Original text
आरती श्री जनक दुलारी की । सीताजी रघुवर प्यारी की ॥ जगत जननी जग की विस्तारिणि, नित्य सत्य साकेत-विहारिणि, परम दयामयी दीनोद्धारिणि, सीता मैया भक्तन हितकारी की ॥ आरती श्री जनक दुलारी की । सीताजी रघुवर प्यारी की ॥ सती शिरोमणि पति हित कारिणि, पति सेवा हित वन-वन चारिणि, पति हित पति वियोग स्वीकारिणि, त्याग धर्म मूरति धारी की ॥ आरती श्री जनक दुलारी की । सीताजी रघुवर प्यारी की ॥ विमल कीर्ति सब लोकन छाई, नाम लेत पावन मति आई, सुमिरत कटत कष्ट दुखदाई, शरणागत जन भय-हारी की ॥ आरती श्री जनक दुलारी की । सीताजी रघुवर प्यारी की ॥
Transliteration
Aarti Shri Janak Dulari Ki. Sitaji Raghuvar Pyari Ki. Jagat Janani Jag Ki Vistarini, Nitya Satya Saket-Viharini, Param Dayamayi Deenoddharini, Sita Maiya Bhaktan Hitkari Ki. Aarti Shri Janak Dulari Ki. Sitaji Raghuvar Pyari Ki. Sati Shiromani Pati Hit Karini, Pati Seva Hit Van-Van Charini, Pati Hit Pati Viyog Sveekarini, Tyag Dharm Moorati Dhari Ki. Aarti Shri Janak Dulari Ki. Sitaji Raghuvar Pyari Ki. Vimal Keerti Sab Lokan Chhai, Naam Let Pavan Mati Aai, Sumirat Katat Kasht Dukhdai, Sharnagat Jan Bhay-Hari Ki. Aarti Shri Janak Dulari Ki. Sitaji Raghuvar Pyari Ki.
An aarti for Janaki
Sita is worshipped beside Ram in every Ram temple, but she has fewer hymns of her own. "Aarti Shri Janak Dulari Ki" is the one sung most widely — at Ram–Sita temples, on her festivals, and after the Sita Chalisa. Its refrain names her by her two great relationships: the darling daughter of King Janaka of Mithila, and the beloved of Raghuvar, Ram.
What the three stanzas say
- Sita as the Mother of the world. She is jagat janani, mother of the world, who spreads it forth; she dwells eternally and truly in Saket, the divine Ayodhya of the Ram-bhakti tradition; she is supremely compassionate, the uplifter of the lowly, and works for her devotees' good.
- Sita as the ideal of sacrifice. Crown-jewel of faithful wives, she lived for her husband's good: she wandered from forest to forest to serve him, and for his sake accepted even separation from him. She is "the very image of the dharma of sacrifice" — a line that holds both her exile with Ram and her later separation in one phrase.
- Sita as refuge. Her pure fame fills all the worlds; taking her name purifies the mind; remembering her cuts away painful troubles; she takes away the fear of those who come to her for refuge.
When it is sung
- Sita Navami (Janaki Jayanti), Vaishakh Shukla Navami, the day Sita appeared from the earth when King Janaka ploughed the field.
- Vivah Panchami, Margashirsha Shukla Panchami, the anniversary of the Ram–Sita wedding, celebrated grandly in Janakpur and Ayodhya.
- On Ram Navami and in daily evening worship of Ram Darbar, after Aarti Kije Shri Raghuvar Ji Ki.
- By married women praying for a harmonious household, and at weddings.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Sita called "Janak Dulari"?
Because she was the cherished daughter (dulari) of King Janaka of Mithila, who found her in a furrow while ploughing.
What is Saket in the aarti?
Saket is Ayodhya; in Ram-bhakti tradition it is also the eternal divine abode where Sita and Ram dwell forever. The aarti calls her "nitya satya Saket-viharini".
When is Sita Navami?
On the Navami of Vaishakh Shukla Paksha (April–May), a month after Ram Navami.
What does "pati hit pati viyog svikarini" mean?
"She who, for her husband's good, accepted even separation from him" — a reference to Sita's separations from Ram, borne for the sake of his dharma as king.
Can Sita's aarti be sung with Ram's?
Yes — it is usually sung right after Ram's aarti in Ram Darbar worship.
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