Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14
The Explanation of Sandhyā and Related Daily Observances
Saṅdhyā-ādi Nitya-karma-Vidhi
वाद्यैर्गींतैर्मनोज्ञैश्च देवस्यारार्तिकं भवेत् । इति नीराजनं कृत्वा प्रार्थयित्वा निजेश्वरम् ॥ १४ ॥
vādyairgīṃtairmanojñaiśca devasyārārtikaṃ bhavet | iti nīrājanaṃ kṛtvā prārthayitvā nijeśvaram || 14 ||
Par des chants harmonieux et des instruments de musique, on doit accomplir l’ārārtika (ārati) du Seigneur. Ayant ainsi achevé le nīrājana (le balancement des lumières), on doit ensuite prier son propre Maître.
Narada (teaching in a ritual-instruction context, traditionally framed within dialogue with the Sanatkumara tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that worship is completed not merely by offering a lamp, but by adorning the rite with joyful devotion—music and song—followed by humble prayer to the Lord, making the ritual both outwardly correct and inwardly heartfelt.
By recommending pleasing gīta (songs) and vādyas (instruments) during ārati, it highlights bhakti expressed through kīrtana-like worship; the concluding act—prayer to one’s chosen Lord—centers devotion as the purpose of the ritual.
It reflects practical ritual procedure (prayoga) within a technical-worship framework: the sequence of ārārtika → nīrājana → prayer, emphasizing correct performance and devotional accompaniment (sacred music) as part of formal pūjā.