In the Era of Strife, (Kaliyug), man doubts the very existence of God. In such a spiritual climate, offering Arti has been designed as
an easy means for man to be able to realise God. Offering Arti means calling out to God with intense yearning. If a human being calls out to a Deity through the medium of the Arti then he is granted either a vision of God in the form of light or of the Deities' form. (Divine knowledge received through the medium of Mr Bhushan Kulkarni, 31.1.2004, 6.10 pm)Deity is appeased
The hymns in an Arti which are in praise of the Deities, also entail an earnest prayer made unto God to win His grace. The Deities and God who bestows grace, are pleased with the praises and worship of the one who offers Arti.
Composers of the Arti
Most of the Artis have been composed by Saints and evolved devotees. An Arti contains both the resolve and blessings of the spiritually evolved. Thus, a seeker benefits at the material and spiritual level due to the benefit accrued through Their 'Energy of Resolve'.
Activation of spiritual emotion
According to the Path of Devotion it is very essential that the
follower develops devotion and spiritual emotion towards God sooner
rather than later. In the primary stages it is difficult to develop
spiritual emotion unto the formless, that is, the unmanifest principle
of God. However, a seeker feels close to God with a form which has
attributes and a human appearance. He is able to develop spiritual
emotion unto Him faster. Arti is an easy medium of worship to the manifest form of God. The subtle form of the words sung in the Arti
softly touch the idol or the picture of the Deity placed in front and
return to those listening to or singing to it. This affects the
worshippers subtle bodies. The words in the Arti transmit the sattva component accompanying them to the subtle bodies of the worshippers. Consequently one who sings the Arti
feels light. The spiritual emotion of the worshippers is awakened due
to the activation of the sushumna nadi (central channel) by the words in
the Arti .' (Divine knowledge received through the medium of Ms Madhura Bhosale, 16.1.2005, 7.00 to 12.22 pm)Strengthening of faith
As the seeker's spiritual emotion for the Deity he worships is awakened during Arti, he gains a spiritual experience. This helps in further strengthening his faith in the Deity he worships.
Deity's principle is more active during Arti
As the principle of the Deity is more functional during Arti, a seeker derives more benefit from the energy and Chaitanya (Divine consciousness) of the Deity. That is why our presence in the temple during the offering of Arti is more beneficial than our presence there at any other time.
(Ref: Sanatan's Publication - 'How to Offer an Arti')
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