Aarti Sai Baba

This aarti was originally composed in Marathi, and is one of the four daily aartis sung at Shirdi. Over the 20th century, North Indian Sai devotees added Hindi stanzas that emphasize Baba’s universalism. The version presented here is the popular composite.

The refrain establishes Baba as saukhya-datara jeeva — the bestower of joy upon all life. The petition is simple: grant shelter under your foot-dust; give your servants rest.

Stanzas 1–3 are the original Marathi core. They invoke Baba as Pandhari-natha (Vitthal of Pandharpur) — interesting, because this name belongs to the Varkari tradition of Maharashtra. Sai is identified with the great saint-god of Maharashtra. He is kalpataru (the wish-tree) and kamadhenu (the wish-cow); he is the loving guardian of the lowly and the orphaned.

Stanza 3 is theologically dense: “Hari and the Guru are one form.” The Vaishnava-Saiva-Sant traditions all merge in Sai’s person.

Stanzas 4–6 are the Hindi additions, and they bring the distinctive Sai universalism into the foreground.

Stanza 4 echoes the Sufi prayer-style: “Rahama nazara karo, aba merā Sāī” — “Cast your gaze of mercy now, my Sai.” This is the language of Muslim devotion, naturally placed in a Hindu aarti — a musical embodiment of Sai’s interfaith vision.

Stanza 5 is the most explicit theological declaration: “Ram, Krishna, Shiva, Shakti — you alone are all of them, Sai. ‘Sabka Malik Ek’ — you alone taught it. You bound Hindu and Muslim into one. You awakened the truth that mosque and temple are one.”

Stanza 6 is the practice-stanza: apply udi tilak; settle shraddha-saburi in the mind; trust the promise “Main tumhare saath hoon” (I am with you); invite Sai into every devotee’s home.

Stanza 7 is the phalashruti — those who sing this aarti with faith have their life simplified and infused with joy and peace.

The original Marathi aarti “Aarti Sai Baba” was composed by Shri Madhav Adkar in the early 20th century. It is one of the four daily aartis sung at the Shirdi temple at fixed times:

The “Aarti Sai Baba, Saukhya-Datara Jeeva” presented here is principally part of the Madhyahna and Dhoop aartis.

Later, North Indian Sai devotees added Hindi stanzas — especially “Rahama nazara karo” (which echoes Sai’s own Sufi-style Allah-prayers) and “Ram-Krishna aur Shiva-Shakti” (which emphasizes his sarva-dharma message). Today this hybrid version is the most-sung Sai aarti across India.

It is sung today:

• In Sai temples worldwide as part of daily worship
• On Thursdays by especially large numbers of devotees
• At the conclusion of Sai Satcharitra parayanas
• Twice daily during the nine days of Sai Navaratri

When

• Daily morning and evening arati
• Thursdays — with particular devotion
• Sai Navaratri — twice daily
• Sai Punyatithi (15 October / Vijayadashami)
• At the conclusion of a Sai Satcharitra parayana
• Before journeys — invoking Baba’s blessing

Steps

1. Aarti is sung at the conclusion of the puja — after the chalisa or the Satcharitra reading.
2. Prepare the thali with a 5-wick oil lamp (Baba especially loves oil lamps), incense, flowers, sandalwood, and udi.
3. Light the lamp and begin.
4. Rotate the lamp clockwise seven full circles.
5. Keep tala with bell, claps, or conch.
6. Sing in unison as a family.
7. After the aarti, apply udi tilak to every forehead.
8. Offer flowers (pushpanjali) and circumambulate three times.
9. Distribute Sai prasad — jaggery and chana, sweets, or khichdi.

Musical accompaniment

Traditionally accompanied by harmonium, tabla, manjira, dholak, and conch. The Shirdi aartis maintain the traditional Marathi bhajan style — and the 4:30 AM Kakad Aarti at Shirdi is among the most moving devotional experiences available anywhere.

• Standard aarti of the Shirdi temple — part of the four daily aartis.
• Marathi-Hindi blend — original Marathi + North Indian Hindi additions = pan-Indian form.
• Singing of “Sabka Malik Ek” — daily remembrance of Baba’s central teaching.
• “Shraddha-Saburi” integrated explicitly into the aarti.
• “Main tumhare saath hoon” — daily remembrance of Baba’s parting promise.

Is this aarti the same as the Kakad Aarti?

The original Kakad Aarti at Shirdi (4:30 AM) is longer — it includes several Madhav Adkar compositions. The “Aarti Sai Baba” presented here is principally part of the Madhyahna and Dhoop aartis. In Sai homes outside Shirdi, this is the most commonly sung aarti.

How do non-Marathi speakers sing it?

The opening Marathi stanzas — “Jāūniyā kara caraṇī”, “Viṣaya kalpa-tarū tū” — are simple. With practice, Hindi-speakers grasp the meaning easily. Pandhari-natha = Lord of Pandharpur (Vitthal/Krishna). Jāūniyā = “having gone.” Parisāvī = “please listen.” The Hindi stanzas are in plain Hindi.

How to teach this aarti to children?

Begin with the refrain — “Aarti Sai Baba, Saukhya-Datara Jeeva” — repeated many times. The Hindi stanza “Rahama nazara karo, aba mera Sai” is also easy for children to memorize.

Should other aartis follow this one?

At Shirdi, five aartis are sung in sequence. A fuller home arati can include: (1) “Om Sadguru Sainathaya Namah” japa; (2) chalisa recitation; (3) this aarti; (4) “Jay Ganesh Jay Ganesh”; (5) “Om Jai Jagdish Hare.” For a brief routine, this aarti alone is sufficient.

Where can udi prasad be obtained?

At Shirdi, udi is distributed free at Baba’s samadhi. If you cannot visit, any Sai temple has udi. As a substitute, the ash from your home’s lit lamp can be treated as “household udi” with appropriate reverence.

Can women sing this aarti during menstruation?

In Baba’s view, shraddha was paramount, ritual purity secondary. Mental singing is always permitted. If any hesitation, sit at a distance and offer mental remembrance and darshan — equally valid.

What raga is this aarti in?

The original Marathi version is in traditional bhakti-music style, not strictly raga-bound. The Hindi version sits beautifully in raga Khamaj or raga Pilu. Lata Mangeshkar and Anup Jalota have well-loved recordings.