Naam Tero Aarti
Shri Guru Ravidass Ji explains that true worship is internal, built on the foundation of Truth rather than physical rituals.
ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰੋ ਆਰਤੀ ਮਜਨੁ ਮੁਰਾਰੇ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਝੂਠੇ ਸਗਲ ਪਾਸਾਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
“Your Name is my adoration and my cleansing bath. Without the Name of the Lord, all other displays are useless.”
The Meaning
Shri Guru Ravidass Ji teaches us that true worship isn't about lighting physical lamps. He uses the 'Name' of God as the ultimate focus. While people perform rituals for show, Guru Ji shows humility by putting God's name first. Real worship is thinking about God’s character and kindness which runs the whole universe.
ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰੋ ਆਸਨੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਉਰਸਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਕੇਸਰੋ ਲੇ ਛਿਟਕਾਰੇ ॥
“Your Name is my meditation mat, Your Name is the stone to grind the sandalwood. Your Name is the saffron which I sprinkle as an offering.”
The Meaning
When we meditate, we sit still to feel God's presence. Shri Guru Ravidass Ji explains that the 'Name' is his mat and his precious offerings. Instead of using expensive saffron or sandalwood, he uses his love and dedication to God in his daily life as the best way to say thank you.
ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਅੰਭੁਲਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰੋ ਚੰਦਨੋ ਘਸਿ ਜਪੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਲੇ ਤੁਝਹਿ ਕਉ ਚਾਰੇ ॥੧॥
“Your Name is the water, and Your Name is the sandalwood. Chanting Your Name is the grinding; I offer this all to You.”
The Meaning
Just as water cleans the dust around us, God's name cleans our minds. It protects us from bad habits like greed or anger. Chanting the Name is like the hard work of grinding sandalwood to make it smell sweet—it shows our effort to be good and pure.
ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਦੀਵਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰੋ ਬਾਤੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰੋ ਤੇਲੁ ਲੇ ਮਾਹਿ ਪਸਾਰੇ ॥
“Your Name is the lamp, Your Name is the wick, and Your Name is the oil I pour into it.”
The Meaning
A lamp needs a wick and oil to keep the fire going. Shri Guru Ravidass Ji says we must keep learning and remembering the truth to keep our joy alive. This spiritual 'oil' helps us fight our ego and stay focused on what is right.
ਨਾਮ ਤੇਰੇ ਕੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਲਗਾਈ ਭਇਓ ਉਜਿਆਰੋ ਭਵਨ ਸਗਲਾਰੇ ॥੨॥
“Your Name is the light for this lamp, which brightens the entire world.”
The Meaning
When we understand and live by God's words, it's like a light turning on. This light removes the darkness of our own pride (ego). By living a good life, we become an example that helps others see the truth too.
ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰੋ ਤਾਗਾ ਨਾਮ ਫੂਲ ਮਾਲਾ ਭਾਰ ਅਠਾਰਹ ਸਗਲ ਜੂਠਾਰੇ ॥
“Your Name is the thread and the garland of flowers. All the vegetation of the world is too impure to offer You.”
The Meaning
Nothing in nature is perfectly pure except God. A flower might have a tiny bit of dust, making it 'impure' for a perfect Creator. Shri Guru Ravidass Ji uses God's Name as the only 'clean' thread and flower to make a garland for worship.
ਤੇਰੋ ਕੀਆ ਤੁਝਹਿ ਕਿਆ ਅਰਪਉ ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਤੁਹੀ ਚਵਰ ਢੋਲਾਰੇ ॥੩॥
“Why should I offer You things that You created yourself? Your Name is the fan I wave over You.”
The Meaning
Waving a fan (Chaur) is a sign of respect. Guru Ji asks a deep question: Why give God gifts like flowers or water when God made them in the first place? He realizes that God's own kindness is like a fan constantly waving over us, protecting us.
ਦਸ ਅਠਾ ਅਠਸਠੇ ਚਾਰੇ ਖਾਣੀ ਇਹੈ ਵਰਤਣਿ ਹੈ ਸਗਲ ਸੰਸਾਰੇ ॥
“The whole world is busy with rituals, pilgrimages, and the sources of creation.”
The Meaning
Many people get stuck in rituals or visiting holy places without being sincere. Shri Guru Ravidass Ji reminds us that bathing in a river doesn't change a person's heart. True character comes from understanding the truth and living honestly.
ਕਹੈ ਰਵਿਦਾਸੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰੋ ਆਰਤੀ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੈ ਹਰਿ ਭੋਗ ਤੁਹਾਰੇ ॥੪॥੩॥੬੯੪॥
“Says Ravidass, Your Name is my Aarti. The True Name, Sat Naam, is the food I offer to You.”
The Meaning
Shri Guru Ravidass Ji explains that 'Sat Naam' (The True Name) is the only real food or offering for God. It doesn't matter how we say the words; what matters is the meaning. When we live truthfully, our whole life becomes a beautiful Aarti.
A Legacy of Equality
Shri Guru Ravidass Ji taught us that pure devotion is available to everyone, regardless of birth or ritual knowledge.