Gaura-arati is the arati offered to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the hidden avatara of the Lord who appeared in Bengal more than five hundred years ago.
He spread the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, the sankirtana movement, throughout Bengal and South India, making it available to absolutely everyone — regardless of gender, position or age. He brought the principal method of spiritual advancement for the people of our age, Kali-yuga — the age of quarrel and hypocrisy. Anyone may take it up: simply chant the holy names of God, and so gradually realise one's eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead and return home, back to Godhead.
The bhajan flows gently into kirtan and the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.
What is sung
“Gaura-arati”
By Bhaktivinoda Thakura
You need not sing along — the words never change, and after a few visits they stay with you. One bhajan is sung throughout the service:
(kibā) jaya jaya gorācānder āratiko śobhā
jāhnavī-taṭa-vane jaga-mana-lobhā
dakhiṇe nitāicānd, bāme gadādhara
nikaṭe advaita, śrīnivāsa chatra-dhara
bosiyāche gorācānd ratna-siṁhāsane
ārati koren brahmā-ādi deva-gaṇe
narahari-ādi kori’ cāmara dhulāya
sañjaya-mukunda-vāsu-ghoṣ-ādi gāya
śaṅkha bāje ghaṇṭā bāje bāje karatāla
madhura mṛdaṅga bāje parama rasāla
bahu-koṭi candra jini’ vadana ujjvala
gala-deśe vana-mālā kore jhalamala
śiva-śuka-nārada preme gada-gada
bhakativinoda dekhe gorāra sampada
Translation
All glories to the beautiful arati of Lord Gauracandra in the grove on the bank of the Ganges — it captivates the minds of all living beings.
On His right stands Nityananda, on His left Gadadhara; nearby is Advaita, and Srivasa holds the parasol.
Gauracandra is seated on a jewelled throne, and the demigods headed by Brahma perform His arati.
Narahari and others fan Him with camaras, while Sanjaya, Mukunda, Vasu Ghosh and others sing.
The conch and the bell sound, the karatalas ring, the mridanga beats sweetly — this music is full of the highest taste.
His face shines brighter than millions of moons, and a garland of forest flowers glitters upon His chest.
Siva, Sukadeva and Narada are choked with love and cannot speak. Bhaktivinoda beholds this splendour of Lord Gaura.
