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ÄRATI
The Ärati has 5 lamps. The flame is lit on a cotton wick soaked in oil. The Arati is waved in a circular motion in front of a Tirthankar idol at the end of a ritual ceremony and also at night before the temple closes. The darkness symbolizes negativity, fear, and ignorance, whereas the light symbolizes divinity. The light of the Arati dispels darkness, signifying the overcoming of negativity through virtue, fear through courage, and ignorance through knowledge.
The 5 lamps symbolize: • Panch Parmesthi - Arihanta, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay,
Sädhu • Five types of jnäns or knowledge - Matijnän, Shrutjnän, Avadhijnän,
Manah Paryäyjnän, Kevaljnän • Five great vows
- Ahimsä, Non-stealing, Truthfulness, Celibacy, Non-possesion
JAIN ACTIVITY BOOK
37 For Private & Personal use only
Jain Education International
www.janesbrary.org
