Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai, ISKCON Mayapur

Sandhya Arati

Gaura Arati

by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

from Gitavali

1

(kiba) jaya jaya goracander aratiko sobha
jahnavi-tata-vane jaga-mana-lobha
jaga-jana-mana-lobha

2

dakhine nitaicand, bame gadadhara
nikate adwaita, srinivasa chatra-dhara

3

bosiyache goracand ratna-simhasane
arati koren brahma-adi deva-gane

4

narahari-adi kori' camara dhulaya
sanjaya-mukunda-basu-ghosh-adi gaya

5

sankha baje ghanta baje baje karatala
madhura mridanga baje parama rasala

Refrain sankha baje ghanta baje
madhur madhur madhur baje
6

bahu-koti candra jini' vadana ujjvala
gala-dese bana-mala kore jhalamala

7

siva-suka-narada preme gada-gada
bhakativinoda dekhe gorara sampada

Refrain gauranger arotik sobha
jaga-jana-mana-lobha

Extended with Pranama Mantra

8

nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine

namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracharine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine

9

hare krishna hare krishna
krishna krishna hare hare
hare rama hare rama
rama rama hare hare

Meanings & translation
1

All glories, all glories to the beautiful arati ceremony of Lord Caitanya. This Gaura-arati is taking place in a grove on the banks of the Jahnavi [Ganges] and is attracting the minds of all living entities in the universe.

2

On Lord Caitanya's right side is Lord Nityananda, and on His left is Sri Gadadhara. Nearby stands Sri Advaita, and Srivasa Thakura is holding an umbrella over Lord Caitanya's head.

3

Lord Caitanya has sat down on a jeweled throne, and the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, perform the arati ceremony.

4

Narahari Sarakara and other associates of Lord Caitanya fan Him with camaras, and devotees headed by Sanjaya Pandita, Mukunda Datta, and Vasu Ghosha sing sweet kirtana.

5

Conchshells, bells, and karatalas resound, and the mridangas play very sweetly. This kirtana music is supremely sweet and relishable to hear.

6

The brilliance of Lord Caitanya's face conquers millions upon millions of moons, and the garland of forest flowers around His neck shines.

7

Lord Siva, Sukadeva Gosvami, and Narada Muni are all there, and their voices are choked with the ecstasy of transcendental love. Thus Thakura Bhaktivinoda envisions the glory of Lord Sri Caitanya.

8

I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet. Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.

9

The Hare Krishna maha-mantra — the great chant for deliverance, calling out to the Lord's energy (Hare) and the Lord Himself in His names Krishna and Rama.