Shri Krishna Aarti - Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki
āratī kuñjabihārī kī, śrī giridhara kṛṣṇa murārī kī॥ gale meṃ baijantī mālā, bajāvai muralī madhura bālā। śravaṇa meṃ kuṇḍala jhalakālā, nanda ke ānanda nandalālā॥ gagana sama aṅga kānti kālī, rādhikā camaka rahī ālī। latana meṃ ṭhāḍhe banamālī, bhramara sī alaka, kastūrī tilaka lālī॥ kanakamaya mora mukuṭa bilasai, devatā darasana ko tarasaiṃ। gagana soṃ sumana rāsi barasaiṃ, haṃsata mukha candra mṛdu musakāī॥ jahāṃ te prakaṭa bhaī gaṅgā, sakala mana hāriṇī śrī gaṅgā। kahaiṃ sūra śyāma manohara, bāṃsurī bajāī jahāṃ basi mero mana mayūra, nāca raho tahāṃ॥ ṭhumaka ṭhumaka calata rāma chabīle। hāthana meṃ maiyā makkhana chīlai। bhaktana ko darśana de dayālā, giridhara nāgara nanda gopālā॥
Aarti of Kunj Bihari (the one who revels in the groves), of Shri Giridhar Krishna Murari (the one who held the mountain and slew the demon Mura). A garland of Vaijanti flowers adorns His neck, the sweet child plays the flute. Earrings sparkle in His ears -- He is Nandlala, the delight of father Nanda. His body glows dark like the sky (rain clouds), Radhika shines alongside Her companion. Banmali (the one garlanded with forest flowers) stands amidst the vines, with bee-like curly locks and a red tilak of musk. A golden peacock crown glistens; the gods yearn for His divine vision. Flowers rain down from the sky; His moon-like face beams with a gentle smile. From where (His feet) the Ganga appeared, the enchanting Shri Ganga who captivates all hearts. Surdas says, the beautiful Shyam played the flute; there where He dwells, the peacock of my mind dances in joy. The beautiful one (Krishna) walks with playful, toddling steps. Mother places butter in His hands. O compassionate one, grant Your devotees Your divine vision -- O Giridhar, clever one, Nanda's Gopala.
āratī kuñjabihārī kī, śrī giridhara kṛṣṇa murārī kī॥
Aarti of Kunj Bihari (the one who revels in the groves), of Shri Giridhar Krishna Murari (the one who held the mountain and slew the demon Mura).
Word by Word
gale meṃ baijantī mālā, bajāvai muralī madhura bālā। śravaṇa meṃ kuṇḍala jhalakālā, nanda ke ānanda nandalālā॥
A garland of Vaijanti flowers adorns His neck, the sweet child plays the flute. Earrings sparkle in His ears -- He is Nandlala, the delight of father Nanda.
Word by Word
gagana sama aṅga kānti kālī, rādhikā camaka rahī ālī। latana meṃ ṭhāḍhe banamālī, bhramara sī alaka, kastūrī tilaka lālī॥
His body glows dark like the sky (rain clouds), Radhika shines alongside Her companion. Banmali (the one garlanded with forest flowers) stands amidst the vines, with bee-like curly locks and a red tilak of musk.
Word by Word
kanakamaya mora mukuṭa bilasai, devatā darasana ko tarasaiṃ। gagana soṃ sumana rāsi barasaiṃ, haṃsata mukha candra mṛdu musakāī॥
A golden peacock crown glistens; the gods yearn for His divine vision. Flowers rain down from the sky; His moon-like face beams with a gentle smile.
Word by Word
jahāṃ te prakaṭa bhaī gaṅgā, sakala mana hāriṇī śrī gaṅgā। kahaiṃ sūra śyāma manohara, bāṃsurī bajāī jahāṃ basi mero mana mayūra, nāca raho tahāṃ॥
From where (His feet) the Ganga appeared, the enchanting Shri Ganga who captivates all hearts. Surdas says, the beautiful Shyam played the flute; there where He dwells, the peacock of my mind dances in joy.
Word by Word
ṭhumaka ṭhumaka calata rāma chabīle। hāthana meṃ maiyā makkhana chīlai। bhaktana ko darśana de dayālā, giridhara nāgara nanda gopālā॥
The beautiful one (Krishna) walks with playful, toddling steps. Mother places butter in His hands. O compassionate one, grant Your devotees Your divine vision -- O Giridhar, clever one, Nanda's Gopala.
Word by Word
Introduction
“Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki” is the most famous and popular aarti dedicated to Lord Shri Krishna. This aarti was composed by the great devotee-poet Surdas Ji. It beautifully describes Krishna’s enchanting form, His flute-playing pastimes, and the Rasa Leela (divine dance) with the gopis. Kunj Bihari means “the one who revels in the groves” (of Vrindavan).
Significance
The Krishna Aarti holds special significance as Lord Krishna is considered the Purna Purushottam (the complete and supreme Lord). This aarti describes His captivating form in such a way that the devotee’s mind becomes immersed in love for Krishna. This aarti is especially significant on Janmashtami. Praising Him as Giridhar Krishna Murari brings happiness and peace to the devotees.
How to Perform
- Light a ghee lamp before the idol or image of Lord Krishna
- Offer tulsi (holy basil) leaves, butter, mishri (rock sugar), and flowers
- Sing the aarti while moving the plate in a clockwise circular motion before Krishna Ji
- Performing this aarti on the night of Janmashtami is considered extremely auspicious
- Offer makhan-mishri (butter and rock sugar), panchamrit, or dhaniya-panjiri as prasad