आरती कुंजबिहारी की

When to sing: On Janmashtami at midnight, on Ekadashi, in the evening Krishna puja, and at the end of Bhagavad Gita path.

About Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki

Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki is the aarti of Lord Krishna as the child and cowherd of Vrindavan: Kunj Bihari, who wanders the flowering groves, and Giridhar, who lifted the Govardhan hill. It is sung at midnight on Janmashtami, every evening in homes with a Laddu Gopal, and in the temples of Mathura and Vrindavan.

Where most aartis praise a god’s power, this one paints a picture: the Vaijayanti garland, the sweet flute, earrings glinting, dark skin like the sky beside Radha’s radiance, the golden peacock crown, flowers raining from heaven, drums and the gopis’ dance, and the dust of the Yamuna’s banks shining in the moonlight.

Meaning of the aarti, verse by verse

Aarti Kunj Bihari ki, Shri Giridhar Krishna Murari ki: This is the aarti of Kunj Bihari, of Shri Krishna Murari who lifted the mountain.

Gale mein Baijanti mala, bajavai murli madhur bala: The Vaijayanti garland is at his neck; the young one plays the sweet flute. Shravan mein kundal jhalkala, Nand ke anand Nandlala: Earrings glitter in his ears; he is Nanda’s son and Nanda’s joy. Gagan sam ang kanti kaali, Radhika chamak rahi aali: His body is dark like the sky, and Radha shines beside him. Bhramar si alak, kasturi tilak, chandra si jhalak: His curls are dark as bees, his tilak of musk, his face gleams like the moon: the lovely form of Shyam, dear to Radha.

Kanakmay mor mukut bilsai, devta darsan ko tarsain: His golden peacock crown shines; the gods long for his darshan. Gagan son suman raasi barsai: Heaps of flowers shower from the sky, baje murchang, madhur mirdang, gwalini sang: the jaw harp and drums play as he dances with the cowherd girls.

Jahan te prakat bhai Ganga: From his feet flowed the Ganga, who charms every mind. Smaran te hot moh bhanga: Remembering her breaks the bonds of illusion. Basi Shiv sees, jata ke beech, harai agh keech: She lives in Shiva’s matted hair and washes away the mud of sin: such is the glory of Banwari’s feet.

Chamakti ujjwal tat renu, baj rahi Vrindavan benu: The sand of the riverbank shines bright and the flute sounds through Vrindavan. Chahun disi gopi gwal dhenu: Gopis, cowherds and cows are all around. Hansat mridu mand, chaandni chand, katat bhav phand: He smiles gently in the moonlight and cuts the snares of worldly life; ter sun deen dukhari ki: he hears the call of the poor and the suffering.

When and how to sing it

Sing it at the end of your evening Krishna puja, after offering makhan-mishri with a tulsi leaf, while the aarti diya is circled before Laddu Gopal or a picture of Radha-Krishna. On Janmashtami it is sung at midnight, the moment of his birth. It is also a lovely close to the Govardhan Puja and Annakut after Diwali.

Frequently asked questions

What does Kunj Bihari mean?

Kunj Bihari means "the one who roams the groves": Krishna playing in the forest bowers (kunj) of Vrindavan with Radha and the gopis. Giridhar, in the same line, means the one who lifted the Govardhan hill.

When is Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki sung?

It is sung at the midnight puja on Janmashtami, on Ekadashi, in the daily evening worship of Krishna or Laddu Gopal at home, at the end of Bhagavad Gita path, and in Krishna temples across North India, especially in Braj.

What is the Baijanti mala in the aarti?

The Vaijayanti (Baijanti) mala is the garland of forest flowers Krishna wears, reaching down to his knees. It is one of his signs, along with the flute, the peacock feather and the yellow pitambar.