Om Jai Jagdish Hare (Aarti to Lord Jagdish)
A beloved Hindu aarti praising Lord Jagdish (Vishnu/Krishna) as supreme protector, sung during evening worship to invoke blessings and express devotion.
Verses
Victory to the Lord of the universe, O Master, victory to the Lord of the universe. The troubles of devotees and of servants, He dispels in an instant. Victory to the Lord of the universe.
Verse 1
Victory to the Lord of the universe. Whoever meditates on Him attains the fruit; the mind’s sorrow vanishes, O Master, the mind’s sorrow vanishes. Happiness and prosperity come to the home, happiness and prosperity come to the home; the body’s afflictions are removed. Victory to the Lord of the universe.
Verse 2
Victory to the Lord of the universe. You are my mother and father; whose shelter shall I seek, O Master, whose shelter shall I seek? Besides You there is no other, besides You there is no other in whom I may place my hope. Victory to the Lord of the universe.
Verse 3
Victory to the Lord of the universe. You are the perfect Supreme Self, You are the inner Knower, O Master, You are the inner Knower. The Supreme Brahman, the Supreme Lord, the Supreme Brahman, the Supreme Lord; You are the Master of all. Victory to the Lord of the universe.
Verse 4
Victory to the Lord of the universe. You are an ocean of compassion, You are the Sustainer, O Master, You are the Sustainer. I am a fool seeking fruits; I am the servant, You are the Master; bestow Your grace, O Provider. Victory to the Lord of the universe.
Verse 5
Victory to the Lord of the universe. You alone are the imperceptible One, the Life‑Giver of all, O Master, the Life‑Giver of all. How shall I, of perverse intellect, meet You, O Compassionate One? How shall I, of perverse intellect, meet You? Victory to the Lord of the universe.
Verse 6
Victory to the Lord of the universe. Friend of the lowly, Remover of sorrow, You are my Master, O Master, You are my protector. Raise Your hands, take me into Your shelter; I have fallen at Your door. Victory to the Lord of the universe.
Verse 7
Victory to the Lord of the universe. Remove worldly passions and defilements, destroy my sins, O Lord, O Master, destroy my sins. Increase my faith and devotion, increase my faith and devotion, and the service of holy saints. Victory to the Lord of the universe.
Verse 8
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Wednesday (Budhwar), Thursday (Guruwar) & Ekadashi
Early Morning (Brahma Muhurta) or Sandhya (Twilight)
Tulsi leaves, Butter (Makhan), Mishri, Yellow flowers & Chandan
- Awakening of pure divine love (Prema Bhakti), mental joy, and freedom from anxiety
Background
This hymn is part of the Hindu aarti tradition—a devotional song of praise and light—commonly sung during evening worship (sandhya aarti) in temples and homes. It is addressed to Lord Jagdish, a name for Vishnu or Krishna meaning 'Lord of the Universe.' The hymn was composed around 1870 by Pandit Shraddha Ram Phillauri (1837-1881), a Punjabi scholar-reformer and Arya Samaj-era poet, and has since passed into oral tradition, becoming one of the most widely sung aartis in North Indian Hindu homes and temples for its simple, profound expression of surrender and devotion. The hymn addresses God as Jagdish, Vishvambhar, and Antaryami, titles for the supreme, all-pervading reality described in the Vishnu Purana and echoed in the Bhagavad Gita's teaching that the Lord dwells within every heart (chapter 10, verse 20).
About this Text
Composed by: Pandit Shraddha Ram Phillauri
Did You Know?
Authorship and Origin
This beloved aarti was composed around 1870 by Pandit Shraddha Ram Phillauri, a Punjabi scholar and social reformer associated with the Arya Samaj movement. It has become a staple of Hindu worship across North India, sung in countless homes and temples during evening aarti ceremonies.
Language and Poetic Form
The hymn is composed in Braj Bhasha, a dialect of Hindi closely tied to the Krishna bhakti tradition. Each of the eight verses follows a consistent meter with two lines of supplication or praise, followed by the refrain “Om Jai Jagdish Hare,” creating a call-and-response structure ideal for group singing.
Theological Themes
The lyrics address God as Jagdish (“Lord of the universe”) and emphasize total surrender—the devotee declares God as mother, father, and sole refuge. Key attributes highlighted include God’s omnipresence (antaryami), compassion (karuna ke sagar), and role as the remover of suffering and sin, reflecting core Vaishnava devotional theology.
Usage in Worship
This aarti is typically performed at the conclusion of evening puja, often with a lamp (diya) waved before the deity. Its simple, repetitive structure allows even young children to participate, and it is one of the first hymns many Hindus learn, making it a unifying element of domestic and temple worship.
Cultural Reach
Beyond its ritual use, “Om Jai Jagdish Hare” appears in popular culture, including films and devotional albums, and is sung at festivals like Diwali and Janmashtami. Its universal appeal lies in its direct, heartfelt plea for protection and grace, transcending sectarian boundaries within Hinduism.
Krishna
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