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दुर्गा आरती — जय अम्बे गौरी — Word-by-Word Meaning

दुर्गा आरती — जय अम्बे गौरी

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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

Complete Translation

Glory 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! Vermillion 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! Your 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! You 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! Earrings 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! You 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! You 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! You 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! The 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! You 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! Your 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! On 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! Whoever sings this aarti of Shri Ambe — says Swami Shivananda — shall attain happiness and prosperity. Glory to Mother Ambe Gauri!

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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