आरती साईं बाबा — Word-by-Word Meaning
आरती साईं बाबा
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
आरती
Aarti
Prayer with lighted lamp
साईं बाबा
Sai Baba
Holy Father Sai
सौख्यदातारा
Saukhyadatara
Giver of happiness/bliss
जीवा
Jeeva
To the soul/living beings
चरणरजातली
Charanarajatali
Dust of the holy feet
ध्यावा
Dhyava
To meditate upon
दासां विसावा
Dasan Visava
Resting place for servants/devotees
भक्तां विसावा
Bhaktan Visava
Resting place for devotees
अनंग
Ananga
Desire/passion (Kamadeva)
स्वस्वरूपी
Svasvarupi
In one's own true form
मुमुक्षुजनां
Mumukshujanan
Seekers of liberation
श्रीरंग
Shriranga
The beautiful divine form
भाव
Bhava
Feeling/devotion
अनुभव
Anubhava
Experience
दयाघना
Dayaghana
Embodiment of compassion
संसृतीव्यथा
Sansritivyatha
Sorrows of worldly existence
अगाध
Agadha
Unfathomable/immeasurable
करणी
Karani
Deeds/actions
अनाथा
Anatha
The helpless/destitute
कलियुगी अवतार
Kaliyugi Avatara
Incarnation of the Kali age
सगुण परब्रह्म
Saguna Parabrahma
Supreme Brahman with form
दत्त दिगंबर
Datta Digambara
Lord Dattatreya, the unclad one
गुरुवारी
Guruvari
On Thursday
प्रभुपद
Prabhupad
Lord's feet
भवभय
Bhavabhaya
Fear of worldly existence
निजद्रव्य
Nijdravya
Personal treasure/wealth
चरणरज सेवा
Charanaraj Seva
Service at the dust of feet
देवादिदेवा
Devadideva
God of gods
चातक
Chataka
The rain bird (awaiting divine grace)
निर्मल तोय
Nirmala Toya
Pure water
Complete Translation
Aarti to Sai Baba, the giver of bliss to all living beings.
Meditate upon the dust of his holy feet, the resting place for devotees.
Aarti to Sai Baba.
Having burned all desires, he remains absorbed in his own true Self.
To the seekers of liberation, he reveals the beautiful divine form.
Aarti to Sai Baba.
As is the feeling in one's mind, so is the experience one receives.
O embodiment of compassion, such is your motherly love.
Aarti to Sai Baba.
By meditating on your name, the sorrows of worldly life are destroyed.
Unfathomable are your deeds; you show the path to the helpless.
Aarti to Sai Baba.
You are the incarnation of the Kali age, the Supreme Brahman in form.
You have descended as Lord Dattatreya himself.
Aarti to Sai Baba.
Every Thursday, devotees gather in worship.
To behold the Lord's feet and remove the fear of worldly existence.
Aarti to Sai Baba.
My only treasure is the service at your holy feet.
This alone I ask of you, O God of gods.
Aarti to Sai Baba.
Like the chataka bird yearning for pure raindrops of bliss,
O Lord, quench this thirst and fulfill your promise.
Aarti to Sai Baba.
Origin & History
Source: Shri Sai Satcharitra tradition
Author: Shri Madhavrao Vamanrao Adkar
Period: Early 20th century
Shirdi Sai Baba (c. 1838–1918) was a revered Indian saint who lived in the village of Shirdi in Maharashtra. He taught that all religions lead to the same God, with his famous sayings 'Sabka Malik Ek' (Everyone's Master is One) and 'Shraddha aur Saburi' (Faith and Patience). This aarti was composed by his devotees during his lifetime and became the central prayer of the Sai tradition. It is sung daily at the Shirdi Sai Baba temple and millions of Sai temples worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the Sai Baba Aarti?▼
The aarti 'Aarti Sai Baba Saukhyadatara Jeeva' was composed by Shri Madhavrao Vamanrao Adkar, a devoted follower of Shirdi Sai Baba. It is part of the Shri Sai Satcharitra tradition.
When should the Sai Baba Aarti be performed?▼
It is traditionally performed during the evening sandhya aarti. In Shirdi Sai temples, aarti is performed four times daily — Kakad aarti (dawn), Madhyan aarti (noon), Dhoop aarti (sunset), and Shej aarti (night). Thursday is the most auspicious day.
Why is Thursday special for Sai Baba worship?▼
Thursday (Guruvar) is considered Sai Baba's special day because 'Guru' means spiritual teacher, and Sai Baba is revered as the supreme Guru. Devotees observe fasts and special prayers on Thursdays.
Can this aarti be chanted at home?▼
Yes, absolutely. You can perform this aarti at home before a photo or idol of Sai Baba with a lit lamp, incense, and flowers. Devotion and faith are the only requirements.
What is the significance of calling Sai Baba 'Datta Digambara'?▼
The aarti identifies Sai Baba as an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya (the combined form of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva). This reflects the belief among many devotees that Sai Baba was a manifestation of the supreme divine trinity.
Ready to start chanting?
See Benefits & How to Chant →