Neminath Aarti

By the BhaktiRas Editorial Team · Updated 14 July 2026

The Neminath Aarti is sung in veneration of Bhagwan Neminath, also called Arishtanemi, the 22nd Tirthankara of Jainism. Its short refrain and five verses recall his omniscient teaching in the samavasaran, the attending yaksha and yakshini, and the three canopies that mark a Jina. In Jain thought a Tirthankara is a liberated guide who reveals the path, not a deity who grants favors, so the aarti reads as an act of reflection and aspiration.

Neminath Aarti Lyrics (English)

Meaning & Significance

Every verse of the aarti points to a quality of a Jina rather than to any worldly wish. Neminath is addressed as the one who carries souls across samsara, whose omniscient speech in the samavasaran reaches all listeners, and above whose head the three canopies of a Tirthankara appear. The imagery is drawn straight from how Jain tradition describes an enlightened teacher at the height of his preaching.

What gives the aarti its weight is the life behind it. Neminath is remembered for turning back from his own wedding procession when he heard the cries of animals penned for the feast. That single act of compassion, and the renunciation that followed, sit under the whole song. Singing it is less about asking for something and more about turning the mind toward ahimsa, detachment, and the goal the Tirthankara reached.

How Do You Perform the Aarti?

1. Prepare a clean space — stand before an image or idol of Neminath in a Jain temple or home shrine, with a lit lamp for the mangal aarti.
2. Begin with the refrain — sing 'Jai Neminath Swami' calmly, keeping attention on the Jina's qualities rather than on any personal request.
3. Move the lamp gently — circle the lit lamp before the image in a slow clockwise motion as each verse is sung, using offerings that harm no life.
4. Sing each verse mindfully — reflect on the meaning of every line, from the samavasaran to the three canopies, as the words are sung.
5. Close with reflection — end on the final refrain, then keep a moment of silence to absorb the compassion and detachment the aarti points to.

What Are the Benefits of Singing This Aarti?

In Jain practice an aarti is an act of veneration and self-reflection rather than a request for favors, so the Neminath Aarti works chiefly on the singer’s own mind.

• Cultivates detachment: Neminath gave up worldly life at his own wedding, and dwelling on his story turns the mind toward vairagya and simplicity.
• Reinforces ahimsa: his renunciation came from refusing harm to animals, so the aarti renews a daily commitment to non-violence.
• Steadies the mind: the repeated refrain and the focus on the Jina's qualities help settle a restless mind before meditation or study.
• Deepens devotion: reflecting on his omniscience and the samavasaran builds shraddha and a clearer sense of the spiritual goal.

Who Wrote This Aarti?

This aarti is a traditional Jain composition and its author is not recorded. It circulates widely in Digambar aarti collections and is sung by devotees across Jain communities. Its language is Hindi in the Devanagari script. Neminath himself is closely tied to Mount Girnar near Junagadh in Gujarat, the hill where Jain tradition says he attained kevala jnana and final liberation, which is why he is honored so warmly in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

॥ जय नेमीनाथ स्वामी ॥