What Is The Sikh View On Aarti?

[s50]

Found this good article clearing up many misconceptions.

sikhanswers.com http://www.sikhanswe...-view-on-aarti/

From Sanskrit Aarti, meaning the light or the vessel containing it which is waved before an idol, generally in the clockwise direction, accompanied by the chanting of mantras. This is also the name given the ceremony, which for the Hindus is a mode of ritual worship to propitiate the deity. In the Sikh system, which totally rejects image-worship, there is no permission for this form of worship.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Jagannath Puri Mandir.According to the Janam Sakhis, Guru Nanak Dev Ji accompanied by Bhai Mardana Ji, stopped near the temple of Jagannath, which is dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu. Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Bhai Mardana Ji stopped near the shrine upon which sat centuries of history mute and immobilized. The notes from Bhai Mardana's Rabaab (rebeck) touched the devotees' hearts with fresh fervor. Several of them came to hear the Guru's word. The temple priests felt angry and held the Guru Ji guilty for not making adoration to the deity within the sacred enclosure. The local chief whose name has been described, as Krishan Lal one day visited the Guru and invited him to join the aarti, or the evening service of lights, in the temple. The Guru readily offered to go with him.

As dusk fell, the priests lighted the lamps and sumptuous ritual for which the devotees had been waiting began. Twinkling lights fed by ghee were placed on a jewel studded salver, amid flowers and incense, and worshipfully swung from side to side by the priest in front of the enshrined image to the accompaniment of the chanting of hymns, blowing of conches and the ringing of bells. The priests had a complaint as they concluded. The Guru had remained seated in his place and not participated in the ceremony. The Guru burst into a divine song:

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ਆਰਤੀ

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ਗਗਨ ਮੈ ਥਾਲੁ ਰਵਿ ਚੰਦੁ ਦੀਪਕ ਬਨੇ ਤਾਰਿਕਾ ਮੰਡਲ ਜਨਕ ਮੋਤੀ ॥

ਧੂਪੁ ਮਲਆਨਲੋ ਪਵਣੁ ਚਵਰੋ ਕਰੇ ਸਗਲ ਬਨਰਾਇ ਫੂਲੰਤ ਜੋਤੀ ॥੧॥

ਕੈਸੀ ਆਰਤੀ ਹੋਇ ਭਵ ਖੰਡਨਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਆਰਤੀ ॥

ਅਨਹਤਾ ਸਬਦ ਵਾਜੰਤ ਭੇਰੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

The sky is the salver

And the sun and the moon the lamps.

The luminous stars on the heavens are the pearls.

Scented air from the sandal-clad hills is the incense,

The winds make the fan for Thee,

And the vast forests wreath of flowers.

The unstruck music of creation is the trumpet.

Thus goes on the Arati (adoration) for Thee,

O' Thou dispeller of doubt and fear!

Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught the listeners, how Nature's tribute to the Creator was superior to any ritualistic oblation offered before images.

Aarti in Sikhi

Every evening in all Gurudwaras, after the recitation of Rehraas Sahib, the Keertan (singing) of Aarti through Gurbani shabads is performed by Raagis (musicians). This is a tremendously soothing experience, capable of taking us directly into the spiritual realms of devotion through music.

Bhai Gurdaas Ji writes:

ਸੋਦਰੁ ਆਰਤੀ ਗਾਵੀਐ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲੇ ਜਾਪੁ ਉਚਾਰਾ||

"Sodar (Rehraas) and Aarti were sung (in the evening) and in Amrit-veal (the ambrosial hours) Japji (Sahib) was recited."

Once actor Balraj Sahni asked the late Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore, "You have written the national anthem for India. Can you write an international anthem for the whole world?" "It has already been written, not only international but for the entire universe, in the 16th century by Nanak," replied Tagore. He referred to the Sikh aarti (ceremony of light). Tagore was so enamoured of this universal aarti that he personally translated it into Bengali.

Sanaatan (Hindu) practices infiltrating Sikhi

In the mid-18th century when the Khalsa had to live in the jungles because they had a price on their head, Nirmala and Udaasi Mahants (caretakers) took care of the Gurdwaras. During this period the Nirmala and Udaasis came under the influence of Hinduism and introduced Hindu practices to Sikh institutions. Over time the Mahants became more powerful and although the Sikh Gurdwaras were freed from the clutches of the corrupt Mahands in the turn of the 20th century through the Singh Sabha and Gurdwara Reform Movements.

Although the Gurdwaras were freed and Sikh Maryada (Code of Conduct) was re-introduced to Sikh institutions, some Sikh institutions in India that were outside of the Panjab or in the hands of certain Nihangs or Sants continued practising some Hindu rituals. One of the rituals is "performing" Aarti. Singing the Keertan of Aarti is a Sikh practise, however performing Aarti by waving a platter with oil lamps and flowers whilst ringing bells is a Hindu practise.

*Admin Note: video removed*

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Aarti and Sikh Maryada

The Panthic Sikh Rehit Maryada, the official Sikh Code of Conduct, states:

ਸ) ਉਪਰ ਦੱਸੇ ਸਾਮਾਨ ਤੋਂ ਇਲਾਵਾ ਧੂਪ ਜਾਂ ਦੀਵੇ ਮਚਾ ਕੇ ਆਰਤੀ ਕਰਨੀ, ਭੋਗ ਲਾਉਣਾ, ਜੋਤਾਂ ਜਗਾਉਣੀਆਂ, ਟੱਲ ਖੜਕਾਉਣੇ ਆਦਿ ਕਰਮ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਨਹੀਂ[ ਹਾਂ, ਸਥਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਗੰਧਿਤ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਫੁੱਲ, ਧੂਪ ਆਦਿ ਸੁਗੰਧੀਆਂ ਵਰਤਣੀਆਂ ਵਿਵਰਜਿਤ ਨਹੀਂ[ ਕਮਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਰੌਸ਼ਨੀ ਲਈ ਤੇਲ,ਘੀ ਜਾਂ ਮੋਮਬੱਤੀ, ਬਿਜਲੀ, ਲੈਂਪ ਆਦਿ ਜਗਾ ਲੈਣੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ[

d.

Anything except the afore-mentioned reverential ceremonies, for instance, such practices as the Aarti (waving of a platter with burning lamps and incense set in it in vertical circular motion) with burning incense and lamps, offerings of eatables to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, burning of lights, beating of gongs, etc., is contrary to Gurmat (the Guru's way). However, for the perfuming of the place, the use of flowers, incense and scent is not barred. For light inside the room, oil or butter-oil lamps, candles, electric lamps, kerosene oil lamps, etc., may he lighted.

In the same spirit, Sant Gurbachan Singh Bhindranwale, a Gurbani scholar and saint, clearly explains what Aarti means in the Sikh religion in 'Gurbaani Paath Darpan'. In chapter of Akhand Paath maryada, page 168, Sant Ji writes:

ਆਰਤੀ ੳਚਾਰਨੀ, ਦੀਵੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਬਾਲਣੇ,ਕੇਵਲ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਪੜਨੇ ਅਤੇ ਕੀਰਤਨ ਕਰਨਾ, ਫਿਰ ਕੜਾਹ ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਾਦ ਵੰਡਣਾ ਅਤੇ ਖੁੱਲਾ ਲੰਗਰ ਕਰਨਾ।

"Do Aarti, don't light lamps, only read Shabads of Aarti and Do Kirtan, then distribute Karah Parshad and have open Langar."

On page 135, Sant Ji writes:

ਹਰ ਪਾਠ ਦੇ ਭੋਗ ਪੈਣ ਤੇ ਕੀਰਤਨ ਤੇ ਆਰਤੀ ੳਚਾਰੇ( ਬਿਨਾਂ ਮ੍ਰਿਤਕ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਵਾਰ ਦਾ)

(ਨੋਟ- ਆਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਹੀ ੳਚਾਰਨੇ, ਦੀਵੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਬਾਲਣੇ)

"At bhog of every Paath, do Kirtan and sing Aarti (except first path of an individual's death"

(Note- Only Sing Shabads of Aarti, don't light lamps)

Under title of Aarti, Santji wrote complete Maryada of Aarti and in the end he writes-

ਆਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਬੈਠ ਕੇ ਪੜਨੇ ਕੀਰਤਨ ਕਰਨਾ ਹੀ ਯੋਗ ਹੈ।ਥਾਲ ਵਿਚ ਦੀਵੇ ਬਾਲ ਕੇ ਆਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਖੰਡਨ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਾਂ ਨੇ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ।

"It is best to sit and sing Shabads of Aarti. Doing Aarti with lighted lamps in plates has been rejected by Satguru Ji."

So going by Gurmat and Gurbani, only the sitting and singing of Aarti in Keertan form without lighting lamps is permissible, as lighting of lamps like the Hindus did at Mandir in Jagannath is contrary to teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

[Only five]

Singho, if wind is the fan, then why do we do Chaur Sahib di seva? Is not Chaur Sahib di seva a form of Aarti?

[khalistan_zindabaad]

Panthic ekta at its best written. . .

Article written by akj to indirectly cuss nihang singhs by using taksal literature.

Even though i agree with the views, next time change the picture used, and also dont act panthic etc as the other articles are all biased towards jatha mentality.

[s50]

k-z

can you prove and confirm it was written by akj? Or are you just making wild guesses?

please contact sikhanswers.com to confirm this.

Whether it is Taksal, Nanaksar etc literature it doesn't matter as it is Panthic literature.

Again please contact sikhanswers to get them to remove pictures, I've just posted it how it is.

and also dont act panthic etc as the other articles are all biased towards jatha mentality.

^

Which articles are you referring to

If Satguru Nanak Dev Sahib jee destroyed this practice blatantly then why shouldn't it be told straight up. Again it was destroyed by the Singh Sabha & Gurdwara Reform Movements. Akaal Takht is against too

Next will we be saying that don't speak out against Singhs wearing Jaaneoos For panthic Ekta

If Satguru jee has clear condemned the practice then Gursikhs shouldn't just sit quiet.

It is all roots of Bahmins, Our KHALSA IS NIAARA NOT BAHMIN.

[khalistan_zindabaad]

Singh dont take it personal, i agree with the article. I dont need to contact anyone, it is evident from other articles where the alliance is. Anyway, it was a good read, sant kartar singh jee khalsa also mentions this in the artee katha aswell.

[Singh559]

Yep, openly discussing this is a good thing to see whether or not this is accepting to gurmat and sends a wrong message:

Chaur sewa i think is different because you don't actually do aarti, you worship the Guru just like you put your head down to the Guru and render your head to the Guru itself. Doing hindu pooja while reciting the Sikh Aarti that goes against worshipping with deevas and instead promotes the pooja to akaal purakh by service to humanity and whatever pleases Waheguru.

I posted this on this thread:

http://forums.wahegu...o-aarti-or-not/

I have to agree with you on this:

Read the meaning, it is written with the translations. It is very clear cut what the real aarti is, it is the Service to Akaal Purakh.

Also, look at this movie with Amitabh Bachan. They changed it to hindu pooja aarti because they didn't understand what Sikh Aarti written by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Bhagat Kabir Ji, Bhagat Ravidas Ji and Guru Gobind Singh ji means.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6SQ_XLfVes&

Things to note: Amitabh Bachan is an anti-Sikh and most of bollywood is as well.

[singhfauja]

Singh dont take it personal, i agree with the article. I dont need to contact anyone, it is evident from other articles where the alliance is. Anyway, it was a good read, sant kartar singh jee khalsa also mentions this in the artee katha aswell.

khalistan_zindabaad ji, what seems to be problem here? It is clear that Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji, Baba Kartar Singh Ji, and Sant Jarnail Singh Ji also believed it was wrong to mix Hindu Aartee rituals with the recitation of the Bani known as Aaartee. Are you stating that views of these Gurmukhs are the sole property of the Taksal, and no one else can reference them? Either you can agree with this sanatan ritual or disagree.

We need to learn to separate fact from fiction.

It is no secret that UK and Canadian Taksali youth are being brainwashed by the Sanatanist UK Nihangs. There are plenty of photos on the Net of Nihangs and Taksalis performing this Sanatanist ritual.

This is something very new, it was never done in the past. Taksali Singhs of the past never participated in these rituals. Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji, Baba Kartar Singh Ji's bachans are proof that these rituals are off-limits to Sikhs, so why are the Taksali youth following this Sanatani bandwangon?

Similarly, Nihang Santa Sinh was an enemy of the Panth who openly ridiculed Sant Baba Jarnail Singh Ji. Many modern Taksali youth now revere him just because he believed in Sri Dasam Granth.

Truth belongs to the Almighty, let's learn not to suppress it, but to share it so we can all learn from it.

[Singh559]

khalistan_zindabaad ji, what seems to be problem here? It is clear that Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji, Baba Kartar Singh Ji, and Sant Jarnail Singh Ji also believed it was wrong to mix Hindu Aartee rituals with the recitation of the Bani known as Aaartee. Are you stating that views of these Gurmukhs are the sole property of the Taksal, and no one else can reference them? Either you can agree with this sanatan ritual or disagree.

We need to learn to separate fact from fiction.

It is no secret that UK and Canadian Taksali youth are being brainwashed by the Sanatanist UK Nihangs. There are plenty of photos on the Net of Nihangs and Taksalis performing this Sanatanist ritual.

This is something very new, it was never done in the past. Taksali Singhs of the past never participated in these rituals. Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji, Baba Kartar Singh Ji's bachans are proof that these rituals are off-limits to Sikhs, so why are the Taksali youth following this Sanatani bandwangon?

Similarly, Nihang Santa Sinh was an enemy of the Panth who openly ridiculed Sant Baba Jarnail Singh Ji. Many modern Taksali youth now revere him just because he believed in Sri Dasam Granth.

Truth belongs to the Almighty, let's learn not to suppress it, but to share it so we can all learn from it.

Well said.

[jassa]

Similarly, Nihang Santa Singh was an enemy of the Panth who openly ridiculed Sant Baba Jarnail Singh Ji. Many modern Taksali youth now revere him just because he believed in Sri Dasam Granth.

Your post was intended to create differences between dals and taksals ... are you a missionary ? Anyways it was a Failed attempt to do so.

Their is a nirgun and sargun sroop of akal purkh ... And arti speaks of both of the sroops ... Guru Granth sahib has not one but many tuuks sloks and shabads on aarti... Bhagat Ravidas says naam is only aarti of god does that means aarti guru nanak dev ji wrote is wrong? Bhagat danas aarti is further different...

Guru Nanak dev ji wrote aarti about the nirgun sroop of akal purkh which is every where in the universe.

Bhagat Ravidas wrote aarti about sroop of akalpurkh inside us.

Rest all the bhagats wrote aarti about sargun sroop of akalpurkh that is Guru Granth Sahib.

Read full aarti Shabad by Shabad and you will understand.

I am not promoting any jathas mareyada. But if 2 takths dals nirmale akharas etc dont come under sikhs then this article as well as its title is correct else its not ... more over if a certain part of sikhs follows this mareyada they should have something to back this up ...

Instead of writing articles of various issues in panth and calling your point of view as "sikh point of view".

Till we force our mareyada over others our "sikh panth" will not be able to solve any problem. Be it today be it 2110 AD or 2210 AD

[s50]

Jab Lag Khalsa Rahe Niaara || Tab Lag Tej Dheeyo Meh Saara ||

Have faith that when the Panth comes to fully recognizing and drilling this pure Mukhvaak of Kalgeedhar Guru Gobind Singh Ji they will immediately come to abide in Chardi Kala. One should contemplate over every word in this Mukhvaak, it is not so hard to understand. If the Khalsa stays distinct then Guru Kalgeedhar says 'Mai Poora Saaraa Tej Bakhshaa gaa, Devaa(n)gaa', meaning I will give the Khalsa my complete blessings (and power).

The Khalsa is a distinct nation, its birth was most distinct, the lifestyle of a Khalsa is distinct, the food and clothes the Khalsa wears is distinct and the love the Khalsa has for the almighty is most distinct.

Don't Become a Adopted Son of a Bahmin, Come Home to you real Father (Satguru Jee) & His Hukams, Pakhand was destroyed by Saache Paatshaaha.

These rituals have being put into Sikhee by Anti-Panth forces, we should awaken.

Guru Sahib jee, Mahapursh, Akaal Takht Sahib are against this practice full stop.

But most of all OUR GURU SAHIBAAN ARE AGAINST IT .