in his hands and performs the Arti of the image. Burning incense,
rice, flowers, sweets, saffron water and other fragment dainties
are offered to the idol. Priests fan the image with beautiful
“chowries”, and worshippers sing songs in melodious tunes in praise
of the deities with the accompaniment of the musical instruments.
At night, i.mages are placed in respective boxes and are put to rek
We can get this information in the Guru’s Compositions, without
visiting Hindu temples.
Guru Nanak Dev in his First Missionary Tour, visited the temple
of Jagannath Purl. There the Guru drew the attention of the priest
and also of the people toward the AJ:ti perpetually being performed
to the Infinite God by Nature. The Guru’s Composition in this respect,
is given below -
The sky is the salver, the sun and the moon are the lamps.
The spheres of stars are studded in it as jewels;
The chandan scented winds wave like fly whisk (chowri)
They scatter across the fragrance of myriad of flowers (1)
O Lord, thus is Your worship performed,
O, the Destroyer of fear.
Your self acting Melody rings, and makes the Music of the
Word, as if on the Tender lips of flute. (1) Pause.
O mother, what shall I now offer to my Lord.
I do not see any beautiful flower that has not been defiled. (1)
Pause.
The chandan tree is girdled by snakes:
The Nectar and the. poison abide in one and the same place.
(2).
How then with incense, earthen lamps, foods and fragrant
flowers can I worship You, O Lord? (3)
I will dedicate and make an offering of my body and mind to
You.
So, by the Guru’s Grace, I will attain You, my Immaculate
Lord. (4)
I cannot worship You in any other way.
Ravidas says: I do not know what will be my state hereafter. 5.1.

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