Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki — Lyrics with Meaning
'Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki' is the most loved aarti of Shri Krishna. 'Kunj Bihari' means Krishna who roams the groves of Vrindavan. It sweetly describes his flute, peacock crown, Radha's beauty and the scenes of Vrindavan. It is sung on Janmashtami, Ekadashi and in daily worship.
Aarti Kunj Bihari ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari ki ||
Gale mein baijanti mala, bajavai murli madhur bala | Shravan mein kundal jhalkala, Nand ke anand Nandlala | Gagan sam ang kanti kali, Radhika chamak rahi aali | Latan mein thadhe Banmali; Bhramar si alak, kasturi tilak, chandra si jhalak; Lalit chhavi Shyama pyari ki ||
Kanakmay mor mukut bilsai, devta darsan ko tarsain | Gagan son suman raasi barsai; Baje murchang, madhur mirdang, gvalin sang; Atul rati gop kumari ki ||
Jahan te prakat bhai Ganga, sakal man harini Shri Ganga | Smaran te hot moh bhanga; Basi Shiv sees, jata ke beech, harai agh keech; Charan chhavi Shri Banwari ki ||
Chamakti ujjwal tat renu, baj rahi Vrindavan benu | Chahun disi gopi gwal dhenu; Hansat mridu mand, chandni chand, katat bhav phand; Ter sun deen dukhari ki ||
Meaning
Verse 1
Aarti Kunj Bihari ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari ki ||
Let us offer aarti to Krishna who roams the groves of Vrindavan — Murari, who lifted the Govardhan hill.
Verse 2
Gale mein baijanti mala, bajavai murli madhur bala | Shravan mein kundal jhalkala, Nand ke anand Nandlala | Gagan sam ang kanti kali, Radhika chamak rahi aali | Latan mein thadhe Banmali; Bhramar si alak, kasturi tilak, chandra si jhalak; Lalit chhavi Shyama pyari ki ||
A Vaijayanti garland at his neck, young Krishna plays a sweet flute; earrings sparkle in his ears — he is Nand's joy. His dark glow is like the sky and Radha shines beside him among the vines; with curls like black bees, a musk tilak and a moon-like glow, the pair make a lovely sight.
Verse 3
Kanakmay mor mukut bilsai, devta darsan ko tarsain | Gagan son suman raasi barsai; Baje murchang, madhur mirdang, gvalin sang; Atul rati gop kumari ki ||
His golden peacock crown gleams and even the gods long to see him; flowers rain from the sky. The murchang and drums play, the cowherd girls are with him — their love for him is beyond compare.
Verse 4
Jahan te prakat bhai Ganga, sakal man harini Shri Ganga | Smaran te hot moh bhanga; Basi Shiv sees, jata ke beech, harai agh keech; Charan chhavi Shri Banwari ki ||
From his feet the Ganga appeared — she who charms every heart, whose memory breaks illusion, who lives in Shiv's matted hair and washes away the mud of sin. Such is the beauty of Banwari's feet.
Verse 5
Chamakti ujjwal tat renu, baj rahi Vrindavan benu | Chahun disi gopi gwal dhenu; Hansat mridu mand, chandni chand, katat bhav phand; Ter sun deen dukhari ki ||
The bright sand shines on the Yamuna's bank and the flute plays in Vrindavan; gopis, cowherds and cows are all around. Smiling softly in the moonlight, Krishna cuts the bonds of worldly life — Lord, hear the call of this humble, troubled soul.
Meanings written in simple language by the KathaMantra team.
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Frequently asked questions
When is Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki sung?
At the end of daily Krishna puja, and especially at the midnight celebration of Janmashtami, on Ekadashi and on Wednesdays. It is a favourite in the temples of Vrindavan and Braj.
What does 'Kunj Bihari' mean?
'Kunj' is a grove of trees and creepers and 'Bihari' is one who wanders and plays. Krishna, who played in the groves of Vrindavan, is called Kunj Bihari.
What is repeated after each verse?
After each verse the refrain 'Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari ki, Aarti Kunj Bihari ki' is repeated.