Om Jai Shiv Omkara
The majestic aarti of Lord Shiva, the destroyer and transformer, extolling His cosmic form and boundless grace.
About Om Jai Shiv Omkara
Om Jai Shiv Omkara is the principal aarti of Lord Shiva, the Destroyer in the Hindu Trinity and the lord of yoga, asceticism, and liberation. This aarti is sung with great reverence in Shiva temples across India and is especially significant during the holy month of Shravan and on Maha Shivaratri.
The aarti describes Shiva's iconic attributes — His bull Nandi, the serpents adorning His neck, the crescent moon in His matted locks, and the river Ganga flowing from His hair. It addresses Him by His many names: Brahma, Vishnu, Sadashiva, and Akshara — indicating that all divine forms ultimately merge into Shiva.
Shiva's aarti is considered particularly powerful for spiritual liberation (moksha), removing fear of death, and bestowing peace of mind. Monday is His sacred day, and reciting this aarti with a Shivalinga puja on Mondays during Shravan is among the most auspicious of Hindu practices.
Best Time to Perform
Monday mornings, Shravan month, Maha Shivaratri
Occasion
Shravan Somvar/Monday worship
Aarti Lyrics
Lyrics (Devanagari)
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा, प्रभु जय शिव ओंकारा। ब्रह्मा विष्णु सदाशिव, अर्धांगी धारा॥
Transliteration
Om jai Shiv Omkara, prabhu jai Shiv Omkara. Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv, ardhanaari dhara.
Meaning
Glory to Shiva, the embodiment of Om. O Lord, glory to Shiva, the primordial sound. Brahma, Vishnu, and Sadashiva — He holds the form of the half-woman (Ardhanarishvara).
Lyrics (Devanagari)
एकानन चतुरानन पञ्चानन राजे। हंसानन गरुड़ासन वृषवाहन साजे॥
Transliteration
Ekanan chaturanan panchanaan raje. Hamsasan garudasan vrishvahan saje.
Meaning
He who has one face, four faces, and five faces all reign in Him. He who rides the swan, the eagle (Garuda), and the sacred bull (Nandi) — all are adorned in Him.
Lyrics (Devanagari)
दो भुज चार चतुर्भुज दस भुज अति सोहे। त्रिगुण रूप निरखते त्रिभुवन जन मोहे॥
Transliteration
Do bhuj char chaturbhuj das bhuj ati sohe. Trigun roop nikhrate tribhuvan jan mohe.
Meaning
He with two arms, four arms, ten arms — all are exceedingly beautiful in Him. His three-qualities form enchants the people of all three worlds.
Lyrics (Devanagari)
अक्षमाला वनमाला मुण्डमाला धारी। त्रिपुरारी कंसारी कर माला धारी॥
Transliteration
Akshamala vanamala mundamala dhari. Tripurari kansari kar mala dhari.
Meaning
He wears a rosary of beads, a garland of forest flowers, and a garland of skulls. The destroyer of Tripura, He who bears garlands in His hands.
Lyrics (Devanagari)
श्वेताम्बर पीताम्बर बाघम्बर अंगे। सनकादिक गरुड़ादिक भूतादिक संगे॥
Transliteration
Shvetambar pitambar baghambar ange. Sanakadik garudadik bhutadik sange.
Meaning
He wears white, yellow, and tiger-skin garments on His body. He is accompanied by sages like Sanaka, Garuda, and a host of spirits and ganas.
Spiritual Benefits
- ✓Grants liberation (moksha) and freedom from the cycle of birth and death
- ✓Removes fear, grief, and the anxiety of death
- ✓Bestows mental peace, focus, and inner stillness
- ✓Especially powerful for spiritual seekers and those on the path of yoga
- ✓Protects devotees from negative energies and evil influences