Amrutkaal Durga Aarti: Jai Ambe Gauri
Jai Ambe Gauri (जय अम्बे गौरी) is the foremost aarti of Goddess Durga, sung in homes and temples throughout India and the diaspora. Its verses adore the Mother in her many forms, describe her radiant appearance and divine ornaments, recall her victories over the demons Mahishasura, Shumbha-Nishumbha, Chanda-Munda, Raktabija and Madhu-Kaitabha, and affirm her as the Mother and sustainer of the universe. It is most closely associated with the worship of the nine days of Navratri.
When to recite: Recited daily during the nine nights of Navratri (both the spring Chaitra and autumn Sharada Navratri), and on Ashtami and Navami in particular. It is also sung on Tuesdays and Fridays sacred to the Goddess, at Durga Puja, and at any worship of Devi, customarily as the concluding aarti while a lit lamp is waved before the deity.
जय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी। तुमको निशिदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥ ॐ जय अम्बे गौरी॥
Jai Ambe Gauri, maiya jai Shyama Gauri. Tumko nishidin dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivari. Om jai Ambe Gauri.
Victory to you, O fair Mother Amba, victory to the dark-hued Gauri. Day and night Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva meditate upon you.
माँग सिन्दूर विराजत, टीको मृगमद को। उज्ज्वल से दोउ नैना, चन्द्रवदन नीको॥ ॐ जय अम्बे गौरी॥
Maang sindoor virajat, teeko mrigmad ko. Ujjwal se dou naina, chandravadan neeko. Om jai Ambe Gauri.
Vermilion adorns the parting of your hair and a musk mark graces your brow; your two eyes shine bright and your face is lovely as the moon.
कनक समान कलेवर, रक्ताम्बर राजै। रक्तपुष्प गल माला, कण्ठहार साजै॥ ॐ जय अम्बे गौरी॥
Kanak samaan kalevar, raktambar rajai. Raktapushp gal mala, kanthhaar sajai. Om jai Ambe Gauri.
Your form gleams like gold and a crimson robe resplendent; a garland of red flowers and a jewelled necklace adorn your throat.
केहरि वाहन राजत, खड्ग खप्पर धारी। सुर-नर-मुनिजन सेवत, तिनके दुखहारी॥ ॐ जय अम्बे गौरी॥
Kehari vahan rajat, khadag khappar dhari. Sur-nar-munijan sevat, tinke dukhhari. Om jai Ambe Gauri.
Mounted gloriously upon a lion, bearing sword and skull-bowl, you are served by gods, men and sages, and you take away their sorrows.
कानन कुण्डल शोभित, नासाग्रे मोती। कोटिक चन्द्र दिवाकर, सम राजत ज्योती॥ ॐ जय अम्बे गौरी॥
Kanan kundal shobhit, nasagre moti. Kotik chandra divakar, sam rajat jyoti. Om jai Ambe Gauri.
Earrings adorn your ears and a pearl rests upon your nose-tip; your radiance shines like millions of moons and suns together.
शुम्भ-निशुम्भ विदारे, महिषासुर घाती। धूम्र-विलोचन नैना, निशदिन मदमाती॥ ॐ जय अम्बे गौरी॥
Shumbh-Nishumbh vidare, Mahishasur ghati. Dhumra-vilochan naina, nishdin madmati. Om jai Ambe Gauri.
You tore apart Shumbha and Nishumbha and slew the demon Mahishasura; you destroyed Dhumralochana, ever exultant in battle.
चण्ड-मुण्ड संहारे, शोणित बीज हरे। मधु-कैटभ दोउ मारे, सुर भयहीन करे॥ ॐ जय अम्बे गौरी॥
Chanda-Munda sanhare, shonit beej hare. Madhu-Kaitabh dou mare, sur bhayheen kare. Om jai Ambe Gauri.
You destroyed Chanda and Munda and consumed the blood-seed demon Raktabija; you slew both Madhu and Kaitabha and freed the gods from fear.
ब्रह्माणी, रुद्राणी, तुम कमला रानी। आगम-निगम-बखानी, तुम शिव पटरानी॥ ॐ जय अम्बे गौरी॥
Brahmani, Rudrani, tum Kamala rani. Aagam-nigam-bakhani, tum Shiv patrani. Om jai Ambe Gauri.
As Brahmani and Rudrani you are the queen Kamala; the scriptures and the Vedas extol you as the consort of Shiva.
चौंसठ योगिनि गावत, नृत्य करत भैरों। बाजत ताल मृदंगा, अरु बाजत डमरू॥ ॐ जय अम्बे गौरी॥
Chaunsath yogini gavat, nritya karat Bhairon. Bajat taal mridanga, aru bajat damaru. Om jai Ambe Gauri.
The sixty-four yoginis sing and Bhairava dances; cymbals and the mridanga sound, and the damaru drum resounds.
तुम ही जग की माता, तुम ही हो भरता। भक्तन की दुख हरता, सुख-सम्पति करता॥ ॐ जय अम्बे गौरी॥
Tum hi jag ki mata, tum hi ho bharta. Bhaktan ki dukh harta, sukh-sampati karta. Om jai Ambe Gauri.
You alone are the Mother of the world and you alone its sustainer; you remove the sorrows of devotees and grant them happiness and prosperity.
भुजा चार अति शोभित, वर-मुद्रा धारी। मनवांछित फल पावत, सेवत नर-नारी॥ ॐ जय अम्बे गौरी॥
Bhuja chaar ati shobhit, var-mudra dhari. Manvanchhit phal pavat, sevat nar-nari. Om jai Ambe Gauri.
Your four arms are most beautiful, holding the boon-granting gesture; the men and women who worship you obtain the fruit of their heart's desire.
कंचन थाल विराजत, अगर कपूर बाती। श्रीमालकेतु में राजत, कोटि रतन ज्योती॥ ॐ जय अम्बे गौरी॥
Kanchan thaal virajat, agar kapoor baati. Shrimalketu mein rajat, koti ratan jyoti. Om jai Ambe Gauri.
A golden platter is set with wicks of aloe-wood and camphor; in Malketu you shine resplendent with the light of countless jewels.
श्री अम्बेजी की आरती, जो कोई नर गावै। कहत शिवानन्द स्वामी, सुख-सम्पति पावै॥ ॐ जय अम्बे गौरी॥
Shri Ambeji ki aarti, jo koi nar gavai. Kahat Shivanand swami, sukh-sampati pavai. Om jai Ambe Gauri.
Whoever sings this aarti of Shri Amba, says Swami Shivananda, attains happiness and prosperity.
Significance & benefits
- Traditionally believed to invoke the protection and grace of Goddess Durga, remover of obstacles and fears.
- Considered the essential concluding aarti of daily worship through the nine nights of Navratri.
- Held in tradition to bestow courage, well-being and the fulfilment of righteous desires upon sincere devotees.
- Regarded as a devotional practice that brings the family together in worship of the Divine Mother.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Durga Aarti "Jai Ambe Gauri" recited?
It is sung daily during the nine nights of Navratri, with special emphasis on Ashtami and Navami. It is also recited on Tuesdays and Fridays, at Durga Puja, and during any worship of the Goddess.
What does "Jai Ambe Gauri" mean?
It means "Victory to Mother Amba, the fair Gauri." The aarti praises Durga in her many forms, recalls her victories over demons such as Mahishasura and Shumbha-Nishumbha, and adores her as the Mother of the universe.
Who composed this aarti?
The final verse attributes its authorship to Swami Shivananda ("kahat Shivanand swami"). The aarti has been sung across India for generations and is the most popular hymn in Durga worship.