Jai Jai Tryambakaraj is a Marathi aarti of Lord Shiva, known in Maharashtra as the Shankarachi Aarti. It sings the glory of Trimbakeshwar near Nashik, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas — sage Gautam’s penance, the appearance of the Godavari, the Kushavarta tirtha and the circuit of Brahmagiri. The last verse carries the signature “Gosavinandan” — the same poet who wrote Shendur Lal Chadhayo. Below are the full lyrics, English transliteration and the meaning of each verse.
Jai Jai Tryambakaraj lyrics in English
Jai Jai Tryambakaraj Girijanatha Gangadhara Ho,
Trishulpani Shambho Neelgriva Shashishekhara Ho,
Vrishabharudh Phanibhushan Dashbhuj Panchanan Shankara Ho,
Vibhutimala Jata Sundar Gajcharmambardhara Ho.
Padle Gohatyeche Patak Gautam Rishichya Shiri Ho,
Tyane Tap Mandile Dhyana Aanuni Tuj Antari Ho,
Prasanna Houni Tyate Snana Didhli Godavari Ho,
Audumbar Mulin Pragate Pavan Trailokyate Kari Ho. Jai. 1.
Dhanya Kushavartacha Mahima Vache Varnu Kiti Ho,
Aanikhi Bahu Tirthe Gangadvaradik Parvati Ho,
Vandan Marjan Kariti Tyanche Mahadosh Nasati Ho,
Tujhiya Darshanmatre Prani Muktite Pavati Ho. Jai. 2.
Brahmagirichi Bhave Jyala Pradakshina Jari Ghade Ho,
Tain Tain Kaya Kashte Janv Janv Charani Rupati Khade Ho,
Tanv Tanv Punya Vishesh Kilmish Avaghe Tyanche Jhade Ho,
Keval To Shivroop Kaal Tyachya Paya Pade Ho. Jai. 3.
Lavuniya Nij Bhajani Sakalhi Puravisi Mankamana Ho,
Santati Sampati Desi Anti Chukvisi Yamyatana Ho,
Shiv Shiv Naam Japata Vate Anand Majhya Mana Ho,
Gosavinandan Visare Sansaryatana Ho. Jai Jai. 4.
Jai Jai Tryambakaraj in Hindi
जय जय त्र्यंबकराज गिरिजानाथा गंगाधरा हो।
त्रिशूलपाणी शंभो नीलग्रीवा शशिशेखरा हो।
वृषभारूढ फणिभूषण दशभुज पंचानन शंकरा हो।
विभूतिमाला जटा सुंदर गजचर्मांबरधरा हो॥ ध्रु॥
पडलें गोहत्येचें पातक गौतमऋषिच्या शिरीं हो।
त्यानें तप मांडिलें ध्याना आणुनि तुज अंतरीं हो।
प्रसन्न होउनि त्यातें स्नाना दिधली गोदावरी हो।
औदुंबरमुळिं प्रगटे पावन त्रैलोक्यातें करी हो॥ जय॥ १॥
धन्य कुशावर्ताचा महिमा वाचे वर्णूं किती हो।
आणिकही बहु तीर्थें गंगाद्वारादिक पर्वतीं हो।
वंदन मार्जन करिती त्यांचे महादोष नासती हो।
तुझिया दर्शनमात्रें प्राणी मुक्तीतें पावती हो॥ जय॥ २॥
ब्रह्मगिरीची भावें ज्याला प्रदक्षिणा जरि घडे हो।
तैं तैं काया कष्टे जंव जंव चरणीं रुपती खडे हो।
तंव तंव पुण्य विशेष किल्मिष अवघें त्यांचें झडे हो।
केवळ तो शिवरूप काळ त्याच्या पायां पडे हो॥ जय॥ ३॥
लावुनियां निजभजनीं सकळहि पुरविसि मनकामना हो।
संतति संपति देसी अंतीं चुकविसि यमयातना हो।
शिव शिव नाम जपतां वाटे आनंद माझ्या मना हो।
गोसावीनंदन विसरे संसारयातना हो॥ जय जय॥ ४॥
Meaning of Jai Jai Tryambakaraj
- Refrain: Glory to you, Tryambakaraj, lord of Girija, bearer of the Ganga. Shambhu with the trident, blue-throated, crowned with the moon; riding the bull, adorned with serpents, ten-armed and five-faced Shankar; adorned with ash and garland, with lovely matted locks, clothed in elephant hide.
- Verse 1 — Sage Gautam: the sin of killing a cow fell on sage Gautam; he did penance holding you in his heart. Pleased, you gave him the Godavari for his bath, which springs from the root of an audumbar (fig) tree and purifies the three worlds.
- Verse 2 — Kushavarta: how much can my tongue describe the glory of Kushavarta! There are many other tirthas on the mountain, like Gangadwar; those who bow and bathe there are freed of great faults; by the mere sight of you beings attain liberation.
- Verse 3 — Circuit of Brahmagiri: whoever circles Brahmagiri with devotion — as much as the body tires and as many pebbles prick the feet, so much special merit is gained and all sins drop away; he becomes Shiva’s own form and even death falls at his feet.
- Verse 4 — Phalashruti: engaging people in your worship you fulfil every wish, give children and wealth and at the end save them from Yama’s torment. Chanting “Shiva Shiva” fills my mind with joy — Gosavinandan forgets the sorrows of the world.
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga
Trimbakeshwar lies about 28 km from Nashik at the foot of Brahmagiri hill, where the Godavari is believed to rise. Its Jyotirlinga is unique in holding three small lingas — symbols of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Bathing in the Kushavarta kund and circling Brahmagiri carry special merit, and rituals such as Narayan Nagbali and Kaal Sarp shanti are performed here. The Simhastha Kumbh Mela is held here every 12 years.
How to do the Jai Jai Tryambakaraj
- Offer water, milk, bel leaves and bhasma on the Shivling.
- Chant “Om Namah Shivaya” 108 times.
- Light a ghee or camphor lamp and sing this aarti; in the Maharashtrian tradition “Lavthavti Vikrala” is sung with it.
- On Mondays, Pradosh, Shravan and Mahashivratri sing it with Om Jai Gangadhar.
7 rules of Jai Jai Tryambakaraj
- Stand and do the aarti with a ghee or camphor lamp, moving it clockwise.
- Wave the lamp 4 times at the feet, 2 at the navel, 1 at the face and 7 times over the whole form.
- Offer bhog first, then do the aarti.
- Blow the conch, ring the bell or clap during the aarti — it keeps the mind focused.
- Do not get up or talk in the middle of the aarti.
- Afterwards take the aarti with both hands and share the prasad.
- Keep pronunciation clear; do not rush — sing with feeling.
Benefits of Jai Jai Tryambakaraj
- Believed to destroy sins and faults, as the aarti says of Kushavarta.
- Brings the blessing of children and wealth.
- Brings joy and peace to the mind.
- According to the aarti, it protects from Yama’s torment at the end.
Also read Om Jai Gangadhar, Om Jai Shiv Omkara and the Shiv Tandav Stotram. Read more on Wikipedia.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the Shankarachi Aarti?
In Maharashtra two Shiva aartis are called “Shankarachi Aarti” — “Lavthavti Vikrala” and “Jai Jai Tryambakaraj”. This second one sings the glory of the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga.
Who wrote Jai Jai Tryambakaraj?
The last verse carries the signature “Gosavinandan” — the same poet regarded as the composer of Ganesha’s “Shendur Lal Chadhayo”.
Where is Trimbakeshwar?
In Nashik district of Maharashtra, about 28 km from Nashik city, near Brahmagiri hill. The Godavari river rises here.
What is the story of sage Gautam in the aarti?
Sage Gautam unknowingly incurred the sin of killing a cow. He did penance to Shiva; pleased, Shiva brought the Ganga down as the Godavari for his bath and himself dwelt there as the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga.
