A visit between Dawn to Dusk! A visit to all three Ranganatha Swamy Temples on the same day between sunrise and sunset! Aren’t you excited right now to go on Triranga Darshan in one day! It is believed a visit to three Sriranganatha Swamy temples between dawn to dusk called “Triranga Darshan”
Bharathiyam was first conceived on March 14, 2000, as a seed idea — long before India’s cultural heritage found a home online. Though the domain was registered on that very day, its deeper blossoming required 25 years of experience, inner churning, and karmic purification.
Every civilization is born, grows, declines, and often disappears into the pages of history. Yet Bharat, the land sanctified by rishis, rivers, and the rhythm of Sanātana Dharma, stands apart. It is not merely a civilization of the past but a living continuum that has nourished countless generations, adapting to time yet never losing its eternal pulse.
Spiritual Movement Spiritual Movements – The Living Rivers of Awakening From the hymns of the Vedas to the songs of the saints, Bharat’s spiritual history flows through countless movements of love, wisdom, and inner transformation. Each age gave birth to seekers who re-discovered the timeless truth — that divinity lives within every heart.
My personal message is about the journey that shaped me, the lessons life taught me, and the realisations that pushed me back onto my own path. Every word you read here is mine — written from my own experiences, my own struggles, and the truths I discovered along the way.
Struggles and happiness are a part of life. If you don’t struggle, you won’t learn anything. If you don’t enjoy happiness, you won’t feel its essence. Both are just two sides of the same coin. Sometimes life feels like you’re swimming against the waves… but it’s only when you swim against the waves that you realise your own strength.
Dharma, Karma & Inner Evolution - In every age, societies celebrate “good people” — those who are kind, giving, honest, and willing to help without hesitation. Their intentions are noble, their hearts are soft, and their actions often uplift others. Yet, paradoxically, these very individuals frequently face exhaustion, heartbreak, and collapse.
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Every Hindu temple and home altar glows daily with the radiance of Āratī — a lamp waved before the deity while bells ring and devotees chant. To the uninitiated, it may appear as a simple ritual of light and sound, but in truth, Āratī is an act of offering one’s inner light to the Supreme Light. It is both symbolic and spiritual — an expression of gratitude, surrender, and awakening.
“Āratī karūn jāgū pānduraṅgā” — sings the saint Namdev, “By offering Āratī, I awaken the Divine within.”
Etymology and Inner Meaning
The word Āratī (आरती) originates from the Sanskrit root “ārātrika”, meaning “the dispelling of darkness.” It signifies two things simultaneously:
Removal of inner darkness — ignorance (avidyā), ego, and fear.
Offering of one’s own light — pure consciousness (ātma-jyoti) to the Supreme.
Thus, performing Āratī is not only to honor the Divine but also to recognize the Divine as the source of all light — the light of wisdom, life, and love.
Philosophical Essence
According to the Taittirīya Upaniṣad (2.1):
“From that Self, the sun was born — the light of all.”
In SanātanaDharma, light (jyoti) is the direct symbol of Brahman — the unchanging Reality. When the devotee waves a lamp before the deity, it represents the illumination of awareness and the offering of the soul’s brilliance back to its source.
The Bhagavad Gītā (15.12) beautifully states:
“Yadāditya-gataṁ tejo jagad bhāsayate’khilam” — “The light that shines in the sun, illuminating the entire world, is My splendor.”
Through Āratī, the devotee symbolically acknowledges this eternal truth.
Symbolism of the Lamp
Every element used in Āratī has sacred meaning:
Element
Symbolic Significance
Deepa (Lamp)
The body, holding the flame of the soul
Ghee or Oil
Ego and desires that fuel the flame of knowledge
Wick (Varti)
The mind — when pure and steady, it holds the flame upright
Flame (Jyoti)
The Divine presence, dispelling ignorance
Camphor (Karpūra)
Burns completely without residue, symbolizing total surrender
When the camphor burns out leaving no trace, it reminds us that the highest offering is to burn one’s ego in the fire of devotion.
Procedure of Āratī
Although customs differ regionally, the core method remains the same:
Preparation: Light the lamp with devotion, facing the deity. Traditionally, the flame is made of five wicks (Pañchamukha Dīpa) representing the five elements — Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether.
Invocation: Bow before the deity and mentally dedicate the act — “Sarvam Śrī Nārāyaṇārpaṇamastu” (May all this be offered unto the Lord).
Circular Offering (Deepa Sevanam): Wave the lamp clockwise (keeping the deity to your right) —
1st Circle: at the feet – symbolic of surrender.
2nd Circle: at the heart – symbolizing offering of emotions.
3rd Circle: at the face – illuminating divine beauty.
4th Circle: around the entire form – total offering.
Chanting or Music: Devotional hymns or Āratī songs (e.g., “Om Jai Jagadīśa Hare,” “Nīrājanam,” “Harati Āratī”) are sung, often accompanied by bell ringing to invoke auspicious vibrations.
Blessing and Acceptance: After waving the lamp, devotees place their palms over the flame and touch their eyes and head — symbolizing the acceptance of divine light and energy.
Deeper Symbol – Dispelling Inner Darkness
Āratī signifies the constant battle between light and darkness — not outside, but within us. The flame represents knowledge (jñāna), devotion (bhakti), and discipline (tapas), all of which dispel the ignorance (tamas) covering the soul.
As the light flickers, it teaches the devotee that life too is fragile — yet when protected by faith and right intention, it shines steadily amidst winds of change.
The Science of Light and Sound
The traditional temple Āratī combines multiple sensory energies:
Light (Agni) – Stimulates the pineal gland and uplifts mood.
Sound (Ghanta) – Temple bells create resonant frequencies that still the mind.
Fragrance (Dhoopa, Camphor) – Purifies air and enhances subtle vibrations.
Sight (Darśana) – Concentrates attention on the divine image. Together, they synchronize brain waves, creating a meditative, elevated state — turning ritual into spiritual experience.
Types of Āratī
Deepa Āratī – using oil/ghee lamps (daily temple ritual).
Karpūra Āratī – using camphor flame, performed at the end of worship.
Maha Āratī – elaborate form on festivals or at the end of major pūjās.
Mangala Āratī – performed at dawn, awakening the deity.
Sandhyā Āratī – at dusk, symbolizing transition from worldly activity to spiritual reflection.
Āratī Beyond Temples
Āratī is not confined to temple worship alone. It is performed:
Before starting a journey or new venture.
To honor saints and Gurus.
To welcome newly married couples or newborns (symbolizing blessings).
To conclude yajñas or pūjās.
The flame becomes a portable sanctum, wherever faith resides.
Psychological and Devotional Impact
Āratī draws the mind from dispersion to focus — from outward desires to inner illumination. Its rhythm, sound, and glow awaken the heart, evoking bhakti-rasa — the sweetness of divine love. When performed with awareness, Āratī becomes a meditation in motion, aligning body, mind, and soul to the frequency of light.
Conclusion – Lighting the Inner Flame
In the end, the purpose of Āratī is not to light the deity’s face, but to light one’s own heart. Every time we offer the flame, we silently affirm:
“Let this lamp of devotion burn in me — bright, pure, and unwavering.”
When the inner lamp shines, no darkness can remain. That is the promise and power of Āratī — the offering of light to the Light of all lights.
“When you are born with a question in your soul, the answer becomes your life’s work.”
Venkatesham is the founder and guiding spirit behind Bharathiyam — a digital dharmic initiative dedicated to reviving, preserving, and sharing the timeless soul-wisdom of Bharat.
Born into a traditional family rooted in simplicity, reverence, and moral strength, his life bridges two worlds — the outer world of technology and digital communication, and the inner world of silence, reflection, and spiritual seeking.
The articles and essays featured on Bharathiyam are not recent creations, but part of a lifelong body of work that began more than two decades ago. Many of them were originally written between 2000 and 2020, stored quietly as Word documents — reflections, insights, and learnings collected through years of sādhanā, study, and service. These writings are now being published in their original spirit, dated according to when they were first composed.
Alongside Bharathiyam, he continues to nurture two interconnected literary trilogies exploring dharma, family, and the soul’s journey — expressions of the same inner quest that began long ago and continues to unfold through his work and life.
