Khattu Shyam Aarti (खाटू श्याम की आरती)
Significance & Importance
Baba Khatu Shyam of Khatu, Sikar district (Rajasthan) is worshipped as the refuge of the defeated and helpless. The aarti 'Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare' honours the deity tradition identifies with Barbarika, grandson of Bhima, who earned the epithet 'Haare ka Sahara'.
According to popular tradition rooted in the Mahabharata period and recounted in later Puranic and folk lore, Barbarika was a warrior who could end any battle in moments. Before the great war, Krishna requested his head as a sacred offering; Barbarika gave it joyfully. Krishna blessed him that in Kali Yuga he would be venerated by Krishna's own name 'Shyam', and that all who came to him in defeat and despair would receive his grace.
The great Khatu Shyam temple draws pilgrims throughout the year, especially during the Phalguna Mela. Devotees arrive not in pride but in surrender, placing their grief at his feet. The aarti closes with the assurance that those who sing his name sincerely receive their heart's desire -- a gift from an infinitely merciful lord who awaits the humble, not the proud.
English Transliteration
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare,
Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare.
Khattu Dham Virajat,
Anupam Roop Dhare.
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare,
Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare.
Ratan Jadit Singhasan,
Sir Par Chanvar Dhure.
Tan Kesariya Bago,
Kundal Shravan Pade.
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare,
Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare.
Gal Pushpon Ki Mala,
Sir Par Mukut Dhare.
Khevat Dhoop Agni Par,
Deepak Jyoti Jale.
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare,
Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare.
Modak Kheer Choorma,
Suvaran Thaal Bhare.
Sevak Bhog Lagavat,
Seva Nitya Kare.
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare,
Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare.
Jhaanjh Katora Aur Ghadiyaval,
Shankh Mridang Ghure.
Bhakt Aarti Gaave,
Jai-Jaikaar Kare.
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare,
Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare.
Jo Dhyave Phal Paave,
Sab Dukh Se Ubare.
Sevak Jan Nij Mukh Se,
Shri Shyam-Shyam Uchare.
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare,
Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare.
Shri Shyam Bihari Ji Ki Aarti,
Jo Koi Nar Gaave.
Kahat Bhakt-Jan,
Manvaanchhit Phal Paave.
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare,
Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare.
Jai Shri Shyam Hare,
Baba Ji Shri Shyam Hare.
Nij Bhakton Ke Tumne,
Pooran Kaaj Kare.
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare,
Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare.
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare,
Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare.
Khattu Dham Virajat,
Anupam Roop Dhare.
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare,
Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare.Verse-by-Verse Meaning
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Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare, Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare
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Hail, O Baba Shri Shyam (Khatu Shyam)! ('Hare' is an address to the Lord, the form of Hari.) This is the refrain, repeated after every stanza.
Khattu Dham Virajat, Anupam Roop Dhare
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You are seated (enshrined) in Khatu Dham, bearing a matchless, peerlessly beautiful form.
Ratan Jadit Singhasan, Sir Par Chanvar Dhure
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Your throne is studded with jewels, and a chowrie (fly-whisk) is being waved above your head.
Tan Kesariya Bago, Kundal Shravan Pade
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A saffron-coloured robe adorns your body, and earrings (kundal) hang from your ears.
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare, Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare
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(refrain)
Gal Pushpon Ki Mala, Sir Par Mukut Dhare
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A garland of flowers adorns your neck, and you wear a crown upon your head.
Khevat Dhoop Agni Par, Deepak Jyoti Jale
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Incense is being offered upon the sacred fire, and the flame of the lamp burns bright before you.
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare, Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare
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(refrain)
Modak Kheer Choorma, Suvaran Thaal Bhare
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Plates of gold are filled with modak (sweet dumplings), kheer (rice pudding), and choorma.
Sevak Bhog Lagavat, Seva Nitya Kare
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Your devotees offer you this bhog (sacred food) and perform your service daily.
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare, Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare
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(refrain)
Jhaanjh Katora Aur Ghadiyaval, Shankh Mridang Ghure
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Cymbals, the katora, and the ghadiyal (gong), the conch and the mridang (drum) resound.
Bhakt Aarti Gaave, Jai-Jaikaar Kare
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The devotees sing the aarti and raise cries of victory (jai-jaikaar) in your honour.
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare, Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare
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(refrain)
Jo Dhyave Phal Paave, Sab Dukh Se Ubare
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Whoever meditates upon you obtains the fruit (of their wish) and rises above all sorrows.
Sevak Jan Nij Mukh Se, Shri Shyam-Shyam Uchare
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Your servants utter 'Shri Shyam-Shyam' with their own lips (remembering your holy name).
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare, Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare
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(refrain)
Shri Shyam Bihari Ji Ki Aarti, Jo Koi Nar Gaave
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Whoever sings this aarti of Shri Shyam Bihari Ji (with devotion),
Kahat Bhakt-Jan, Manvaanchhit Phal Paave
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the devotees declare, attains the fruit that the heart desires (manvaanchhit phal).
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare, Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare
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(refrain)
Jai Shri Shyam Hare, Baba Ji Shri Shyam Hare
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Hail, O Baba Shri Shyam Ji! (a form of the refrain) [This stanza is present in the Hindi lyrics but omitted from the romanized text.]
Nij Bhakton Ke Tumne, Pooran Kaaj Kare
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You have fulfilled all the tasks (and wishes) of your own devotees.
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare, Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare
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(refrain)
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare, Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare
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(refrain)
Khattu Dham Virajat, Anupam Roop Dhare
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You are seated in Khatu Dham, bearing your matchless form (the opening verse repeated as a closing). [This closing repeat appears in the Hindi lyrics but not in the romanized text.]
Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare, Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare
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(refrain)
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should the Khattu Shyam Aarti be recited?
The Khattu Shyam Aarti is traditionally sung during the morning and evening aarti of Khattu Shyam, and especially on days and festivals dedicated to Khattu Shyam. It may be recited on any day with devotion.
What are the benefits of reciting the Khattu Shyam Aarti?
Reciting the Khattu Shyam Aarti with devotion is traditionally believed to invoke the grace of Khattu Shyam, steady the mind, dispel negativity, and create an auspicious, sattvic atmosphere at home. It is offered as an act of bhakti (loving devotion) rather than for any guaranteed material result.
Where can I read the complete Khattu Shyam Aarti lyrics?
VedKosh provides the complete Khattu Shyam Aarti lyrics dedicated to Khattu Shyam (खाटू श्याम) in both Hindi and English (with transliteration for regional readers), along with its meaning and a printable/downloadable version.
