Sarada Devi Aarti
श्री सारदा देवी आरती (प्रकृतिं परमाम्)
What is the Sarada Devi Aarti?
Sarada Devi Aarti The Sarada Devi Aarti, 'Prakritim Paramam,' is an eleven-verse Sanskrit hymn by Swami Abhedananda, sung every evening in the Ramakrishna Order to honour Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi.
The Sarada Devi Aarti, known by its opening words Prakritim Paramam, is the hymn offered to Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi during the evening aratrikam at centres of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Composed in Sanskrit by Swami Abhedananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, its eleven verses greet the Mother as the supreme Prakriti in human form, the ferry across worldly existence, and the giver of devotion and knowledge.
Sarada Devi Aarti Lyrics (English)
Roman transliteration for easy chanting. Tap “Meaning” under any verse for the English translation.
Prakritim paramam abhayam varadam
nararupa-dharam janatapa-haram
sharanagata-sevaka-toshakarim
pranamami param jananim jagatam
Meaning
I bow to the supreme Prakriti, fearless and granting boons, who has taken a human form to remove the sorrow of people and who satisfies the devotees who seek her shelter. I salute her, the supreme Mother of the universe.
Guna-hina-sutan aparadha-yutan
kripaya adya samuddhara moha-gatan
taranim bhava-sagara-para-karim
pranamami param jananim jagatam
Meaning
Her children are without virtue and full of faults, lost in delusion; the prayer asks her to lift them up this very day through her mercy. She is the boat that carries souls across the ocean of worldly life, the supreme Mother to whom I bow.
Vishayam kusumam parihritya sada
charanamburuha-amrita-shanti-sudham
piba bhringa-mano bhava-roga-haram
pranamami param jananim jagatam
Meaning
The bee-like mind is urged to leave the flower of sense-pleasures and instead drink the nectar of peace that flows from her lotus feet, a nectar that cures the disease of worldly bondage. I bow to the supreme Mother of the universe.
Kripam kuru mahadevi suteshu pranateshu cha
charanashraya-danena kripamayi namo'stu te
Meaning
O great Goddess, show your grace to your children and to all who bow before you by granting them the refuge of your feet. Salutation to you, O compassionate Mother.
Lajja-patavrite nityam sarade jnana-dayike
papebhyo nah sada raksha kripamayi namo'stu te
Meaning
O Sarada, ever clothed in the veil of modesty and the giver of true knowledge, guard us always from sin. Salutation to you, O merciful one.
Ramakrishna-gata-pranam tan-nama-shravana-priyam
tad-bhava-ranjita-akaram pranamami muhurmuhuh
Meaning
Her life was devoted to Sri Ramakrishna, she loved to hear his name, and her whole being was coloured by love for him. To her I bow again and again.
Pavitram charitam yasyah pavitram jivanam tatha
pavitrata-svarupinyai tasyai kurmo namo namah
Meaning
Her conduct was pure and her life was pure; she is purity itself given form. To her we offer our repeated salutations.
Devim prasannam pranata-arti-hantrim
yogindra-pujyam yuga-dharma-patrim
tam saradam bhakti-vijnana-datrim
daya-svarupam pranamami nityam
Meaning
To the gracious Goddess who ends the distress of those who bow to her, worshipped by the foremost of yogis, the vessel of the dharma of this age, Sarada who bestows both devotion and true knowledge, mercy itself in form, I bow daily.
Snehena badhnasi mano'smadiyam
doshan asheshan sagunikaroshi
ahetuna no dayase sadoshan
svange grihitva yad-idam vichitram
Meaning
You bind our minds with affection and turn every fault of ours into virtue. Though we are full of flaws, you show us compassion without any cause and take us onto your lap; how wonderful this is.
Prasida matar vinayena yache
nityam bhava snehavati suteshu
premaika-bindum chira-dagdha-chitte
vishincha chittam kuru nah sushantam
Meaning
With humility I pray, O Mother, be pleased and remain ever loving toward your children. Pour a single drop of love upon hearts long scorched by suffering, and make our minds completely at peace.
Jananim saradam devim ramakrishnam jagadgurum
pada-padme tayoh shritva pranamami muhurmuhuh
Meaning
Taking refuge at the lotus feet of both Mother Sarada Devi and Sri Ramakrishna, the teacher of the world, I bow to them again and again.
Meaning & Significance
This hymn addresses Sri Sarada Devi as Prakriti, the supreme creative power that has assumed a human form to relieve human suffering. Rather than describing outward ritual, its verses move through surrender, self-recognition of one’s own faults, and a plea for the Mother’s grace, which the poet treats as freely given and unearned. The image of the mind as a bee that must leave the flower of sense-pleasure for the nectar of her feet gives the hymn its devotional core.
Within the Ramakrishna Order the hymn also binds Holy Mother to Sri Ramakrishna: several verses recall that her life was centred on him, and the closing verse takes refuge at the feet of both together. Sung at the evening aratrikam, it is less a request for material boons than a prayer for peace of mind, purity, and steady devotion.
How Do You Perform the Aarti?
- Set the space — Place an image or photograph of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, with Sri Ramakrishna if available, and light a lamp and a stick of incense before it.
- Begin with a bow — Sit or stand facing the image, fold your hands, and offer a silent salutation before starting the verses.
- Sing the eleven verses — Recite or sing the verses in order, from Prakritim paramam through the closing Jananim saradam devim, keeping an even, unhurried rhythm.
- Offer the lamp — During or after the singing, circle the lit lamp gently before the image in the traditional aarti motion if you are performing the full evening arati.
- Close in silence — End with the final salutation, then sit quietly for a few moments to let the mind settle in the mood of the hymn.
What Are the Benefits of Singing This Aarti?
Devotees sing this aarti chiefly for inner peace and steady devotion rather than worldly gain.
- Calms the mind: The closing verses directly ask the Mother to make the mind peaceful, and singing them at evening helps settle the day's restlessness.
- Deepens devotion: The hymn names Sarada Devi as the giver of both devotion and true knowledge, keeping the focus on the spiritual life.
- Cultivates surrender: Its verses acknowledge one's own faults and ask for grace, training an attitude of humility and self-surrender.
- Connects to a living tradition: Singing it joins the daily evening worship kept up in Ramakrishna Math and Mission centres worldwide.
- Encourages purity: The praise of Holy Mother as purity itself holds up a clear ideal of pure conduct and thought.
Who Wrote This Aarti?
The hymn was composed in Sanskrit by Swami Abhedananda (1866-1939), a direct monastic disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and one of the founding figures who carried Vedanta to the West. It forms part of the set of arati hymns sung during the evening prayer of the Ramakrishna Order, where hymns to Sri Ramakrishna and to Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi are offered together. It is widely known by its opening words, Prakritim Paramam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sarada Devi Aarti?
It is the Sanskrit hymn 'Prakritim Paramam,' composed by Swami Abhedananda, sung in the evening prayer of the Ramakrishna Order to honour Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi in eleven verses.
Who composed the Prakritim Paramam hymn?
Swami Abhedananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, composed it. It is one of the arati hymns used in the daily evening worship of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission.
When is this aarti sung?
It is traditionally sung during the evening aratrikam, the vesper worship offered each day at Ramakrishna Order centres and in the homes of devotees.
How many verses does the Sarada Devi Aarti have?
The hymn has eleven verses, beginning with 'Prakritim paramam abhayam varadam' and closing with 'Jananim saradam devim ramakrishnam jagadgurum.'
What does the hymn ask for?
Rather than material boons, it prays for the Mother's grace, purity, freedom from delusion, and a mind made peaceful and steady in devotion.
॥ जननीं सारदां देवीं प्रणमामि मुहुर्मुहुः ॥