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Durga Aarti — Jai Ambe Gauri Meaning — Line by Line

दुर्गा आरती — जय अम्बे गौरी

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Durga Aarti — Jai Ambe Gauri with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

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  1. Verse 1. Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauri
  2. Verse 2. Mang Sindoor Virajat, Teeko Mrigmad Ko
  3. Verse 3. Kanak Saman Kalevar, Raktambar Raje
  4. Verse 4. Kehari Vahan Rajat, Khadg Khappar Dhari
  5. Verse 5. Kanan Kundal Shobhit, Nasagre Moti
  6. Verse 6. Shumbh Nishumbh Vidare, Mahishasur Ghati
  7. Verse 7. Chand Mund Sanhare, Shonit Bij Hare
  8. Verse 8. Brahmani Rudrani, Tum Kamla Rani
  9. Verse 9. Chaunsath Yogini Gavat, Nritya Karat Bhairon
  10. Verse 10. Tum Hi Jag Ki Mata, Tum Hi Ho Bharta
  11. Verse 11. Bhuja Char Ati Shobhit, Var Mudra Dhari
  12. Verse 12. Kanchan Thal Virajat, Agar Kapur Bati
  13. Verse 13. Shri Ambeji Ki Aarti, Jo Koi Nar Gave
Verse 1#

Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauri

जय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी। तुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥ जय अम्बे गौरी॥

Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauri Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivri Jai Ambe Gauri

MeaningGlory to Mother Ambe Gauri! Beloved Mother, glory to Shyama Gauri! Hari, Brahma, and Shiva meditate upon you night and day. Glory to Mother Ambe Gauri!

Verse 2#

Mang Sindoor Virajat, Teeko Mrigmad Ko

मांग सिन्दूर विराजत, टीको मृगमद को। उज्ज्वल से दो नैना, चन्द्रवदन नीको॥ जय अम्बे गौरी॥

Mang Sindoor Virajat, Teeko Mrigmad Ko Ujjwal Se Do Naina, Chandravadan Neeko Jai Ambe Gauri

MeaningVermillion adorns the parting of your hair, and a musk tilak graces your forehead. Your two eyes shine brilliantly, and your moon-like face is beautiful. Glory to Mother Ambe Gauri!

Verse 3#

Kanak Saman Kalevar, Raktambar Raje

कनक समान कलेवर, रक्ताम्बर राजे। रक्तपुष्प गल माला, कण्ठन पर साजे॥ जय अम्बे गौरी॥

Kanak Saman Kalevar, Raktambar Raje Raktpushp Gal Mala, Kanthan Par Saje Jai Ambe Gauri

MeaningYour body is golden like pure gold, and you are draped in red garments. A garland of red flowers adorns your neck beautifully. Glory to Mother Ambe Gauri!

Verse 4#

Kehari Vahan Rajat, Khadg Khappar Dhari

केहरि वाहन राजत, खड्ग खप्पर धारी। सुर नर मुनिजन सेवत, तिनके दुखहारी॥ जय अम्बे गौरी॥

Kehari Vahan Rajat, Khadg Khappar Dhari Sur Nar Munijan Sevat, Tinke Dukh Hari Jai Ambe Gauri

MeaningYou ride majestically upon a lion, holding a sword and a skull-cup. Gods, humans, and sages serve you — you are the remover of their sorrows. Glory to Mother Ambe Gauri!

Verse 5#

Kanan Kundal Shobhit, Nasagre Moti

कानन कुण्डल शोभित, नासाग्रे मोती। कोटिक चन्द्र दिवाकर, सम राजत ज्योती॥ जय अम्बे गौरी॥

Kanan Kundal Shobhit, Nasagre Moti Kotik Chandra Divakar, Sam Rajat Jyoti Jai Ambe Gauri

MeaningEarrings adorn your ears beautifully, and a pearl decorates the tip of your nose. Your radiance shines like millions of moons and suns combined. Glory to Mother Ambe Gauri!

Verse 6#

Shumbh Nishumbh Vidare, Mahishasur Ghati

शुम्भ निशुम्भ विदारे, महिषासुर घाती। धूम्रविलोचन नैना, निशदिन मदमाती॥ जय अम्बे गौरी॥

Shumbh Nishumbh Vidare, Mahishasur Ghati Dhumravilochan Naina, Nishdin Madmati Jai Ambe Gauri

MeaningYou tore apart the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha and slew the buffalo demon Mahishasura. With your smoke-eyed gaze, you are perpetually intoxicated with divine power. Glory to Mother Ambe Gauri!

Verse 7#

Chand Mund Sanhare, Shonit Bij Hare

चण्ड मुण्ड संहारे, शोणित बीज हरे। मधु कैटभ दोउ मारे, सुर भयहीन करे॥ जय अम्बे गौरी॥

Chand Mund Sanhare, Shonit Bij Hare Madhu Kaitabh Dou Mare, Sur Bhayahin Kare Jai Ambe Gauri

MeaningYou destroyed Chanda and Munda, and annihilated the blood-seed demon Raktabija. You slew both Madhu and Kaitabha, making the gods free from fear. Glory to Mother Ambe Gauri!

Verse 8#

Brahmani Rudrani, Tum Kamla Rani

ब्रह्माणी रुद्राणी, तुम कमला रानी। आगम निगम बखानी, तुम शिव पटरानी॥ जय अम्बे गौरी॥

Brahmani Rudrani, Tum Kamla Rani Agam Nigam Bakhani, Tum Shiv Patrani Jai Ambe Gauri

MeaningYou are Brahmani, Rudrani, and Kamala (Lakshmi), O Queen! The Agamas and Vedas sing your praise — you are Shiva's supreme consort. Glory to Mother Ambe Gauri!

Verse 9#

Chaunsath Yogini Gavat, Nritya Karat Bhairon

चौँसठ योगिनी गावत, नृत्य करत भैरों। बाजत ताल मृदंगा, अरु बाजत डमरू॥ जय अम्बे गौरी॥

Chaunsath Yogini Gavat, Nritya Karat Bhairon Bajat Taal Mridanga, Aru Bajat Damru Jai Ambe Gauri

MeaningThe sixty-four Yoginis sing your glory, and Bhairava dances in ecstasy. The mridanga drum plays the rhythm, and Shiva's damru beats. Glory to Mother Ambe Gauri!

Verse 10#

Tum Hi Jag Ki Mata, Tum Hi Ho Bharta

तुम ही जग की माता, तुम ही हो भर्ता। भक्तन की दुख हर्ता, सुख सम्पत्ति कर्ता॥ जय अम्बे गौरी॥

Tum Hi Jag Ki Mata, Tum Hi Ho Bharta Bhaktan Ki Dukh Harta, Sukh Sampatti Karta Jai Ambe Gauri

MeaningYou alone are the Mother of the world, you alone are its Sustainer. You remove the sorrows of your devotees and bestow happiness and prosperity. Glory to Mother Ambe Gauri!

Verse 11#

Bhuja Char Ati Shobhit, Var Mudra Dhari

भुजा चार अति शोभित, वर मुद्रा धारी। मनवांछित फल पावत, सेवत नर नारी॥ जय अम्बे गौरी॥

Bhuja Char Ati Shobhit, Var Mudra Dhari Manvanchhit Phal Pavat, Sevat Nar Nari Jai Ambe Gauri

MeaningYour four arms shine with great splendor, holding the gesture of granting boons. Men and women who serve you attain the fulfillment of all their desires. Glory to Mother Ambe Gauri!

Verse 12#

Kanchan Thal Virajat, Agar Kapur Bati

कंचन थाल विराजत, अगर कपूर बाती। मालकेतु में राजत, कोटि रतन ज्योती॥ जय अम्बे गौरी॥

Kanchan Thal Virajat, Agar Kapur Bati Malketu Mein Rajat, Koti Ratan Jyoti Jai Ambe Gauri

MeaningOn a golden plate shine wicks of agar and camphor. In the great flame shines the radiance of millions of jewels. Glory to Mother Ambe Gauri!

Verse 13#

Shri Ambeji Ki Aarti, Jo Koi Nar Gave

श्री अम्बेजी की आरती, जो कोई नर गावे। कहत शिवानन्द स्वामी, सुख सम्पत्ति पावे॥ जय अम्बे गौरी॥

Shri Ambeji Ki Aarti, Jo Koi Nar Gave Kahat Shivanand Swami, Sukh Sampatti Pave Jai Ambe Gauri

MeaningWhoever sings this aarti of Shri Ambe — says Swami Shivananda — shall attain happiness and prosperity. Glory to Mother Ambe Gauri!

Word-by-Word Breakdown

अम्बे
Ambe
Mother (a name of Durga)
गौरी
Gauri
The fair one, Parvati/Durga
श्यामा
Shyama
The dark one (Kali form)
सिन्दूर
Sindoor
Vermillion in the hair parting
मृगमद
Mrigmad
Musk (deer musk tilak)
चन्द्रवदन
Chandravadan
Moon-like face
कनक
Kanak
Gold
रक्ताम्बर
Raktambar
Red garments
केहरि वाहन
Kehari Vahan
Lion vehicle (Durga's mount)
खड्ग
Khadg
Sword
खप्पर
Khappar
Skull-cup
शुम्भ निशुम्भ
Shumbh Nishumbh
Two demon brothers slain by Durga
महिषासुर
Mahishasur
Buffalo demon slain by Durga
धूम्रविलोचन
Dhumravilochan
Smoke-eyed demon slain by Durga
चण्ड मुण्ड
Chand Mund
Two demon generals slain by Chamunda
शोणित बीज
Shonit Bij
Raktabija — demon whose blood spawned clones
मधु कैटभ
Madhu Kaitabh
Two primordial demons slain by Vishnu/Devi
ब्रह्माणी
Brahmani
Shakti of Brahma
रुद्राणी
Rudrani
Shakti of Rudra (Shiva)
चौँसठ योगिनी
Chaunsath Yogini
Sixty-four Yoginis (divine attendants)
भैरों
Bhairon
Bhairava, fierce form of Shiva
मृदंगा
Mridanga
Two-headed drum
डमरू
Damru
Shiva's hand drum

Origin & History

Source: Hindu devotional folk tradition; references Devi Mahatmyam (Durga Saptashati)

Author: Attributed to Swami Shivananda (folk tradition)

Period: Medieval period

The Durga Aarti 'Jai Ambe Gauri' is the most popular aarti dedicated to Goddess Durga and is inseparable from the festival of Navratri. It draws its content from the Devi Mahatmyam (Markandeya Purana), referencing the great battles where Durga destroyed the most powerful demons — Mahishasura, Shumbha-Nishumbha, Raktabija, and others. The aarti presents Durga in her full glory: golden-bodied, red-robed, lion-riding, sword-bearing, yet also the compassionate Mother of the universe who removes the sorrows of her devotees. Its attribution to Swami Shivananda in the final verse has given it an air of saintly authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Durga Aarti sung during Navratri?
The Durga Aarti 'Jai Ambe Gauri' is sung every evening during the nine nights of Navratri. It is the central aarti of the festival and is performed after the evening puja and jagrata (night vigil). It is also sung during Durga Puja and at Durga temples throughout the year.
Who wrote the Durga Aarti 'Jai Ambe Gauri'?
The last verse attributes the aarti to Swami Shivananda, though the exact historical identity is debated. It is widely considered a folk devotional composition that has been sung for centuries across North India.
What demons does the aarti mention?
The aarti mentions five demon battles: Shumbha and Nishumbha (two demon brothers), Mahishasura (the buffalo demon), Dhumravilochan (smoke-eyed demon), Chanda and Munda (two generals), Raktabija (blood-seed demon), and Madhu-Kaitabha (primordial demons). These are all from the Devi Mahatmyam.
What is the significance of the lion in the aarti?
The lion (Kehari/Simha) is Durga's vehicle (vahana), symbolizing power, courage, and sovereignty. Durga riding a lion represents the triumph of divine power over evil forces. The verse 'Kehari Vahan Rajat' celebrates this majestic image.
Can men sing the Durga Aarti?
Absolutely. The aarti says 'Sevat Nar Nari' — both men and women who serve Durga attain the fulfillment of their desires. Durga worship is for everyone regardless of gender.

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