Aarti
जय गणेश जय गणेश देवा Jaya Gaṇeśa jaya Gaṇeśa devā
The Ganesh Aarti — beginning with the invocation 'Jaya Gaṇeśa jaya Gaṇeśa devā' — is the most widely sung devotional hymn of praise to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity of wisdom and auspicious
1
जय गणेश जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा।
माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥
माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥
Glory to Ganesha, glory to Ganesha, glory to you, O Ganesha, O Lord! Your mother is Parvati, your father is Mahadeva (Shiva). This opening refrain establishes Ganesha's divine lineage and invites his presence into the worship.
2
एकदंत दयावंत, चार भुजाधारी।
माथे सिंदूर सोहे, मूसे की सवारी॥
माथे सिंदूर सोहे, मूसे की सवारी॥
He has a single tusk and is full of compassion, bearing four arms. Red sindoor adorns his forehead, and he rides a mouse as his vehicle. The single tusk (Ekadanta) symbolises the one absolute truth; the four arms represent his ability to bestow blessings in all four directions; the mouse symbolises the conquest of ego.
3
पान चढ़े, फूल चढ़े, और चढ़े मेवा।
लड्डुअन का भोग लगे, संत करें सेवा॥
लड्डुअन का भोग लगे, संत करें सेवा॥
Betel leaves are offered, flowers are offered, and dry fruits are offered. Laddus (sweet round confections) are presented as sacred food-offerings (bhoga), and the saints and devotees perform his worship. The laddoo is Ganesha's favourite sweet, and its circular shape represents the completeness of divine wisdom.
4
अंधन को आँख देत, कोढ़िन को काया।
बाँझन को पुत्र देत, निर्धन को माया॥
बाँझन को पुत्र देत, निर्धन को माया॥
He grants sight to the blind, healthy bodies to those afflicted with leprosy. He blesses the childless with sons and gives wealth to the poor. This verse celebrates Ganesha as the compassionate miracle-worker who answers the deepest prayers of suffering devotees.
5
सूर श्याम शरण आए, सफल कीजे सेवा।
माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥
माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥
The poet Sura Shyam has come to your refuge, O Lord — please make this devotion fruitful. Your mother is Parvati, your father is Mahadeva. This closing verse is the poet's personal prayer: having described Ganesha's greatness, he surrenders himself and asks that his worship be fulfilled.