Aarti - Sikh Prayer

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Aarti of an idol/image is criticised in Gurbani.

When Baba Ravidas Ji was asked to perform Aarti, he refused to do. He replied:

Naam Tero Aarti Mujan Murare | Har Ke Naam Ke Naam Bin Jhoote Sagal Paasare | Rahaao |

O Lord! (Ignorant people do Aarti (worship through waving lights, but for me) Your Name, Lord, is Your Aarti, adoration, and cleansing bath (of pilgrimages). Without the Name of the Lord, all ostentatious displays are false and useless. ||1||Pause|| (Ang 694, SGGS)

When Guru Nanak Sahib Ji travelled to Banaras, the Brahman Pandits invited Guru Ji to join them to do Aarti of God. Guru Nanak Sahib Ji agreed and went and sat inside the Mandir. The Pandits stood in front of the stone idol gods and started to wave platters with lights, incense and offering place on it. When they had finished they complained to Guru Nanak Sahib Ji. "You said you would join us to do the Aarti of God, but you remain sat on the floor with your eyes closed!" Guru Nanak Sahib Ji then replied with this Shabad:

Gagan Mai Thaal Rav Chand Deepak Banay Taarikaa Mandal Janak Motee | Dhoop Mal-aanlo Pavan Chavro Karay Sagal Banraa-ay Foolant Jotee | Kaisee Aartee Ho-ay | Bhav Khandnaa Tayree Aartee | Anhataa Sabad Vaajant Bhayree | Rahaao |

The whole sky is (as if) the plate. The sun and moon are the lamps (placed in the plate). The stars and their orbs, are as if, studded pearls (in the plate). The wind fragranced with sandalwood is as if the (temple) incense. The wind is the fan. All the plants of the world are the altar flowers in offering to You, O Luminous Lord. ||1|| (In nature) what a beautiful Aartee, lamp-lit worship service of You is this! O Destroyer of Fear, this is Your Aarti, Ceremony of Light. The Unstruck Sound-current of the Shabad (vibrating within all the creation) is as if the (temple) drums are being played. ||1||Pause|| (Ang 13, SGGS)

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