Shri Krishna Aarti - Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki
āratī kuṃjabihārī kī, śrī giridhara kṛṣṇa murārī kī||
gale meṃ baijaṃtī mālā, bajāvai muralī madhura bālā| śravaṇa meṃ kuṇḍala jhalakālā, naṃda ke ānaṃda naṃdalālā| gagana sama aṃga kāṃti kālī, rādhikā camaka rahī ālī| latana meṃ ṭhāṛhe banamālī, bhramara sī alaka, kastūrī tilaka, caṃdra sī jhalaka, lalita chavi śyāmā pyārī kī, śrī giridhara kṛṣṇa murārī kī||
kanakamaya mora mukuṭa bilasai, devatā darasana ko tarasaiṃ| gagana soṃ sumana rāsi barasai| baje muracaṃga, madhura miradaṃga, gvālina saṃga, atula rati gopa kumārī kī, śrī giridhara kṛṣṇa murārī kī||
jahām̐ te prakaṭa bhaī gaṃgā, sakala mana hāriṇi śrī gaṃgā| smarana te hota moha bhaṃgā, basī śiva sīsa, jaṭā ke bīca, harai agha kīca, carana chavi śrī banavārī kī, śrī giridhara kṛṣṇa murārī kī||
camakatī ujjvala taṭa renū, baja rahī vṛṃdāvana benū| cahuṃ disi gopi gvāla dhenū, haṃsata mṛdu maṃda, cāṃdanī caṃda, kaṭata bhava phaṃda, ṭera suna dīna dukhārī kī, śrī giridhara kṛṣṇa murārī kī||
āratī kuṃjabihārī kī, śrī giridhara kṛṣṇa murārī kī||
Word by Word
gale meṃ baijaṃtī mālā, bajāvai muralī madhura bālā| śravaṇa meṃ kuṇḍala jhalakālā, naṃda ke ānaṃda naṃdalālā| gagana sama aṃga kāṃti kālī, rādhikā camaka rahī ālī| latana meṃ ṭhāṛhe banamālī, bhramara sī alaka, kastūrī tilaka, caṃdra sī jhalaka, lalita chavi śyāmā pyārī kī, śrī giridhara kṛṣṇa murārī kī||
Word by Word
kanakamaya mora mukuṭa bilasai, devatā darasana ko tarasaiṃ| gagana soṃ sumana rāsi barasai| baje muracaṃga, madhura miradaṃga, gvālina saṃga, atula rati gopa kumārī kī, śrī giridhara kṛṣṇa murārī kī||
Word by Word
jahām̐ te prakaṭa bhaī gaṃgā, sakala mana hāriṇi śrī gaṃgā| smarana te hota moha bhaṃgā, basī śiva sīsa, jaṭā ke bīca, harai agha kīca, carana chavi śrī banavārī kī, śrī giridhara kṛṣṇa murārī kī||
Word by Word
camakatī ujjvala taṭa renū, baja rahī vṛṃdāvana benū| cahuṃ disi gopi gvāla dhenū, haṃsata mṛdu maṃda, cāṃdanī caṃda, kaṭata bhava phaṃda, ṭera suna dīna dukhārī kī, śrī giridhara kṛṣṇa murārī kī||
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
Meanings are compiled and edited by the Ved Path team, and are being progressively reviewed for accuracy.
