Importance of Neeranjan or Aarti
Aarti is an important ritual in Devkarya and Mangalkarya. Aarti is performed after Panchamrit Puja (Purvaradhana), before offering Naivedya and after offering Naivedya. Apart from this, Aarti is also performed on occasions like Panchamrit Puja, Laghu Naivedya and Prasad Naivedya. This Aarti is called Ekartikya or Ekarti. While performing Ekartikya, Gheedeep (Ghee Neeranjan) is lit only once. Gheedeep has equal number of wicks but there is only one lamp The Aarti performed after Mahanaivedya is called Mahaartikya (Maharati). Mahaartiranjan is performed while performing Mahaartiranjan. There are at least two and at most five Niranjans in Mahaartiranjan at home. But in the temple, the number of Niranjans is more than nine. When there is a Naivedya of Puran (a substance made by boiling gram lentils and adding jaggery and cardamom to it) at home, then there are two or five Aartis of Puran in the plate while performing Mahaartikya. At such times, rice grains and betel nuts are also kept in the plate.
The Aarti performed in the temple on various occasions in the morning, afternoon, evening and night is called Kakadarti, Pujaarti, Mukhyaarti, Dhupaarti or Shejarti. Mahaartik is performed at all times. After Mahaarti, Karpoorartik (Karpooraarti) is performed by applying camphor. Separate equipment is required for Karpooraarti. Some people keep camphor wicks in the niranjan itself. Some people keep camphor wicks on a heap of rice and perform karpooraarti. Karpooraarti is not according to scriptures. The reason for this is that if you keep your hand on the camphor flame, it turns black and kajal gets smeared on the face. After Maharati, only ghee niranjan should be consumed. While performing Maharati, chant Dhrupad only and remove niranjan by making a circular motion with your body like the needle of a clock (clockwise). While chanting the middle links, do not remove the full form and remove it from right to left and from left to right.
There should be at least two wicks for the flame of Maharati. Aarti should not be performed on a single wick. The flame of Aarti is a symbol of human life while the two wicks are indicative of the soul and the Panchamahabhautik body. The wicks used for Niranjan should be soaked in pure (desi) ghee only. Vanaspati ghee is unacceptable for God.
The Aarti performed for God is called Mahaniranjan, Ghritartiky, Ekartikya, Mahaartikya and Panchartikya etc. according to the context. Aarti is also called Kurvandi and Aukshan. Gold or silver Niranjans are used for God's Aarti while brass Niranjans are used for human Aarti. Similarly, ghee wicks are used for God and oil wicks for human. While performing Aarti for God, mantras and Aarti etc. are pronounced in loud voices while performing Aarti for human beings, one should remain silent.
Akshat is not used during Aarti for God but At the time of Aarti of a person, first rice grains have to be kept on the forehead. At such times, it is necessary to keep a helmet, cap, turban or handkerchief on the head. In the absence of these, keep the right hand on the head. Aarti of God is performed repeatedly, whereas Aarti of a human is performed only once. There is no need to apply Kumkum-Tilak before performing Aarti of God because the impurities have already been offered in the previous upchar. While performing Aarti of men, it is necessary to first apply Kumkum-Tilak and women should apply Haldi-Kumkum.
When should a person's Aarti be performed?
There are mainly three occasions to perform a person's Aarti - first at the beginning of an auspicious work, second when one attains great fame and third after death. The Aarti performed on the occasion of religious functions at home and on the day of a customary fast is called Kurvandi. Perform the Aarti of a person at the beginning of an auspicious work by reciting Punyah. After the Kurvandi taken at the time of Punyah recitation, sweet items like sugar, pedas and jaggery are given to each other. Apart from this, there is a custom of performing Kurvandi on Vijayotsav, attainment of great fame and on returning from a long journey.
Jyeshthapatniranjan celebrated on the day of Ashwin Purnima, Narikartrikaniranjan performed on the day of Narak Chaturdashi, Patiniranjan performed on the day of Balipratida and Bhartniranjan performed on the day of Yamadvitiya - all these Aartis are called Aukshan. At the time of Aukshan, men give gifts to the woman who is performing the Aarti. For Kurvandi, a 'Laman Diya' is used, whereas at the time of Aukshan, two Niranjans are used. The Aarti of Kurvandi is performed for the woman, man and child sitting for the Punyah recitation, whereas only men perform Kurvandi during Vijayotsav.
Only married women have the right to perform Kurvandi. If a married woman is not present, then a virgin girl can perform Kurvandi. All women have the right to perform Aukshan. On the day of Bhaiyya Dooj, a widowed sister can perform Aukshan for her brother. On the day of Ashwin Purnima, a widowed mother can perform Niranjan for her eldest son. Use two oil wicks for Kurvandi and Aukshan. It is customary to light an iron Laman Diya for Kurvandi, but if Laman Diya is not available, then Niranjan will do. For Kurvandi, collect two wicks and light only one lamp. For Aukshan, take two brass lamps. Sometimes Pancharati is also used for Aukshan. At the time of Kurvandi or Aukshan, keep turmeric, kumkum, rice, betel leaf, betel nut and some gold ornaments in the plate.
Finally, after the death of the dead body, the body is bathed (in some provinces, the body is also bathed) and before lifting the bier, oil is poured on it. Then it is customary to place it in a place always used by the dead person or in a corner of the house, after placing a small heap of flour on it.
What is the difference between Aarti of God and Human?
Phoolbati, Kadbati or Dorbati is used for God. Only cotton is used for Phoolbati, Kadiya and cotton for Kadbati and hand spun yarn for Dorbati. For Niranjan, mainly use hand spun yarn during the worship of God. In case it is not available, use cotton and if that is also not available, use Binola cotton. Never use Rangoli while making wicks for God. Use fragrance instead. No pigments of any kind are used for Ghee wicks, hence they are called Shubhrabati or Shubhbati. The wicks used for Niranjan of God should be dipped in hot ghee on the first day. This process is called 'Bodna'.
The niranjan used for oil samai and aarti of a person should have cotton wicks as mentioned above. The wicks used for samai are oiled every day but the wicks used for niranjan should not be dipped in oil beforehand. Use kumkum or gulaal while preparing the oil wicks. Telbati is also called laalbati (raktbati). For samai it should be one finger long. For ghee niranjan use two oil wicks for the flame. At the time of last rites keep one oil wick in the niranjan used for destination power. Since the Panchabhautik body of the dead person is unconscious, only the Atma Jyoti (soul light) keeps burning. The Mahabatti of Navratri should be 12 times longer than the usual wick.
Importance of Aarti Eclipse?
After the worship of the gods in the temple and house, it is also important to receive Aarti like offerings. In this context, the 'Vishnudharmottar Purana' says: Similarly, the movement of the lamp-giver upwards is auspicious. That is, just as the lamp-light continues to shine with constant upward motionIn this way, the devotees who receive Aarti, i.e. Deepdaan, reach a higher level spiritually. In this context, see another shloka- Niranjan Balirivishnoryasya Gatraani Samsprushet. Yagyalakshasahastraanaam Labhate Sanatan Phalam.
Those whose various senses are touched by the flame of Niranjan of God, they get the inexhaustible virtuous fruits generated by performing thousands of yagyas. Therefore, it is necessary to know the method of accepting Aarti. It is forbidden to accept the Aarti of Karpooraarti, Kurvandi, Aukshan and oil Niranjan. Aarti of ghee can be accepted after performing the Aarti of Maharati and Ghrit Niranjan of the deity. Once the Aarti is accepted, the same Aarti is not performed on other deities. After performing Maharati, keeping both the palms on the flame of Niranjan for some time and touching various organs is the appropriate method of receiving Aarti. While receiving Aarti, it is necessary to touch the forehead, eyes, nose, ears, mouth, chest, stomach, knees and feet with the palm. Especially, the touch of the palm on the body parts where there is a wound, disease or swelling is beneficial.
While receiving Aarti of God, the waves become more effective. There is some similarity between Aarti acceptance and Japanese Reiki Shastra, which was created by Lord Buddha but was presented afresh. The face and eyes of the person who receives Aarti every day not only become bright, but with time, very effective cosmic waves also start flowing from his hands. For Niranjan, maximum benefit is obtained by using pure Satvik ghee and Devkapas wick.
