Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki — Lyrics in English with Meaning
'Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki' is the most popular aarti of Shri Krishna. It paints Vrindavan, the flute, the beauty of Radha and Krishna, and the Ganga flowing from Krishna's feet. The aarti is given below in English letters and Devanagari, with the meaning of each verse in English.
It is sung on Janmashtami, on Ekadashi and in the evening aarti of daily Krishna worship.
Arti kunjabihari ki,
Shri giridhar krishna murari ki ॥
आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की॥
The aarti of Kunj Bihari — Krishna who roams the groves — Murari who lifted Govardhan.
Gale men baijanti mala, bajavai murli madhur bala ।
Shravan men kundal jhalkala, nand ke anand nandlala ।
Gagan sam ang kanti kali, radhika chamak rahi ali ।
Latan men tharhe banmali; bhramar si alak, kasturi tilak, chandra si jhalak;
Lalit chhavi shyama pyari ki ॥
गले में बैजंती माला, बजावै मुरली मधुर बाला। श्रवण में कुण्डल झलकाला, नंद के आनंद नंदलाला। गगन सम अंग कांति काली, राधिका चमक रही आली। लतन में ठाढ़े बनमाली; भ्रमर सी अलक, कस्तूरी तिलक, चंद्र सी झलक; ललित छवि श्यामा प्यारी की॥
A vaijayanti garland at his neck, a sweet flute at his lips, earrings glinting in his ears — the darling of Nand. Dark as the sky, with radiant Radha beside him; curls like black bees, a musk tilak and a moon-like glow — the beautiful sight of Radha and Shyam.
Kanakmay mor mukut bilsai, devta darsan ko tarsain ।
Gagan son suman rasi barsai;
Baje murachang, madhur miradang, gvalin sang;
Atul rati gop kumari ki ॥
कनकमय मोर मुकुट बिलसै, देवता दरसन को तरसैं। गगन सों सुमन रासि बरसै; बजे मुरचंग, मधुर मिरदंग, ग्वालिन संग; अतुल रति गोप कुमारी की॥
His golden peacock crown shines and the gods long for his darshan; flowers rain from the sky, the murchang and mridang play, and the gopis are lost in love.
Jahan te prakat bhai ganga, sakal man harini shri ganga ।
Smaran te hot moh bhanga;
Basi siv sis, jata ke bich, harai agh kich;
Charan chhavi shribanvari ki ॥
जहां ते प्रकट भई गंगा, सकल मन हारिणि श्री गंगा। स्मरन ते होत मोह भंगा; बसी सिव सीस, जटा के बीच, हरै अघ कीच; चरन छवि श्रीबनवारी की॥
From his feet came forth the Ganga who captivates every heart and lives in Shiva's matted hair — such is the glory of Shri Banwari's feet.
Chamkati ujjval tat renu, baj rahi vrindavan benu ।
Chahun disi gopi gval dhenu;
Hansat mridu mand, chandni chand, katat bhav phand;
Ter sun din dukhari ki ॥
चमकती उज्ज्वल तट रेनू, बज रही वृंदावन बेनू। चहुं दिसि गोपि ग्वाल धेनू; हंसत मृदु मंद, चांदनी चंद, कटत भव फंद; टेर सुन दीन दुखारी की॥
The sand of the Yamuna bank sparkles, the flute plays in Vrindavan, gopis, cowherds and cows are all around. His gentle smile and the moonlight cut the bonds of the world — O Lord, hear the cry of this humble one.
The text is traditional and wording varies slightly by region. The English meanings are written by OmKiran Bhakti. Read this page in Hindi.
