AARTI

Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki

आरती कुञ्ज बिहारी की

🙏 Krishna ✍️ Traditional 🗣️ Hindi 📜 6 verses 👁 10 reads Suggest a correction
Krishna

Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki (आरती कुञ्ज बिहारी की) is one of the most beloved aartis dedicated to Lord Krishna in his form as Kunj Bihari — the wanderer of the forest groves. Kunj refers to the bower groves of Vrindavan, the sacred forest on the banks of the Yamuna where Krishna spent his youth; bihari means one who delights in wandering or playing. Together the epithet evokes Krishna at his most intimate — not the cosmic teacher of the Gita but the young, flute-playing god of the groves, accessible and near.

The aarti describes Krishna's enchanting appearance — his peacock feather crown, his yellow garments, his divine flute, and the golden light of the Yamuna banks at dusk. This visual richness is characteristic of the Vrindavan devotional tradition, which approaches Krishna through beauty and longing rather than awe and reverence.

It is sung during evening prayers in temples and homes across India, and holds particular significance in Vrindavan and Mathura — the towns most associated with Krishna's earthly life — where it accompanies the daily sunset aarti on the Yamuna ghats. For devotees in the Vaishnava tradition, it is among the first aartis learned and among the last forgotten.

Mukhada (Refrain)
आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥ आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥
Aarti Kunj Bihari ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari ki || Aarti Kunj Bihari ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari ki ||
We perform the aarti of Lord Kunj Bihari — the one who roams the sacred groves of Vrindavan — who is also Giridhar (the lifter of Govardhan mountain), Krishna, and Murari (the slayer of the demon Mura).
Verse 1
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 कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥
Gale mein Baijanti mala, bajavai murali madhur bala | Shravan mein kundal jhalakala, Nand ke aanand Nandlala | Gagan sam ang kanti kali, Radhika chamak rahi aali | Latan mein thadhe Banamali Bhramar si alak, Kasturi tilak, Chandra si jhalak, Lalit chavi Shyama pyari ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari ki ||
A garland of Baijanti flowers adorns his neck as he plays his sweet flute. Earrings glisten in his ears — he is Nanda's beloved son, the source of Nanda's joy. His dark complexion glows like the open sky; Radhika shines beside him like a flash of lightning. He stands amid the forest vines as Banamali — his curling locks dark as a bumblebee, a musk-mark tilak on his brow, a glow like the moon. How exquisite is the beauty of his beloved Shyama.
Verse 2
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 कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥
Kanakmay mor mukut bilsai, devata darsan ko tarsain | Gagan so suman raasi barsai | Baje murchang, Madhur mirdang, Gwalin sang, Atul rati gop kumari ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari ki ||
His golden peacock-feather crown shines with brilliance, and even the gods long for a glimpse of his form. Flowers cascade down from the heavens above. The Murchang plays its rhythm, the sweet Mridang beats alongside, and the Gopis dance with him — their love and devotion for this divine cowherd beyond all measure.
Verse 3
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 श्री बनवारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥
Jahaan te pragat bhayi Ganga, sakal man haarini Shri Ganga | Smaran te hot moh bhanga Basi Shiv shish, Jata ke beech, Harai agh keech, Charan chavi Shri Banwari ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari ki ||
The sacred Ganga arose from this very place — she who captivates all minds. Even her mere remembrance destroys all worldly delusion. She rests in Shiva's matted hair atop his head, washing away the filth of sin. She is the radiance of the lotus feet of Shri Banwari (Krishna).
Verse 4
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 कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥
Chamakati ujjawal tat renu, baj rahi Vrindavan benu | Chahun disi gopi gwaal dhenu Hansat mridu mand, Chandani chand, Katat bhav phand, Ter sun deen dukhari ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari ki ||
The gleaming sands of the riverbank sparkle brightly; the flute of Vrindavan fills the air with music. Gopis, cowherds, and cows surround him in every direction. He smiles gently and softly — radiant as moonlight — severing the bonds of worldly existence. O Lord, please hear the cry of this poor, sorrowful devotee.
Mukhada
आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥ आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥
Aarti Kunj Bihari ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari ki || Aarti Kunj Bihari ki, Shri Girdhar Krishna Murari ki ||
We perform the aarti of Lord Kunj Bihari — the one who roams the sacred groves of Vrindavan — who is also Giridhar (the lifter of Govardhan mountain), Krishna, and Murari (the slayer of the demon Mura).

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