SITHARSASTROLOGY
  • Home (current)
  • About
  • Categories
    Medical Astrology (Tamil)
    Astrology Basics (Tamil)
    Astrology Remedies (Tamil)
    Hinduism (Tamil)
    Medical Astrology (English)
    Astrology Basics (English)
    Astrology Remedies (English)
    Hinduism (English)
    Cooking (Tamil)
    Cooking (English)
    Health Tips (Tamil)
    Health Tips (English)
  • Contact
  1. Home
  2. Blog
image not available
  • 2019-10-06
  • 1
  • Hinduism
  • 1913

Why Aarati

Why Aarati

Towards the end of every ritualistic worship (pooja or bhajan) of the Lord or to welcome an honored guest or saint, we perform the aarati. This is always accompanied by the ringing of the bell and sometimes by singing, playing of musical instruments and clapping. It is one of the sixteen steps (shodasha upachaara) of the pooja ritual. It is referred to as the lighted lamp in the right hand, which we wave in a clockwise circling movement to light the entire form of the Lord. Each part is revealed individually and also the entire form of the Lord. As the light is waved we either do mental or loud chanting of prayers or simply behold the beautiful form of the Lord, illumined by the lamp. At the end of the aarati we place our hands over the flame and then gently touch our eyes and the top of the head.

Having worshipped the Lord of love - performing abhisheka, decorating the image and offering fruits and delicacies, we see the beauty of the Lord in all His glory. Our minds are focused on each limb of the Lord as the lamp lights it up. It is akin to silent open-eyed meditation on His beauty. The singing, clapping, ringing of the bell etc. denote the joy and auspiciousness, which accompanies the vision of the Lord.

Aarati is often performed with camphor. This holds a telling spiritual significance. Camphor when lit, burns itself out completely without leaving a trace of it. It represents our inherent tendencies (vaasanas). When lit by the fire of knowledge which illumines the Lord (Truth), our vaasanas thereafter burn themselves out completely, not leaving a trace of ego which creates in us a sense of individuality that keeps us separate from the Lord.

Also while camphor burns to reveal the glory of Lord, it emits a pleasant perfume even while it sacrifices itself. In our spiritual progress, even as we serve the guru and society, we should willingly sacrifice ourselves and all we have, to spread the "perfume" of love to all. We often wait a long while to see the illumined Lord but when the aarati is actually performed, our eyes close automatically as if to look within. This is to signify that each of us is a temple of the Lord.

Just as the priest reveals the form of the Lord clearly with the aarati flame, so too the guru reveals to us the divinity within each of us with the help of the "flame" of knowledge (or the light of spiritual knowledge). At the end of the aarati, we place our hands over the flame and then touch our eyes and the top of the head. It means - may the light that illuminated the Lord light up my vision; may my vision be divine and my thoughts noble and beautiful.

The philosophical meaning of aarati extends further. The sun, moon, stars, lightning and fire are the natural sources of light. The Lord is the source of this wonderous phenomenon of the universe. It is due to Him alone that all else exist and shine. As we light up the Lord with the flame of the aarati, we turn our attention to the very source of all light, which symbolizes knowledge and life.

Also the sun is the presiding deity of the intellect, the moon, that of the mind, and fire, that of speech. The Lord is the supreme consciousness that illuminates all of them. Without Him, the intellect cannot think, nor can the mind feel nor the tongue speaks. The Lord is beyond the mind, intellect and speech.


Why we do the aarati?

Categories

  • Medical Astrology (Tamil) 270
  • Astrology Basics (Tamil) 7
  • Astrology Remedies (Tamil) 81
  • Hinduism (Tamil) 9
  • Medical Astrology (English) 0
  • Astrology Basics (English) 58
  • Astrology Remedies (English) 0
  • Hinduism (English) 33
  • Cooking (Tamil) 58
  • Cooking (English) 13

Stay Connected

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Dribble
  • Pinterest

Editor's Choice

fantastic cms
Remedy for Life Partner
2019-10-06
fantastic cms
Remedy for Poorattadhi Nakshathira
2019-10-06
fantastic cms
Remedy for sibling dhosha
2019-10-06
fantastic cms
Remedy for Unlucky Marriage
2019-10-06
fantastic cms
Remove Your Footwear
2019-10-06
fantastic cms
Rudraksha
2019-10-06
fantastic cms
Rule Like a King Varaga Hora
2019-10-06
fantastic cms
Sadaari is put on the heads
2019-10-06
fantastic cms
sahadevan
2019-10-06
fantastic cms
Sakadeva knows present past future
2019-10-06

About US

This is a blog of Sithars Astrology. All the Astrology Related topics are discussed and listed here.

Read More

Popular Posts

Signup to our newsletter

We respect your privacy.No spam ever!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • Pinterest

All Copyrights Reserved. 2023 | Brought To You by sitharsastrology.com