In the Hindu household, dusk and dawn, hold a special significance as far as prayer is concerned, as it is during this transition (From dawn to morning, and dusk to evening) that negativity needs to be burnt and righteousness welcomed.
Traditionally the ‘Aarti’ is performed during the morning and evening in a Hindu household.
The Aarti consists of a small flame which burns on a wick, placed on a plate, which is rotated round the Deity.
The ‘Aarti’ reminds us of the greatness of the Lord, because the flame that we rotate is symbolic of the Cosmos (Sun, Moon, Stars) revolving around the Almighty paying obeisance to Him.
Aarti:
JAI SANTOSHII MAATAA, MAIYAA JAI SANTOSHII MAATAA
APANE SEVAKA JANA KII SUKHA SAMPATI DAATAA
Glory, all gory to you, O Mother Santoshi; being a goddess of compassionate and contended disposition you bestow on your faithful devotees both joy and wealth.
SUNDARA CHIRA SUNAHARII, MAAN DHAARANA KIINHON
HIIRAA PANNAA DAMAKE, TANA SHRINGAARA LIYO
You are elegantly attired, O Mother, in a golden garments and bedecked with lustrous jewels diamonds and emeralds.
GERUU LAALA CHATAA CHAVI, ABDANA KAMALA SOHE
MANDA HANSATA KARUNAAMAYII, TRIBHUVANA MANA MOHE
The red ochre splendour of your lotus-face looks splendid while, O Compassionate Mother; your faint, feeble smile enthralls all the three spheres.
SVARNA SINHAASANA BAITHI CHANVARA DHARE PYAARE
DHUUPA DIIPA MEVAA BHOGA DHARE NYAARE
While you are seated on your golden throne, a beloved votary of yours is waving a chowry; incense a lighted lamp, honey, dry fruits and other delicious offerings are lying as food presented to you.
GUDA AURA CHANAA PARAMA PRIYA, TAAMEIN SANTOSHA KIYO
SANTOSHII KAHALAAII BHAKTANA VIBHAVA DIYO
Jaggery and unfried gram are your supreme favourites and satisfy you most; being the very incarnation of contentment, you endow your devotees with great affluence and prosperity.
SHUKRAVAARA PRIYA MAANATA, AAJA DIVASA SOHII
BHAKTA MANDALII CHAAII, KATHAA SUNATA MOHII
You regard Friday as especially consecrated to you; it being the same day (Friday) today, a company of your votaries has assembled and yielded to the charming account of your miracles.
MANDIRA JAGAMAGA JYOTI, MANGALA DHVANI CHAAII
VINAYA KAREIN TERE BAALAKA CHARANANA SIRA NAAII
The temple lights are glimmering while the atmosphere all around is charged with auspicious sounds. With bowed heads your children are paying homage to you.
BHAKTI BHAAVAMAYII PUUJAA ANGIKRUTA KIIJAI
BAHU DHANA DHAANYA BHARE GHARA SUKHA SAUBHAAGYA DIYE
You relieved the impoverished and ailing humanity of its distress and replenished the homes of the unfortunate with plenty of foodgrains and blessed them with happiness and good luck.
DHYAANA DHARO TERO MANAVAANCHITA PHALA PAAYO
PUUJAA KATHAA SHRAVANA KARA GHARA AANANDA AAYO
He who meditated on your never failed to receive your blessing of contentment (for he had his desires, ambitions and all fulfilled). Blessed are the homes of those who adore you and listen to the story of your marvellous acts.
SHARANA GAHE KIILAAJA RAKHIYO JAGADAMBE
SANKATA TUU HII NIVAARE DAYAAMAYII AMBE
Pray protect, O Mother, the honour of him who seeks refuge in you being full of the milk of divine kindness, you alone can deliver me from these deepening crisis.
SANTOSHII MAAN KII AARATII, JO OII JANA GAAVAI
RIDDHI SIDDHI SUKHA SAMPATI, JI BHARA KE PAAVAI
The devotee, who performs this ceremony of singing the arati song in adoration of Maan Santoshi is blessed with prosperity, accomplishment, happiness and wealth to his heart’s content.