Āratī Kunj Bihārī Kī — beloved verses glorifying Śrī Krishna as the playful lord of the groves (Kunj Bihārī), with full Hindi lyrics, English transliteration, and meaning for each line.
आरती कुंज बिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की।
गले में बैजंती माला, बजावै मुरली मधुर बाला।
श्रवण में कुण्डल झलकाला, नन्द के आनन्द नन्दलाला।
गगन सम अंग कान्ति काली, राधिका चमक रही आली।
लतन में ठाढ़े बनमाली, भ्रमर सी अलक, कस्तूरी तिलक लाली।
छवि निरखत नैन अभिरामा, कानन कुण्डल मोरमुकुट पर आमा।
यमुना तट चर गोकुल ग्वाला, संग में गोपी ग्वालन बाला।
Verse 1
Āratī kuñja bihārī kī, śrī giridhar kṛṣṇa murārī kī.
This is the āratī of Kunj Bihārī — Lord Krishna who roams the groves — and of Śrī Giridhar Krishna, the enemy of the demon Mura. The verse bows to Krishna as the playful lord of the bowers.
Verse 2
Gale meṃ baijaṃtī mālā, bajāvai muralī madhura bālā.
Around His neck hangs the vaijayantī garland; the sweet youth plays His enchanting flute. The imagery celebrates Krishna’s adornment and the divine music that draws every heart.
Verse 3
Śravaṇa meṃ kuṇḍala jhalkālā, nanda ke ānanda nandalālā.
Earrings sparkle at His ears; He is Nanda’s joy — Nandalālā, the beloved son who fills Vraja with bliss.
Verse 4
Gagana sama aṅga kānti kālī, rādhikā camaka rahī ālī.
His limbs shine dark as the monsoon cloud; beside Him Rādhikā glows like lightning — the divine couple radiant together.
Verse 5
Latana meṃ ṭhāḍhe banamālī, bhramara sī alaka, kastūrī tilaka lālī.
Vanamālī stands among the creepers; His locks curl like bees, and a red tilak of musk adorns His forehead — every detail of His form is praised.
Verse 6
Chavi nirakhata naina abhirāmā, kānana kuṇḍala moramukuṭa para āmā.
Delightful eyes drink in that vision; forest flowers, earrings, and a peacock crown rest upon Him — the devotee’s gaze rests on the complete beauty of the Lord.
Verse 7
Yamunā taṭa cara gokula gvālā, saṅga meṃ gopī gvālana bālā.
The cowherd of Gokula wanders the Yamunā’s banks, surrounded by gopīs and cowherd friends — the līlā of Vrindavan where Krishna shares His love with all.
Place a ghee or camphor lamp (dīpa) on your altar before Krishna’s image or mūrti. A steady flame represents jñāna and removes darkness of ignorance.
Stand or sit calmly facing the Lord. If you have no image, visualize Krishna in the heart. Keep the altar clean and respectful.
Hold the āratī plate and circle it clockwise before the deity in a full circle, synchronizing with the rhythm of the song. This mirrors the traditional circumambulation of respect.
Chant or sing “Āratī Kunj Bihārī Kī” with attention to the words. Devotion (bhāva) matters more than perfect pitch.
After the main āratī, you may show the lamp to attendees so each person receives the blessing of the sacred flame.
Share sanctified food or sweets offered to Krishna. Prasād completes the worship and spreads the merit of the offering.
Many households also sing “Om Jai Jagdish Hare”, a widely loved Vishnu–Krishna āratī in Hindi. It is not the same as Āratī Kunj Bihārī Kī, but complements evening worship with simple, heartfelt praise of the Lord of the universe.
First verse
ॐ जय जगदीश हरे, स्वामी जय जगदीश हरे।
भक्त जनों के संकट, दास जनों के संकट, क्षण में दूर करे॥
Āratī is a ritual of waving light before the deity while singing praises. Krishna āratī, such as “Āratī Kunj Bihārī Kī,” honors Lord Krishna and invites His presence into the devotee’s heart and home.
The most common times are morning and evening (sandhyā). Many families perform evening āratī after sunset. Consistency matters more than the exact clock time — choose a time you can sustain with sincerity.
Typically a metal āratī plate with one or more ghee or camphor lamps, incense (optional), flowers, bell (optional), and a clean cloth or small cushion. Use what you have; devotion is the essential ingredient.
Yes. Bhakti is open to all sincere seekers regardless of background. If you are new, start simply: light the lamp, sing from the heart, and offer your respect in your own words if needed.
Face the deity or image of Krishna — traditionally the altar is placed so the worshipper faces east or northeast when possible, but the primary rule is to face the Lord with attention and humility.