Gaura-ārati
While in Seattle in the fall of 1968, Śrīla Prabhupāda introduced for the first time this song to be sung during the evening ārati ceremony.
GAURA-ĀRATI
by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura
(1)
jaya jaya gorācānder ārotik śobhā
jāhnavī-taṭa-vane jaga-mana-lobhā
(2)
dakhiṇe nitāicānd, bāme gadādhara
nikaṭe adwaita, śrīnivāsa chatra-dhara
(3)
bosiyāche gorācānd ratna-siṁhāsane
ārati koren brahmā-ādi deva-gaṇe
(4)
narahari-ādi kori’ cāmara ḍhulāya
sañjaya-mukunda-bāsu-ghoṣ-ādi gāya
(5)
śaṅkha bāje ghaṇṭā bāje bāje karatāla
madhura mṛdaṅga bāje parama rasāla
(6)
bahu-koti candra jini’ vadana ujjvala
gala-deśe bana-mālā kore jhalamala
(7)
śiva-śuka-nārada preme gada-gada
bhakativinoda dekhe gorāra sampada
(1)
All glories, all glories to the beautiful ārati ceremony of Lord Caitanya! This Gaura-ārati is taking place in a grove on the banks of the Jāhnavī [Ganges] and is attracting the minds of all living entities in the universe.
(2)
On Lord Caitanya’s right side is Lord Nityānanda, and on His left is Śrī Gadādhara. Nearby stands Śrī Advaita, and Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura 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 Brahmā, perform the ārati ceremony.
(4)
Narahari Sarakāra and other associates of Lord Caitanya fan Him with cāmaras, and devotees headed by Sañjaya Paṇḍita, Mukunda Datta, and Vāsu Ghoṣa sing sweet kīrtana.
(5)
Conchshells, bells, and karatālas resound, and the mṛdaṅgas play very sweetly. This kīrtana 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 Śiva, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, and Nārada Muni are all there, and their voices are choked with the ecstasy of transcendental love. Thus Ṭhakura Bhaktivinoda envisions the glory of Lord Śrī Caitanya.