Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kali Aarti — Lyrics with Meaning
'Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kali' is a hugely popular aarti of Maa Durga and Kali, in simple Hindi. It speaks of the pure bond between mother and child — the devotee asks not for wealth but for a small corner in the Mother's heart. It is sung in Navratri, at jagratas and in Devi temples.
Ambe tu hai Jagdambe Kali, jai Durge khappar wali | Tere hi gun gaavein Bharti, O maiya hum sab utaren teri aarti ||
Tere bhakt janon par Mata, bheer padi hai bhari | Danav dal par toot pado Maa, karke sinh savari || Sau sau sinhon se tu balshali, asht bhujaon wali, Dushton ko pal mein sanharti | O maiya hum sab utaren teri aarti ||
Maa bete ka hai is jag mein, bada hi nirmal naata | Poot kapoot sune hain par na, mata suni kumata || Sab pe karuna darsane wali, amrit barsane wali, Dukhiyon ke dukhde nivarti | O maiya hum sab utaren teri aarti ||
Nahin maangte dhan aur daulat, na chaandi na sona | Hum to maangein Maa tere man mein, ik chhota sa kona || Sabki bigdi banane wali, laaj bachane wali, Satiyon ke sat ko sanvarti | O maiya hum sab utaren teri aarti ||
Meaning
Verse 1
Ambe tu hai Jagdambe Kali, jai Durge khappar wali | Tere hi gun gaavein Bharti, O maiya hum sab utaren teri aarti ||
O Mother Ambe, you are Kali, mother of the world; victory to Durga who holds the skull-bowl. The whole land sings your glory — Mother, we all offer you this aarti.
Verse 2
Tere bhakt janon par Mata, bheer padi hai bhari | Danav dal par toot pado Maa, karke sinh savari || Sau sau sinhon se tu balshali, asht bhujaon wali, Dushton ko pal mein sanharti | O maiya hum sab utaren teri aarti ||
Mother, great trouble has fallen on your devotees; ride your lion and fall upon the demon army. You are stronger than hundreds of lions, you have eight arms, and you destroy the wicked in a moment.
Verse 3
Maa bete ka hai is jag mein, bada hi nirmal naata | Poot kapoot sune hain par na, mata suni kumata || Sab pe karuna darsane wali, amrit barsane wali, Dukhiyon ke dukhde nivarti | O maiya hum sab utaren teri aarti ||
In this world the bond of mother and child is the purest. A child may go wrong, but no one has heard of a bad mother. You show compassion to all, shower nectar and take away the pain of the suffering.
Verse 4
Nahin maangte dhan aur daulat, na chaandi na sona | Hum to maangein Maa tere man mein, ik chhota sa kona || Sabki bigdi banane wali, laaj bachane wali, Satiyon ke sat ko sanvarti | O maiya hum sab utaren teri aarti ||
We do not ask for riches, silver or gold; Mother, we ask only for a small corner in your heart. You set right what has gone wrong for everyone, protect our honour and uphold the virtue of the faithful.
Meanings written in simple language by the KathaMantra team.
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Frequently asked questions
When is 'Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kali' sung?
Morning and evening during Navratri, at jagratas and Mata ki chowki, and at the end of Devi puja on Fridays or Tuesdays.
Who wrote this aarti?
The author of this aarti is not known for certain. It is a modern Hindi aarti that reached every home through bhajan gatherings and recordings.
Can it be sung along with 'Jai Ambe Gauri'?
Yes. In many homes and pandals 'Jai Ambe Gauri' is sung first, followed by 'Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kali'.