Aarati and Kirtan
The Aarati is the heart of our spiritual practice in the Ashram. It is our common worship and the medium to worship Sri Babaji. We experience the lively presence of Babajis in the community, creating an atmosphere of love and harmony that unites us, brings us together, and supports us. The singing of the divine names (kirtan) with devotion, opens our heart chakra and our love for the divine develops itself.
Aarati and Kirtan are the essence of bhakti yoga, the path of devotion. The Aarati is not a silent meditation, but an active process in singing together and feeling one with all. All Ashram visitors should participate in the Aarati morning and evening.
SRI MUNINDRA AARATI
(during the morning Puja)
White as camphor, compassion incarnate, essence of the universe, Wearing the king of snakes as a garland, ever residing in the lotus of my heart; To Shiva and the Goddess Mother united, I bow. I offer light to the holy supreme guru, Lord of mercy. Abode of truth, consciousness and eternal bliss. One with a pure indestructible body without all. but always residing in all the hearts. Thy image is full of compassion and beauty. I offer light to the holy supreme guru, Lord of mercy. The repetition of Thy name dries up the ocean of the material world.
May there be only pure devotion at Thy holy feet.
My only desire is to be attached to Thy form.
I offer light to the holy supreme guru, Lord of mercy.
Thy form is of extreme beauty and gentleness, beyond form and formless.
At the same time, filling the mind with bliss on seeing it.
All say Hail Hail to Haidakhandi.
I offer light to the holy supreme guru, Lord of mercy.
We take shelter and surrender before the omnipotent Lord,
Pure, peaceful, non-dual, remover of sins,
Trinity, remover of pain, doer of goodness.
I offer light to the holy supreme guru, Lord of mercy.
