Some stories are so grand that they form the very foundation of our traditions. The story of the Samudra Manthan, or the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, is one such epic tale. This beautiful bhajan, “Jab Hua Kshir Sagar,” narrates this profound event in a simple, melodic way, making it easy for everyone to understand. It tells of the great cosmic struggle that produced both poison and nectar, and most importantly, led to the divine birth of Goddess Lakshmi, the very reason we celebrate Diwali.
Listen to Jab Hua Kshir Sagar
Before exploring the lyrics, let’s immerse ourselves in the beautiful narration of this story through music.
Jab Hua Kshir Sagar: Lyrics & Meaning
Here are the complete lyrics for this story-bhajan in Hindi (Devanagari), English Transliteration, and a simple line-by-line English translation.
Open Hindi Lyrics Only
जब हुआ क्षीर सागर का मंथन,
सागर से निकले थे रतन।
एक नहीं, दो, चार नहीं भई, निकले पूरे चौदह रतन।
इन चौदह रत्नों में एक थी महालक्ष्मी माई,
जिसके रूप सौंदर्य से दुनिया जग मगाई, हां जी हां, दुनिया जग मगाई।
दिवाली की रात को लक्ष्मी पूजन का है विधान,
वैसे उसकी पूजा कभी भी कर सकता इंसान।
घोर गरीबी दूर करे वो, दूर करे है बुराई,
जिसके रूप और सौंदर्य से दुनिया जग मगाई, हां जी हां, दुनिया जग मगाई।
उस घर मैया वास करे जहां होती साफ सफाई,
तेरे बिन मैया इस जग में कौन है किसका सहाई?
झूठ पाप को छोड़ के बंदो, करणों नेक कमाई,
जिसके रूप और सौंदर्य से दुनिया जग मगाई, हां जी हां, दुनिया जग मगाई।
| Hindi Lyrics (Devanagari) | English Transliteration | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| जब हुआ क्षीर सागर का मंथन, सागर से निकले थे रतन। | Jab hua kshir sagar ka manthan, Sagar se nikle the ratan. | When the churning of the Ocean of Milk took place, divine jewels (treasures) emerged from the ocean. |
| एक नहीं, दो, चार नहीं भई, निकले पूरे चौदह रतन। | Ek nahin, do, chaar nahin bhai, nikle poore chaudah ratan. | Not one, not two, not four, my friend, but a full fourteen divine treasures emerged. |
| इन चौदह रत्नों में एक थी महालक्ष्मी माई, जिसके रूप सौंदर्य से दुनिया जग मगाई, हां जी हां, दुनिया जग मगाई। | In chaudah ratno mein ek thi Mahalakshmi Maai, Jiske roop saundarya se duniya jagmagai, haan ji haan, duniya jagmagai. | Among those fourteen treasures was the great Mother Mahalakshmi, whose divine form and beauty illuminated the entire world, yes indeed, the world was illuminated. |
| दिवाली की रात को लक्ष्मी पूजन का है विधान, वैसे उसकी पूजा कभी भी कर सकता इंसान। | Diwali ki raat ko Lakshmi poojan ka hai vidhan, Vaise uski pooja kabhi bhi kar sakta insaan. | There is a tradition of worshipping Lakshmi on the night of Diwali, though a person can worship her at any time. |
| घोर गरीबी दूर करे वो, दूर करे है बुराई, जिसके रूप और सौंदर्य से दुनिया जग मगाई, हां जी हां, दुनिया जग मगाई। | Ghor gareebi door kare woh, door kare hai burai, Jiske roop aur saundarya se duniya jagmagai, haan ji haan, duniya jagmagai. | She removes deep poverty and dispels all evil; she whose divine form and beauty illuminated the entire world. |
| उस घर मैया वास करे जहां होती साफ सफाई, तेरे बिन मैया इस जग में कौन है किसका सहाई? | Us ghar Maiya vaas kare jahan hoti saaf safai, Tere bin Maiya is jag mein kaun hai kiska sahai? | The Mother resides in that home where there is cleanliness. Without you, O Mother, who in this world can help anyone? |
| झूठ पाप को छोड़ के बंदो, करणों नेक कमाई, जिसके रूप और सौंदर्य से दुनिया जग मगाई, हां जी हां, दुनिया जग मगाई। | Jhooth paap ko chhod ke bando, karno nek kamai, Jiske roop aur saundarya se duniya jagmagai, haan ji haan, duniya jagmagai. | O people, abandon falsehood and sin, and earn through righteous means; she whose divine form and beauty illuminated the entire world. |
The Significance of the Story
The Samudra Manthan is a powerful allegory for our own spiritual journey. The Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) represent the good and bad tendencies within us. The ocean is the sea of our own consciousness, which must be “churned” through spiritual practice to separate the “poison” (our negative qualities) from the “nectar” (immortality or self-realization). The emergence of the fourteen divine treasures, or `Ratnas`, symbolizes the spiritual powers and blessings that appear on this path. The story reminds us that to gain the ultimate treasure—the grace of Goddess Lakshmi—one must first endure a great struggle and have the help of the divine, represented by Lord Vishnu in his various forms.
The Essence of the Bhajan
This bhajan, though short, is a powerful reminder of the origins of Diwali. It connects the lights, the sweets, and the joy of the festival to a grand cosmic event. It teaches that prosperity, in all its forms, is a divine gift that must be earned through effort and righteous action. The story of the Samudra Manthan is the ultimate tale of the victory of good over evil, making it the perfect story to reflect upon during the festival of lights.
