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How to start aarti
Here is a simple Jain way to start aarti, keeping the focus on Navkar Mantra and devotion to the Tirthankaras.
What you need
- A clean, quiet space
- A small lamp (diya) with oil or ghee
- Incense (agarbatti) and a bell (optional)
- Fresh flowers and a small bowl of water
- An image or symbol of a Tirthankara or the Navkar Mantra written in a clean place
How to begin 1) Prepare the space
- Sit comfortably in a clean spot. Wash hands and mind, and keep the area free of distractions.
2) Light and offer
- Light the diya and, if you wish, incense. This is a symbolic offering of light and fragrance to the Tirthankaras.
3) Recite prayers
- Start with the Namokar Mantra (Navkar Mantra) repeatedly. A common practice is to chant it 3, 5, or 9 times, or more if you wish:
- You may also sing a short Jain stavan or aarti that is appropriate for Jain worship, or simply say “Jai Jinendra” to express reverence.
4) Offerings and posture
- Place flowers near the image or symbol.
- Pour a little water in the trough or bowl as a symbolic offering (as you would in many Jain pujas), and touch it with your fingertips to show respect.
- Ring the bell gently to mark the start and end of the aarti and to invite focus.
5) Closing
- Conclude with a short prayer or a wish for peace and well-being for all living beings.
- Say “Jai Jinendra” or chant a closing line from your tradition.
- Extinguish the lamp only when you feel the heart is calm and the moment is complete.
Notes on tradition
- In Jain practice, aarti is often a devotional add-on to more formal pūjā or stavan. The core is reverence for the Tirthankaras, usually expressed through Navkar Mantra, prayers, and meditation.
- There are differences between Digambar and Shwetambar practices in certain wording and sequences. If you follow a particular lineage, you may adjust the mantras and songs accordingly.
If you’d like, I can provide a specific Jain aarti text (in Sanskrit or vernacular) that aligns with your tradition.
