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Arati
Yashwant K. Malaiya
Arati is a very popular ritual. This beautiful ritual involves waving of lamps before the image seven times. The word Arati (pronounced aaratii) is derived from Sanskrit "aratrika" literally what is done during night, although it can be done during the day as well. There are many arti verses that are very popular. Here is one by the poet Dyanat Rai (1676-1726) who is famous for his many lyrical compositions.
Note that the Jinas and Siddhas are beyond any direct intervention in our affairs, a worshipper seeks inspiration by invoking them.
पंच परमेष्ठी की आरती इहविधि मंगल आरती कीजै । पंच परमपद भज सुख लीजै ॥ इहविधि पहली आरती श्री जिनराजा भव दधि पार उतार जिहाजा ॥ इहविधि० ॥१॥ दूसरी आरती सिनकेरी । सुमिरन करत मिटे भव फेरी ॥ इहविधि० ॥२॥ तीजी आरती सूर मुनिंदा। जनम मरण दुख दूर करिदा ॥ इहविधि० ॥३॥ चौथी आरती श्री उवझाया । दर्शन देखत पाप पलाया ॥ इहविधि० ॥४॥ पाचमी आरती साधू तिहारी । कुमति-विनाशन शिव अधिकारी ॥ इहविधि०॥५॥ छट्ठी ग्यारह प्रतिमा धारी । श्रावक बंदो आनन्दकारी ॥ इहविधि० ॥६॥ सातमी आरती श्रीजिनवानी । “ध्यानंत” सुरग मुकति सुखदानी ॥ इहविधि०॥७॥
Translation:
Do the auspicious arati in this manner, joyously pray to the five Great Padas, First arati for Lord Jina, who like a ship carries us across the ocean of births, Second arati for the Siddhas, remembering whom, the cycle of births is broken, Third for the Acharyas, who save us from the pains of births and deaths, The fourth arati is for the Upadhyayas, seeing whom sins flee, Fifth arati is for the Sadhus, who destroy bad thoughts, The sixth arati is for Shravakas with high vratas, who we salute with joy, The seventh arati, says Dyanat, is for the scriptures that give us heaven and liberation.
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