History of Ārti
What is traditionally lit while performing Ārti?
A cotton wick, or divo.
What has been the most commonly sung Ārti in the Swaminarayan Sampraday?
Jay Sadguru Swami
Who inspired the creation of the Shri Swaminarayan Ārti, "Jay Swaminarayan, Jay Akshar-Purshottam"?
Mahant Swami Maharaj
How many times does Mahant Swami Maharaj instruct us to do Ārti at home on a daily basis?
2 times.
Mukta anant supujit, sundar sākāram,
Sarvopari karunākar, mānav tanudhāram... Jay Swāminārāyan...1
He [Bhagwan Swaminarayan] is worshiped by countless muktas (liberated souls), possesses a [divine]
form, and is splendid.
He, who is supreme and bestows compassion [on all], manifested [on earth] with a [divine] human form... 1
Which direction is Ārti traditionally waved in while performing the ritual?
Ārti is waved in a clockwise direction.
Who composed "Jay Sadguru Swami"?
Muktanand Swami
How many Ārtis are performed daily in shikharbaddh mandirs?
5.
What should be sung after the completion of the Ārti?
Ashtak.
Purushottam Parabrahma, Shri Hari Sahajānand,
Aksharbrahma anādi, Gunātitānand... Jay Swāminārāyan...2
Purushottam Parabrahman is Shri Hari Sahajanand,
The eternal Aksharbrahman is Swami Gunatitanand... 2
What does Bhagwan being in the center of Ārti represent?
Bhagwan is the center of our life, which our daily activities revolve around.
Who gave Muktanand Swami divine darshan and explained the true greatness of Bhagwan Swaminarayan?
Ramanand Swami
What are the names of the Ārtis performed daily in shikarbaddh mandirs?
Mangalā, Shangār, Rājbhog, Sandhyā, Shayan.
What should be offered while singing Ashtak?
Dandvat Pranams.
Prakat sadā sarvakartā, param muktidātā,
Dharma ekāntik sthāpak, bhakti paritrātā... Jay Swāminārāyan...3
[Bhagwan Swaminarayan] is always manifest, the all-doer, and the bestower of ultimate liberation.
He is the establisher of ekantik dharma and the protector of bhakti (devotion)... 3
How many times do we pour water around the aarti?
3.
How long did it take to compose Jay Sadguru Swami?
Muktanand Swami composed it instantly upon realizing the greatness of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
What does Shayan Ārti signify?
Shayan Ārti signifies putting Maharaj to sleep.
How does Ārti provide us with better darshan of murtis?
Ārti illuminates the murtis and also focuses our attention on them.
Dāsbhāv divyatā saha, brahmarupe priti,
Suhradbhāv alaukik, sthāpit shubh riti… Jay Swāminārāyan… 4
Humility with [an understanding of all to be] divine, offering [loving] devotion upon becoming brahmarup, and divine amity; [these] auspicious means he established… 4
In Sanskrit, the term "Ārti" can be broken up into two words. What do these two words mean?
Ā (meaning toward) and rati (meaning highest love for God)
How many different Ārtis have been composed by the paramhansas in the Swaminarayan Sampraday?
Around 66 Ārtis.
What does Shangār Ārti signify?
Shangār Ārti signifies Maharaj being offered fresh clothes and the first meal of the day.
One reason for us doing daily Ārti is to offer God the Panch Bhutas. What are these?
Pruthvi (earth), Jal (water), Tej (light), Vāyu (wind), Ākāsh (space).
Dhanya dhanya mam jivan, tav sharane sufalam,
Yagnapurush pravārtit, siddhāntam sukhadam... Jay Swāminārāyan...5
[O Akshar-Purushottam!] My life is blessed! It has become fruitful at your feet.
This doctrine [established by Bhagwan Swaminarayan and] propagated by Yagnapurush [Shastriji Maharaj], bestows ultimate happiness!