Devi Aarti Meaning in Ganesh Puja
“Durge Durghat Bhari, Tujavina Sansari”
You sing this abhanga aarti for the Devi Shakti during Ganesh Puja in the festive season, but do you know the meaning? Here’s the tea.
The first part is:
दुर्गे दुर्घट भारी तुजविण संसारी।
अनाथ नाथे अम्बे करुणा विस्तारी।
वारी वारी जन्म मरणांते वारी।
हारी पडलो आता संकट निवारी॥
The first part calls out to Ma Durga, the one who is far beyond this universe & above it, without whom its impossible to survive in this world. We’re asking her to show her compassion on us because we keep taking birth after birth, thanks to our ignorance, so we’re finally giving up & surrendering to her will.
The second part, which is the repeated chorus, is:
जय देवी जय देवी महिषासुरमर्दिनी।
सुरवर ईश्वर वरदे तारक संजीवनी॥
Now although this refers to the slaying of the Mahishasura demon as narrated in the Devi Mahatmya, the idea is actually to accept that the Devi slays our own ego, the ahamkara or false notion of “I am!”
She is the Supreme God, the giver of boons. She is the destroyer but also the giver & source of life itself, hence being called tarak sanjivani.
The third part is:
त्रिभुवन-भुवनी पाहता तुज ऐसी नाही।
चारी श्रमले परन्तु न बोलवे काही।
साही विवाद करिता पडले प्रवाही।
ते तू भक्तालागी पावसि लवलाही॥
This basically emphasises that there’s no one like her in all the 3 worlds of heaven, hell & the karmabhoomi we call Earth. Despite trying to speak or answer our calls, no one has the power to save us, and all the people who were debating & arguing, have been swept off like a current. But beyond all them, the Devi stands strong to respond instantly to her true devotees.
The fourth part is:
प्रसन्न वदने प्रसन्न होसी निजदासा।
क्लेशांपासुनि सोडवि तोडी भवपाशा।
अम्बे तुजवाचून कोण पुरविल आशा।
नरहरी तल्लिन झाला पदपंकजलेशा॥
This part requests the Devi to be pleased with our bhakti, and hence free us from all the suffering that’s a result to our bonds to this material world. That’s because there’s no one else who can fulfil our prayers & hopes, except our great Mother. So with this faith & belief, we i.e. the devotees are absorbed in her lotus feet.