❓ Prashnottari

Performing Aarti is an important way to express one's faith, devotion, and surrender to God. Offering the lamp to God during Aarti helps the devotee's mind focus on the Divine and awakens devotion and positive feelings within. Furthermore, scriptures associate Aarti with bestowing completeness upon worship.

Observing Aarti and reverently receiving its flame also hold special religious significance. That is, whether one performs the Aarti oneself or attends and observes it with devotion, scriptures attribute special spiritual merits to both.

Highlighting the glory of observing the Aarti of Lord Vishnu, the Hari Bhakti Vilasa states:

Neeraajanam Cha Yah Pashyed Devadevasya Chakrinah।
Saptajanmani Viprah Syaadante Cha Paramam Padam॥

Meaning: A person who beholds the Aarti of Lord Vishnu, the Supreme God and bearer of the discus, becomes a virtuous scholar for seven births and ultimately attains the supreme abode.

Similarly, the Vishnu Dharmottara Purana highlights the significance of observing incense and Aarti and taking the holy flame with both hands:

Dhoopam Chaaraatrikan Pashyet Karaabhyaam Cha Pravandate।
Kulakotin Samuddhriktya Yaati Vishnoh Param Padam॥

Meaning: One who observes the incense and Aarti and reverently accepts the flame with both hands uplifts millions of generations of their lineage and attains the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu.

Thus, by performing Aarti, a devotee expresses faith, devotion, and surrender, focuses the mind on God, and completes the worship. On the other hand, witnessing Aarti and reverently taking its flame is also declared highly meritorious in scriptures.