Durge Durghat Bhari Aarti — Lyrics with Meaning
This is the best-known Marathi aarti of Goddess Durga. The devotee says that life is very hard without the Mother and prays to be freed from the cycle of birth and death. In Maharashtra it is always sung in Navratri and Ganeshotsav aartis, together with 'Sukhkarta Dukhharta' and 'Lavthavti Vikrala'.
Durge durghat bhari tujvin sansari | Anathnathe Ambe karuna vistari || Vari vari janmamarananta vari | Hari padlo aata sankat nivari ||1||
Jai Devi jai Devi Mahishasuramathani | Suravar-ishwar-varade tarak sanjivani || (refrain)
Tribhuvanbhuvani pahata tuj aisi nahi | Chari shramale parantu na bolave kahi || Sahi vivad karita padile pravahi | Te tu bhaktalagi pavasi lavlahi ||2||
Prasannavadane prasanna hosi nijdasa | Kleshapasuni sodavi todi bhavpasha || Ambe tujvachun kon puravil aasha | Narhari tallin jhala padpankajlesha ||3||
Meaning
Verse 1
Durge durghat bhari tujvin sansari | Anathnathe Ambe karuna vistari || Vari vari janmamarananta vari | Hari padlo aata sankat nivari ||1||
O Durga, without you this world is very hard. O Amba, protector of the helpless, spread your compassion. Stop this endless cycle of birth and death; I am defeated now — remove my trouble.
Verse 2
Jai Devi jai Devi Mahishasuramathani | Suravar-ishwar-varade tarak sanjivani || (refrain)
Victory to you, O Goddess, slayer of Mahishasur! You grant boons even to the great gods; you are the saviour and the giver of life.
Verse 3
Tribhuvanbhuvani pahata tuj aisi nahi | Chari shramale parantu na bolave kahi || Sahi vivad karita padile pravahi | Te tu bhaktalagi pavasi lavlahi ||2||
Search all three worlds — there is none like you. The four Vedas grew tired yet could not describe you; the six schools of philosophy argued and were swept away. Yet you hurry to reach your devotees.
Verse 4
Prasannavadane prasanna hosi nijdasa | Kleshapasuni sodavi todi bhavpasha || Ambe tujvachun kon puravil aasha | Narhari tallin jhala padpankajlesha ||3||
O Mother of the smiling face, you are pleased with your own servants. Free us from suffering and break the bonds of worldly life. O Amba, who but you can fulfil our hopes? Narhari is lost in devotion to even a speck of your lotus feet.
Meanings written in simple language by the KathaMantra team.
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Frequently asked questions
Who wrote 'Durge Durghat Bhari'?
The last line contains the name 'Narhari', taken as the poet's signature. Popularly it is also grouped with the aartis of Samarth Ramdas.
When is this aarti sung?
During the nine days of Navratri, in Ganeshotsav aartis, and in Tuesday and Friday worship of the Goddess.
What do 'chari' and 'sahi' mean here?
'Chari' means the four Vedas and 'sahi' the six schools of philosophy. The aarti says even they could not fully describe the Mother's glory.