Arti (Hinduism)

{{short description|Hindu ritual of light-waving}} {{italic title}} {{redirect|Aarti|the 1962 Indian Hindi-language film|Aarti (film)|other uses|Arti (disambiguation){{!}}Arti}} {{More citations needed|date=January 2023}}

thumb|''Arti'' plate

'''''Arti''''' ({{Langx|hi|आरती|translit=Āratī}}) or '''''Aratrika''''' ({{Langx|sa|आरात्रिक|translit=Ārātrika}})<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Woodhead |first1=Linda |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6qJeCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA68 |title=Religions in the Modern World: Traditions and Transformations |last2=Partridge |first2=Christopher |last3=Kawanami |first3=Hiroko |date=2016-01-13 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-43960-8 |pages=68 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Monier-Williams |first=Sir Monier |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lscX55ssDNsC&pg=PA94 |title=Brahmanism and Hinduism: Or Religious Thought and Life in Asia |date=2004 |publisher=Cosmo |isbn=978-81-7755-873-9 |pages=94 |language=en}}</ref> is a Hindu ritual employed in worship, part of a ''puja'', in which light from a flame (fuelled by camphor, ghee, or oil) is ritually waved to venerate deities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2021-05-19 |title=Aarti । Why do we do Aarti? |url=https://simplehinduism.com/why-do-we-do-aarti/ |access-date=2023-11-09 |website=Simple Hinduism |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Michaels |first=Axel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PD-flQMc1ocC&pg=PA232 |title=Hinduism: Past and Present |date=2004 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-08952-2 |pages=232 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Flood |first=Gavin D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KpIWhKnYmF0C&pg=PA209 |title=An Introduction to Hinduism |date=1996-07-13 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-43878-0 |pages=209 |language=en}}</ref> ''Arti'' also refers to the hymns sung in praise of the deity, when the light is being offered. Sikhs have ''Arti'' ''kirtan'' which involves only devotional singing; the Nihang order of Sikhs also use light for ''arti''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-08-25 |title=Aarti |url=https://sikh13.com/aarti/ |access-date=2023-11-09 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Etymology and origin== ''Aarti'' is thought to have descended from ''Vedic'' fire rituals or ''yajna''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=– BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London |url=https://londonmandir.baps.org/worship/arti-the-hindu-ceremony-of-light/ |access-date=2023-11-09}}</ref> ''Aarati'' is derived from the Sanskrit word {{lang|sa|आरात्रिक}} ({{transliteration|sa|ISO|ārātrika}}) which means something that removes {{transliteration|sa|ISO|rātrī}}, "darkness".<ref name=":3">James Lochtefeld, ''An illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism'', {{ISBN|0-8239-2287-1}}, page 51</ref><ref>Monier Williams Sanskrit Dictionary; Quote: ArAtrika n. the light (or the vessel containing it) which is waved at night before an icon; N. of this ceremony.</ref> A Marathi language reference says it is also known as {{transliteration|sa|ISO|Mahānīrāñjanā}} ({{langx|sa|महानीराञ्जना}}).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wikisource.org/wiki/Page:Konkani_Viswakosh_Vol1.pdf/191|title=Page:Konkani Viswakosh Vol1.PDF/191 – Wikisource}}</ref> According to Steven Rosen, ''arti'' means "before night" or symbolic end of the night to the worshipper's "material sojourn – he or she is now situated in the light of God's devotion."<ref name=":1">Rosen, Steven (2006). ''Essential Hinduism''. Praeger Publishers. p. 196. {{ISBN|0-275-99006-0}}</ref>[[File:Varanasi, ganga aarti (6299989162).jpg|thumb|''Arti'' performed in Rishikesh]]

==Practice== ''Aarti'' ranges from simple acts of worship to extravagant rituals, but almost always includes a ''jyoti'' (flame or light). It is performed up to eight times daily, depending on the specific Hindu tradition and temple.<ref name=":1" /> It is performed as part of most Hindu liturgies and occasions and typically involves circling a ''diya'' (lamp) clockwise before a murti or icon of a deity, accompanied by hymns.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Hawley |first=John Stratton |title=The Life of Hinduism |publisher=University of California Press |year=2006 |pages=39–40 |language=english}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> After waving the lamp before the deity, it is brought to the devotee, who then briefly places both their palms above the sanctified flame to receive its warmth. The devotee then raises their hands in supination, bringing both palms toward to their forehead in a gesture of self-purification and connection with the Divine.<ref name=":2" />

The ''diya'' (lamp) used for ''aarti'' is most often made of brass or other materials and holds a cotton wick soaked in camphor, ghee, or oil.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> The ''aarti'' plate may contain other offerings like flowers, incense, and ''akshata'' (rice).<ref>Akshata: (Sanskrit) "Unbroken." Unmilled, uncooked rice, often mixed with turmeric, offered as a sacred substance during ''puja'', or in blessings for individuals at weddings and other ceremonies.</ref>

The purpose of ''aarti'' is to wave light before the deity in a spirit of humility and gratitude, wherein the faithful become immersed in a God's divine form. All accoutrements used for ''aarti'' symbolize the five elements:<ref name=":1" /> # Space ({{transliteration|sa|hunterian|akasha}}) - yak-tail fan # Wind ({{transliteration|sa|hunterian|vayu}}) - peacock fan # Fire ({{transliteration|sa|hunterian|agni}}) - lamp or candle # Water ({{transliteration|sa|hunterian|jalam}}) # Earth ({{transliteration|sa|hunterian|prithvi}}) - flowers

''Aarti'' may also be performed at shrines within a business or home.<ref name=":1" />

==Significance== [[File:Durga puja blessing.jpg|thumb|left|Taking ''arti'' blessing during a Durga ''puja'' celebration.]] {{Hinduism}} ''Arti'' is an expression of many aspects including love, benevolence, gratitude, prayers, or desires depending on the object for which it is performed. For example, it can be a form of respect when performed for elders, prayers when performed to deities, or hope when performed for homes or vehicles. Emotions and prayers are often silent while doing ''arti'', but this is determined by the person carrying out the ritual or the holiday involved. It's also believed that goodwill and luck can be taken through symbolic hand movements over the flame.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://aajtak.intoday.in/story/what-is-the-rules-and-significance-of-doing-aarti-tpra-1-1019315.html|title='Rules and significance of Aarti|work=Indiatoday|access-date=2020-03-24}}</ref>

Apart from worldly activities, ''arti'' also represents one's self - thus, ''arti'' signifies that one is peripheral to godhead or divinity. This would keep one's ego down and help one remain humble in spite of high social and economic rank. A third commonly held understanding of the ritual is that ''arti'' serves as a reminder to stay vigilant so that the forces of material pleasures and desires cannot overcome the individual. Just as the lighted wick provides light and chases away darkness, the vigilance of an individual can keep away the influence of the material world.<ref name=":1" />

==Songs== thumb|''Arti'' dance in Bangalore, 2009. Hinduism has a long tradition of songs sung as an accompaniment to the ritual of ''arti''. It primarily extols the virtues of the deity that the ritual is being offered to, and several sects have their own versions of the common ''arti'' songs that are often sung on chorus at various temples, during evening and morning artis. Sometimes they also contain snippets of information on the life of the deity.

The most commonly sung ''arti'' is that which is dedicated to all deities called Om Jai Jagdish Hare, known as "the universal ''arti''". Other arti's are used for other deities as well such as Om Jai Shiv omkara, Om Jai Lakshmi mata, Om Jai Ambe gauri, Om Jai Adya Shakti, Om Jai Saraswati Mata, Om Jai Gange Mata, Om Jai Tulsi Mata and Om Jai Surya Bhagvaan. In Ganesha worship, the ''arti'' "Sukhakarta Dukhaharta" is popular in Maharashtra.

In Swaminarayan Mandirs, Jay Sadguru Swami is the ''arti'' that is sung. In most temples in India, ''arti'' is performed at least twice a day, after the ceremonial ''puja'', which is the time when the largest number of devotees congregates.

In Pushtimarg Havelis, ''arti'' is performed by a sole ''mukhiyaji'' (priest) while "Haveli Sangit" (''kirtan'') is being sung. Devotees only watch the ''arti'' being done and do not get to take a major part in it. During bhajan or utsavs (festivals) celebrated at home, "Jai Jai Shree Yamuna" is sung while devotees perform ''arti''. It is said that Sandhya ''arti'' is done to see if Lord Shrinathji had gotten hurt while playing outside because it is performed after sundown.

==Durga Puja== {{See also|Natyashastra}} During the Bengali festival Durga ''puja'' ritual drummers – ''dhakis,'' carrying large leather-strung ''dhak's'', show off their skills during ritual dance worships called ''arti'' or ''Dhunuchi dance''.<ref>{{cite book|last=Gupta|first=Shobhna|title=Dances of India|year=2002|publisher=Har-Anand Publications Pvt Ltd|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788124108666|page=71}}</ref>

==Sikhism== In Sikhism, ''Gagan mai thaal'' is a type of ''arti'' recited by first guru, Guru Nanak<ref>http://www.livehindustan.com/news/tayaarinews/tayaarinews/article1-story-67-67-199585.html गुरु नानक देव और उनके द्वारा प्रवर्तित मार्ग</ref> in either 1506<ref name="orgov">{{Cite web |title=Orissa Review FEBRUARY MARCH 2012................ |url=https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2012/Feb-March/Feb-Marchreview.htm |website=E-Magazine - Government of Orissa |publisher=Orissa Review}}</ref> or 1508<ref name="barusahib">{{Cite web |date=13 November 2013 |title=Home |url=http://www.barusahib.org/Assets/Publications/Natures_Own_Arti.pdf }}</ref><ref name="sikh-heritage">{{cite web |title=Untitled Document |url=http://www.sikh-heritage.co.uk/Scriptures/Guru%20Granth/Guru%20Granth.htm&nbsp |accessdate=2024-04-01 |website=sikh-heritage.co.uk}}</ref> at Jagannath Temple, Puri, during his ''Udaasi'' (journey) to the east of the Indian subcontinent.<ref name="orgov" /><ref name="barusahib" /> Amritsar Sikhs sing ''Arti kirtan'', which comprise a few ''shabads'' from Guru Nanak, Ravidas and other Bhagats and Gurus. According to them, it is the ''arti'' of divine wisdom in the form of the ''Guru Granth Sahib'' – Sikhism's eternal Guru and chief scripture. It is considered the equivalent of bowing on one's knees before the ''Guru Granth Sahib''. This ''arti'' does not employ ritual items, but is instead sung after the daily recitation of the ''Rehraas Sahib'' and Ardās at Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, and most Gurdwaras worldwide.

An exception is the Nihang order, whose members first recite ''Aarta'' (prayers derived from ''banis'' in the ''Dasam Granth'' and ''Sarbloh Granth'' – scriptures of secondary and tertiary importance in the faith), and as in Hindu practise, employ ''diya'', flowers, conch shells, bells, incense during the ritual.<ref name=":0" /> This form of Sikh ''arti'' is also recited at Patna Sahib and Hazur Sahib.

==Notes== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Commons category-inline}}

Category:Aarti Category:Hindu music