Dharmraj Yamraj Aarti – Om Jai Dharm Dhurandar: Lyrics, Meaning & Significance
Dharmraj Yamraj Aarti Lyrics (हिंदी में)
ॐ जय जय धर्म धुरन्धर, जय लोकत्राता।
धर्मराज प्रभु तुम ही, हो हरिहर धाता॥
जय देव दण्ड पाणिधर यम तुम, पापी जन कारण।
सुकृति हेतु हो पर तुम, वैतरणी तारण॥
न्याय विभाग अध्यक्ष हो, नीयत स्वामी।
पाप पुण्य के ज्ञाता, तुम अन्तर्यामी॥
दिव्य दृष्टि से सबके, पाप पुण्य लखते।
चित्रगुप्त द्वारा तुम, लेखा सब रखते॥
छात्र पात्र वस्त्रान्न क्षिति, शय्याबानी।
तब कृपया, पाते हैं, सम्पत्ति मनमानी॥
द्विज, कन्या, तुलसी, का करवाते परिणय।
वंशवृद्धि तुम उनकी, करते नि:संशय॥
दानोद्यापन-याजन, तुष्ट दयासिन्धु।
मृत्यु अनन्तर तुम ही, हो केवल बन्धु॥
धर्मराज प्रभु, अब तुम दया हृदय धारो।
जगत सिन्धु से स्वामिन, सेवक को तारो॥
धर्मराज जी की आरती, जो कोई नर गावे।
धरणी पर सुख पाके, मनवांछित फल पावे॥
Dharmraj Yamraj Aarti – Transliteration (English)
Om Jai Jai Dharm Dhurandar, Jai Loktraata
Dharmraj Prabhu tum hi, ho Harihar Dhata
Jai Dev Dand Panidhara Yam tum, paapi jan kaaran
Sukriti hetu ho par tum, Vaitarani taaran
Nyay vibhag adhyaksha ho, niyat Swami
Paap punya ke gyata, tum antaryami
Divya drishti se sabke, paap punya lakhte
Chitragupta dwara tum, lekha sab rakhte
Chhatra paatra vastrana kshiti, shayyabani
Tab kripa pate hain, sampatti manmani
Dwij, kanya, Tulsi, ka karvate parinay
Vanshavridhi tum unki, karte nihsanshay
Danodyan-yaajan, tusht dayasindhu
Mrityu anantar tum hi, ho kewal bandhu
Dharmraj Prabhu, ab tum daya hriday dharo
Jagat sindhu se Swamin, sevak ko taro
Dharmraj Ji ki aarti, jo koi nar gaave
Dharni par sukh paake, manvaanchhit phal paave
Meaning & Significance
The Dharmraj Yamraj Aarti is a rare and profound devotional composition that does something uncommon in Hindu liturgy; it approaches Yama, the lord of death, not with fear but with reverence and gratitude. The aarti opens by saluting him as the foremost upholder of Dharma (cosmic law), the one who sustains all three worlds through the impeccable administration of justice. Subsequent verses describe his function with precision: he is the presiding judge of the cosmic court, assisted by Chitragupta who maintains the ledger of every soul's deeds. The aarti does not shy away from Yama's terrifying aspect; he holds the punishment staff (danda) and presides over the dreadful Vaitarini river - but it simultaneously reveals his compassionate side: he blesses those who perform charity, protect learning, and observe dharmic rites, ensuring their lineages flourish. The penultimate verse reminds every devotee that at the moment of death, Yama alone is the true companion - no earthly wealth, relation, or status crosses that threshold with us. Singing this aarti transforms fear into wisdom.
About Dharmraj (Yamraj)
Yama - worshipped as Dharmraj (King of Dharma) - is one of the eight directional guardians (Ashtadikpalas) in Hindu cosmology, presiding over the southern direction. He is the son of Surya (the Sun) and the twin brother of the river goddess Yamuna. As the first mortal to die, he became the lord over all who follow, and his court administers impartial justice to every soul based solely on their karmic record. His mount is a black buffalo, his weapons include the noose (pasha) and the danda (staff), and his scribe Chitragupta maintains an infallible account of every deed performed in every lifetime. Far from being merely a deity of dread, Dharmraj is regarded in the Puranas as a model of absolute fairness - even the gods submit to his judgment. He is worshipped especially during Bhai Dooj (Yam Dwitiya) when sisters pray for their brothers' long life, and during Narak Chaturdashi, the night preceding Diwali.
Benefits of Reciting the Dharmraj Yamraj Aarti
- Regular recitation is said to free the devotee from fear of untimely death and the anxiety of karmic consequences, replacing dread with dharmic confidence.
- Propitiating Dharmraj is believed to ensure a smooth, peaceful transition of departed ancestors, bringing solace to grieving families.
- Devotees report relief from chronic guilt and the sense of unresolved moral debt when this aarti is recited sincerely and consistently.
- The aarti deepens the understanding of karma - that every action has its precise consequence - encouraging more mindful, dharmic living.
- Reciting on Bhai Dooj is said to secure divine protection and longevity for brothers, fulfilling the purpose of Yam Dwitiya.
- Charitable acts performed alongside this aarti are said to carry multiplied merit, as Dharmraj holds charity in the highest regard.
How to Perform the Aarti (Pooja Vidhi)
- The most auspicious time to perform this aarti is at dusk on Bhai Dooj (Yam Dwitiya, the second day of Kartik Shukla Paksha) or on Narak Chaturdashi.
- Set up a puja space facing south - Yama's direction - with a lamp, incense, black sesame seeds, and flowers as offerings.
- Begin with an invocation to the sun (Yama's father) and then to Chitragupta, before directing the main prayers to Dharmraj.
- Light the lamp and ring the bell; wave the flame in measured clockwise circles before the image or yantra of Dharmraj.
- Sing all nine verses of the aarti clearly and with steady awareness, pausing between verses to absorb the meaning.
- Conclude by offering tarpan (water libation) to departed ancestors in Dharmraj's name, then distribute prasad of sesame sweets to all present.
Best Day & Time to Recite
Bhai Dooj (Yam Dwitiya) is the premier occasion for Dharmraj aarti, when sisters perform this worship for the long life of their brothers - echoing the mythological reunion of Yama and his twin sister Yamuna. Narak Chaturdashi (the night before Diwali) is the other major occasion, when Yama's domain over the realm of the deceased is especially contemplated. The aarti may also be recited on Saturdays (associated with Shani, Yama's cousin) and on Amavasya (new moon), the time for ancestor veneration. Evening (at dusk or just after) is the recommended daily time, as it marks the liminal boundary between the living world and the world Yama governs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would one worship Yamraj, the god of death?
Worshipping Yamraj is an act of profound spiritual courage and wisdom. Rather than fearing what cannot be avoided, the devotee chooses to honour Yama as the supreme dharmic judge - acknowledging that one's own deeds, not any arbitrary fate, determine one's journey after death. This awareness naturally inspires more righteous living. Propitiating Yamraj is also an act of compassion for deceased relatives, as tradition holds that sincere worship eases the journey of departed souls through his court.
What is the connection between Yamraj and Bhai Dooj?
The festival of Bhai Dooj commemorates the day when Yama visited his twin sister Yamuna, who welcomed him with a ceremonial tilak and a feast. In return, Yama blessed all brothers who receive a tilak from their sisters on this day with protection from untimely death. This makes Bhai Dooj the most important festival of Yamraj worship - sisters perform aarti and prayers to Dharmraj, essentially negotiating divine protection for their brothers through the channel of this ancient sibling bond.
Is Chitragupta the same as Yamraj?
No. Chitragupta is a separate and important deity - the divine scribe who serves in Yamraj's court. While Yamraj is the judge who determines the fate of souls, Chitragupta maintains the meticulous record of every being's deeds across all lifetimes. Chitragupta is particularly revered by the Kayastha community, who celebrate Chitragupta Puja on Bhai Dooj. Together, Yamraj and Chitragupta form the twin pillars of cosmic justice - the judge and the record-keeper.
Honouring Dharmraj on Bhai Dooj: justice, dharma, and brotherly love
Yamraj - also called Dharmraj, the King of Dharma - is one of the most philosophically profound deities in the Hindu pantheon: the lord of death, time, and cosmic justice who ensures that every soul receives the precise fruit of its actions. Far from being a figure of dread alone, he is honoured as the guardian of the moral order that makes life meaningful. This aarti is most prominently associated with Bhai Dooj, the festival celebrated two days after Diwali, when sisters pray to Yamraj for the protection and long life of their brothers - a custom said to echo the story of Yama visiting his sister Yamuna on that day. The aarti is offered with lamps, flowers, and deep familial devotion.
In the Jyotish tradition, Shani (Saturn) and Yama are understood to be related in principle - both associated with karma, consequence, and the passage of time. Devotees who seek alignment with righteous living sometimes include this aarti in their kartik-month practices. What makes this composition remarkable is its dignified, almost philosophical tone: it invites the devotee not to flinch from impermanence but to honour dharma so fully in life that the encounter with Dharmraj becomes one of peace rather than dread. Sincere recitation is held to bring a quiet courage and moral clarity to daily life.