Arti

Many people have requested that we put the words to Arti on the site, so here they are. Originally in Hindi, and translated by Maharaji into English, this devotional song was sung twice a day by the ashram residents as part of their daily devotional routine. It was also sometimes sung to Maharaji at events by those in attendance.

JW gives this description of the twice-daily ritual:

Arti was sung, in the ashram, upon arising at 5:30 am. It was also sung after satsang in the evening. We also sang it to Maharaji at programs at the end of the evening satsang program.

There was a silver tray (called the Arti tray) on which was placed a cotton ball that had been soaked in clarified butter and formed into a cone shape. A bunch of these were made in advance and stored in the ashram refrigerator. The "cone" was lit and someone was selected to hold and swing the arti tray in front of the altar while the premies sang arti, which was usually accompanied by a guitar. Depending on who was swinging the tray, it might be very under- or over-stated. Some people put on a regular dance act.

At the end of arti, all the premies would drop to the floor and prostrate in front of the altar with Maharaji's picture on it. Sometimes there was a little prayer said at this time, or a Bohle shri recital. The premies would rise from their pranams and sit on the floor. The person swinging the tray would then proceed around the room and put the light in front of each premie, who would wave his or her hands over the flame and then place the hands over his or her face.

At the same time, another premie would get the "charnamarit" which is water that Maharaji supposedly stuck his lotus toes into. The "charnamarit" was usually kept in a chrystal container with a silver spoon. Each premie was given a spoon-full of charnamarit, which was dripped into their hand, which was held, palm up, one hand on top of the other in front of the premie. The premie then drank the charnamirit from his or her hand and then premies usually whiped the residue on their faces and sometimes in their hair.

Jai Gurudev Maharaj Ji
Your glory fills the world
Protector of the weary and the weak
You bring the death of attachment
You bring the mind true detachment
Save us from the ocean deep
Jai Dev, Jai Satgurudev

Creator, Preserver, Destroyer Bow their heads and pray to You All bow and pray to You Scriptures sing Your glory Heaveny hosts sing Your praises Your virtues are ever true Jai Dev, Jai Satgurudev

Chanting, fasting, charity, austerity
never bring you knowledge of the soul
will never reveal your soul
without the grace of satguru
without the Knowledge of Satguru
rites and rituals never reach the goal
Jai Dev, Jai Satgurudev

In the river of bondage to maya
All are swept out to sea
All are sinking in the depths of the sea
Guru's boat is the holy name
Guru's ship is the holy word
In seconds he has set us free
Jai Dev, Jai Satgurudev

In the river of bondage to maya
All are swept out to sea
All are sinking in the depths of the sea
Guru's boat is the holy name
Guru's ship is the holy word
In seconds he has set us free
Jai Dev, Jai Satgurudev

Anger, desire, attachments
Rob us of eternal life
Take away our heavenly life
Satguru gives us true Knowledge
Satguru is eternal Knowledge
The sword that kills our problem life
Jai Dev, Jai Satgurudev

Religions harp their own glories
Call to follow their own path
Welcome me to follow their own way
The essence of all was revealed
The seed of all was revealed
I walk on the true way today
Jai Dev, Jai Satgurudev

Nectar from Satguru's feet is
Holy and it cleans us of our sins
So sacred in cleaning us of sin
When he speaks, darkness flies away
When he speaks, darkness cannot stay
Doubts removed, new life then begins
Jai Dev, Jai Satgurudev

Mine, Thine, Wealth, Health
Give them to the lotus feet of love
Give them to the lotus feet of the Lord
Give yourself to Satguru
Sacrifice yourself to Satguru
Be united with the blissful Truth
Jai Dev, Jai Satgurudev

Bible, Gita, the Koran
Sing the glory of Your Name
They all sing the glory of Your Name
Angels sing Your great glory
Heavenly hosts sing Your praises
They find no end to Your fame
Jai Dev, Jai Satgurudev

Desires have robbed me and left me
Trapped in the darkness of the night
Yes, they've trapped me in the darkness of the night
Guru gives holy Name and Light
Guru gives Holy Name and Sight
Cross the ocean by His Love and Light
Jai Dev, Jai Satgurudev

Many past forms you have taken
Now we have come in your control
Again You have come to save the soul
In this time of darkness
To lead Your devotees from darkness
You have come as Hansa the pure soul
Jai Dev, Jai Satgurudev

Come to the shelter of Guru's grace
Come with your heart and your soul
Bring Him your heart and your soul
Cross the worldly ocean
Cross it by your devotion
And attain the supreme goal
Jai Dev, Jai Satgurudev

Jai Gurudev Maharaj Ji
Your glory fills the world
Protector of the weary and the weak
You bring the death of attachment
You bring the mind true detachment
Save us from the ocean deep
Jai Dev, Jai Satgurudev

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