MANGALA ARATI
SADHANA - 4.30 am
The most auspicious time of the day starting with the waking up of the Deities and offering arati to Them (you can do the same with a picture)
“The time early in the morning, one and a half hours before sunrise, is called brāhma-muhūrta.
During this brāhma-muhūrta, spiritual activities are recommended. Spiritual activities performed early in the morning have a greater effect than in any other part of the day.’
(Srila Prabhupada’s commentary to ‘Srimad-Bhagavatam’ 3.20.46)
Scriptures recommend waking up early in the morning, during the Brahma muhurta period that falls on 1.5 hour before sunrise.
In the Arcana Padati’ it is said, ‘Brahma-muhurta is the most auspicious time for devotees seeking success in spiritual realisation.’
Usually, at our ISKCON temples Mangala arati starts at 4:15 or 4:30 AM.
Of course, not everyone staying at home and holding a fulltime job can follow this schedule but it is important to try to wake up as early as possible, preferably before sunrise.
During mangala arati devotees sing the song called ‘Guruastakam’ that consists of 8 verses glorifying the Guru.
After waking up early and bathing, we apply tilaka with Gopi chandan to 12 places on the body (and a 13th is applied on the crown with the remaining paste), do an acaman and then perform or attend mangala arati.
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, the author of this song, who appeared in the middle of the seventeenth century, is a great spiritual master in the Krishna conscious chain of Gurus and disciples. He states in this song, ‘One who, with great care and attention, loudly recites this beautiful prayer to the spiritual master during the Brahma-muhurta obtains direct service to Krishna, the Lord of Vrndavana, at the time of his death.’
“The time early in the morning, one and a half hours before sunrise, is called brāhma-muhūrta.
During this brāhma-muhūrta, spiritual activities are recommended. Spiritual activities performed early in the morning have a greater effect than in any other part of the day.’
(Srila Prabhupada’s commentary to ‘Srimad-Bhagavatam’ 3.20.46)
Scriptures recommend waking up early in the morning, during the Brahma muhurta period that falls on 1.5 hour before sunrise.
In the Arcana Padati’ it is said, ‘Brahma-muhurta is the most auspicious time for devotees seeking success in spiritual realisation.’
After waking up early and bathing, we apply tilaka with Gopi chandan to 12 places on the body (and a 13th is applied on the crown with the remaining paste), do an acaman and then perform or attend mangala arati.
Usually, at our ISKCON temples Mangala arati starts at 4:15 or 4:30 AM.
Of course, not everyone staying at home and holding a fulltime job can follow this schedule but it is important to try to wake up as early as possible, preferably before sunrise.
During mangala arati devotees sing the song called ‘Guruastakam’ that consists of 8 verses glorifying the Guru.
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, the author of this song, is a great spiritual master in the Krishna conscious chain of Gurus and disciples. He states in this song, ‘One who, with great care and attention, loudly recites this beautiful prayer to the spiritual master during the Brahma-muhurta obtains direct service to Krishna, the Lord of Vrndavana, at the time of his death.’
MANGALA ARATI AT HOME
FOR THIS PARTICULAR ARATI
ITEMS THAT ARE USED
A Conch, arati plate, incenses, a ghee lamp, flowers, a small jar for water and another into wich you can pour the offered water; a small conch for offering water; a handkerchief, camara (yak tail fan) and peacock feather fan (in the summer times)
ELEVEN DEVOTIONAL EXPERIENCES
STEP BY STEP
You can either offer a full arati with the items listed above or a small one that includes only incense, flowers and camara, in this order.
STEP BY STEP MANGALA ARATI
1) offer your obeisances, perform an acaman, and blow a conch 3 times;
2) sprinkle your hands and a bell with acaman water; light the candle and from this fire light the incense sticks as well, sprinkle them lightly with acaman water;
3) start singing or play the song, and then, while ringing the bell with your left hand, offer the incenses to the Deities with your right hand (4 clockwise circles for the feet, 2 for the waist, and 7 for the whole body, and then 3 circles of offering to Sri Panca-tattva, Sri Nrsimhadev, acaryas, Srila Prabhupada/and your own Guru);
HOW TO DO IT
ARATI AT HOME
In this VIDEO you will learn how to do arati at home
LEARN THEM FOR EVER
THE TUNE OF THE SONG AND THE LYRICS
You can view the video to learn them
FOR SINGING
LYRICS IN SANSKRIT
GURU ASHTAKA (MANGALA ARATI) SANSKRIT LYRICS
(1)
saḿsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka-
trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam
prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
(2)
mahāprabhoḥ kīrtana-nṛtya-gīta-
vāditra-mādyan-manaso rasena
romāñca-kampāśru-tarańga-bhājo
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
ALL THE ACTIVITIES OF DAYS HERE!
GURU ASHTAKA ENGLISH TRANSLATION
GURU ASHTAKA ENGLISH TRANSLATION
1) The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities.
2) Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sankirtana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.