Answer

From a strict Jain point of view, aarti cannot be called completely non-violent if it involves fire and the subtle life-forms of agnikāya jīva. So in that sense, it is not fully justified as pure ahiṃsā.

Explanation

Jain Dharma is very clear that ahiṃsā is the highest principle. If a practice causes harm, even in a subtle form, then it is still violence from the deepest Jain view.

At the same time, Jain tradition also recognizes the reality of householder life. In worldly life, some degree of very subtle and unavoidable violence is often present. Because of this, certain devotional practices are accepted by many household Jains as limited, intentional, and spiritually directed acts of reverence, not as acts meant to harm.

So the correct Jain understanding is:

• Aarti is not absolutely non-violent
• It may be religiously accepted in some traditions as a devotional ritual
• But it should never be seen as equal to perfect ahiṃsā
• If one wants stricter observance, one may prefer:

- Namokar Mantra - Meditation - Pratikraman - Silent devotion without fire

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, the goal is not just outer ritual, but inner purity, restraint, and reduction of harm. So if a devotee performs aarti, the right attitude should be:

• with humility
• with awareness
• without attachment
• without pretending that violence has become non-violence

This keeps the practice honest. Jainism does not say, “Because the intention is good, the violence disappears.” Rather, it says: reduce violence as much as possible, and increase purity of heart.

Takeaway

So, in Jain terms, aarti is not perfectly justified as ahiṃsā if agnikāya jīva are harmed. It may be tolerated as a devotional household ritual in some traditions, but the highest Jain ideal remains minimum harm and maximum restraint.