Original text
जय वैष्णवी माता, मैया जय वैष्णवी माता । हाथ जोड़ तेरे आगे, आरती मैं गाता ॥ ॥ जय वैष्णवी माता..॥ शीश पे छत्र विराजे, मूरतिया प्यारी । गंगा बहती चरनन, ज्योति जगे न्यारी ॥ ॥ जय वैष्णवी माता..॥ ब्रह्मा वेद पढ़े नित द्वारे, शंकर ध्यान धरे । सेवक चंवर डुलावत, नारद नृत्य करे ॥ ॥ जय वैष्णवी माता..॥ सुन्दर गुफा तुम्हारी, मन को अति भावे । बार-बार देखन को, ऐ माँ मन चावे ॥ ॥ जय वैष्णवी माता..॥ भवन पे झण्डे झूलें, घंटा ध्वनि बाजे । ऊँचा पर्वत तेरा, माता प्रिय लागे ॥ ॥ जय वैष्णवी माता..॥ पान सुपारी ध्वजा नारियल, भेंट पुष्प मेवा । दास खड़े चरणों में, दर्शन दो देवा ॥ ॥ जय वैष्णवी माता..॥ जो जन निश्चय करके, द्वार तेरे आवे । उसकी इच्छा पूरण, माता हो जावे ॥ ॥ जय वैष्णवी माता..॥ इतनी स्तुति निश-दिन, जो नर भी गावे । कहते सेवक ध्यानू, सुख सम्पत्ति पावे ॥ जय वैष्णवी माता, मैया जय वैष्णवी माता । हाथ जोड़ तेरे आगे, आरती मैं गाता ॥
Transliteration
Jai Vaishnavi Mata Maiya Jai Vaishnavi Mata Hath Jor Tere Age Arati Main Gata Jai Vaishnavi Mata.. Shish Pe Chhatra Viraje Muratiya Pyari Ganga Bahati Charanan Jyoti Jage Nyari Jai Vaishnavi Mata.. Brahma Ved Parhe Nit Dvare Shankar Dhyan Dhare Sevak Chanvar Dulavat Narad Nritya Kare Jai Vaishnavi Mata.. Sundar Gupha Tumhari Man Ko Ati Bhave Bar-bar Dekhan Ko Ai Man Man Chave Jai Vaishnavi Mata.. Bhavan Pe Jhande Jhulen Ghanta Dhvani Baje Omcha Parvat Tera Mata Priy Lage Jai Vaishnavi Mata.. Pan Supari Dhvaja Nariyal Bhent Pushpa Meva Das Khare Charanon Men Darshan Do Deva Jai Vaishnavi Mata.. Jo Jan Nishchay Karake Dvar Tere Ave Usaki Ichchha Puran Mata Ho Jave Jai Vaishnavi Mata.. Itani Stuti Nish-din Jo Nar Bhi Gave Kahate Sevak Dhyanu Sukh Sampatti Pave Jai Vaishnavi Mata Maiya Jai Vaishnavi Mata Hath Jor Tere Age Arati Main Gata
Vaishno Devi and her aarti
Maa Vaishno Devi (Vaishnavi) is worshipped in a cave on the Trikuta hills above Katra in Jammu, where she is present as three natural rock forms (pindis) of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. Millions make the climb to the Bhawan every year. This simple aarti, to the refrain "Jai Vaishnavi Mata", is the one most pilgrims know by heart.
What it describes
- The image: a canopy over her head and a lovely murti; "the Ganga flows at your feet, and a unique flame burns".
- Divine worship: Brahma reads the Vedas daily at her door, Shankar meditates, servants wave the chamar and Narada dances.
- The cave: "your beautiful cave pleases the heart; again and again the mind longs to see it", the pilgrim's feeling put plainly.
- The Bhawan: flags swing over it, bells ring, and "your high mountain is dear, Mother".
- Offerings: paan, supari, flag, coconut, flowers and dry fruit, the same items sold along the yatra path.
- The promise: whoever comes to her door with firm resolve has their wish fulfilled. The last stanza is signed by "sevak Dhyanu", Dhyanu Bhagat, the legendary devotee of the Devi.
When to sing it
- During the yatra to the Bhawan, and at the Atka aarti times at the shrine.
- At home during Chaitra and Shardiya Navratri, and at jagratas, where it is commonly sung alongside Jai Ambe Gauri.
- On Tuesdays and Fridays as a weekly Devi aarti.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Dhyanu in the aarti?
Dhyanu Bhagat, a famous devotee of the Devi in Himachal and Jammu folk tradition. His name in the last stanza is the poet's signature.
What are the three pindis at Vaishno Devi?
Natural rock forms worshipped as Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati, together Vaishno Devi.
What should be offered to Vaishno Devi?
The aarti lists paan, supari, a flag, coconut, flowers and dry fruit. Red chunri is also commonly offered.
Is Vaishnavi the same as Durga?
Vaishno Devi is worshipped as the combined power of the three great goddesses, and is identified with Durga in North Indian practice.
Can it be sung at home?
Yes. It is a regular Navratri and jagrata aarti, sung with a lamp before her image.
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