Original text
जय अहोई माता, जय अहोई माता । तुमको निसदिन ध्यावत, हर विष्णु विधाता ॥ ॐ जय अहोई माता ॥ ब्रह्माणी, रुद्राणी, कमला, तू ही है जगमाता । सूर्य-चन्द्रमा ध्यावत, नारद ऋषि गाता ॥ ॐ जय अहोई माता ॥ माता रूप निरंजन, सुख-सम्पत्ति दाता । जो कोई तुमको ध्यावत, नित मंगल पाता ॥ ॐ जय अहोई माता ॥ तू ही पाताल बसंती, तू ही है शुभदाता । कर्म-प्रभाव प्रकाशक, जगनिधि से त्राता ॥ ॐ जय अहोई माता ॥ जिस घर थारो वासा, वाहि में गुण आता । कर न सके सोई कर ले, मन नहीं घबराता ॥ ॐ जय अहोई माता ॥ तुम बिन सुख न होवे, न कोई पुत्र पाता । खान-पान का वैभव, तुम बिन नहीं आता ॥ ॐ जय अहोई माता ॥ शुभ गुण सुंदर युक्ता, क्षीर निधि जाता । रतन चतुर्दश तोकू, कोई नहीं पाता ॥ ॐ जय अहोई माता ॥ श्री अहोई माँ की आरती, जो कोई गाता । उर उमंग अति उपजे, पाप उतर जाता ॥ ॐ जय अहोई माता, मैया जय अहोई माता ।
Transliteration
Jai Ahoi Mata Jai Ahoi Mata Tumako Nisadin Dhyavat Har Vishnu Vidhata Om Jai Ahoi Mata Brahmani, Rudrani, Kamala Tu Hi Hai Jagamata Surya-chandrama Dhyavat Narad Rishi Gata Om Jai Ahoi Mata Mata Rup Niranjan Sukh-sampatti Data Jo Koi Tumako Dhyavat Nit Mangal Pata Om Jai Ahoi Mata Tu Hi Patal Basanti Tu Hi Hai Shubhadata Karma-prabhav Prakashak Jaganidhi Se Trata Om Jai Ahoi Mata Jis Ghar Tharo Vasa Vahi Men Gun Ata Kar Na Sake Soi Kar Le Man Nahin Ghabarata Om Jai Ahoi Mata Tum Bin Sukh Na Hove Na Koi Putra Pata Khan-pan Ka Vaibhav Tum Bin Nahin Ata Om Jai Ahoi Mata Shubh Gun Sundar Yukta Kshir Nidhi Jata Ratan Chaturdash Toku Koi Nahin Pata Om Jai Ahoi Mata Shri Ahoi Man Ki Arati Jo Koi Gata Ur Umang Ati Upaje Pap Utar Jata Om Jai Ahoi Mata Maiya Jai Ahoi Mata
Ahoi Ashtami and its aarti
Ahoi Ashtami falls on Kartik krishna ashtami, four days after Karwa Chauth and about a week before Diwali. Mothers fast from sunrise, often without water, for the long life and wellbeing of their children, draw or hang an image of Ahoi Mata with a porcupine (syahu) and its young, hear the katha of the woman who accidentally killed a porcupine cub, and break the fast at the sight of the stars in the evening. This aarti is sung at the end of the evening puja.
What the aarti says
- Worshipped by all: "Hari, Vishnu and Vidhata meditate on you day and night"; the sun and moon contemplate her and Narada sings.
- All goddesses in one: "Brahmani, Rudrani, Kamala, you alone are the mother of the world", the consort of each of the three great gods.
- Giver of plenty: pure in form, giver of happiness and wealth; whoever meditates on her always finds auspiciousness.
- Dweller below: "you live in the netherworld, you are the giver of good", which fits the porcupine's burrow in the katha.
- The mother's concern: "without you there is no happiness, no one has a son; the glory of food and drink does not come without you". Wherever she dwells, virtues arrive and the mind is not afraid.
- Ocean-born: one stanza compares her to the fourteen jewels that rose from the ocean of milk, beyond anyone's reach.
When and how to sing it
- On Ahoi Ashtami evening, after the katha, before an image of Ahoi Mata drawn on the wall or a printed calendar, with a kalash of water.
- Many families tie a silver Ahoi pendant (syahu mala) on a thread and add a bead for each child.
- The fast is broken after offering arghya to the stars (in some families, to the moon).
Frequently asked questions
When is Ahoi Ashtami?
On Kartik krishna ashtami, four days after Karwa Chauth and about eight days before Diwali.
Who keeps the Ahoi Ashtami fast?
Mothers, for the long life and wellbeing of their children. Many women now keep it for daughters as well as sons.
Why is a porcupine drawn with Ahoi Mata?
The katha tells of a woman who accidentally killed a porcupine cub while digging earth and lost her own sons; by worshipping Ahoi Mata she won them back.
When is the fast broken?
In the evening after seeing the stars and offering arghya; some families wait for moonrise.
Who is Ahoi Mata?
A form of the Mother Goddess, identified with Parvati. The aarti calls her Brahmani, Rudrani and Kamala, mother of the world.
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