Guru Nanak Aarti – Aarti Sahib (Gagan Mein Thaal) Lyrics, Meaning & Significance
Guru Nanak Aarti Sahib Lyrics (हिंदी में)
গগন মৈ থালু – ध्यान दें: यह आरती मूलतः गुरुमुखी लिपि में है। नीचे देवनागरी में प्रस्तुत की गई है।
গগन মৈ থালু – ध्यान दें: यह रचना गुरु नानक देव जी की है, राग धनासरी में, श्री गुरु ग्रंथ साहिब के अंग ६६३ पर।
গগন মৈ থালু রবি চংদু দীপক বনে তারিকা মংডল জনক মোতী ॥
গগন মৈ থালু – Devanagari transcription:
গগন মৈ থালু রবি চংদু দীপক বনে -
গগন মই थालु रवि चंदु दीपक बने तारिका मंडल जनक मोती ॥
धूपु मलआनली पवणु चवरो करे सगल बनराइ फूलंत जोती ॥१॥
कैसी आरती होइ भव खंडना तेरी आरती ॥
अनहता सबद वाजंत भेरी ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
सहस तव नैन नन नैन है तोहि कउ सहस मूरति नना एक तोही ॥
सहस पद बिमल नन एक पद गंध बिनु सहस तव गंध इव चलत मोही ॥२॥
सभ महि जोति जोति है सोइ ॥
तिस कै चानणि सभ महि चानणु होइ ॥
गुर साखी जोति परगटु होइ ॥
जो तिसु भावै सु आरती होइ ॥३॥
हरि चरण कवल मकरंद लोभित मनो अनदिनो मोहि आही पिआसा ॥
क्रिपा जलु देहि नानक सारिंग कउ होइ जा ते तेरै नाइ वासा ॥४॥३॥
Guru Nanak Aarti Sahib – Transliteration (English)
Gagan mai thaalu ravi chandu deepak bane taarikaa mandal janak motee.
Dhoop malaaanlee pavan chavro kare sagal banraa-i phoolant jotee. ||1||
Kaisee aarti ho-i bhav khandanaa teree aarti.
Anahataa sabad vaajant bharee. ||1|| Rahaa-o.
Sahas tav nain nan nain hai tohi ka-o sahas moorat nana ek tohee.
Sahas pad bimal nan ek pad gandh binu sahas tav gandh iv chalat mohee. ||2||
Sabh mahi jot jot hai so-i.
Tis kai chaanan sabh mahi chaanan ho-i.
Gur saakhee jot pargatu ho-i.
Jo tis bhaavai su aarti ho-i. ||3||
Har charan kaval makrand lobhit mano andino mohi aahee pi-aasaa.
Kirapaa jal dehi Naanak saaring ka-o ho-i jaa te terai naa-i vaasaa. ||4||3||
Meaning & Significance
The Aarti Sahib, composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Raag Dhanasri (Ang 663 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib), transforms the traditional concept of aarti into a profound spiritual vision. Rather than worshipping with a material lamp or incense, Guru Nanak beholds the entire cosmos as the altar of the Divine. The sky is the platter (thaal), the sun and moon are the lamps, the stars are pearls, the fragrant mountain breezes are incense, and the forests of the earth are the waving of a chaur (fly-whisk). This cosmic aarti, Guru Nanak says, is the true worship of the One who destroys the cycle of birth and death (bhav khandana). The shabad further teaches that the Divine has thousands of eyes yet has no eyes - a paradox pointing to formless omniscience. The Light of the Divine pervades all creation, and it is only through the Guru's teaching (Gur Saakhi) that this inner light becomes manifest. The closing verse expresses the soul's intense longing - like a thirsty chatrik bird - for the nectar of the Divine name.
About Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469–1539 CE) was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. Born in Talwandi (present-day Nankana Sahib in Pakistan), he undertook four great journeys (udaasis) across the Indian subcontinent, Arabia, and beyond, spreading the message of One God (Ik Onkar), equality, and devotion. His compositions, numbering 974 hymns, occupy a central place in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Aarti Sahib attributed to him stands as a timeless reimagining of devotional worship, grounding it in the recognition of the Divine in all of creation.
Benefits of Reciting the Guru Nanak Aarti Sahib
- Regular recitation cultivates awareness of the Divine presence in everyday nature and creation.
- It stills the restless mind and nurtures a spirit of surrender and humility before the Infinite.
- Chanting the Aarti Sahib with devotion is believed to cleanse the heart of ego and attachment.
- It deepens the understanding of Gurbani and opens the seeker to the Guru's grace (nadar).
- Evening recitation during Rehras Sahib or Kirtan creates a meditative atmosphere in the home.
How to Perform the Aarti (Pooja Vidhi)
- Bathe and dress in clean attire before beginning the recitation.
- Sit in a calm, reverential posture before the Guru Granth Sahib or at a dedicated place of worship.
- Light a ghee lamp (diva) to mark the beginning of the Aarti Sahib.
- Recite or sing the shabad slowly with attention to each verse's meaning, ideally in the tune of Raag Dhanasri.
- After completing the shabad, pause in silent contemplation of the cosmic vision it describes.
- Conclude with the Ardas (supplication prayer) and distribution of langar or prasad if in a group setting.
Best Day & Time to Recite
The Aarti Sahib is traditionally recited during the evening Rehras Sahib prayers as part of the daily Nitnem. Sunset is the ideal time, as the transition from light to dusk naturally evokes the cosmic imagery of lamps and stars described in the shabad. It can equally be sung at any Gurbani Kirtan session - morning or evening - whenever the heart seeks stillness and connection with the formless Divine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the source of the Guru Nanak Aarti (Aarti Sahib)?
The Aarti Sahib is composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Raag Dhanasri and is recorded in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib on Ang (page) 663. It is among the most celebrated shabads in the Sikh tradition, illustrating the concept of universal divine worship through elements of nature.
Is the Aarti Sahib the same as a Hindu aarti?
While the term aarti is shared, the Guru Nanak Aarti Sahib is philosophically distinct. Instead of waving a material lamp before an idol, Guru Nanak presents the entire cosmos - sun, moon, stars, wind, and forests - as the natural aarti of the One formless Creator. It transcends ritualistic ceremony and points to an inner, living devotion.
Can non-Sikhs recite the Aarti Sahib?
Gurbani is universal in spirit and is open to all sincere seekers regardless of religious background. Anyone approaching the Aarti Sahib with respect and a genuine desire to understand its teachings is welcome to recite or listen to it. Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) are open to people of all faiths, and the Aarti Sahib is performed there during daily kirtan for all who attend.
A cosmic vision of worship: the universe as Guru Nanak's aarti
The Aarti Sahib, known by its opening words Gagan Mein Thaal, is a profound Gurbani shabad composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, found in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib at Ang 663. Unlike a conventional ritual aarti performed with lamps and flowers, this composition dissolves the boundary between the ceremony and creation itself -- the sky becomes the offering plate, the sun and moon the lamps, and the wind the gentle waving of the chaur. It is a vision of worship so vast that no temple can contain it and no single tradition can exhaust it. The rasa it evokes is one of awe and expansive wonder, guiding the seeker beyond the ritual into the recognition of the divine presence underlying all of nature.
In Sikh practice, this shabad is recited during the evening prayer service, Rehras Sahib, and is also sung at the time of the aarti ceremony performed at certain historic gurdwaras, particularly during celebrations of Gurpurab. Its universal message -- that the Formless One is being worshipped continuously by the entire cosmos -- makes it deeply meaningful to seekers from every background. Listening to or singing this shabad is traditionally experienced as a moment of stillness in which the everyday mind quietens and something larger, unhurried, and luminous is allowed to speak.