Shiv Aarti - Om Jai Shiv Omkara (ओम जय शिव ओंकारा)
Mahashivratri, Mondays (Somvar), Shravan month, daily Shiva puja
About this Aarti
Om Jai Shiv Omkara is the most popular Shiva aarti, praising Lord Shiva as the Primordial Omkara and the lord of creation, preservation, and dissolution.
Mahashivratri, Mondays (Somvar), Shravan month, daily Shiva puja
Shiva is the supreme consciousness in Hindu philosophy. This aarti celebrates his cosmic dance (Nataraja) and role as the ultimate yogi.
Significance & Importance
The Shiva Aarti, known as 'Om Jai Shiv Omkara,' is one of the most revered hymns in the Shaivite tradition of Hinduism. Lord Shiva, the third deity of the Hindu trinity (Trimurti), embodies the cosmic principle of dissolution and transformation. Unlike destruction in the negative sense, Shiva's role represents the necessary dissolution that precedes renewal and regeneration.
This aarti opens with the sacred syllable 'Om,' which in Hindu philosophy is the primordial sound from which all creation emerged. The hymn then describes Shiva's divine attributes — his embodiment of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), and Sadashiva (eternal consciousness), establishing him as the supreme reality that encompasses all aspects of existence.
The verses describe how Shiva is adorned with sacred ash (bhasma), wears a garland of rudraksha beads, holds the trident (trishul) representing the three gunas, and has the crescent moon on his matted locks — each symbolizing deep philosophical truths about the nature of consciousness, time, and cosmic balance.
This aarti is central to Maha Shivaratri celebrations, the great night of Shiva observed annually across India. It is also performed daily in Shiva temples, especially during the Sandhya Aarti (evening worship). The twelve Jyotirlinga temples — from Somnath in Gujarat to Kedarnath in the Himalayas — resonate with this sacred hymn as millions of devotees seek Shiva's blessings for inner peace, detachment from worldly illusions, and ultimate liberation (moksha).
English Transliteration
Om Jai Shiv Omkara, Swami Jai Shiv Omkara.
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv, Ardhangee Dhara.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
Ekaanan Chaturanan, Panchanana Raje.
Hansaasan Garudaasan, Vrishavahan Saje.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
Do Bhuj Chaar Chaturbhuj, Dash Bhuj Ati Sohe.
Tinon Roop Nirakhta, Tribhuvan Jan Mohe.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
Akshmala Vanmala, Mundmala Dhari.
Chandan Mrigmad Sohe, Bhale Shashidhari.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
Shwetambar Peetambar, Baghambar Ange.
Sankadik Garudadik, Bhutadik Sange.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
Kar Ke Madhya Kamandal, Chakra Trishul Dharta.
Jagkarta Jagbharta, Jagsanhaar Karta.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Jaanat Aviveka.
Pranavakshar Madhye Ye Teeno Eka.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
Parvat Sohaain Parvati, Shankar Kailasa.
Bhaang Dhatoore Ka Bhojan, Bhasmi Mein Vasa.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
Jata Mein Gang Bahat Hai, Gal Mundan Mala.
Shesh Naag Lipatavat, Odhat Mrigchhala.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
Kashi Mein Viraajat Vishwanath, Nandi Brahmachari.
Nit Uth Darshan Pavat, Mahima Ati Bhari.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
Trigun Swami Ji Ki Aarti, Jo Koi Nar Gaave.
Kahat Shivanand Swami, Man Vanchhit Phal Paave.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.Verse-by-Verse Meaning
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Om Jai Shiv Omkara, Swami Jai Shiv Omkara. Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv, Ardhangee Dhara.
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Glory to You, O Shiva, the embodiment of Omkara; glory to You, O Lord, Shiva who is the sacred sound Om. Brahma, Vishnu and Sadashiva are all Your forms, and You bear (Parvati) as half of Your own body (i.e. You are Ardhanarishvara). (This is the refrain, repeated at the close of every verse.)
Ekaanan Chaturanan, Panchanana Raje. Hansaasan Garudaasan, Vrishavahan Saje.
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You shine forth as the one-faced, the four-faced (Brahma) and the five-faced (Sadashiva) forms. Seated on the swan (Brahma), seated on Garuda (Vishnu), and riding the bull Nandi (Shiva) — all these mounts are graced by You.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
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(refrain)
Do Bhuj Chaar Chaturbhuj, Dash Bhuj Ati Sohe. Tinon Roop Nirakhta, Tribhuvan Jan Mohe.
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In some forms two-armed, in some four-armed, and in some ten-armed, You are exceedingly resplendent. Gazing upon these three forms of Yours, the people of all three worlds are enchanted.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
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(refrain)
Akshmala Vanmala, Mundmala Dhari. Chandan Mrigmad Sohe, Bhale Shashidhari.
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You wear the rosary of rudraksha beads, the garland of forest flowers, and the garland of skulls. Sandal-paste and musk adorn You, and the moon shines upon Your brow.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
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(refrain)
Shwetambar Peetambar, Baghambar Ange. Sankadik Garudadik, Bhutadik Sange.
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White garments, yellow garments, and the tiger's hide adorn Your limbs. Sanaka and the other sages, Garuda and his kind, and the host of bhutas (spirit-attendants) all remain at Your side.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
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(refrain)
Kar Ke Madhya Kamandal, Chakra Trishul Dharta. Jagkarta Jagbharta, Jagsanhaar Karta.
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In Your hands You hold the water-pot (kamandalu), the discus and the trident. You are the creator of the world, its sustainer, and its dissolver.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
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(refrain)
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Jaanat Aviveka. Pranavakshar Madhye Ye Teeno Eka.
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To regard Brahma, Vishnu and Sadashiva as separate is a lack of true discernment (ignorance); within the syllable of Pranava (Om) these three are but one.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
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(refrain)
Parvat Sohaain Parvati, Shankar Kailasa. Bhaang Dhatoore Ka Bhojan, Bhasmi Mein Vasa.
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Parvati, daughter of the mountain-king, graces the (Kailasa) peak, and Shankara dwells upon Kailasa. Bhang and dhatura are Your fare, and You abide amid sacred ash (in detachment).
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
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(refrain)
Jata Mein Gang Bahat Hai, Gal Mundan Mala. Shesh Naag Lipatavat, Odhat Mrigchhala.
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In Your matted locks the Ganga flows, and around Your neck is a garland of skulls. The serpent Shesha coils about You, and You drape Yourself in a deerskin.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
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(refrain)
Kashi Mein Viraajat Vishwanath, Nandi Brahmachari. Nit Uth Darshan Pavat, Mahima Ati Bhari.
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In Kashi You are enthroned as Vishwanath, with the celibate Nandi as Your attendant. Rising each day, devotees receive Your darshan; Your glory is exceedingly great.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
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(refrain)
Trigun Swami Ji Ki Aarti, Jo Koi Nar Gaave. Kahat Shivanand Swami, Man Vanchhit Phal Paave.
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Whoever sings this aarti of the Lord who is master of the three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas) — so says Shivanand Swami — attains the fruit cherished in their heart.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
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(refrain)
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should the Shiv Aarti - Om Jai Shiv Omkara be recited?
Mahashivratri, Mondays (Somvar), Shravan month, daily Shiva puja
What are the benefits of reciting the Shiv Aarti - Om Jai Shiv Omkara?
Reciting the Shiv Aarti - Om Jai Shiv Omkara with devotion is traditionally believed to invoke the grace of Shiva, 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 Shiv Aarti - Om Jai Shiv Omkara lyrics?
VedKosh provides the complete Shiv Aarti - Om Jai Shiv Omkara lyrics dedicated to Shiva (शिव) in both Hindi and English (with transliteration for regional readers), along with its meaning and a printable/downloadable version.
