Om Jai Shiv Omkara — Shiva Aarti — बोल, अर्थ और लाभ

The Evening Song of Shiva

When the sun descends and the lamps are lit in Shiva temples across India, one sound rises above all others — the rolling, joyful sound of the Shiva Aarti:

“Om Jai Shiv Omkara, Swami Jai Shiv Omkara…”

Lord Shiva — Mahadeva, the great god — is the destroyer and transformer in the Hindu Trinity. He is Brahman made personal, the ascetic who dances, the terrifying who is tender, the destroyer who is simultaneously the most compassionate of all gods. He is Bholenath — the innocent, simple-hearted one — who is pleased by the most modest offering: a bilwa leaf, a little water, a sincere heart.

This aarti is sung in Shiva temples at dusk, at Mahashivratri gatherings, and in homes on Monday evenings. Its verses describe Shiva’s many forms — his three faces and five faces, his garlands of skulls and forest flowers, his weapons and his grace — presenting the totality of this immense deity in the simplest words a devotee can sing.

Shiva: Who He Is

Shiva is one of the most ancient and complex deities in all of Hinduism. He appears in the Rigveda as Rudra — the storm-god, fierce and unpredictable, who can bring disease but who can also heal. Over millennia he became Shiva, the auspicious one, the destroyer of the ego who makes liberation possible.

He is depicted:

• Seated in deep meditation on Mount Kailasha in the Himalayas
• With a crescent moon in his matted hair (jata), and the sacred river Ganga flowing from those locks
• His third eye on his forehead — the eye of higher wisdom that sees through all illusion
• Smeared in ash, wearing tiger skin, adorned with a garland of rudraksha beads
• Holding a trident (trishula), a small drum (damaru), and sometimes an axe
• Encircled by the serpent Vasuki as an ornament

His consort is Parvati — also called Uma, Shakti, Durga, and Kali depending on her form. Together they are the primordial couple, the cosmic masculine and feminine in perfect union. Their sons are Ganesha (the remover of obstacles) and Kartikeya (the god of war and youth).

Monday: Shiva’s Day

Every Monday (Somvaar) is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The word Soma means the moon, and Shiva is Chandrashekhara — he who wears the crescent moon. Monday fasting (Somvaar vrat) and evening puja to Shiva is one of the most widespread devotional practices in Hindu homes, particularly among women praying for good husbands or the well-being of their families.

Monday puja to Shiva typically includes:

• Bathing the Shivalinga with milk, honey, and water (abhisheka)
• Offering bilwa leaves (the trifoliate leaf most sacred to Shiva)
• Lighting a lamp and incense
• Applying vibhuti (sacred ash) to the Shivalinga
• Reciting the Panchakshara mantra: Om Namah Shivaaya
• Singing the Shiva Aarti

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Refrain

ॐ जय शिव ओमकारा, स्वामी जय शिव ओमकारा ।
ब्रह्मा विष्णु सदाशिव, अर्द्धांगी धारा ॥

Om Jai Shiv Omkara, Swami Jai Shiv Omkara. Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv, Ardhangee Dhara.

O Lord Shiva, the very embodiment of Om — all glory to You, O Lord! You hold within Yourself the three aspects of Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the sustainer), and Sadashiva (the eternal Shiva), with Parvati as your consort and half.

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Verse 1

एकानन चतुरानन पंचानन राजे ।
हंसासन गरुड़ासन वृषवाहन साजे ॥

Ekaanan Chaturaanan Panchaanan Raaje. Hansaasan Garudaasan Vrishvaahan Saaje.

You reign with one face, four faces, or five faces. Brahma rides the swan, Vishnu the Garuda — and You, Shiva, are magnificently adorned riding the bull Nandi.

The five faces of Shiva are Sadyojata (west), Vamadeva (north), Aghora (south), Tatpurusha (east), and Ishana (above) — each representing a different aspect of his cosmic power. The bull Nandi is Shiva’s devoted vehicle, the gatekeeper of Kailasha, and the embodiment of righteous power.

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Verse 2

दो भुज चार चतुर्भुज दस भुज अति सोहे ।
तीनों रूप निरखता त्रिभुवन जन मोहे ॥

Do Bhuj Chaar Chaturbhuj Das Bhuj Ati Sohe. Teenon Roop Nirakhata Tribhuvan Jan Mohe.

You shine gloriously with two arms, or four, or ten. When the people of all three worlds behold Your three forms, they are enchanted and overwhelmed with devotion.

Shiva’s two-armed form is the peaceful ascetic; his four-armed form holds trident, drum, and gestures of blessing and protection; his ten-armed form as Mahakala or in Nataraja’s dance encompasses the full power of cosmic destruction and recreation.

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Verse 3

अक्षमाला वनमाला मुण्डमाला धारी ।
त्रिपुरारी कंसारी कर माला धारी ॥

Akshamala Vanamala Mundamala Dhari. Tripurari Kansari Kar Mala Dhari.

You wear the rosary of rudraksha beads, the garland of forest flowers, and the garland of skulls. You are the destroyer of Tripura and Kamsa — You bear all garlands in your hands.

The akshamala (rosary of rudraksha) represents mantra and meditation. The vanamala (forest garland) of the wandering ascetic. And the mundamala (garland of skulls) — this is Shiva the terrifying, Bhairava, the reminder that all things end. The destroyer of Tripura (the three demon cities of pride) is Shiva’s great mythological triumph.

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Verse 4

श्वेताम्बर पीताम्बर बाघम्बर अंगे ।
सनकादिक गरुणादिक भूतादिक संगे ॥

Shwetambar Peetambar Baghambar Ange. Sanakaadik Garunaadik Bhootaadik Sange.

Your form is clothed in white silk, yellow silk, and tiger skin. You are surrounded by the sages Sanaka and his brothers, by Garuda and the divine birds, by ghosts and spirits — all in your company.

Shiva is the god of outcasts and ascetics, of wandering sadhus and forest spirits. The tiger skin he wears represents the conquest of animal nature. Around him gather both the highest sages (Sanakaadik) and the most lowly beings (Bhootaadik) — he makes no distinctions. In his presence, saint and spirit are equally welcome.

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Verse 5

कर के मध्य कमंडलु चक्र त्रिशूलधारी ।
सुखकारी दुखहारी जगपालनकारी ॥

Kar Ke Madhya Kamandalu Chakra Trishoolodhari. Sukhakari Dukhhaaree Jagpaalankari.

In your hands you hold the water pot of the ascetic, the chakra, and the trident. You are the giver of happiness, the remover of sorrow, and the sustainer of all the worlds.

The trishula (trident) is Shiva’s most iconic weapon — its three prongs representing creation, sustenance, and dissolution; past, present, and future; the three gunas (qualities of nature) over which Shiva reigns. The kamandalu (ascetic’s water pot) reminds us that the great destroyer is also the greatest renunciant, dwelling in poverty and bliss simultaneously.

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How to Perform Shiva Aarti

The aarti is the culminating act of Shiva puja — the waving of a lit lamp before the Shivalinga or Shiva image to honor the deity and receive his blessing.

Preparation:

1. Bathe or wash hands and face before beginning
2. Light a ghee lamp or camphor in a metal thali
3. Also light dhoop (incense) — Shiva is pleased by fragrant incense
4. Stand before the Shivalinga or Shiva image facing east or north

The waving sequence: Wave the lamp in a slow clockwise circle — first before the full form, then at the feet, then at the face, then over the whole form. While waving, sing the entire aarti with the family together.

Closing: After the aarti, offer bilwa leaves with the recitation Om Namah Shivaaya. Then take the camphor aarti light with both hands (hold palms briefly over the flame and touch your eyes), symbolically receiving the blessing-light of the lord.

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Mahashivratri: The Great Night of Shiva

Mahashivratri — the great night of Shiva — falls on the 14th night of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalguna (February-March). It is the most sacred night in the Shaivite calendar.

The mythologies of Mahashivratri are many: it is the night of Shiva and Parvati’s cosmic marriage; the night Shiva drank the halahala poison from the ocean-churning to save the universe (turning his throat blue — hence Neelkantha, the blue-throated one); and the night when the Shivalinga first appeared before Brahma and Vishnu as an infinite pillar of light.

On Mahashivratri, devotees:

• Fast through the day
• Keep vigil through the entire night
• Perform abhisheka of the Shivalinga at each of the four prahar (3-hour watches of the night)
• Chant Om Namah Shivaaya continuously
• Sing the Shiva Aarti at dawn

The tradition says that one night of sincere Mahashivratri worship equals the merit of years of ordinary practice. Shiva, the Bholenath, is easily pleased — and on his great night, he is most approachable of all.

“Sukhakari Dukhhaaree Jagpaalankari” — Giver of happiness, remover of sorrow, sustainer of the universe. That is who stands before us when we light the lamp and raise our voice in praise.

Om Namah Shivaaya.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Om Jai Shiv Omkara — Shiva Aarti?

O Lord Shiva, the embodiment of Om — all glory to You! Brahma, Vishnu, and eternal Shiva are the three aspects you hold, along with Parvati as your consort. You reign with one face, four faces, or five faces. Your form enchants all three worlds, and your garlands and weapons reveal your infinite pow

Which deity is the Om Jai Shiv Omkara — Shiva Aarti dedicated to?

The Om Jai Shiv Omkara — Shiva Aarti is dedicated to Shiva and is chanted for devotion, evening worship, shiva blessings, monday worship, mahashivratri.

How many times should you chant the Om Jai Shiv Omkara — Shiva Aarti?

Traditionally, the Om Jai Shiv Omkara — Shiva Aarti is chanted 108 times for maximum spiritual benefit. Multiples of 108 are considered sacred.

What are the benefits of chanting the Om Jai Shiv Omkara — Shiva Aarti?

Benefits include: Invokes Lord Shiva's blessings for protection from all harm. Removes sins and purifies the mind when sung with sincerity. Brings peace, strength, and auspiciousness to the home. Especially powerful on Mondays and Mahashivratri. Protects the devotee from negative forces and evil influences. Grants liberation (moksha) when recited daily with devotion.