Well, there are sixteen items, i.e, shodasha upachara in puja and aarti is one of these. Did you know that there is a scientific reason behind doing aarti as well? In the following excerpt, you would know what is Aarti, what is the meaning of Aarti, the significance of aarti and why is it an indispensable part of the puja.
What is the Meaning of Aarti?
Aarti is a kind of worship that you do towards the end of ritualistic worship. One also performs it to welcome a holy person or even an honoured guest. During puja, the arati always accompanies with ringing the ghanti or the bell, musical instruments, singing and clapping. So this creates a whole different aura and vibe altogether.
Spiritual And Philosophical Significance of Aarti
Usually, people observe it for a deity with a ghee lamp and camphor. This even holds spiritual significance in one’s life. When it is lit, camphor completely burns itself without leaving any trace of its existence. And this symbolizes and thereby portrays complete decimation of one’s ego or self. Yes, you heard that right! While the camphor burns, it emits a pleasant and soothing perfume. In our spiritual progress, as we serve the guru, parents, elders and society we too should willingly surrender ourselves. So this will thereby spread the perfume of love to all. Therefore, this is the philosophical significance of Aarti.
Scientific Reason Behind doing Aarti
However, this was only one side to it. There is scientific reason behind doing aarti as well. Well, there are images in traditionally enshrine temples. This is where people perform regular pujas diligently according to the scriptures. This has an indeed definite divine aura around them. When the aarti of such enshrined images finishes, their aura even expands due to heat. And all those who are present, they receive divine vibrations and gain spiritual strength. For this very reason, one advocates that one must attend the arati because the atmosphere in the temple is specially charged with enhanced positivity. Not only this, but one also receives divine vibrations or blessings even without asking.
A Small And Sweet Mental Prayer
At the end of the aarti, we place our palms over the arati flame, then gently touch our eyes and the top of our head. You must have also done this, have you? But we doubt you’d know the reason behind it.
So, while doing so, we mentally pray:
‘May the light that illuminated the Lord light up our intellect; may our vision remain divine and our thoughts noble and well-meaning.’
A Reason To Celebrate
On the other hand, the aarti of an individual is carried out for a different reason, with a different medium (oil) and on different occasions. The reason to create differs from person to person but the intent is the same.
For example, the occasions may talk for a newlywed couple or a newly born child on his namakaran or naming ceremony. It could also talk about a brother on the occasion of Bhai Dooj (the day when a sister goes to her brother’s house to wish him well). Occasions can also comprise of the husband on Karva Chauth, (A day when a wife fasts for the long life of her husband, or hero when he returns from war).
Negativity Outgoing, Positivity Incoming
Whether you believe it or not, it is a fact that all humans have an aura. And the evil eyes of jealousy or negative people and thoughts may affect you and your soul as a whole.
Performing the arati of individuals wards off such ill effects. Yes, that’s true! And that’s the true power and hidden secret for the art. However, only use the oil lamp for an individual’s arati and not the ghee lamp. This is because oil, particularly of mustard and linseed, has the power to ward off negativity cast from the evil eye of another person. Ghee from cow milk, on the other hand, has the potency to enliven a god’s image or idol.
