Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Jai Jagdish Hare

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Author
  
Shivananda

Language
  
Hindi

Publication date
  
c. 1870

Country
  
India

Genre
  
Aarti, Hinduism

Om Jai Jagdish Harey (Hindi: ॐ जय जगदीश हरे) is a Hindu religious song for the deity Vishnu, however it also considered to be a monotheistic song. Although the religious hymn is a Hindi language composition, it is widely sung by many Hindus within the Indian Diaspora, regardless of their native language. The prayer is sung by the entire congregation at the time of Aarti, a form of Hindu worship.

Contents

History

It may have been inspired by the Dashavatara (दशावतार कीर्ति धवलम्) section of Gita Govinda of Jayadeva, a lyrical composition of 12th century, which has the same refrain:

प्रलयपयोधिजले धृतवानसि वेदम् ॥
विहितवहित्रचरित्रमखेदम्॥
केशवाधृतमीनशरीर जयजगदीशहरे॥

There are also variants of the song, using the same tune and structure, but with focus on different deities. These include Om Jai Lakshmi Mata, Om Jai Shiva Omkara and Om Jai Shiva Shakti Hare.

Key words

Om
a bijakshara
jagdish
Lord of the universe
jaya
glory, victory
hare
O! Hari (may imply either saguna Vishnu/Krishna or nirguna lord implied in a later verse)
thakur
an archaic term for 'lord'
shraddha
devotion, (also the poet's signature)
porna paramatma
complete supreme being
  • In the 1952 movie Anand Math, the Govinda damodar Stotram of Sri BilvaMangala Thakura is adapted with the Jai Jagdish Hare refrain.(video search)
  • In Purab Aur Paschim (1970), the prayer symbolizes the continiuity of the Indian tradition before and after India's independence.(video search)
  • The prayer inspired the movie "Om Jai Jagadish" in 2002.
  • References

    Jai Jagdish Hare Wikipedia