Tukaram Aarti — Aarti Tukaram Swami Sadguru Dham: Marathi Lyrics in English, Meaning and History

Tukaram Aarti — “Aarti Tukaram, Swami Sadguru Dham” — is the Marathi aarti of the great 17th-century Warkari saint Tukaram Maharaj. Its composer is Rameshwar Bhatt — the learned Brahmin at whose demand Tukaram sank his abhangas in the Indrayani river. Thirteen days later the abhangas rose from the river dry; Rameshwar Bhatt then became Tukaram’s disciple and wrote this aarti. It is sung at Dehu, Pandharpur and in Warkari kirtan. Below are the full aarti and its meaning.

Tukaram Aarti lyrics in English

Aarti Tukaram, Swami Sadguru Dham,
Sachchidanand Murti, Paay Dakhvi Aamha.

Raghave Sagarant, Pashan Tarile,
Taise He Tukobache, Abhang Udaki Rakshile.
Aarti Tukaram, Swami Sadguru Dham,
Sachchidanand Murti, Paay Dakhvi Aamha.

Tukita Tulanesi, Brahma Tukasi Aale,
Mhanoni Rameshware, Charani Mastak Thevile.
Aarti Tukaram, Swami Sadguru Dham,
Sachchidanand Murti, Paay Dakhvi Aamha.

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Tukaram Aarti in Hindi

आरती तुकाराम। स्वामी सद्गुरु धाम॥
सच्चिदानंद मूर्ती। पाय दाखवी आम्हां॥

राघवें सागरांत। पाषाण तारिले॥
तैसे हे तुकोबाचे। अभंग उदकीं रक्षिले॥
आरती तुकाराम। स्वामी सद्गुरु धाम॥
सच्चिदानंद मूर्ती। पाय दाखवी आम्हां॥

तुकितां तुलनेसी। ब्रह्म तुकासी आलें॥
म्हणोनि रामेश्वरें। चरणीं मस्तक ठेविलें॥
आरती तुकाराम। स्वामी सद्गुरु धाम॥
सच्चिदानंद मूर्ती। पाय दाखवी आम्हां॥

Meaning of Tukaram Aarti

1. Refrain: The aarti of Swami Tukaram, the abode of the Sadguru — O embodiment of being, consciousness and bliss, grant us the sight of your feet.
2. Verse 1: just as Raghav (Shri Ram) made stones float on the ocean, so Tukoba’s abhangas were kept safe in the water (of the Indrayani).
3. Verse 2: weighed on the scale, Tuka came out equal to Brahman itself — that is why Rameshwar laid his head at his feet.

The story of the Indrayani and the abhangas

Tukaram Maharaj (1608–1650) was from Dehu village near Pune and a devotee of Vitthal. He wrote and sang abhangas in Marathi. The learned Rameshwar Bhatt of Wagholi objected that a Shudra (grocer) had no right to teach Vedanta and ordered the abhangas sunk in the river. Tukaram sank his manuscripts in the Indrayani and fasted on the bank for thirteen days. On the thirteenth day the manuscripts rose from the water dry. The miracle broke Rameshwar Bhatt’s pride; he became Tukaram’s disciple and composed this aarti — which is why it compares them to Ram’s floating stones. On Phalgun Krishna Dwitiya, “Tukaram Beej”, his departure to Vaikuntha is celebrated.

How to do the Tukaram Aarti

1. Offer a tulsi garland, flowers and abir-bukka to pictures of Vitthal-Rukmini and Sant Tukaram.
2. Sing the bhajan “Ram Krishna Hari” or “Dnyanoba Mauli Tukaram”.
3. Read or sing a few abhangas from the Tukaram Gatha.
4. Light a ghee lamp and sing this aarti — in the Warkari tradition with taal and mridang.

7 rules of Tukaram Aarti

• Do Sant Tukaram’s aarti before a picture of Vitthal-Rakhumai — in the Varkari tradition Vitthal is the main deity.
• Wave the lamp 4 times at the feet, 2 at the navel, 1 at the face and 7 times over the whole form.
• This aarti is especially sung on Tukaram Beej (Phalgun Krishna Dwitiya) and Ashadhi Ekadashi.
• Play the taal (cymbals) with the aarti — it is the mark of Varkari kirtan.
• Do not get up or talk in the middle of the aarti.
• After the aarti, chant “Ram Krishna Hari” or “Dnyanba Tukaram”.
• Read one or two of Tukaram Maharaj’s abhangs, then share the prasad.

Benefits of Tukaram Aarti

• Believed to make the mind pure and humble by the Sadguru’s grace.
• Pride falls away in devotion — as it did for Rameshwar Bhatt.
• Deepens love for Vitthal devotion and chanting the Name.
• Brings peace and joy to the mind.

Also read Marathi aartis like Sukhkarta Dukhharta, Datta Aarti and Jai Jai Tryambakaraj. Read more on Wikipedia.

Frequently asked questions