Before any sacred ceremony, before any new beginning, before any other deity is invoked, there is one prayer that rises first: the Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva Aarti. This beloved hymn to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, is the spiritual key that unlocks the path for all other worship. Its cheerful melody and heartfelt lyrics have been sung for generations, making it one of the most essential and widely known Aartis in Sanatana Dharma.
In this post, we will explore the complete and accurate lyrics as they are most popularly sung, and provide a line-by-line meaning so you can fully appreciate the divine qualities of the beloved elephant-headed god.
The Significance of the Jai Ganesh Deva Aarti
Why is Lord Ganesha always worshipped first? He is revered as the **Vighnaharta**—the destroyer of all obstacles (`vighna`). By singing his Aarti before any important event, be it a puja, a new business venture, or a wedding, devotees ask him to clear the path of any physical or spiritual impediments, ensuring a smooth and successful outcome. The Aarti is a joyful celebration of his divine parentage, his unique form, and his boundless compassion for his devotees. It is an act of surrender, placing all of one’s worries at the feet of the Lord of Beginnings and trusting that he will clear the path.
Listen to Jai Ganesh Deva Aarti
Let’s begin by listening to the beautiful and traditional rendition by Anuradha Paudwal, which this article is based on.
Jai Ganesh Deva Aarti: Lyrics & Meaning
Here are the complete lyrics for the Ganesha Aarti in Hindi (Devanagari), English Transliteration, and a simple line-by-line English translation.
Open Hindi Lyrics Only
जय गणेश जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा ।
माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा ॥
जय गणेश…॥
एक दंत दयावंत, चार भुजा धारी ।
माथे पर तिलक सोहे, मूसे की सवारी ॥
जय गणेश…॥
पान चढ़े फल चढ़े, और चढ़े मेवा ।
लड्डुअन का भोग लगे, संत करें सेवा ॥
जय गणेश…॥
अंधन को आंख देत, कोढ़िन को काया ।
बांझन को पुत्र देत, निर्धन को माया ॥
जय गणेश…॥
दीनन की लाज रखो, शंभु सुत वारी ।
कामना को पूरा करो, जाऊं बलिहारी ॥
जय गणेश…॥
| Hindi Lyrics (Devanagari) | English Transliteration | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| जय गणेश जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा । माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा ॥ जय गणेश…॥ | Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva, Mata Jaaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva. Jai Ganesh… | Victory to you, Lord Ganesha! Victory to the divine Lord Ganesha! Your mother is the noble Goddess Parvati, and your father is the great Lord Mahadeva. |
| एक दंत दयावंत, चार भुजा धारी । माथे पर तिलक सोहे, मूसे की सवारी ॥ जय गणेश…॥ | Ek Dant Dayavant, Chaar Bhuja Dhaari, Maathe Par Tilak Sohe, Muse Ki Savaari. Jai Ganesh… | You have one tusk and are full of compassion, and you bear four arms. A sacred mark (tilak) adorns your forehead, and you ride upon a mouse. |
| पान चढ़े फल चढ़े, और चढ़े मेवा । लड्डुअन का भोग लगे, संत करें सेवा ॥ जय गणेश…॥ | Paan Chadhe, Phool Chadhe, Aur Chadhe Meva, Ladduan Ka Bhog Lage, Sant Karein Seva. Jai Ganesh… | Betel leaves are offered, flowers are offered, and dry fruits are also offered. You are offered a bhog of laddus (sweet balls), and the saints and sages serve you. |
| अंधन को आंख देत, कोढ़िन को काया । बांझन को पुत्र देत, निर्धन को माया ॥ जय गणेश…॥ | Andhan Ko Aankh Det, Kodhin Ko Kaaya, Baanjhan Ko Putra Det, Nirdhan Ko Maaya. Jai Ganesh… | You give sight to the blind and a healthy body to the leper. You grant a son to the childless woman and bestow wealth (maya) upon the poor. |
| दीनन की लाज रखो, शंभु सुत वारी । कामना को पूरा करो, जाऊं बलिहारी ॥ जय गणेश…॥ | Deenan Ki Laaj Rakho, Shambhu Suta Vaari, Kaamna Ko Pura Karo, Jaaun Balihari. Jai Ganesh… | Protect the honor of the humble, O beloved son of Shambhu (Shiva). Fulfill my desires, I offer myself completely to you. |
The Story and Origin of the Jai Ganesh Deva Aarti
While often listed as “Traditional,” this beloved Aarti is widely attributed to the 19th-century scholar and social reformer, **Pandit Shardha Ram Phillauri**. His gift was in composing prayers that were simple enough for everyone to sing, yet profound enough to capture the essential theology and attributes of the deity. The version presented here is the most commonly sung variant, popularized by singers like Anuradha Paudwal, which differs slightly in its final verse from some older written traditions that credit “Soordas.”
The Essence of the Jai Ganesh Deva Aarti
The Jai Ganesh Deva Aarti is a prayer of pure love and trust. It moves from describing his divine form and parentage to listing his compassionate boons, reminding the devotee of his power to solve any problem, no matter how great. It is a song of surrender, placing all of one’s worries at the feet of the Vighnaharta and trusting that he will clear the path. Singing this Aarti is a beautiful way to begin any new task, filling the heart with confidence and the air with sacred, obstacle-removing vibrations.
