Real Flower and Arati

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

Real Flower and Arati
The tower of a temple represents Brahmarandhra. Balipitha represents the navel or
Manipura Chakra. Nandi represents Ajna Chakra. Dhvajastambha represents Sushumna Nadi
which runs from Muladhara to Brahmarandhra.
Dig-devata dwells in the ears, Vayu in the skin, Sun in the eyes, Varuna in the tongue,
Asvins in the nose, Vishnu in the feet, Indra in the hands, Agni in the speech, Prajapati in the
generative organ, Yama in the anus, Sutratman in the Prana, Hiranyagarbha in Antahkarana,
Chandra in mind, Brahma in the intellect, Rudra in egoism, Siva in Chitta, Sarasvati in the end of
the tongue, Parvati in Anahata Chakra, Lakshmi in Manipura Chakra, Ganesa in Muladhara and
Satchidananda Brahman in Brahmarandhra at the crown of the head.
Satya, Ahimsa, Tapas, mercy, love, self-restraint, contentment, forgiveness, Jnana, equal
vision, peace are the real flowers of Puja. All the Nadas are the waters for Abhisheka. The virtuous
actions are the offering of incense. Vedanta is Pitambar. Jnana and Yoga are the Kundalas. Tapas
and meditation are the lights. Japa is Chamara. Anahata is the music. Kirtan is umbrella. Pranayama
is the fan.
Tattvas are the attendants of the Lord. Jnana-Sakti is the Devi. Agama is the commander.
The eight Siddhis are the door-keepers of the Lord. Turiya is the Bhasma. Veda is the bull or Nandi.
Kalyana Gunas represent the Trident in the hand. Panchakshara is the holy thread. Suddha Jiva is
the ornament. The Vrittis are the Pujopakaranas. The Panchabhutas and the five Tanmatras are the
Rudrakshamalas of Lord Siva. Tiger skin represents Ahankara.

Kriya-Sakti and virtuous actions are Dhupa or incense for the Lord. Chit-Sakti which
produces knowledge is also Dhupa. Offering of the ego and the mind at the lotus-feet of the Lord is
real Naivedya. Just as camphor melts and becomes one with the fire, so also the mind of a sage melts
and the individual soul gets merged in the Supreme Soul. This is real Karpura Arati.