How to Perform Vedanta Vespers
Vedanta Vesper service is known as arati, which means "light" in Sanskrit. Vedanta Vespers is a focused time for meditation and for offering five items to the Lord as symbols of the unity of the world and God. Vespers is an act of surrender by the devotee. Vedanta recognizes Hindu, Buddhist and Christian traditions as equal in ultimate value.
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Things You'll Need
- Altar with images of Sri Ramakrishna, Buddha and Jesus
- Cotton wicks dipped in ghee
- Lanterns for wicks
- Arati Holder
- Bell
- Conch Shell
- Bowl
- Fragrant Flower
Instructions
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Meditate briefly before initiating the lighting (arati) ritual.
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Light the wicks. The flames symbolize light and one of the five elements, fire. The five elements are what form the universe, the Lord's creation.
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Pour consecrated water over the arati holder while offering devotional prayers to Brahman. The fire is Brahman. Pour the water three times as a symbol of your commitment. Constantly ring a bell, symbolizing OM, the sound of the universe. in your left hand. Wave the arati holder clockwise before the images of Sri Ramakrishna, Jesus and Buddha.
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Kneel, passing the arati holder over your head. This purifies Brahman's light and receive the Lord's blessings (darshan). The soul also realizes its union with God, a central Vedanta belief. (advaita). Pour water over your hand to purify before the next offering.
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Offer water in a conch shell, again circling the shell before the images. Pour the water into a bowl as offering.
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Offer cloth, symbolizing space. Cover your body with the cloth to imitate how space covers all creation. Follow by offering a flower to represent earth. Finally, offer a chamara (a fan made of yak tail), representing air. Wave the fan before the images on the altar.
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Vedanta Vespers includes the songs, Khandana Bhaba Bandhana, Om Hring Ritang, and Sarva Mangala Mangalye.
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Tips & Warnings
Vespers occurs at dusk.
Resources
- Photo Credit http://www.yogamed.org/images/medbkgd.jpg, http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-6661698760614_2004_60745121, http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s156/pustakalaya/mimamsa_and_vedanta_interaction_and.jpg, http://www.brightonaum.co.uk/pavillion_aum_sillouette.JPG, http://www.freehomepages.com/udiscover/india/festivals/arati1.jpeg, http://www.savanna-art.com/gallery/2746/mid/conch_t.jpg, http://www.northcreeknurseries.com/_ccLib/image/plants/DETA-229.jpg
