Aarti is a Sanskrit word which means praise giving. Apt to its meaning, it is a sacred ceremony and a daily service in temples which is performed by waving lamps to the Idol and singing devotional songs. The devotional songs are sung with musical support of drums and other instruments and offerings like flowers, prasada, incense and more are kept.

The literal meaning of the word Stuti is poem. It is a poem written in praise of Lord to sing his virtues and grace. It consists of several paragraphs composed of shlokas meaning couplets in Sanskrit. Singing Stuti is a traditional culture of eastern countries specifically of India. Through it the devotee expresses his indebtedness towards the Lord.

In India, it is a daily ritual in temples to perform aarti and recite Stuti. In Hinduism, the flame is considered to represent the soul and thus, it is said that the purpose of aarti is offering our soul to the deity and salute the Lord for giving us a beautiful life. And singing Stuti is believed to take one deeper into the self. Thus, a beautiful blend of aarti and Stuti brings the soul in complete harmony with the self often termed as the ‘atman’ in Hindu religion.

Though it is mandatory to perform aarti and Stuti in temples during sunrise and sunset, devotees also perform it at home. The significance of performing both these is to bring the wandering soul into present moment so as to focus completely on the deity. The combination is like a salutation to the Lord for all his grace and blessings. Thus, with aarti and Stuti, the devotees give a tribute to the Almighty for all the favors done.

Gayatri Mantra is the most powerful mantra in Hinduism. It is believed that it is taken from the verses of Rigveda and Yajurveda. The mantra is in Sanskrit language and is considered very effective. Goddess Gayatri is said to be the incarnation of Goddess Saraswati and had married Lord Brahma who is the creator of the Universe. The Goddess is believed to have created all the four Vedas of Hinduism.

And thus Gayatri Mantra is also found in all the four Vedas. The significance of mantra is to invoke the spiritual intelligence in mankind. There are many translations of the mantra according to the spiritual beliefs of varied translators. The translation of the mantra according to Indian sage Swami Vivekananda states that:

“We meditate on the glory of that Being who has produced this universe; may He enlighten our minds.”

As per the translation, this powerful mantra praises the glory of the Lord and seeks spiritual wisdom from Him. The five senses of those who chant the mantra are protected by the Goddess Gayatri and are thus purified.

The mantra can be recited at three time periods of the day – dawn, noon and at dusk. The chanting positively affects all the seven chakras (energy centers) of the human body and thus generates power and wisdom within. Chanting the mantra without any rites is termed as Japa meaning repetition of the name of God or mantra.

Thus, reciting the most powerful mantra of the universe called the Gayatri Mantra brings harmony in all the five senses of the human body, awakens the spiritual intelligence and guards the soul from obstacles and eventually gives stability and enlightenment to the wandering soul.

Ambha sambhavi chandramouli rabhala aparna uma paarvathii
Kaali haimavathi shiva thrinayanaa kaathyayani bhairavi
Savithri navayowvana subhaghari saam rajya lakshmi pradha
Chitrubhi paradevatha bhagavathi sri rajarajeshwari 1
Ambha mohini devathaa thribhuvanani aanandhasandhayini
Vaani pallava bhaani venu murali ghanapriya lolinii
Kalyanee uduraaja bhimbhavadana dhoomratcha samharinii
Chitrubhi paradevatha bhagavathi sri rajarajeshwari 2
Ambha noopura rathna kankanadhari keyoora haaraavali
Jaadhi shambhagha vyjayanthi laharii kryveyagai raajithaa
Veena venu vinodha manditha karaa veeraasaney samsthithaa
Chitrubhi paradevatha bhagavathi sri rajarajeshwari 3
Ambha routhrini bhadrakaali pagalaa jwaalaamukhi vaishnavi
Brahmaani thripuraandhaki suranudhaa dedeepya manojwala
Chaamundaachridha ratcha bhosha janani daatchayani vallavi
Chitrubhi paradevatha bhagavathi sri rajarajeshwari 4
Ambha kula dhanuhu : kasaangusadhari arthendhu bhimbhaadari
Varaahi madhu kaidhabha prasamani vaani ramaa sevithaa
Mallaathyaasuraha mughadaithya mdani maaheshwari shambhiga
Chitrubhi paradevatha bhagavathi sri rajarajeshwari 5
Ambha srishti vinaasa paalanakari aarya visam sobhithaa
Gaayathri pranvaatcharaamrudharasa: pooranaanu sandhi kridha
Omkaari vinadhasudaarchidapadaa uththanda daithyabhahaa
Chitrubhi paradevatha bhagavathi sri rajarajeshwari 6
Ambha saasvadha aagamaadi vinudhaa aarya mahadevathaa
Ya brahmaadi, bibeelikaan janadadhi yaavai jagan mohini
Ya panjapranavaadhi repaajanani ya chithkala maalini
Chitrubhi paradevatha bhagavathi sri rajarajeshwari 7
Ambha paalitha bhaktha raaja danisam ambaastagam yaha padeth
Ambha lolaa kadatcha veetcha lalithanjaiswarya mavyahadam
Ambha pavana manthra raaja padana thandesa motcha pradha
Chitrubhi paradevatha bhagavathi sri rajarajeshwari

Om Jaya Jagadheesa Harey
Swami Sathya Sai Harey
Bhaktha Jana Samrakshaka
Bhaktha Jana Samrakshaka
Parthi Maheshwara
Om Jaya Jagadheesa Harey

Sashi Vadhana Sree Karaa Sarva Praana Pathey,
Swami Sarva Praana Pathey
Aasritha Kalpa Latheeka
Aasritha Kalpa Latheeka
Aapadh Baandhavaa
Om Jaya Jagadheesa Harey

Maatha Pitha Guru Dhaivamu Mari Anthayu Neevey
Swami Mari Anthayu Neevey
Naadha Brahma Jagan Naatha
Naadha Brahma Jagan Naatha
Naagendra Shayanaa
Om Jaya Jagadheesa Harey

Omkaara Roopa Ojaswi Om Saayi Mahadeva
Sathya Saayi Mahadeva
Mangala Aarathi Anduko
Mangala Aarathi Anduko
Mandhara Giridhari
Om Jaya Jagadheesa Harey

Narayana Narayana Om
Sathya Narayana Narayana Narayana Om
Narayana Narayana Om
Sathya Narayana Narayana Om
Sathya Narayana Narayana Om
Om Jai Sad Guru Devaa