Aarti Krishna
Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki
Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki is the beloved aarti of Lord Krishna as Kunj Bihari, the one who plays in the groves of Vrindavan. It is sung on Janmashtami, in ISKCON and Krishna temples, and in homes every evening.
Hindi (Devanagari)
आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्णमुरारी की॥
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॥
श्री गिरिधर कृष्णमुरारी की॥
कनकमय मोर मुकुट बिलसै, देवता दरसन को तरसैं।
गगन सों सुमन रासि बरसै, बजे मुरचंग, मधुर मिरदंग,
ग्वालिन संग, अतुल रति गोप कुमारी की॥
श्री गिरिधर कृष्णमुरारी की॥
जहां ते प्रकट भई गंगा, सकल मन हारिणि श्री गंगा।
स्मरन ते होत मोह भंगा, बसी शिव सीस,
जटा के बीच, हरै अघ कीच, चरन छवि श्रीबनवारी की॥
श्री गिरिधर कृष्णमुरारी की॥
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॥
श्री गिरिधर कृष्णमुरारी की॥
आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्णमुरारी की॥
English transliteration
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 kaali, Radhika chamak rahi aali.
Latan mein thaadhe Banmali, bhramar si alak,
Kasturi tilak, chandra si jhalak, lalit chhavi Shyama pyari ki.
Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari ki.
Kanakmay mor mukut bilsai, devta darsan ko tarsain.
Gagan son suman raasi barsai, baje murchang, madhur mirdang,
Gwalin sang, atul rati gop kumari ki.
Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari 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.
Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari 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.
Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari ki.
Aarti Kunj Bihari ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari ki.
Meaning in English
We offer aarti to Kunj Bihari — Krishna, lifter of the Govardhan mountain and slayer of the demon Mura.
He wears the Vaijayanti garland and plays sweet music on the flute; earrings sparkle in his ears — the joy of Nanda. His dark body glows like the sky, and Radha shines beside him. Standing among the creepers, with curls like black bees, a musk tilak and a moon-like radiance — beautiful is the form of the beloved of Radha.
His golden crown of peacock feathers glitters; even the gods long for his sight. Flowers rain from the sky, drums and instruments play, and he dances with the cowherd girls in boundless love.
From his feet the Ganga flowed — the Ganga that captivates every heart, whose remembrance breaks illusion and who lives in Shiva's matted hair, washing away sin. Such is the beauty of his feet.
The sands of the riverbank shine, the flute plays in Vrindavan, gopis, cowherds and cows all around; he smiles softly in the moonlight, cutting the bonds of worldly life, hearing the call of the poor and suffering.
Frequently asked questions
When is Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki sung?
At midnight on Janmashtami, in Krishna temples and in homes during the evening aarti.
Pujas where this is sung
Traditional text. Spellings and verses vary slightly between printed editions. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.