Laxmi and Diwali Puja

Laxmi and Diwali Puja
Diwali is round the corner and ALL of us shall pray to
the Goddess of Wealth ‘Laxmi’.
I do not need to tell you why, but let me acquaint you
with Her.
She is the Beloved of Lord Narayan, also popularly
known as Lord Vishnu. And you may forcibly and/or by
foul means try to keep ‘Laxmi’ with you. But She will
not stay , for longer than She needs to, until you accord
the respect to Her Dearly loved Lord Narayan, as much
if not more, than that, you extend to Her.
to seek refuge to the Creator Lord Brahma who asked
them to churn the ocean of milk, Ksheersagar, to obtain
the nectar of immortality. The gods then went to Lord
Vishnu, to seek his assistance. Lord Vishnu took the
Avatar Kurma (Tortoise) and supported the Manthara
Parvata (mountain) as a churning rod, while the king
of the serpents, Vasuki, became the churning rope. The
gods and the demons (under the leadership of the pious
and wise Chakravarti Raja Bali both helped each other
in churning the ocean of milk.
According to the scriptures, sculptures and paintings
that have come down from ancient times, if the Goddess
Laxmi travels alone, she travels on an owl. If she travels
with Lord Vishnu, she travels on the Garuda (Eagle).
Meaning of Lakshmi
As a female counterpart of Lord Vishnu, Mata Lakshmi
is also called “Shri”, the female of the Supreme Being.
Goddess Lakshmi means “Good Luck” to Hindus. The
word “Lakshmi” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Laksya”, meaning ‘aim’ or ‘goal’, and she is the goddess of
wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. Also
‘lakh’ which means “one hundred thousand’ as a monetary unit in India, is the first part of Lakshmi’s name,
symbolizing her blessings that pour forth abundantly.
Appearance of goddess Lakshmi
The appearance of goddess Lakshmi is related to an
ancient story. Durvasa the short-tempered sage once
presented Indra, the king of the gods (devas) with a
garland of flowers which would never wilt. Indra gave
this garland to his elephant Airavata. Sage Durvasa
saw the elephant trampling the divine garland and
cursed Indra, for he had shown disrespect to the sage.
The sage cursed Indra that he and all the gods would
lose their power because it had made them so proud
and vain. Due to the curse, the demons vanquished the
gods out of the heavensThe defeated gods then went
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but blossoming above the water, completely uncontaminated by the mud, the lotus represents spiritual
perfection and authority. Furthermore, the lotus seat is
a common motif in Hindu iconography.
Goddess Lakshmi’s traditionally accepted vehicle, the
owl (Ulooka in Sanskrit), is a bird that sleeps through
the day and prowls through the night.
The eight Forms of Lakshmi
The prefix Sri (also spelled as Shri, pronounced as shree)
renders as ‘one who takes delight in Sri’ Lakshmi, meaning wealth, wealth of any kind. Primarily eight kinds of
wealth are established, associated with goddess Lakshmi. They are:
1) Ādi Lakshmī The main goddess
2) Dhānya Lakshmī Granary wealth
3) Dhairya Lakshmī ī Wealth of patience
4) Gaja Lakshmī Elephants, symbols of wealth
5) Santāna Lakshmī Wealth of progeny
6) Vijaya Lakshmī Wealth of victory
7) Vidyā Lakshmī Wealth of knowledge 8) Dhana Lakshmī Monetary wealth
Any thing that need be affluent gets the auspicious
prefix or suffix ‘Lakshmi’, or ‘Sri’ like Rajya Lakshmi
(Wealth of Empire), Shanti Sri (Wealth of Peace), etc.
In modern India, common titles standing in for the
English Mr. and Mrs. are Shri (also Sri or Shree) and
Shrimati (also Srimati or Shreemati), as in “Sri Gupta” or
“Srimati Mangeshkar”.
Amongst the host of divine gifts which appeared from
the ocean, goddess Lakshmi appeared and then choose
Shri Vishnu as her consort, as only He had the power to
control Maya (illusion). Because of this, Lakshmi is also
called the daughter of the sea; since the moon also appeared from the ocean during the churning, the moon is
called her brother. Alakshmi, the goddess of misfortune,
is Lakshmi’s older sister. She is said to have also arisen
from the sea of milk.
According to the Vishnu Purana, Lakshmi is the daughter of Bhrigu and Khyaati and resided in Swarga but
due to the curse of Durvasa, she left Swarga and made
Ksheersagara her home. The reappearance of Lakshmi
after Samudra manthan and her marriage to Vishnu
thereafter, remain the same. Laxmi is the power and
Maya of Lord Vishnu. In some places She is seen in two
forms, Bhudevi and Sridevi, both either side of Vishnu.
Bhudevi is the fertility form in which She is Mother
Earth. Sridevi is the wealth and knowledge of Her which
is seen with Narayan. Most people are mistaken that
they are separate beings although they are one, Laxmi.
Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped by those who wish to
acquire or to preserve wealth. It is believed that Lakshmi (wealth) goes only to those houses which are clean
and where the people are hardworking. She does not
visit the places which are unclean/dirty or where the
people are lazy.
WHY GODDESS LAKSHMI PRESSES THE FEET OF Lord Vishnu ?
Goddes Lakshmi presents an example of an ideal spouse
before the world. The supreme duty of a woman is
described in the service of her husband. Second aspect
of the message is for the people who want to get rich,
that if they want the wealth, they must develop a devotion for the feet of Narayana, for Lakshmi (Goddess of
wealth) is to be found there and no where else.
Physically appearance of Lakshmi
Physically, goddess Lakshmi is described as a fair lady,
with four arms, seated on a lotus, dressed in fine garments and precious jewels. Her expression is always
calm and loving. The most striking feature of the iconography of Lakshmi is her persistent association with
the lotus.
The meaning of the lotus in relation to Shri-Lakshmi
refers to purity and spiritual power. Rooted in the mud
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WHY IS THE OWL THE VEHICLE OF LAKSHMI
Owl is the vehicle of goddess Lakshmi. An owl can’t see
in the day, Hence, Lakshmi visits the house of those
devotees who only worship her, on her vehicle owl. And
she visits the home of those devotees who worship Lord
Vishnu first and then her, with Vishnu riding his vehicle
Garuda. It also implies that at places where black-money is main, Lakshmi rides an owl. Such a wealth can’t
be put in the service of nation, people religion etc, or in
any worthy task, instead it is squandered in abhorant
deeds.
The Third day is called NARAK-CHATURDASHI or
KALI CHAUDAS
ON this day yama deep dhan is done. This means that
after sunset a lamp should be lith outside in the name of
yamraja. By doing this one dispels untimely death and
clamities. On this day Lord Hanuman and Goddess Kali
is worshiped.
The Katha related to Narak Chaturdashi is ‘The demon
king Narakasur ruler of Pragjyotishpur ( a province
to the South of Nepal) after defeating Lord Indra had
snatched away the magnificent earrings of Aditi, the
Mother of the Gods and imprisoned sixteen thousand
daughters of the gods and saints. On the day previous
to Narakachaturdashi, Lord Krishna killed the demon
and liberated the imprisoned damsels and also recovered those precious earrings of Aditi. As a symbol of
that victory Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with the
demon king’s blood. Krishna returned home in the very
early morning of the Narakachaturdashi day. The womenfolk massaged scented oil to his body and gave him a
good bath to wash away the filth from his body. Since
then the custom of taking bath before sunrise on this
day has become a traditional practice. In South India
that victory of the divine over the mundane is celebrated in a very peculiar way. People wake up before sunrise
prepare blood by mixing Kumkum in oil and after breaking a bitter fruit that represents the head of the demon
King that was smashed by Krishna, apply that mixture
on their foreheads. Then they have an oil bath using
sandalwood paste.
The Forth day : Diwali
On the dark moon night, the entrances to all homes are
lit up and decorated with rangoli patterns to welcome
Lakshmi, the radiant consort of Vishnu and the goddess
of wealth and lustre. Lakshmi Puja is performed on this
The above symbolism thus: An owl is supposed to be
blind during the day and a wealthy person without the
right kind of intellect cannot see beyond his richness.
Therefore whenever Laxmi (The Goddess of Weath)
travels without Lord Vishnu she makes the person
whom she visits metaphorically blind. However when
the Goddess Laxmi travels with Lord Vishnu, She travels
on a Garuda, which is the symbol of wisdom.
First Day : GOVATAS Dwaadashi
Three days befor Deepavali is called Govatas Dwaadashi
on this day the Cow and her calf is worshiped.
Second Day : DHANTERAS or DHANTRAYODASHI.
It is the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin. The
word “Dhan” means wealth. Houses and Business
premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are
made colourful with lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli
designs to welcome the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder
all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through
the nights. Believing this day to be auspicious women
purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new
utensils. “Lakshmi-Puja” is performed in the evenings
when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the
shadows of evil spirits. “Bhajans”-devotional songs- in
praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and “Naivedya” of
traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess. As well as
Tulsi Puja and Kuber and Dhanvantri puja is done
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day. Diwali is the last day of financial year in traditional
Hindu business and businessmen perform Chopda Pujan
on this day on the new books of accounts. The day ends
with a mega cracker bursting sessions. For 5-6 hours,
every family burns fire crackers worth thousands of
rands. Poplular fire crackers are sparkling pots, bombs,
rockets etc.
The FIFTH day : Bhai Dhooj, New Year day,
GOVERDHAN PUJA AND AANAKOOT DARSHAN
The day after the Lakshmi Puja, most families celebrate
the new year by dressing in new clothes, wearing jewellery and visiting family members and business colleagues to give them sweets, dry fruits and gifts.
“Bhaiya-Duj”. It comes once a year - after Diwali. The
name itself denotes the day of the festival i.e.Diwali
falls on the absolutely dark night of Amavasya (new
moon), Dooj comes two days after Diwali. Many years
ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamraj, the Lord of death)
visited His sister Yamuna(Yami) and she put the auspicious tilak on his forehead, they ate talked and enjoyed
and exchanged special gifts as a token of their love for
each other and. Since then it became imperative for the
brother to go to his sister’s house to celebrate Bhaiyaduj. On Bhai Dooj, the teeka is applied on the brother’s
forehead. It is a day dedicated to sisters. We have heard
about Raksha Bandhan (brothers day). Well this is
sisters day. The sister usually goes in the morning and
does the puja in the mother’s house, before the brothers
leave for their places of study or work.
Goverdhan Puja is the worship of the Goverdhan
mountain that Lord Krishna Lifted to protect the
residents of Vraj.
Annakoot Darshan is where heaped food offerings is
placed befor Bhagvaan in order to be blessed with bountiful prosperity and success.
Laxmi Puja
Here is a simple Puja to Perform on Diwali Day
On Diwali day use red kum kum past and make a
swastika at the entrance of your home. Hang a flower
garland at the door. Decorate the entrance of your
home with rangoli.
Puja
Place murties of laxmi and ganesha in a thari
(Ganesha Right hand side and Laxmi on the left)
Light a Ghee lamp and some Agarbatti
Sip water trice reciting
Aum Madhavaya Namha
Aum Keshvaya Namha
Aum Narayana Namha
Wash Your hands reciting
Aum Govindaya Namha
Light a Ghee Lamp and some agarbatti
Using the mantar Aum Shree Ganesha Namha and
Shree Maha Lakshmayai namha offer puja over the
murties
Offer water Trice over the murties
Offer Pancha Amrit over six times
Offer water once and wipe the murties and place in a
clean thari on paan
Offer Kum Kum, Sindoor, Abir, Gulaal, Hurdee
(Coloured Powders)
Rice, Flowers, Tulsi and Durva Grass.
Offer Prassad, Paan Supari, Money, Some pieces of
Gold and coins (Note the gold and the coins should
be washed in pancha amrti and placed before Mother
Laxmi.
Kalash Puja
Fill a lota with water. Place a supari, coin, rice flowers,
durva grass and mango leaves in there while reciting
Aum Varunaaya namha. Place the Coconut over the top.
and keep next to the lamp.
Offer flowers reciting the names of mother Laxmi over
the kalasha
1) Ādi Lakshmī Namha
2) Dhānya Lakshmī Namha
3) Dhairya Lakshmī ī Namha
4) Gaja Lakshmī Namha
5) Santāna Lakshmī Namha
6) Vijaya Lakshmī Namha
7) Vidyā Lakshmī Namha
8) Dhana Lakshmī Namha
Conduct aarti (See last page 7)
Bow down to your elders and parents to receive there
blessings
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In the evening Deepmala Puja is done. This is done at
the time of lighting the lamps with ghee or oil, sprinkle
some rice and kum kum over them reciting
Aum Deepaavaliya Namha.
Aum Jyotis tvam ravishchando, vidhyut agnish cha
taarkaah, sarveshaam jyootishaam, jyotir Deepaavaliya
Namha.
Light 5,7,11 lamps from each other and decorate your
home with the lamps after that.
108 names of Laxmi Devi
Lakshmi is the goddess of beauty, wealth and good
fortune in the Hindu Mythology. Goddess Lakshmi is
one of the most popular goddesses among the Hindus.
Maha Lakshmi is the divine consort of Lord Vishnu and
assists him with wealth for the maintenance of the
universe. Lakshmi fulfills all the wishes of her sincere
devotees. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped to attain
wealth, beauty and good luck. A special worship of Goddess Lakshmi is sought on the night of Kartik Amavasya.
Lakshmi Devi is known by many names. Chanting of different names of the goddess is considered as propitious.
This list contains 108 names of Goddess Lakshmi with
their meanings:
Name Meaning
Prakruti Natural World
Vikruti Many-Sided Nature
Vidya Knowledge
Sarvabhootahitaprada Provider of Universal Facts
Shraddha Devotion
Vibhuti Prosperity
Surabhi Celestial Creature
Paramatmika Omnipresent
Vachi Eloquent Speaker
Padmalaya Sitting on the Lotus
Padma Lotus
Shuchi Personification of Purity
Swaha Shape of Swahadevi
Swadha Shape of Swadhadevi
Sudha Amrut (Nectar)
Dhanya Embodiment of Gratitude
Hiranmayi Golden Appearance
Lakshmi Goddess of Wealth and Fortune
NityaPushta Gaining Strength Day By Day
Vibha Radiant
Aditi Bright like the Sun
Deetya One who Answers the Prayers
Deepta Flame-Like
Vasudha The Earth
Vasudharini Bearing burden of the Earth
Kamala
Lotus
Kantha The Divine Consort of Vishnu
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Kamakshi One with Attractive Eyes
Kamalasambhava Originating from the Lotus
Anugrahaprada Granter of Good Wishes
Buddhi Intelligence
Anagha The Sinless
Navadurga All Nine Forms of Durga
Ashoka Dispeller of Sorrows
Amrutha One who is like Amrut
Deepa Radiance
Lakashokavinashini Remover Agonies
Dharmanilaya Creator of Eternal Law
Karuna Kindhearted
Lokamatri Mother of the Universe
Padmapriya The Lover of Lotus
Padmahasta Having Lotus-Like Hands
Padmakshya Lotus-eyed
Padmasundari Beautiful Like the Lotus
Padmamukhi Lotus-Faced
Padmanabhapriya Beloved of Padmanabha
Ramaa Pleaser of the Lord
Padmamaladhara The Wearer of Lotus Garland
Devi The Goddess
Padmini Lotus
Padmagandhini Having the Aroma of Lotus
Punyagandha Having Divine Scent
Suprasanna Ever Glowing and Smiling
Prasadabhimukhi Emerging to Grant Boons
Prabha One who is Radiant like the Sun
Chandravadana Having Moon like Face
Chanda One who is cool like the Moon
Chandrasahodari Sister of the Moon
Chaturbhuja One having four arms
Chandrarupa Moon-Faced
Indira Radiant like the Sun
Ahladajanani Source of Joy
Pushti Healthy
Shiva The Auspicious One
Satya The Truthful
Vimala Pure, Chaste
Vishwajanani Mother of the Universe
Pushti All Wealth
Daridriyanashini One who removes poverty
Preeta Pushkarini One with lovely eyes
Shanta Peaceful
Shuklamalambara Wearer of White Garland
Bhaskari Radiant like the Sun
Bilvanilaya who lives under Bilva tree
Vararoha Ready to Offer Boons
Yashaswini The Famous
Vasundhara Daughter of the Earth
Udaranga Endowed with a Beautiful Body
Harini Beautiful like Deer
Hemamalini Having Golden Garlands
Dhanadhanyaki Bestower of Wealth and Food
Siddhi Ever Ready to Protect
Straina Soumya Showering Goodness
Shubhaprada Granter of Auspicious Things
Nrupaveshvagathananda Loves to Live in Palaces
Varalakshmi Granter of Bounty
Vasuprada Bestower of Wealth
Shubha One who is auspicious
Hiranyapraka Amidst Gold
Samudratanaya Beloved Daughter of the Ocean
Jaya The Goddess of Victory
Mangala Most Auspicious
Devi The Goddess
Vishnuvakshah Residing in Vishnu’s Chest
Vishnupatni The Consort of Vishnu
Prasannakshi With graceful eyes
Narayana Samashrita sought Refuge in Narayana
Daridriya Dhwamsini Destroyer of Poverty
Devi The Goddess
Sarvapadravanivarini Dispeller of all Distresses
Mahakali Kali
Brahma-Vishnu-Shivatmika Holi Trinity
Trikala-dnyanasampanna Aware of all,
Bhuvaneshwarya The Supreme Deity
Harivallabhi The Devine Consort of Lord
Hari
Padmodbhava Who Emerged Out of the Lotus
Indusheetala who is cool like the Moon
Shivakari Source of all auspicious things
Shri Laxmi Chalisa
DOHA
Maatu lakshmii kari kripaa, karo hridaya men vaasa.
Mano kaamanaa siddha kari, puravahu merii aasa.
Sindhu sutaa mai.n sumirau.n tohii,
gyaana buddhi vidyaa do mohi.
Tuma samaana nahi.n koi upakaarii,
saba vidhi purabahu aasa hamaarii.
Jai jai jagata janani jagadambaa,
sabake tumahii ho avalambaa.
Tuma hii ho ghata ghata ke vaasii,
vinatii yahii hamaarii khaasii.
Jaga jananii jaya sindhu kumaarii,
diinana kii tuma ho hitakaarii.
Vinavaun nitya tumahin mahaaraanii,
kripaa karau jaga janani bhavaanii.
Kehi vidhi stuti karaun tihaarii,
sudhi liijai aparaadha bisaarii.
Kripaa drishti chitavo mama orii,
jagata janani vinatii suna morii.
Gyaana buddhi jaya sukha kii daataa,
sankata haro hamaarii maataa.
Kshiira sindhu jaba vishnu mathaayo,
chaudaha ratna men sindhu men paayo.
Chaudaha ratna men tuma sukharaasii,
sevaa kiyo prabhuhin bani daasii.
Jaba jaba janma jahaan prabhu liinhaa,
ruupa badala tahan sevaa kiinhaa.
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Tumharo teja prabala jaga maahiin,
tuma sama kou dayaala kahuun naahiin.
Mohi anaatha kii sudhi aba liijai,
sankata kaati bhakti mohi diije .
Bhuula chuuka karii kshamaa hamaarii,
darshana diijai dashaa nihaarii.
Bina darashana vyaakula adhikaarii,
tumahin akshata duhkha sahate bhaarii.
Nahin mohin gyaana buddhi hai tana men,
saba jaanata ho apane mana men .
Ruupa chaturbhuja karake dhaarana,
kashta mora aba karahu nivaarana.
Kahi prakaara main karaun badaai,
gyaana buddhi mohin nahin adhikaai.
DOHA
Trayi trayi dhukh haarini, haro bhegi sab thras
Jayanthi jayanthi jay laxmi, kari shatrun ka nash
Hari dhari dyana nith, vinay karath kar jor.
Mathu laxmi das par, karhu daya ka kaur .
Laxmi Aarti
Om Jai Laxmi Mata, Maiya JaiLaxmi Mata,
Tumko nis din sevat, Hari, Vishnu Data
Om Jai Laxmi Mata
Svayan Vishnu jaba Nara tanu dhaaraa,
liinheu avadhapurii avataaraa.
Taba tuma prakata janakapura maahiin,
sevaa kiyo hridaya pulakaahiin .
Apanaayo tohi antaryaamii,
vishva vidita tribhuvana kii svaamii.
Tuma saba prabala shakti nahin aanii,
kahan taka mahimaa kahaun bakhaanii.
Mana krama vachana karai sevakaai,
mana - ichchhita vaa.nchhita phala paai.
Taji chhala kapata aura chaturaai,
puujahin vividha bhaanti mana laai .
Aura haala main kahaun bujhaai,
jo yaha paatha kare mana laai.
Taako koi kashta na hoi,
mana ichchhita phala paavai phala soi.
Traahi - traahi jaya duhkha nivaarinii,
trividha taapa bhava bandhana haarini.
Jo yaha chalisa padhe aura pa.dhaave,
dhyaana lagaakara sune sunaavai.
Taako koi na roga sataavai,
putra aadi dhana sampatti paavai.
Putra hiina aura sampatti hiinaa,
andhaa badhira kodhii ati diinaa.
Vipra bolaaya kai paatha karaavai,
shankaa dila men kabhii na laavai.
Paatha karaavai dina chalisa,
taa para kripaa karain gauriisaa.
Sukha sampatti bahuta sii paavai,
kamii nahiin kaahuu kii aavai.
Baaraha maasa karai jo puujaa ,
tehi sama dhanya aura nahin duujaa.
Pratidina paatha karai mana maahiin,
una sama koi jaga men kahu naahin.
Bahu vidhi kyaa main karaun badaai,
leya pariikshaa dhyaana lagaai.
Kari vishvaasa karain vrata nemaa,
hoya siddha upajai ura premaa.
Jya jaya jaya lakshmii mahaaraanii,
saba men vyaapita ho guna khaanii.
Uma Rama Brahmaani, Tum ho Jag Mata,
Maiya, Tum ho Jag Mata,
Surya ChanraMa dhyaavat, Naarad Rishi gaata.
Om Jai Laxmi Mata.
Durga Roop Niranjani, Sukh Sampati Data,
Maiya Sukh Sampati Data
Jo koyee tumko dhyaataa,
Ridhee Sidhee dhan paataa
Om Jai Laxmi Mata.
Jis ghar mein tu rehtee, sab sukh guna aataa,
Maiya sab sukh guna aataa,
Taap paap mit jaataa, Man naheen ghabraataa.
Om Jai Laxmi Mata
Dhoop Deep phal meva, Ma sweekaar karo,
Maiya Ma sweekaar karo,
Gyaan prakaash karo Ma, Moha agyaan haro.
Om Jai Laxmi Mata.
Maha Laxmiji ki Aarti, jo gaavey
Maiya nis din jo gaavey,
Uraananda samata, paap uttar jata.
Om Jai Laxmi Mata.
Esoteric Significance of Diwali
While Deepavali is commonly referred to as the “festival
of lights”, the most important esoteric significance is “the
awareness of the inner light”.
Beyond the Physical State
Integral to Hindu philosophy, is the affirmation that there
is something above the physical body and mind which is
uncontaminated, endless, and perpetual, known as the
Atman. Similar to the celebration at the birth of man’s
physical being, Deepavali is the commemoration of this
Inner Light, specifically the knowledge of which surpasses
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all darkness. This inner light eliminates all hindrances
and drives out all ignorance. It also makes an individual
conscious of one’s true nature, not as the body, but as
the ageless, endless, and inspiring reality The Soul. With
the awareness of the Atman, come universal empathy,
love, and the knowledge of the oneness of all things
resulting in Ananda or inner joy or peace.
Deepavali commemorates this by means of celebratory
fireworks, lights, flowers, sweets, and reverence. While
the anecdote behind Deepavali differs from region to
region, the spirit is the same; to exult in the Inner Light
or Atman or the fundamental reality of all things.
Aarti Why do we do aarati?
Towards the end of every ritualistic worship (pooja or
bhajan) of the Lord or to welcome an honoured guest
or saint, we perform the aarati. This is always accompanied by the ringing of the bell and sometimes by
singing, playing of musical instruments and clapping. It
is one of the sixteen steps (shodasha upachaara) of the
pooja ritual. As the light is waved we either do mental
or loud chanting of prayers or simply behold the beautiful form of the Lord, illumined by the lamp. At the end
of the aarati we place our hands over the flame and
then gently touch our eyes and the top of the head.
We have seen and participated in this ritual from our
childhood. Let us find out why we do the aarati?
Having worshipped the Lord of love - performing
abhisheka, decorating the image and offering fruits
and delicacies, we see the beauty of the Lord in all His
glory. Our minds are focussed on each limb of the Lord
as it is lit up by the lamp. It is akin to silent open-eyed
meditation on His beauty. The singing, clapping, ringing
of the bell etc. denote the joy and auspiciousness which
accompanies the vision of the Lord.
Aarati is often performed with camphor. This holds a
telling spiritual significance. Camphor when lit, burns
itself out completely without leaving a trace of it. It
represents our inherent tendencies (vaasanas). When
lit by the fire of knowledge which illumines the Lord
(Truth), our vaasanas thereafter burn themselves out
completely, not leaving a trace of ego which creates in
us a sense of individuality that keeps us separate from
the Lord. Also while camphor burns to reveal the glory
of Lord, it emits a pleasant perfume even while it sacrifices itself. In our spiritual progress, even as we serve
the guru and society, we should willingly sacrifice ourselves and all we have, to spread the “perfume” of love
to all. We often wait a long while to see the illumined
Lord but when the aarati is actually performed, our eyes
close automatically as if to look within. This is to signify
that each of us is a temple of the Lord.
Just as the priest reveals the form of the Lord clearly
with the aarati flame, so too the guru revelas to us the
divinity within each of us with the help of the “flame”
of knowledge (or the light of spiritual knowledge). At
the end of the aarati, we place our hands over the flame
and then touch our eyes and the top of the head. It
means - may the light that illuminated the Lord light
up my vision; may my vision be divine and my thoughts
noble and beautiful. The philosophical meaning of aarati
extends further. The sun, moon, stars, lightning and fire
are the natural sources of light. The Lord is the source
of these wonderous phenomenon of the universe. It
is due to Him alone that all else exist and shine. As we
light up the Lord with the flame of the aarati, we turn
our attention to the very source of all light which symbolises knowledge and life. Also the sun is the presiding
deity of the intellect, the moon, that of the mind, and
fire, that of speech. The Lord is the supreme consciousness that illuminates all of them. Without Him, the
intellect cannot think, nor can the mind feel nor the
tongue speak. The Lordis beyond the mind, intellect and
speech. How can these finite equipment illuminate the
Lord? Therefore, as we perform the aarati we chant;
Na tatra suryo bhaati na chandra taarakam
Nemaa vidyuto bhaanti kutoyamagnib
Tameva bhaantam anubhaati sarvam
Tasya bhasa sarvam idam vibhaati
He is there where the sun does not shine, Nor the
moon, stars and lightning. then what to talk of this
small flame (in my hand), Everything (in the universe)
shines only after the Lord, And by His light alone are we
all illumined.
Deepawali is a Sanskrit word coined from two other
words-deep-which means lamp or light, awali-which
means a row. Hence Deepawali means a “row of lights”.
The “Diya” apparatus itself teaches a great lesson to the
aspirant. The symbolism is most profound. The vessel
(Diya) is compared to the “Body” reminding us of the
basic five elements making up our physical form: Earth,
Space, Water, Fire and Air. The Ghee in the vessel is the
“Mind”. The Flame (Brightness) represents our spiritual
consciousness. The brightness of the flame obviously
depends on the purity of the Ghee.
Conclusion: The purer the Mind, the more
spiritually conscious we become; this is Divya Drishti.
We should not look at the Diya simply as only a source
of light, but as a constant reminder of a process to
purify our thoughts.
Purethoughts> pure words >exemplary behavior
>A True Devotee
Flame (Spiritual)
Ghee (Mind)
Vessel (Body)
COMPILED BY
PANDIT
SACHIN SINGH
Today, we have unfortunately lowered the status of Lakshmi Devi to that of a banker. In reality, her name
stems from the word, ˜Laksh”, meaning,˜ the goal”, implying that she stands for the ultimate goal of perfection
that human beings can reach. The wealth that she has to offer is of knowledge and virtues; a divine character
alone can attain prosperity (material and otherwise) and peace. Homes are cleaned thoroughly in her honour,
but we forget that a clean mind and intellect are the easiest ways to attract her.
Sweets (maintaining loving relationships), new clothes (discarding everything old), new account books
(settling karmic accounts), fireworks (burning evil off) and other, interesting rituals prepare us spiritually for
the New Year or Age. The darkness of ignorance cannot remain; our deep desire to create a world of happiness
will become a reality. The key lies in lighting a single diya - my own spiritual awareness - and then....
Jyot se Jyot Jagaate Chalo
Have a blessed diwali
Pandit Sachin Singh
❁
❁
❁
SIDDHI BUDDHI PRADE DEVI, BHUKTI MHUKTI PRADAA YINI
MANTRA MURTI SADAA DEVI, MAHA LAKSHMI NAMO-ASTUTE
O Devi, giver of intelligence and success and of worldly enjoyment and liberation (as well).
You always have the mystic symbols as Your form. O Maha Lakshmi, my obeisance to You.
A Shub Deepawali to all!
COMPILED BY
PANDIT SACHIN SINGH
Tel: 011 854-1549 /
Cell 082 456 5143
FOR THE
SHREE NATHA DHAM
AND THE
SHREE DURGA MANDIR
Shree Natha Dham
LENASIA SOUTH
2007