Surath on Aarti

December 21, 2006

Surath,

Thank you so much for this. Deeper understanding of the symbology is

very helpful.

Jai Maa

, "surathananda" <surathananda

wrote:

>

> ---Some explaination of the Aarathi:

> Aarti,or Aarathi ("Aa" means "towards"or"from all sides" and

> "rati"means highest love for god"or"joy")It is said to have descended

> from the vedic fire ceremony.

> Aarathi is generally performed three times daily(morning,noon and

> night)but at least in the morning and evenings(often after a puja)

> In the Tattva Jnaana(www.shreemaa.org/drupal-4.7.3/node/404)it states:

> Worship can be done with 5,10,16,or more than 16 articles.

>

> In the morning and noon aarathi it's generally five articles while

> the evening is usually ten.There are slight variations that one might

> do,but a 10 offering sequence is generally done this way at the Devi

> Mandir at evening Aarathi: First you light the incense from the ghee

> lamp and wave the incense (while ringing the bell)at the deity 7 times

> around and once for the devotees. Next one offers 5-lights(ghee wick

> lamp)from the large lamp and offers it to the deity:

> 4(clockwise)circles to the dieties feet,2 circles to the navel,3 to

> the face and 7 circles around the whole deity.Next camphor can be

> offered in the same way(though it now can be briefer)The conch(which

> has the concecrated waters from the puja can be waved 3 times around

> the deities head and 7 times around the body.Next item is the cloth

> and it can be offered 7 times around the deities. Then the offering of

> the umbrella with the gesture of providing shelter to the deity.The

> next item is the chamara(Yak tail whisk)with the gesture of fanning

> the deities and keeping away any flies.

> Next the peacock fan is offered with the gesture of keeping the deity

> cool. Then the mirror is presented before the diety in a way to

> reflect the stainless mirror pure consciousness before us all.

> We end with the flower of devotion from our heart which we generally

> thrown or placed before the deity.

>

> Again the Aarati sequence:

>

> 1.incense

> 2.5-lights

> 3.camphor

> 4.conch(water)

> 5.cloth

> 6.Umbrella

> 7.Fly Whisk

> 8.Peacock fan

> 9.Mirror

> 10.Flower

>

> We can sit quietly and meditate,end with closing prayers,anoint

> devotees with waters from the conch then pass out the prasad of the

> puja to devotees while doing mantras.

>

> As a closing note: rather than me making the explanation too long

> winded on the significance of the numbers in the Aarathi check out the

> Tattwa Jnana

> for further explaination on all the 3's 5's & 7's etc.It really quite

> fascinating.

>

> In answering the last question about the programs:

> Maa and Swamiji have their own sankalpas(vows)for their

> sadhanas(spiritual practices) and all other devotees make their own

> vows,though the more seasoned devotees may be doing the same type

> of sadhana as Shree Maa and Swamiji.There of of course sheduled

> programs and classes going on regularly.Check the home page.In the

> Navigation panel the video category will show you a Video Called:

> "Starting of the Holy Fire a the Devi Mandir." This should help

> answer these questions more fully.

> Namaste, Surath

>

> In , "Karen" <forall10q@> wrote:

> >

> > We are very much enjoying being able to spend our evenings at the

Mandir

> > thanks to newly offered satellite service in our country hermitage.

> > Tonight we watched the arati and had a few questions. There are

various

> > objects waved in front of the altar (feathers, an umbrella, and such),

> > and we wondered about this. May we ask what type of objects are used

> > for arati and what do they signify? May a person select what to

do for

> > arati or are there traditions to follow?

> >

> > After arati, two devotees prayed in front of the fire. We wondered

> > about the fire. Is it always attended? Do the devotess select

what to

> > do or is there a program for them to follow?

> >

> > Thank you all very much for the amazing world of web cams! Love,

> > Michael and Karen

> >

>

January 4, 2007

Another new be question:

I assume that arati in puja is same as aarathi & aarti mentioned below. As they are discribed the same in act. Correct?

2. In that case can any arati from any puja be used for this purpose?

3. Also it has been said that Maa always begins things with a sankalpa (hope correct word)

EX. Om adya jambudvipe....... Is this to be done with one & if so what do we change

sri siva kamah, puja karmaham to or if using Shiva arati do we leave as that and say :

Sri siva karmah, arati karmaham karisye?

4. Also is there a closing of anykind to add before saying om at end?

5. I assume that if we do puja in morning if they all have arati's that that will count as am arati? Then we simple to arati at noon and night?

6. I know once more advanced tec. can do three pujas so if they have aratis will those count?

7. Also if arati is done alone at noon and night. I assume we shower before and wld it be best to do them before meal and not after?

8. And if doing afternoon then do we cln up puja things first or is this to add to what we have

on alter?

In advance:

Thanks for answereing all these questions.

Just desire to do correctly as possible.

Debi

Sadhu Maa <sadumaa > wrote: