Yamuna Aarti
श्री यमुना जी की आरती
Also known as: om jai yamuna mata · yamuna ji ki aarti · yamuna maiya aarti · shri yamuna aarti · yamunaji aarti
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✦ Meaning
The Yamuna Aarti is a devotional hymn to the sacred river goddess Yamuna, daughter of the Sun God and beloved of Lord Krishna. Sung daily on the ghats of Mathura, Vrindavan and other Braj towns, it praises her dark, gentle waters that wash away sins and grant freedom from the fear of death. Worshippers believe that loving recitation of this aarti brings purity, peace and the fulfilment of heartfelt desires.
Origin & Story
Traditional Braj devotional aarti (Aarti Sangrah); the deity Yamuna is glorified in the Puranas and in Vallabhacharya's Yamunashtakam · Traditional / Anonymous · Medieval to modern (sung in the Pushtimarg and broader Vaishnava tradition)
Yamuna, the daughter of Surya and sister of Yama, descended to earth as a holy river and became intimately linked with the life of Lord Krishna in Braj. Within the Pushtimarg tradition of Vallabhacharya, Yamuna (Shri Yamunaji) is revered as a divine goddess and the bestower of Krishna-bhakti. This aarti is sung at her ghats in Mathura and Vrindavan to honour her as the purifier of sins and the loving mother of Braj.
✦ As told in scripture
It is traditionally held that because Yamuna is the sister of Yama, the lord of death, those who bathe in her waters and sing her praises with devotion are released from the fear of death and the punishments of Yamaloka; her dark waters are said to dissolve the sins of countless lifetimes.
Complete Text with Meaning
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ॐ जय यमुना माता, मैया जय यमुना माता । सुर-नर-मुनिजन सेवत, तीनों लोक विख्याता ॥ ॐ जय यमुना माता ॥
Om Jai Yamuna Mata, Maiya Jai Yamuna Mata Sura-nara-munijana sevata, teenon loka vikhyaata Om Jai Yamuna Mata
Meaning:Victory to you, O Mother Yamuna! Gods, humans and sages serve you, and you are renowned across the three worlds.
पिता आपके सूरज, छाया महतारी । यम-यमुना सहोदर, कृष्णप्रिया प्यारी ॥ ॐ जय यमुना माता ॥
Pita aapke sooraj, chhaaya mahataari Yama-Yamuna sahodara, Krishnapriya pyaari Om Jai Yamuna Mata
Meaning:Your father is the Sun God Surya and your mother is Chhaya; Yama, the lord of death, is your own brother, and you are the beloved of Lord Krishna.
श्याम-वरण जल शोभित, मन्द-मन्द बहती । कल-कल ध्वनि करती हुई, भक्तन सुख देती ॥ ॐ जय यमुना माता ॥
Shyama-varana jala shobhita, manda-manda bahati Kala-kala dhvani karati hui, bhaktana sukha deti Om Jai Yamuna Mata
Meaning:Your dark, gentle waters flow softly, murmuring sweetly and bringing joy to your devotees.
कालिन्दी कलि-नाशिनि, कष्ट निवारणी । पाप-ताप सब हरती, भव-बन्धन हारिणी ॥ ॐ जय यमुना माता ॥
Kalindi kali-naashini, kashta nivaarani Paapa-taapa saba harati, bhava-bandhana haarini Om Jai Yamuna Mata
Meaning:O Kalindi, destroyer of the evils of the Kali age and remover of suffering, you wash away all sins and afflictions and free us from the bondage of birth and death.
तीरथराज प्रयागे, गंगा-संग मिलती । त्रिवेणी सङ्गम बनकर, सबको तारती ॥ ॐ जय यमुना माता ॥
Teeratha-raaja Prayaage, Ganga-sanga milati Triveni sangama banakara, sabako taarati Om Jai Yamuna Mata
Meaning:At the king of holy places, Prayag, you meet Mother Ganga, and as the Triveni confluence you ferry all souls across the ocean of existence.
वृन्दावन की शोभा, ब्रज-रज से न्यारी । कृष्ण-कन्हैया खेले, तेरे तट प्यारी ॥ ॐ जय यमुना माता ॥
Vrindavana ki shobha, braja-raja se nyaari Krishna-Kanhaiya khele, tere tata pyaari Om Jai Yamuna Mata
Meaning:You are the glory of Vrindavan, more precious than the very dust of Braj, for Krishna-Kanhaiya played upon your banks, O beloved Mother.
जो जन यमुना-आरती, प्रेम-सहित गावे । यम का त्रास न होवे, मनवांछित पावे ॥ ॐ जय यमुना माता, मैया जय यमुना माता ॥
Jo jana Yamuna-aarti, prema-sahita gaave Yama ka traasa na hove, manavaanchhita paave Om Jai Yamuna Mata, Maiya Jai Yamuna Mata
Meaning:Whoever sings this aarti of Yamuna with love is freed from the fear of death and attains the cherished wishes of the heart.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Yamuna Aarti
Invokes the grace of Yamuna Maiya, who washes away sins and purifies the soul
Traditionally believed to free the devotee from the fear and torment of Yama (death)
Brings peace of mind and devotion (bhakti) towards Lord Krishna
Considered especially powerful when sung on the banks of the Yamuna or during Yamuna Snan
Cleanses negativity and afflictions (paap-taap) of body and mind
Deepens connection with Braj, Vrindavan and Krishna-leela
Sung during Yamuna Jayanti and Yamuna Chhath to receive the river goddess's blessings
How to Chant Yamuna Aarti
Light a ghee or camphor lamp and offer the aarti while facing the river or an image of Yamuna Maiya. Sing the hymn with devotion, circling the lamp clockwise, ideally accompanied by a bell. On the banks of the Yamuna, devotees offer the lamp to the flowing water (deepdaan). Conclude by taking the aarti flame's blessing and praying for purity and freedom from sin.