Om Jai Jagdish Hare
Aarti of Lord Jagdish (Vishnu) — full lyrics with meaning
"Om Jai Jagdish Hare" is a Hindi aarti to Lord Vishnu as Jagdish, "Lord of the Universe", written by Pandit Shardha Ram Phillauri around 1870; it is today the most widely sung aarti, closing almost every Hindu puja.
Full Text
Meaning & Significance
This aarti was composed in the nineteenth century by Pandit Shardha Ram Sharma (Phillauri) of Phillaur in Punjab — a scholar, religious preacher and one of the earliest Hindi novelists. Written in simple Hindi, it addresses God as mother and father, as the indwelling Supreme Self, as the ocean of compassion and as the friend of the helpless, and voices the devotee's humble admission of being foolish and misguided, saved only by the Lord's grace. The final stanza prays for the removal of worldly cravings and sin and for growth in faith, devotion and service of the saintly. Though addressed to Vishnu, it has become so universal that it is sung while waving the lamp at the close of worship of almost any deity, after the Satyanarayana katha, and at festivals in homes and temples alike.
Benefits
- Traditionally sung while waving the lamp at the close of puja, havan, katha or festival worship.
- Devotees believe that singing it with faith eases sorrow and trouble — as the aarti itself says.
- Its simple Hindi and familiar tune let families and children sing it together easily.
- Considered especially auspicious on Thursdays, Ekadashi and at Satyanarayana puja.
How to Chant
At the end of puja, stand before the deity holding a plate with a ghee lamp or camphor flame. While singing, wave the lamp clockwise — traditionally four times before the feet, twice before the navel, once before the face, and then seven times around the whole image. A conch, bell or clapping may accompany the singing; at the end, pass your hands over the flame and touch them to your eyes and head.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who wrote "Om Jai Jagdish Hare"?
- It was written around 1870 by Pandit Shardha Ram Sharma Phillauri (1837–1881), a scholar and religious preacher from Phillaur in Punjab who was also one of the earliest Hindi novelists.
- What does "Jagdish" mean?
- "Jagdish" joins "jagat" (the world) and "isha" (lord), meaning "Lord of the Universe" — here a name of Vishnu, also called Hari.
- How many stanzas does this aarti have?
- It has eight stanzas — the opening "Om Jai Jagdish Hare" stanza followed by seven more, each closing with the refrain "Om Jai Jagdish Hare". Many people repeat the opening stanza at the end.
- Is this aarti only for Lord Vishnu?
- It is originally an aarti of Vishnu, but today it is sung at the end of worship of almost any deity, after the Satyanarayana katha and at festivals, so it is often called a "universal aarti".
- Why do some lines differ between printed versions?
- Popular usage has varied a few words — for example "main moorakh khal kaami" instead of "main moorakh phalakaami", or "rakshak tum mere" instead of "thakur tum mere". Many singers also add the lines "Tan man dhan sab kuchh hai tera" at the end, which are not found in all versions.