Symbols of Puja
Question: Why do we sprinkle rice after performing welcoming aarti to guests or relatives and how many times do we circle the aarti thali also why do we put rice on top of the tilak and what shloka should we chant while doing this.
Reply:
Each sect has its own traditions however 3 or 7 circumambulations is fairly standard. Check with your Guru Maharaja for the authorized practices of your group.
Rice in pooja usually represents either wealth and sustenance/nourishment or the Goddess and her blessings depending on the rite and sect.
Basically the goal of aarti is the worship of the deva(s) as individual beings and/or as the Summum bonum. Once Sri Guru Maharaja and the Murti (etc) is honored we are asking for blessings on ourselves, our families and so on. The rice, flowers, ghee, etc. all symbolically reference the blessings of life we wish for them and for ourselves.
Hope this clarifies things for you,
~ Jagannatha Prakasa
~ John of AllFaith
Om
Jai Jagannatha!AllFaith.com: Sanatana Dharma Studies Bhagavad Gita:
Translated by Jagannatha Prakasa AdhikariMy Sri Jagannatha.com Website AllFaith.com Home Page