The Source Book On Sikhism

At Jagannath Puri

From Assam the Guru turned his steps towards Orissa and, after visiting Cuttock, reached Puri - an important place of Hindu pilgrimage and famous for its temple of Jagannath.

Guru Nanak and Mardana went to the temple well in time for the evening prayer. After sunset, songs were sung there in praise of Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe. The priest stood before the image of the Lord, a salver in hand, with lamps in it and a censer, which he revolved around the image in unison with the chanting of songs.

The Guru stood aside and mutely watched this ceremony called ‘arti’ or ‘adulation of the Lord’. When the ceremony was over, the people asked the Guru as to why he had stood aloof and not joined them in the ‘arti’. The Guru replied, “How can I join you in your ‘arti’ when a more wonderful and livelier one is going on around at all hours of the day!”

All looked about in bewilderment for the ‘arti’ the Guru had spoken about. At last, the priest said, “Where is that ‘arti’ going on? We fail to see it anywhere here!”

The Guru sang in reply, thus: “The blue sky overhead is the salver; the sun and the moon, the lamps; stars, the string of pearls; the fragrance from the Maliagar hills, the censer; and the whole nature night and day sings ‘arti’ to the Lord!”

All heard the Guru in rapt silence. When the song ended they bowed before the Guru who, then said, “Abandon the rituals and with your eyes open and a heart full of feelings look at the exuberant life that throbs around. And, behold! the Lord is there before you!”