GURU ARATI

We end our Monday night kirtan circle by singing Guru Parampara Arati (worshiping the Gurus of the lineage).

We are often asked what the words to the arati song are, and the meaning. We have also been asked for the music, so that devotees can learn to play the arati at home. For this reason, we created a musical score of the arati song that includes all the words, as well as the notation. It can be found here in PDF format.

The translation of the words is as follows:

Namo Namo Namo Gurudeva Ke Charan
"I bow again and again at the Lotus Feet of my Guru."

Apne Hridaya Mein Basaayein
"May you forever reign in my heart."

In issue number 9 of Himalayan Heritage Magazine we presented a wonderful article entitled "The Art of Arati." You can read it here for a delightful exposition of the external symbolism of arati, and the subtle spiritual significance as well.

After the arati, we chant a verse from the Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Chapter 11, the second half of verse 39 and the first half of verse 40:

Namo Namastestu Sahasrakritvah
Punashcha Bhuyopi Namo Namaste
Namah Purastaadatha Prishthataste
Namostute Sarvata Eva Sarva
"I bow to You a thousand times. I bow to You in front and behind, on the left and on the right, above and beneath, within and without. I bow to You everywhere, for You are everywhere."

Jaya Gurudev!