February - March - 2012 Odisha Review The Jagannath Temple and the Sikh Arti Anil Dhir The veteran actor Balraj Sahni, who taught in Puri in 1506 CE that this Arti was composed. Santiniketan in the late 1930’s, once asked The temple priests conducted an elaborate Arti Rabindra Nath Tagore, “You have written the every evening. They brought a big platter on national anthem for India. Why not write an which were many lighted lamps, and the international anthem for the whole world?” accompanying paraphernalia of flowers, incense, “It has already been written, not only for the world but for the entire universe. It was written in the 16th century by Guru Nanak,” replied Tagore. He was referring to the Sikh Arti (the ceremony of light). Gurudev Tagore was so enamoured of this Arti that he had personally translated it into Bengali. Every evening, after the recitation of Rehraas Sahib, the melodious rendition of this Arti, sung ornaments, pearls etc. and began the Arti. This by the Raagis in Raga Dhanashri, can be heard in was accompanied with the beating of drums and Gurudwaras. Listening to the Arti is a tremendously cymbals, the ringing of the bells and chants from soothing experience, capable of taking one directly the scriptures. into the spiritual realms of devotion through music. Guru Nanak was a saint of the Bhakti It has been aptly mentioned by Guru Arjan Devji Cult and its exponents had the goal of uniting the in the Sri Guru Granth Sahibji: “Arti kirtan sada human race through true devotion to God and anand”, which translates as “Singing God’s emphasised the oneness of God. He, along with praises is His Arti, and this brings boundless bliss”. the other exponents of the Bhakti Cult like As legend has it, it was during Guru Ramananda, Kabir, Chaitanya, Namdev, Nanak Devji’s visit to the Jagannath Temple at Tukaram and Ramdas had all originally believed 1 Odisha Review February-March - 2012 in the formless worship of the Lord. But the nothing had happened. However the priests symbolic image of Lord Jagannath was neither of persisted that he explains his conduct and then any “Akar” nor was it “Nirakar”. The perplexed Nanak spoke: Nanak seeing this “Kimkar” (of which form?) “Dear brothers ! Does our Jagannath image, was simply astonished and was exist only here and in this wooden image? Is he overwhelmed with deep reverence. He not dazzling in the aura of his own greatness, inside understood the universalism of Jagannath and all creation? Cannot his Mahima be felt and started the ‘Namakirtan’ of the Lord in his own experienced without the accompanying rituals? “ way. Basically, Nanak believed in the formless Guru Nanak had by that time understood worship of ‘Nirakar’- Brahma and his motto was the real potentialities of Lord Jagannath. He had ‘Ek Omkar Satnam’. It means that he believed in seen the touch of universalism and Vedic ‘Omkar’ or ‘Pranava Brahma’ which has no form symbolism manifest in the wonderful image of Lord and stressed on the ‘Satnam’ or the true Jagannath. While uttering these words, Nanak Namakirtan of the Lord. became highly emotional and looking at the Lord, he started to sing a few stanzas from a Sikh While at the Jagannath Temple, Guru composition. He spontaneously composed a Maha Arti wherein he said that when the Lord is Nanak observed that the priests were attaching Omnipresent and Omnipotent, how I can worship more importance to the rituals rather then to the him with a small set of lamps and incense. He true faith of the Lord. He noticed that most of the ought to be worshipped as grandly as his grandeur devotees were joining the ritual not with their deserves. Guru Nanak sang an Arti in his hearts; at best they were enjoying the spectacle melodious voice, describing how the entire sky is of it. But, after seeing Jagannath for the first time, the platter on which the sun and moon are lamps and the elaborate Arti, Nanak could not reject for worship. The stars and the planets are the him on the ground that he was incompatible with gems and pearls, the mythical Mount Meru, his own Bhakti philosophy. All the gathered covered with sandalwood trees is the incense and devotees stood up and gazed at the Lord with the wind blowing from all directions is the grand great devotion, like they do even today. But Nanak fan for the beloved. was so charged with ecstasy that he could not Gagan mein thaal rav chand dipak bane, mark these reactions of the people. He was filled tarika mandal janak moti, with great pleasure, was transfixed, and thus dhoop malyanlo pavan chavro remained seated. So overwhelmed was he, that kare saal banray phulant joti, tears rolled down his eyes. kaisi arti hoye bhav khandna teri arti. A section of the orthodox priests marked Anhata Shabad Vajanta bheree this indifference of Nanak and took it as disrespect The sky is the puja thaal (platter used for the artis), to Lord Jagannath. After the Arti was over, they in which the sun and the moon are the diyas (lamps) confronted him and asked him why he had not The stars and planets in the stood up during the Arti. They cast aspirations on constellations are your jewels his being a holy man and said that mere rosaries The wind, laden with sandal-wood fragrance, and a monastic garb don’t make a monk. Guru is the celestial fans All the flowering fields, forests are radiance! Nanak stood there as a silent spectator, as if O! What a wonderful Arti, this is! 2 February - March - 2012 Odisha Review You, are a destroyer of Fear, added. However the depth of thought that is The sound of Your Name, which is so subtle, conveyed in these few words makes it one of the that It goes unheard, best compositions of Godhead and nature. Resounds endlessly. In describing Jagannath’s form, Nanak The priests and pilgrims had collected described Him saying that you have no eyes, but around Guru Nanak and they were thrilled to hear I can feel your penetrating gaze, you have no him sing such praises to the Lord. Nanak’s Arti hands, but I can feel the all encompassing conveyed that Natures tribute to the Creator was embrace of your love, you have no nose but I superior to any ritualistic oblation offered before can feel the warmth of your breath, you have no images. His melody reverberated around the ears but I know that you can hear my yearnings, whole Temple and touched the hearts of one you have no feet but I dream of spending my and all. The priests realised that they had an days worshiping these lotus feet. enlightened soul visiting them. The Aarti was further appended by the Guru Nanak then further described verses of Bhagat Ravi Das who incidentally, was Jagannath in his exalted verse: a cobbler by profession. He too was a mystic Sahas Tav Nain na na Bhakti Saint whose writings have been included Nain hai Tohey kau in the Sikh Holy Book Guru Granth Sahib. The Sahas moorat Nana Ik Tohee Sahas Pad Bimal Na na following lines were added to the Arti from his Ik Pad Gandh bin works: Sahas Tav Gandh Iv Chalat Mohee Naam Tero Aarti Majan Muraarey Sabh Mah Jot Jot Hai Sohee Har Kay Naam Bina Joothey Sagal Pasaarey Tis Dat Chaanan Sabh Mah Chaanan Hoi Naam Tero Aasno Naam Tero Ursaa Gur Sakhi Jot Pragat Hoi Naam Tero Kesro Lay Chhitkaarey Har Charan Kamal Makrand Lobhit Mano Naam Tera Ambhula Naam Tero Chandno Ana Din Mohey Aayey Pyaasa Ghas Japey Naam Lay Tujahee Kau Chaarey Kirpaa Jal Dey Nanak Sarang Kau Naam Tera Deeva Naam Tera Baatee Hoi Jaatey Terey nai Vaasa Naam Tero Tel Lai , Maahee Pasaarey Jo Tis Bhaavey So Aarti Hoi Naam Terey Kee Jyot Lagaayee Bhaiyaa Ujiyaaro Bhavan Saglaarey You have a thousand eyes, forms, feet, noses… Naam Teraa Taagaa Naam Phul Maalaa And you have none… Bhaar Athaarah Sagala Joothaarey I am charmed ! Tero Keeyaa Tujhahee kyaa arpau Your Light enlightens all ! Naam Tera Tuhee Chavar Dhulaarey It is by the Grace of the Guru that the real Light Das Atha Atha Sathey Chaarey Khaanee (Knowledge) Manifests. Ehay Vartan Hai Sagal Sansaare What pleases the Almighty is this Aarti (Creation) Kahay Ravdaas Naam Tero Aartee I yearn for Your Lotus feet, Night and day, Sat Naam Har Bhog Tuhaarey Nanak is like the thirsty bird that asks, For a drop of water, From You O Lord ! O Lord, Your name is the Aarti, That drop (Grace) will make Nanak find comfort, Your name is the Flower, the saffron, and the sandalwood In the uttering of Your Name. That is offered to You. Your Name is the (Deeya) This original Arti was composed by Guru The Lamp, the oil and the cotton Nanak himself though later four more stanzas were That is lighted in it. 3 Odisha Review February-March - 2012 With the Light that Your Name gives out, spreading his simple and humble words of The whole world is brightened. humaneness and compassion. Your Name is the Thread and Your Name is also The Flowers that are strung into that thread. Sun Sandhyaa Teree Dev Devaakar All that I offer to You is Yours. AdhPati Aadee Samaayee Your Name is the flywhisk, that you use, Sidh Samaadhee Anta Naheen Paayaa The (Chant of Your) True Name, Laagee Rahey Sarnaayee We offer to You, Leho Aartee Ho Purakh Niranjan All is false except Your Name ! Satguru Poojo Bhaai Thaada Brahmaa Nigam Bichaarey The glory of the Arti was further enriched Alakh Na Lakhiyaa Jaayee with the addition of the verses of Sant Sain, who Tat Tel Naam Keeyaa Baatee Deepak Deh Ujiyaaraa too was a mystic saint of humble origins.