Mantras & Aarti
Complete texts of mantras, stotras, chalisas and aartis, with meaning and transliteration.
Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kali
The heartfelt Navratri aarti to Durga and Kali, Mother of the world
'Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kali' is one of the most widely sung Hindi aartis of the Goddess, addressing her as Amba, Jagadamba, Kali and Durga. A refrain and four stanzas praise her strength, her motherly love and her protection. It is sung above all during Navratri, at jagratas and on Fridays, once through with the refrain after each stanza. Its author is uncertain.
Gayatri Mantra
The Rigveda's prayer to the light that awakens the mind
The Gayatri Mantra (also called the Savitri Mantra) is verse 3.62.10 of the Rigveda, addressed to Savitṛ, the divine sun, and attributed to the sage Vishvamitra. It asks that the radiant light of the divine inspire our understanding, and it is recited daily in sandhyavandana, at the sacred-thread ceremony and in personal japa, usually 108 times on a mala.
Hanuman Chalisa
Forty verses of Tulsidas in praise of Rama's mighty messenger
The Hanuman Chalisa is a devotional hymn of forty chaupais (quatrains), framed by two opening dohas and one closing doha, composed in Awadhi by the 16th-century poet-saint Goswami Tulsidas. It praises Hanuman's strength, wisdom and devotion to Rama, and is recited by millions daily, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays, often once, 7, 11 or 108 times.
Jai Ganesh Deva Aarti
The beloved aarti that opens every celebration with the remover of obstacles
'Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva' is the most widely sung Hindi aarti of Lord Ganesha, honoured first in every puja as the remover of obstacles. In five short stanzas it praises his parentage, his one tusk and mouse vehicle, the offerings he loves and his compassion. Its last stanza carries the signature 'Sur Shyam', on which basis it is popularly linked with the poet Surdas.
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
The Rigveda's great 'death-conquering' prayer to the Three-eyed Lord
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, also called the Tryambaka or Rudra Mantra, is verse 7.59.12 of the Rigveda, attributed to the sage Vasishtha and addressed to Tryambaka, the three-eyed Rudra-Shiva. It asks to be released from death 'as a ripe cucumber from its stem', but never from immortality, and is chanted for healing, protection and inner peace, usually 108 times.
Om Jai Jagdish Hare
The 'universal aarti' to Vishnu, written by Pandit Shardha Ram Phillauri
Om Jai Jagdish Hare is a Hindi aarti to Lord Vishnu (Jagdish, 'Lord of the universe') written around 1870 by Pandit Shardha Ram Phillauri of Punjab. Sung while waving the lamp at the close of puja, it is so widely used, for almost any deity and occasion, that scholars call it a 'universal' or 'national' aarti. It is usually sung once, with the refrain after each stanza.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara Aarti
The best-loved Hindi aarti of Shiva, in whom Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are one
'Om Jai Shiv Omkara' is the most widely sung Hindi aarti of Lord Shiva. It hails Shiva as Omkara, the sacred syllable Om, and declares that Brahma, Vishnu and Sadashiva are one in it. Its eight core stanzas end with the signature of 'Swami Shivanand'; many families add four more about Kailash, the Ganga and Kashi Vishwanath. It is sung once at the close of Shiva puja.
Shiv Tandav Stotram
The thundering hymn to Shiva's cosmic dance, sung by Ravana in tradition
The Shiv Tandav Stotram (Śiva-tāṇḍava-stotra) is a Sanskrit hymn of 17 verses celebrating Shiva's fierce Tandava dance. Tradition attributes it to Ravana, king of Lanka and a great devotee of Shiva. Its rolling, drum-like rhythm comes from the panchachamara metre. The hymn itself recommends reciting it at the end of worship in the evening of Pradosh.