Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Aarti
श्री गौर आरती
What is the Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Aarti?
Gaura Arati The Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Aarti, called Gaura Arati, is a Bengali song by Bhaktivinoda Thakura that pictures the evening worship of Sri Chaitanya on the bank of the Ganges.
The Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Aarti, better known as Gaura Arati, opens with the line jaya jaya gorachander aratiko shobha. Written by Bhaktivinoda Thakura, it paints a scene of Sri Chaitanya seated on a jeweled throne while his closest associates and the demigods offer him lamps, fans, conch and drum. Gaudiya Vaishnavas and ISKCON temples sing it at the dusk (sandhya) arati every day.
Gaura Arati Lyrics (English)
Roman transliteration for easy chanting. Tap “Meaning” under any verse for the English translation.
(kiba) jaya jaya gorachander aratiko shobha
jahnavi-tata-vane jaga-mana-lobha
Meaning
All glory to the beautiful arati of Lord Gaurachandra, performed in a grove on the bank of the Jahnavi (Ganges), a sight that captures the mind of everyone in the world.
dakhine nitai-chand, bame gadadhara
nikate adwaita, shrinivasa chatra-dhara
Meaning
On his right side stands Nityananda, on his left Gadadhara; Advaita Acharya is close by, while Srivasa Thakura holds the umbrella above him.
bosiyache gorachand ratna-simhasane
arati koren brahma-adi deva-gane
Meaning
Gaurachandra is seated on a jeweled throne, and the demigods headed by Brahma come forward to perform his arati.
narahari-adi kori’ chamara dhulaya
sanjaya-mukunda-basu-ghosh-adi gaya
Meaning
Narahari and other devotees wave the yak-tail whisks, while Sanjaya, Mukunda, Vasu Ghosh and their companions sing his praises.
shankha baje ghanta baje baje karatala
madhura mridanga baje parama rasala
Meaning
Conches resound, bells ring, hand cymbals keep the beat, and the sweet mridanga drum plays in a deeply relishable rhythm.
bahu-koti chandra jini’ vadana ujjvala
gala-deshe bana-mala kore jhalamala
Meaning
His radiant face outshines many millions of moons, and the garland of forest flowers around his neck glimmers with light.
shiva-shuka-narada preme gada-gada
bhakativinoda dekhe gorara sampada
Meaning
Shiva, Shukadeva and Narada are choked with loving emotion, and Bhaktivinoda Thakura gazes upon this treasure of Lord Gaura.
Meaning & Significance
The Gaura Arati is not a list of praises so much as a picture. Bhaktivinoda Thakura places the listener at the edge of the Ganges at dusk and lets them watch Sri Chaitanya being worshipped: Nityananda and Gadadhara at his sides, Advaita and Srivasa close by, and the demigods themselves stepping forward with lamps. By naming each associate, the song teaches that Chaitanya is never worshipped alone, he is always surrounded by his devotees.
The closing couplet turns the mirror on the singer. After describing conch, drum and the moon-like face of the Lord, the poet signs his own name and simply says he is watching. That shift from grand cosmic worship to one devotee quietly beholding the scene is the heart of the song, and the reason it remains the standard evening arati in Gaudiya and ISKCON temples.
How Do You Perform the Gaura Arati?
- Choose the time. — Traditionally sung at sandhya (dusk) before the deity of Sri Chaitanya, or before a picture of Gauranga and his associates at home.
- Offer the lamp. — Light a ghee lamp and offer it in circular motions while the first verses are sung, followed by incense, a flower and a fan.
- Keep the rhythm. — Sing with kartals (hand cymbals) and mridanga or any simple beat; the song is meant to be sung, not only recited.
- Sing all seven verses. — Move through the couplets in order, letting the congregation repeat each line so everyone can join in the kirtan.
- Close with respect. — End by taking a moment of darshan, offering obeisances, and honoring the lamp flame passed among those present.
What Are the Benefits of Singing This Aarti?
Gaudiya tradition treats the Gaura Arati as a daily practice that steadies the mind and deepens devotion rather than a request for material gain.
- Focuses the evening: Singing at dusk marks a clear pause in the day and turns attention toward remembrance of Sri Chaitanya.
- Builds community: Its simple, repeating lines are easy for a whole congregation to sing together, which is the point of sankirtana.
- Teaches the associates: Each verse names a devotee of Mahaprabhu, so regular singing quietly fixes their names and roles in memory.
- Cultivates prema: The song describes love-choked emotion in great souls, holding up devotional feeling as the goal of the practice.
- Easy to learn: Seven short couplets make it one of the first devotional songs many practitioners memorize.
Who Wrote This Aarti?
The Gaura Arati was composed by Bhaktivinoda Thakura (1838-1914), a Bengali magistrate, scholar and Vaishnava reformer who wrote and edited a large body of Gaudiya devotional literature. It appears in his song collection Gitavali, and he signs the final verse with his own pen-name, bhakativinoda, as was his custom. The song later became the standard evening arati across Gaudiya Math and ISKCON temples worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Aarti?
The Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Aarti, called Gaura Arati, is a Bengali song by Bhaktivinoda Thakura that pictures the evening worship of Sri Chaitanya on the bank of the Ganges.
Who wrote the Gaura Arati?
It was written by Bhaktivinoda Thakura and included in his song collection Gitavali. He signs his own name in the final verse, following his usual practice.
When is the Gaura Arati sung?
It is most often sung at the dusk (sandhya) arati in Gaudiya Vaishnava and ISKCON temples, and it is especially prominent on Gaura Purnima, the appearance day of Sri Chaitanya.
What language is the Gaura Arati in?
The original is in Bengali. It is commonly transliterated into Roman script and written in Devanagari so devotees across regions can sing it.
Who are the associates named in the song?
The verses name Nityananda, Gadadhara, Advaita Acharya and Srivasa Thakura beside Chaitanya, along with Narahari, Sanjaya, Mukunda and Vasu Ghosh who fan and sing during the worship.
॥ जय श्री गौरांग ॥