To Debi on Aarti

[Guest guest]

Answers on Aarati

 

My computer was packed away and I did not see your message till now but here's the

answers to the numbered questions.

 

1.Yes. Aaratis in most of the pujas that we do can use the same offerings that we do at the

Devi Mandir Aaratis

 

2.Yes.

 

3.I don't think Aarati is usually mentioned in the sankalpa probably because it is

done as a celebration after the Puja is complete.

 

4.I'm assuming that your talking about the closing prayers at the end of the Aarati

in which case there are a few different prayers that we use at the Devi Mandir which you

will also find in the various puja books usually labeled as closing

prayers or pranam(shiva puja ,durga puja,chandi,hanuman puja etc.)They

can all be used interchangebly but your might pick one appropriate for the

day on the calender(ex.Monday is auspicious for Shiva,so shiva arati etc.)

 

5.It's certainly nice to have the appropriate Aarati to match the puja.It's always good to

ring bells offer lights and dance with the gods,so if you

do at least one after the puja whether it it's morning,noon or night the gods

will be pleased.

 

6.If you did a few pujas all at once and there were few different Aaratis in that worship

then you might feel covered for the day especially if you can't be there but that is not the

ideal situation for larger temples like the mandir which are in use throughout the day It's

really nice to have specific breaks in the day to keep the energy in the

temple pure and having these Aarati's later throughout the day is great if it is convenient

for you to be at your temple.

 

7.Yes our purity in showering and wearing clean clothe will be appreciated

by the gods and having eaten little or nothing is also preferable and certainly makes you

feel lighter when you meditate.

 

8.If doing afternoon Aarati you can clean your puja any time in the day afterwards.

Namaste, Surath---

In , Debra McDaniel <student61754 wrote:

>

> 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:

>

>

> , "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

>

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