Sakhi Series -20 ( GURU NANAK in JAGANATH PURI - Aarti)

GURU NANAK in JAGANATH PURI

The temple of Jagan Nath, was one of the four most revered temples of the Hindus. It is said that Jagan Nath's idol was sculptured by the architect of the gods and it was installed at the temple by Lord Brahma himself. It was the anniversary of installation of the idol when Guru Nanak reached the temple. The Guru visited the temple not to adore their Lord but to educate the people that the worship of God was superior to the worship of the deity.

It was the evening time and the priests brought a salver full of many lighted lamps, flowers, incense and pearls and then all stood to offer the salver to their enshrined idol-god. The ceremony was called 'Aarti', a song of dedication. The high-priest invited the Guru to join in the god's worship. The Guru declined to join their service which enraged the priests. On being asked the reason the Guru explained that a wonderful serenade was being sung by nature before the invisible altar of God. The sun and the moon were the lamps, placed in the salver of the firmament and the fragrance wafted from the Malayan mountains was serving as incense. The Guru, therefore, instead of accepting the invitation of the high-priest to adore the idol, raised his eyes to the heaven and uttered the following Sabad of Arti:

ggn mY Qwlu riv cMdu dIpk bny qwirkw mMfl jnk moqI ]

gagan m ai thhaa l rav cha(n)dh dh eepak ban ae thaa r ik aa ma(n)ddal janak mo th ee

Upon that cosmic plate of the sky, the sun and the moon are the lamps. The stars and their orbs are the studded pearls.

DUpu mlAwnlo pvxu cvro kry sgl bnrwie PUlµq joqI ]1]

dhh oo p malaaa nal o pavan chavar o karae sagal banar aae f oo la(n)th jo th ee 1

The fragrance of sandalwood in the air is the temple incense, and the wind is the fan. All the plants of the world are the altar flowers in offering to You, O Luminous Lord. 1

kYsI AwrqI hoie ] Bv KMfnw qyrI AwrqI ]

k ai see aarath ee ho e bhav kha(n)ddan aa th ae ree aarath ee

What a beautiful lamp-lit worship service this is! O Destroyer of Fear, this Ceremony of Lights is Yours.

Anhqw sbd vwjMq ByrI ]1] rhwau ]

anehath aa sabadh v aa ja(n)th bh aer ee 1 reh aa o

The Unstruck Sound-current of the Shabad is the vibration of the temple drums. 1Pause

shs qv nYn nn nYn hih qoih kau shs mUriq nnw eyk quohI ]

sehas thav n ai n nan nai n hehi th ohi ko sehas moorath nan aa eae k thuoh ee

You have thousands of eyes, and yet You have no eyes. You have thousands of forms, and yet You do not have even one.

shs pd ibml nn eyk pd gMD ibnu shs qv gMD iev clq mohI ]2]

sehas padh b i mal nan eae k padh ga(n)dhh b in sehas thav ga(n)dhh e i v chalath m oh ee 2

You have thousands of Lotus Feet, and yet You do not have even one foot. You have no nose, but you have thousands of noses. This Play of Yours entrances me. 2

sB mih joiq joiq hY soie ]

sabh meh i j oth j oth h ai s oe

Amongst all is the Light-You are that Light.

iqs dY cwnix sB mih cwnxu hoie ]

th i s dhai ch aanan sabh meh i chaa nan h oe

By this Illumination, that Light is radiant within all.

gur swKI joiq prgtu hoie ]

g u r s aakh ee j o th paragatt h oe

Through the Guru's Teachings, the Light shines forth.

jo iqsu BwvY su AwrqI hoie ]3]

j o th is bh aav ai s aarath ee h o e 3

Whatever is pleasing to Him, that itself is a lamp-lit worship service. 3

hir crx kvl mkrMd loiBq mno Anidnuo moih AwhI ipAwsw ]

har charan kaval makara(n)dh l obhi th mano anadh inuo moh i aa hee p iaasaa

My mind is enticed by the honey-sweet Lotus Feet of the Lord. Day and night, I thirst for them.

ik®pw jlu dyih nwnk swirMg kau hoie jw qy qyrY nwie vwsw ]4]3]

k i rapaa jal dh aeh i naa nak s aar i (n)g ko ho e j aa th ae thae r ai n aa e vaa s aa 43

Bestow the Water of Your Mercy upon Nanak, the thirsty song-bird, so that he may come to dwell in Your Name. 43