Om Jai Shiv Omkara Aarti

Om Jai Shiv Omkara, the classic Shiv Aarti, with full Hindi lyrics, transliteration, and meaning — traditionally sung at the close of Shiva puja.

Significance

This aarti is sung at the conclusion of Shiva puja in temples and homes across India, especially on Mondays, during Shravan month, and on Maha Shivratri. It is one of the most recognizable and widely sung aartis in Hindu worship.

How to Perform

Traditionally sung while circling a lit diya (aarti lamp) in front of the Shiva lingam or idol, accompanied by a bell. After the aarti, the flame is offered to devotees, who pass their hands over it and touch their eyes/forehead as a gesture of receiving blessings.

Lyrics

ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा, स्वामी जय शिव ओंकारा। ब्रह्मा विष्णु सदाशिव, अर्धांगी धारा॥ ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा॥

एकानन चतुरानन पंचानन राजे। हंसासन गरुड़ासन वृषवाहन साजे॥ ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा॥

दो भुज चार चतुर्भुज दसभुज अति सोहे। त्रिगुण रूप निरखत त्रिभुवन जन मोहे॥ ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा॥

अक्षमाला वनमाला मुण्डमाला धारी। त्रिपुरारी कंसारी कर माला धारी॥ ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा॥

श्वेताम्बर पीताम्बर बाघम्बर अंगे। सनकादिक गरुणादिक भूतादिक संगे॥ ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा॥

कर के मध्य कमंडलु चक्र त्रिशूल धरता। जगकर्ता जगभर्ता जगपालनकर्ता॥ ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा॥

ब्रह्मा विष्णु सदाशिव जानत अविवेका। प्रणवाक्षर मध्ये यह तीनों एका॥ ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा॥

काशी में विश्वनाथ विराजत नंदी ब्रह्मचारी। नित उठि दर्शन पावत महिमा अति भारी॥ ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा॥

त्रिगुणस्वामी जी की आरति जो कोई नर गावे। कहत शिवानंद स्वामी मनवांछित फल पावे॥ ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा॥

Transliteration (opening lines)

Om Jai Shiv Omkara, Swami Jai Shiv Omkara, Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv, Ardhangi Dhara. Om Jai Shiv Omkara.

Ekanan Chaturanan Panchanan Raje, Hansasan Garudasan Vrishvahan Saje. Om Jai Shiv Omkara.

Meaning

Victory to Shiva, the cosmic sound of Om — the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Sadashiv, with Parvati as his eternal half. He is one-faced, four-faced, five-faced; seated variously on a swan, on Garuda, and on his bull Nandi. He carries the rosary, forest garland, and garland of skulls, holds the kamandalu (water pot), chakra, and trishul (trident), and is celebrated as the creator, sustainer, and protector of the world — worshipped at Kashi Vishwanath and by devotees everywhere who sing his praise with devotion.

How to sing Om Jai Shiv Omkara

The aarti is sung at the close of Shiva puja while a lit diya is circled before the lingam or idol, usually with a bell. Each stanza returns to the refrain “Om Jai Shiv Omkara.” It is sung especially on Mondays, through the month of Shravan, and on Maha Shivratri. Learn one verse at a time from the transliteration and read the meaning afterward. After the aarti, the flame is offered to those present.

For a line-by-line explanation of Shiva aarti practice, read Shiva aarti meaning and practice. You can pair the aarti with Om Namah Shivaya, the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, or the Shiva Chalisa. See aarti, chalisa and mantra explained for how these forms differ.

Frequently asked questions

What does “Om Jai Shiv Omkara” mean?

It means “Om, victory to Shiva, who is Omkara” — Shiva identified with the primordial sound Om. The aarti then praises Shiva as the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Sadashiv and describes his many forms and attributes.

When is Om Jai Shiv Omkara sung?

At the end of Shiva puja on any day, and especially on Mondays, during Shravan, and on Maha Shivratri.

Who composed Om Jai Shiv Omkara?

The closing line attributes it to “Shivanand Swami.” As with many aartis, the printed lyrics vary slightly between regions and households; follow the version used in your family or temple.

Overall Meaning

Om Jai Shiv Omkara praises Lord Shiva in his form as the trinity — Brahma, Vishnu, and Sadashiv — and describes his many forms: one-faced, four-faced, five-faced; two-armed, four-armed, ten-armed. It celebrates his role as creator, sustainer, and protector of the universe, and concludes with a promise that whoever sings this aarti with devotion receives the fulfillment of their heartfelt wishes.