Bahubali Aarti

By the BhaktiRas Editorial Team · Updated 14 July 2026

This aarti is sung for Bahubali, the younger son of the first Jain Tirthankara Rishabhadeva (Adinath). In the Jain account he set aside his claim to a throne and stood motionless in meditation for so long that creepers wound around his body, until he attained kevala jnana. The 57-foot monolithic Gommateshwara statue at Shravanabelagola in Karnataka carries his memory, and this simple folk aarti recalls his renunciation and steadiness.

Bahubali Aarti Lyrics (English)

Meaning & Significance

The aarti holds up one idea: letting go. Bahubali was born to rule, yet he walked away from the throne and every comfort that came with it. The verses picture his famous standing meditation, so long that vines grew up his legs and his hair became a home for birds, while he stayed as unmoving as a mountain. For Jains this is not a legend about a god granting wishes but a portrait of a soul working toward its own freedom.

Its refrain asks the moon and sun and stars to bring their light for the lamp offering, a gentle folk image that keeps the tone humble rather than grand. Singing it is a way to remember that steadiness and detachment, not force, are what carried Bahubali to kevala jnana, the state of full knowing that Jain tradition counts as the first liberation of this age.

How Do You Perform the Aarti?

1. Light the lamp — Prepare a clean brass or silver lamp with ghee or camphor and place it before an image or photograph of Bahubali or Gommateshwara.
2. Sit with a settled mind — Jain worship values inner calm, so pause, steady your breath, and set aside restlessness before you begin.
3. Sing the refrain first — Start with the 'Chanda tu la re chandaniya' lines, then move through the three verses at an even, unhurried pace.
4. Move the lamp gently — Circle the flame slowly in front of the image in a clockwise motion while you sing, keeping your attention on the words.
5. Close with a bow — End by folding your hands, reciting 'Namo Siddhanam' if you wish, and bowing your head in the spirit of the closing verse.

What Are the Benefits of Singing This Aarti?

The aarti is valued less for reward and more for the frame of mind it builds.

• Cultivates detachment: Recalling how Bahubali gave up a kingdom helps loosen the grip of possessions and status in daily life.
• Builds inner steadiness: His long, unmoving meditation is a model for patience and calm when the mind wants to wander.
• Keeps values in view: The words center non-violence and renunciation, the core commitments of Jain practice.
• Creates a shared moment: Sung together at home or at a temple, it gathers a family or community around one quiet focus.
• Supports reflection: The closing bow encourages honest self-review, a habit Jain tradition returns to again and again.

Who Wrote This Aarti?

This is a traditional folk aarti passed down in Digambara Jain communities, especially in the Rajasthani-Hindi speaking regions, rather than a formal Sanskrit hymn. The closing verse carries the signature ‘Nemji’, a device folk poets used to mark authorship, though the full name and dates of the composer are not reliably recorded. Different printed and online collections carry small wording differences, which is normal for songs kept alive mostly by singing.

Frequently Asked Questions

॥ जय बाहुबली ॥