Gayatri Aarti

SHRI RAAMACHANDRA KRIPAALU BHAJU MANA HARANA
BHAVABHAYA DAARUNAN
NAVAKANJA-LOCHANA, KANJA-MUKHA, KARA-KANJA,
PADA-KAMJAARUNAN

O mind, remember Rama, the Lord of compassion who will eradicate even the most terrible dread of life; his eyes are like newly-blown lotuses set in his lotus-face; lotus-like are his hands and like ruddy lotuses his feet.

KANDARPA AGANITA AMITA CHABI,
NAVANIILA-NIIRADA SUNDARAN
PATA PATA MAANAHU TADITA RUCHI SUCHI NAUMI JANAKA
SUTAAVARAN

With utmost humility I do obeisance to Sita’s consort, Ramachandra, whose boundless beauty excels that of myriad of cupids (taken together). He is as winsome as the rain-laden blue clouds. The yellow attire on his body, beautiful spotless and sanctified, looks as charming as the flashes of lightening.

BHAJU DIINABANDHU DINESHA DANAVA-DAITYA-VANSHA-NIKANDANA
RAGHUNANADANA AANANDAKANDA KOSHALACHANDA DASHRATHA
NANDANAN

Meditate on Rama, the delight of the house of Raghu, root of all bliss, soothing as the moon to the Koshalas, Dashrath’s son, compassionate to the destitute, the scion of the solar race and the extirpator of the demons and diabolic daityas (giants).

SIRA MUKUTA KUNDALA TILAKA CHAARU UDAARU ANGA
VIBHUUSANAN
AAJAANUBHUJA SHARA-CHAAPA-DHARA,
SANGRAAMA-JITA-KHARA-DUSHANAM

He has a (resplendent) crown on his head, a pair of pendants in hi ears, a lovely caste-mark on his forehead and ornaments on his lustrous body. The arms that reach the knees are holding the bow and arrows of the conqueror of Khara and Duushana (two of his demonic adversaries)

ITI VADATI TULASIIDAASA SHANKARA-SHESHA-MUNI-MANI-RANJANA
MAMA HRIDAYA-KANJ-NIVASA KURU,
KAAMAADI KHALA-DALA-GANJANA

Concluding (his festal song, the Arti), Tulsidas entreats Rama, the delight of Shiva, Serpent-King and anchorites and slayer of the troops of Lust and the like, to make his lotus-heart His abode.

APPENDIX

MANU JAAHI RAACHEU MILIHI SO BARU SAHAJA SUNDARA SAANVARO
KARUNAANIDHAANU SUJAANA SIILU SANEHA JAANATA RAAVARO
YEHI BHAANTI GAURII ASIISA MUNI SIYA SAHITA HIYAN HARASHII
ALIIN
TULASII BHAVAANIHI PUUJI PUNI PUNI PUNI MUDITA MANA MANDIRA
CHALIIN

The dark-complexioned and naturally handsome prince, on whom you have set your heart, shall be your husband. The gracious and omniscient Lord knows your loving disposition and your love. Sita and all her companions were overjoyed to hear this blessing from Gauri’s lips. Worshipping Bhavaani again and again, Sita says Tulsidas, returned to the palace, rejoicing in her heart.

JAANI GAURII ANUKUULA SIYAHIYA HARASHU NA JAAII KAHI
MANJULA MANGALA MUULA BAAMA ANGA PHARKANA LAGE

Finding Gauri favourably disposed towards her, Sita was more glad of heart than words can tell. Her left side began to throb, a sure omen of good fortune.