The Aarti

The 'Aarti' Explained

Jay Sadguru Swãmi, prabhu jay Sadguru Swãmi

This line expresses reverence and salutations to the Supreme Lord Swaminarayan. It is meant to engross one into the glory of Lord Swaminarayan.

Sahajãnand dayãlu(2) balavant bahu-nãmi

Swaminarayan Bhagwan is compassionate and kind-hearted, possessing immense power. He is known by various divine names. Sahajanand Swami is one of the names given to Maharaj by Ramanand Swami.

Charan saroj tamãrã, vandu kar jodi(2)

I surrender and bow down with folded hands to the lotus feet of Lord Swaminarayan. By surrendering to His feet, I accept the Lord’s refuge. In turn, Lord Swamianrayan offers his immense blessing and protection.

Charane sheesh dharyãthi(2) dukh nãkhyã todi

By placing my head at Lord Swaminarayan's feet, all my sorrows and suffering are alleviated and destroyed. I no longer need to worry about worldly matters because I’ve obtained the one who is otherworldly.

Swãminãrãyan sukhdãtã, dvijkul tanu dhãri(2)

Swaminarayan is the bestower of happiness, who assumed a mortal human form for the purpose of granting salvation and bliss to everyone. Nevertheless, He is of a divine nature and should be regarded as infinitely ethereal and immortal.

Pãmar patit uddhãryã(2) aganit nar nãri

Swaminarayan uplifts the fallen, the sinners, and countless men and women who pray to Him. It is easy to grant salvation to those who have committed good deeds and are pure. However, Lord Swaminarayan was merciful towards all and liberated even those fallen souls that were seen as unredeemable. 

Nitya nitya nautam leelã, kartã avinãshi(2)

Lord Swaminarayan performs new and divine deeds for the sake of granting joy to His devotees. This is a routine hobby of the lords and He performs it endlessly. Know that Lord Swaminarayan is the doer of all such miraculous occurrences and know that the Lord is imperishable in nature. This will bring about great joy in observing all His actions.

Adasath tirth charane(2) koti gayã kashi

Lord Swaminarayan's divine feet are greater in worth than countless pilgrimages combined, with spiritual worth equal to millions of pilgrimages made to Kashi. By bowing down to Him, no further endeavors need to be performed as all spiritual satisfaction will be gained. After all, He is the granter of the purest spiritual growth.

Purushottam pragat nu, je darshan karshe(2)

Those who observe the manifest form of the Supreme Being, Lord Swaminarayan, with the faith that He is ever present are privileged beyond belief. This line emphasizes that coming into contact with Maharaj, even just witnessing him manifest, is enough to set things into motion.

Kãl karma thi chhuti(2) kutumb sahit tarshe

Specifically, those who come into contact with Maharaj are liberated from the cycle of birth and death. They and their families obtain salvation and are freed from the bondage of time and karma.

Ãa avasar karunãnidhi, karunã bahu kidhi(2)

Swaminarayan, the ocean of compassion, has shown great mercy at this opportune time. We should be grateful for the immense amount of rewards we are attaining from Maharaj without even doing the slightest bit of work.

Muktãnand kahe mukti(2) sugam kari siddhi

Muktanand Swami, the composer of this song, known as the Mother of Satsang, declares that through Lord Swaminarayan's grace, attaining liberation has become very easy. Even instantaneous for those who have faith.