavat,
Sevat nar naari.
Om Jai Ambe Gauri..॥
Kanchan thaal virajat,
Agar kapoor baati.
Shrimaal ketu mein raajat,
Koti ratan jyoti.
Om Jai Ambe Gauri..॥
Shri Ambeji ki aarti,
Jo koi nar gaave.
Kahat Shivanand Swami,
Sukh-sampati paave.
Om Jai Ambe Gauri..॥
Meaning and Interpretation
Verse-by-Verse Explanation:
- Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauri. Tumko nishdin dhyaavat, Hari Brahma Shivri.
Translation: Hail to you, Mother Ambe Gauri, hail to you, Shyama Gauri. Lord Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva worship you day and night.
Interpretation: The Aarti begins by glorifying the Goddess, acknowledging that even the three supreme deities of Hinduism—Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva—worship her constantly. This highlights her superior status in the cosmic order. - Maang sindoor virajat, Teeko mrigmad ko. Ujjwal se dou naina, Chandravadan niko.
Translation: Your forehead is adorned with vermilion, and your tilak is made of musk. Your eyes are bright, and your face is beautiful like the moon.
Interpretation: This verse describes the divine beauty of Goddess Durga, symbolizing her grace and maternal love. The vermilion on her forehead represents her married status as the consort of Lord Shiva, while her bright eyes and radiant face reflect her purity and compassion. - Kanak samaan kalevar, Raktambar raajai. Raktpushp gal maala, Kanthan par saajai.
Translation: Your body shines like gold, and you are adorned in red garments. A garland of red flowers decorates your neck.
Interpretation: Goddess Durga’s golden radiance signifies her divine energy and prosperity, while her red garments and garland symbolize strength and the power to fight evil. - Keheri vaahan raajat, Khadag khappar dhaari. Sur-nar-munijan sevat, Tinke dukh haari.
Translation: You ride the lion, holding a sword and a skull in your hands. Gods, humans, and sages serve you, and you remove their sorrows.
Interpretation: The lion represents courage, while the sword and skull symbolize her role as the fierce destroyer of evil. Her presence offers protection and liberation from pain and suffering. - Kaanan kundal shobhit, Naasaagre moti. Kotik chandra divaakar, Sam raajat jyoti.
Translation: Your ears are adorned with beautiful earrings, and a pearl shines on your nose. Your radiance is like that of millions of suns and moons.
Interpretation: The description of her ornaments emphasizes her beauty and divine power. Her light, more radiant than the sun and moon, represents the dispelling of darkness and ignorance. - Shumbh-Nishumbh bidaare, Mahishasur ghaati. Dhoomr vilochan naina, Nishdin madmaati.
Translation: You destroyed the demons Shumbh and Nishumbh, and you slayed Mahishasura. Your eyes are filled with smoke, and you are always intoxicated with divine power.
Interpretation: This verse celebrates her role as the slayer of powerful demons, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Her smoke-filled eyes depict her divine rage in the destruction of injustice. - Chand-Mund sanhare, Shonit beej hare. Madhu-Kaitabh dou maare, Sur bhayheen kare.
Translation: You killed the demons Chanda and Munda, and you destroyed the demon Shonit Beej. You also killed Madhu and Kaitabh, making the gods fearless.
Interpretation: These verses recount her victories over various demons, reaffirming her role as the protector of the gods and the universe, and as a destroyer of all forms of evil. - Brahmaani, Rudraani, Tum Kamlaa rani. Agam nigam bakhaani, Tum Shiv patraani.
Translation: You are Brahmani, Rudrani, and the queen of Lakshmi. The scriptures praise you, and you are the consort of Lord Shiva.
Interpretation: Goddess Durga is acknowledged as the universal mother, who encompasses all divine forms. She is not only the consort of Lord Shiva but also manifests as Brahmaani (associated with Brahma), and Rudrani (associated with Shiva). - Chausath Yogini mangal gaavat, Nritya karat Bhairo. Baajat taal mridanga, Aru baajat damroo.
Translation: The sixty-four Yoginis sing your praises, and Bhairava dances in joy. The sound of drums and cymbals, along with the damaru, resonates in the air.
Interpretation: This verse describes the cosmic celebration in her honor, with divine beings like Bhairava and the Yoginis expressing their devotion through dance and music. - Tum hi jag ki maata, Tum hi ho bharta. Bhaktan ki dukh harta, Sukh sampati karta.
Translation: You are the mother of the world, and you are also its sustainer. You remove the sufferings of your devotees and bless them with happiness and prosperity.
Interpretation: Durga is revered as the universal mother and nurturer, who takes care of her devotees by removing their sorrows and granting them success and happiness. - Bhuja chaar ati shobhit, Var mudra dhaari. Manvaanchhit phal paavat, Sevat nar naari.
Translation: Your four arms are graceful, and you hold the posture of blessing. Men and women who serve you receive all that they desire.
Interpretation: Her four arms represent her omnipotence and the fulfillment of desires. Her blessings bring fulfillment to those who worship her with devotion. - Kanchan thaal virajat, Agar kapoor baati. Shrimaal ketu mein raajat, Koti ratan jyoti.
Translation: In a golden platter, incense and camphor lamps are lit for you. In your palace, the brilliance of millions of jewels shines bright.
Interpretation: The Aarti ends with the imagery of devotees offering light and fragrance to the Goddess, symbolizing their love and reverence. Her divine abode shines with the brilliance of countless jewels, representing her infinite glory. - Shri Ambeji ki aarti, Jo koi nar gaave. Kahat Shivanand Swami, Sukh-sampati paave.
Translation: Whoever sings this Aarti of Shri Ambe with devotion, says Swami Shivanand, will be blessed with happiness and prosperity.
Interpretation: The Aarti concludes with a promise that those who sing it with sincerity will be rewarded with divine grace, joy, and success in life.
Overall Message:
The “Jai Ambe Gauri” Aarti is a devotional hymn that celebrates the beauty, power, and compassionate nature of Goddess Durga. It conveys key messages of divine protection, the destruction of evil, and the bestowal of prosperity and happiness to devotees. Through the symbolism of her adornments, weapons, and divine victories, the Aarti encourages faith in her ability to remove suffering and bring balance to the universe.
Cultural and Religious Significance
“Jai Ambe Gauri” is sung during significant religious festivals like Navratri and Durga Puja, where Goddess Durga is worshiped with great devotion. The Aarti is a key part of these celebrations, performed in homes and temples alike, invoking her blessings for strength, prosperity, and protection. Singing this Aarti reinforces a devotee’s faith in Goddess Durga as the ultimate protector and the destroyer of evil.
Conclusion
“Jai Ambe Gauri” is a powerful Aarti that glorifies Goddess Durga’s beauty, power, and role as the protector of her devotees. Each verse reflects the many forms of the Goddess, portraying her as a fierce warrior against evil and a nurturing mother to all. By understanding the deeper meanings of the Aarti, devotees can deepen their spiritual connection with the Goddess and draw strength from her teachings in their everyday lives.