Jai Ambe Gauri
जय अम्बे गौरी
Jai Ambe Gauri is one of the most widely sung Hindi aartis to Goddess Durga, whom it calls Ambe, Gauri and Shyama. Its refrain and twelve stanzas describe her radiant form on the lion and her victories over Mahishasura, Shumbha-Nishumbha, Chanda-Munda and Raktabija. Families sing it every evening of Navratri, often just before garba, and on Tuesdays and Fridays.
- 13 verses
- 6 min
- Traditional; the closing stanza names Swami Shivanand
- Best on Tuesday, Friday
Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauriजय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी।
Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivriतुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥
Glory to Ambe Gauri! O Mother, glory to Shyama Gauri! Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva meditate on you day and night.
Ambe means Mother. Gauri is the fair one and Shyama the dark one; both are forms of the one Goddess. 'Shivri' is a folk form of 'Shiva'.
Maang Sindoor Virajat, Tiko Mrigmad Koमाँग सिन्दूर विराजत, टीको मृगमद को।
Ujjwal Se Dou Naina, Chandravadan Nikoउज्ज्वल से दोउ नैना, चन्द्रवदन नीको॥
Vermilion shines in the parting of your hair, and a tilak of musk marks your brow. Your two eyes are bright and radiant, and your moon-like face is lovely.
Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauriजय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी।
Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivriतुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥
Kanak Saman Kalevar, Raktambar Rajeकनक समान कलेवर, रक्ताम्बर राजै।
Raktapushp Gal Mala, Kanthan Par Sajeरक्तपुष्प गल माला, कण्ठन पर साजै॥
Your body glows like gold, and red garments adorn you. A garland of red flowers graces your neck.
Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauriजय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी।
Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivriतुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥
Kehari Vahan Rajat, Khadag Khappar Dhariकेहरि वाहन राजत, खड्ग खप्परधारी।
Sur Nar Munijan Sevat, Tinke Dukhhariसुर-नर-मुनिजन सेवत, तिनके दुखहारी॥
You ride majestically on a lion, holding a sword and a skull-bowl. Gods, humans and sages serve you, and you take away their sorrows.
Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauriजय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी।
Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivriतुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥
Kanan Kundal Shobhit, Nasagre Motiकानन कुण्डल शोभित, नासाग्रे मोती।
Kotik Chandra Divakar, Sam Rajat Jyotiकोटिक चन्द्र दिवाकर, सम राजत ज्योति॥
Earrings sparkle on your ears and a pearl gleams at the tip of your nose. Your radiance shines like millions of moons and suns together.
Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauriजय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी।
Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivriतुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥
Shumbh Nishumbh Bidare, Mahishasur Ghatiशुम्भ-निशुम्भ बिदारे, महिषासुर घाती।
Dhumra Vilochan Naina, Nishdin Madmatiधूम्र विलोचन नैना, निशदिन मदमाती॥
You tore apart Shumbha and Nishumbha and slew Mahishasura. Your eyes, which undid the demon Dhumralochana, glow day and night with divine intensity.
In the Devi Mahatmya, the demon Dhumralochana ('smoke-eyed') was reduced to ash by the Goddess's mere roar.
Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauriजय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी।
Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivriतुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥
Chand Mund Sanhare, Shonit Beej Hareचण्ड-मुण्ड संहारे, शोणित बीज हरे।
Madhu Kaitabh Dou Maare, Sur Bhayheen Kareमधु-कैटभ दोउ मारे, सुर भयहीन करे॥
You destroyed Chanda and Munda and ended Raktabija, whose every drop of blood bred another demon. You slew both Madhu and Kaitabha and freed the gods from fear.
Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauriजय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी।
Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivriतुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥
Brahmani Rudrani, Tum Kamala Raniब्रह्माणी, रुद्राणी, तुम कमला रानी।
Agam Nigam Bakhani, Tum Shiv Patraniआगम निगम बखानी, तुम शिव पटरानी॥
You are Brahmani and Rudrani, and you are Queen Kamala (Lakshmi). The Agamas and the Vedas sing your praise; you are the chief queen of Shiva.
Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauriजय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी।
Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivriतुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥
Chaunsath Yogini Mangal Gavat, Nritya Karat Bhaironचौंसठ योगिनी मंगल गावत, नृत्य करत भैरों।
Bajat Taal Mridanga, Aru Bajat Damruबाजत ताल मृदंगा, अरु बाजत डमरू॥
The sixty-four Yoginis sing auspicious songs and Bhairava dances. Cymbals and the mridanga play, and the damaru drum resounds.
Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauriजय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी।
Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivriतुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥
Tum Hi Jag Ki Mata, Tum Hi Ho Bhartaतुम ही जग की माता, तुम ही हो भरता।
Bhaktan Ki Dukh Harta, Sukh Sampatti Kartaभक्तन की दुख हरता, सुख सम्पत्ति करता॥
You alone are the Mother of the world, and you alone sustain it. You take away your devotees' sorrows and bring them happiness and prosperity.
Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauriजय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी।
Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivriतुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥
Bhuja Char Ati Shobhit, Var Mudra Dhariभुजा चार अति शोभित, वर-मुद्रा धारी।
Manvanchhit Phal Pavat, Sevat Nar Nariमनवांछित फल पावत, सेवत नर-नारी॥
Your four arms are resplendent, one held in the gesture of granting boons. The men and women who serve you receive the fruit their hearts desire.
Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauriजय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी।
Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivriतुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥
Kanchan Thaal Virajat, Agar Kapur Baatiकंचन थाल विराजत, अगर कपूर बाती।
Shri Malketu Mein Rajat, Koti Ratan Jyotiश्रीमालकेतु में राजत, कोटि रतन ज्योति॥
A golden plate is set before you with agarwood, camphor and lamp wicks. In Shri Malketu the flame shines with the light of millions of jewels.
Traditions read 'Shri Malketu' differently: as a sacred place of the Goddess, or as a banner above the aarti. We keep the name as it is sung.
Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauriजय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी।
Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivriतुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥
Shri Ambe Ji Ki Aarti, Jo Koi Nar Gaveश्री अम्बेजी की आरती, जो कोई नर गावै।
Kahat Shivanand Swami, Sukh Sampatti Paveकहत शिवानन्द स्वामी, सुख सम्पत्ति पावै॥
Whoever sings this aarti of Shri Ambe, says Swami Shivanand, will be blessed with happiness and prosperity.
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Questions
Is Jai Ambe Gauri the same as Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kali?
No. They are two different Durga aartis. Jai Ambe Gauri begins 'Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauri' and uses the Om Jai tune; Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kali has its own melody and refrain. In Navratri many families sing both at the evening aarti, one after the other.
When is Jai Ambe Gauri sung?
Every evening of Navratri, in both Chaitra and Sharad Navratri. At many garba nights it is sung first, before the dancing starts. It is also sung at Durga Puja and Durga Ashtami, and on Tuesdays and Fridays, which tradition gives to the Goddess. People wave a ghee or camphor lamp before her image, ring the bell and clap along.
Who wrote Jai Ambe Gauri?
Tradition credits a devotee named Swami Shivanand, because the last stanza says 'Kahat Shivanand Swami'. Little is reliably known about him, and books do not agree on his dates. The aarti spread through temples, family worship and inexpensive aarti booklets across North and West India.
What does 'Shyama Gauri' mean?
Gauri means the fair or radiant one, a name of Parvati. Shyama means the dark one, a name linked with Kali. By calling her both, the aarti says the gentle and the fierce forms are one Mother.
How long does the aarti take?
About six minutes for all twelve stanzas with the refrain.
Source and review
Source: Traditional Hindi aarti (signature: Shivanand Swami) as printed in popular aarti-sangrah booklets; text cross-checked against Drik Panchang (Hindi) and BhaktiBharat.com
Both sources agree on all twelve stanzas and their order. Minor spelling choices: 'निशदिन' (BhaktiBharat) over 'निशिदिन' (Drik Panchang); 'भैरों' over 'भैरूँ'; 'उज्ज्वल' (correct spelling) over the printed 'उज्जवल'. Many singers prefix the refrain with 'ॐ'. In stanza 10, some books read 'खड्ग खप्पर धारी' in place of 'वर-मुद्रा धारी'. This is a different aarti from 'Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kali'.
We checked the text line by line against the sources named here. The meanings are an AI-assisted draft. A scholar has not reviewed them yet.
The meanings are our own first draft. A scholar has not reviewed them yet. If you spot a mistake, please tell us.