Sunset on the Ganga: What the Indian Ritual of Aarti Taught Me About Gratitude

Evening Aarti at the banks of the Ganga

I used to think prayer was a list of requests, and thought this had no relevance to me and my life. Standing on the banks of the Ganga at sunset, watching the golden light of the Aarti, I realized it was something entirely different…

Many people treat prayer as a request to a higher power. But this is not how prayer is meant to be. In its true form, prayer is an expression of gratitude, an appreciation of what you already have. By remembering the abundance we already have and deepening a feeling of appreciation, we create the conditions for greater abundance to come our way.

The Law of Life

This is the law of attraction, the principle of manifestation, the “Secret”; life responds to our state of being. When we are feeling good about all that we already have, life will bring more reasons to feel good.

It is this principle that is at the heart of many traditional forms of worship and ritual.

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The Ritual of Light

Every day at many points along the sacred river Ganga, as sunset draws near, people gather for aarti. Priests circle flaming brass lamps at the Ganga’s banks, verses of the Sanksrit hymn Ganga Lahari praising the Ganga are chanted, and afterwards devotees float offerings of diyas and flowers on the river.

Aarti has multiple, layered deep meanings, but specifically Ganga aarti helps participants to remember and reflect on the qualities of the Ganga.

• At a fundamental level: we are grateful for the life that this great river brings. Water to drink and bathe in and grow the food we need to survive.

• At an aesthetic level: we are grateful for her sheer natural beauty.

• Moving deeper: we are grateful for the many wise beings who have meditated and spent time by the Ganga, and whose still presence is still felt here.

“Ganga represents purity. She washes away whatever we carry that doesn’t serve us.”

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The Power of “Naam Jaap”

We might reflect on the stories of Maa Ganga as a divine being who chose to take form on earth as a river, to bring life and the possibility of salvation. We can remember her compassion and generosity.

When we keep our attention on any particular name (the practice of naam jaap), our subconscious mind absorbs the qualities associated with that name. This is the basis of the rich culture of remembering the names of deities.

When we chant the name of Ganga, we absorb the qualities that Ganga represents.

A Practice for You

If you have the privilege to attend Ganga aarti, or else next time you visit any stream or river where you live… offer a prayer of gratitude and reflect on the river’s qualities.

Reflect on:

• Gratitude for life and the power of renewal.

  
  

• All sources of mercy, compassion, and purity in our lives.

  
  

• The chance to start each moment afresh, unburdened by the past.

  
  

  With thanks to Aham Shoonyam-ji for sharing these insights.

  Explore more insights on ancient Himalayan wisdom at the Aham Shoonyam YouTube Channel

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Aarti at Sai Ghat, Rishikesh

--Nicola Tulk