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Aarati The Aarati is a daily worship service performed to the Supreme Deity in the form of a statue, picture, or other symbol of God, regarded as the living presence of the Deity. In the ceremony, offerings to the symbol of God are made of fire, incense, clarified butter (ghee), camphor, flowers, rice, sandalwood powder, red powder (roli), water, and other substances. In addition, the symbol of God is placed on a ceremonial seat or throne, is bathed with milk and then with rose water, is clothed in clean garments appropriate to the weather, and is offered foods which are then distributed to the congregation as Prasad, a gift back from the God. Fire plays a central role throughout the ceremony, symbolically removing the darkness of ignorance existing between God and the Self. Shri Shri 1008 Shri (meaning Holy, Holy, 1008 times Holy, Holy) Bhagwan Herakhan (meaning Lord of Herakhan) Wale Baba (meaning Supreme Father), known as "Babaji" to His devotees, is the Divine Light who is worshipped. In the Aarati addressed to Babaji, the prayers appeal to His Grace to dispel the darkness of ignorance of the Self and to fulfill all desires. Babaji is acknowledged as the Supreme Reality personified. He unites all the abilities and powers of Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the Sustainer, and Mahashwara, the Destroyer. He is the Master, Lord, Creator, Protector of the universe, the Supreme Deity, Samba Sada Shiva, Who has taken on human form for the salvation of the world. He encompasses the entire universe and is the Absolute Being permeating all things and all creatures. He resides in the center of the heart, shining like a bright, pure crystal who is eternally omniscient, conscious and blissful, radiating joy, an ocean of grace. It is this Ultimate Divinity to Whom the Aarati is offered and in Whom the worshipper seeks refuge. Some of the prayers contained in the service are in Sanskrit, while others are in Hindi. The Sanskrit prayers come from the ancient Vedic traditin of worship. The Hindi prayers were cognized by Mahendra Baba, the great saint and devotee of Babaji, whose life-long penance and prayer are said to be the reason for Babaji's re-appearance in human form in 1970. |
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