1. Who composed the Aarti ‘The Sky is Your Platter’?
a) Guru Arjan Dev Ji
b) Guru Gobind Singh Ji
c) Guru Nanak Dev Ji
d) Bhagat Kabir
Answer: c) Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Explanation: Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, composed this Aarti as a universal hymn of devotion. Unlike traditional Aartis performed with lamps, incense, and offerings, Guru Nanak’s Aarti describes the grandeur of nature as a form of divine worship. He emphasizes that the entire cosmos—sun, moon, stars, wind, and sky—is already engaged in praising God. This hymn reflects Sikhism’s core beliefs of divine omnipresence and devotion beyond rituals.
2. Where is Guru Nanak’s Aarti recorded in Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS)?
a) Ang 1083
b) Ang 663
c) Ang 1430
d) Ang 305
Answer: b) Ang 663
Explanation: This Aarti is recorded in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS), the holy scripture of Sikhism, on Ang 663 under Raag Dhanasri. It is considered a spiritual masterpiece that challenges ritualistic worship and emphasizes a universal approach to devotion. SGGS is not just a collection of hymns but a guide to spiritual enlightenment, and the inclusion of this Aarti in it highlights its significance in Sikh teachings.
3. Where did Guru Nanak Dev Ji compose this Aarti?
a) Golden Temple
b) Jagannath Puri Temple
c) Hemkunt Sahib
d) Amritsar
Answer: b) Jagannath Puri Temple
Explanation: Guru Nanak Dev Ji composed this Aarti during his visit to Jagannath Puri Temple in Odisha, India, in the early 16th century. At the temple, he observed priests performing a traditional Hindu Aarti with lamps and incense. Instead of participating in the ritual, Guru Nanak expressed that nature itself is engaged in divine worship. This event led to the creation of a cosmic Aarti that sees the entire universe as God’s sacred temple.
4. According to Guru Nanak’s Aarti, what acts as a ‘platter’ in divine worship?
a) Earth
b) Moon
c) Sky
d) Water
Answer: c) Sky
Explanation: In Guru Nanak’s Aarti, the sky is described as the platter (Thaal) on which the entire universe offers its devotion to God. This metaphor signifies that worship is not confined to rituals but is present in every aspect of nature. The vastness of the sky represents the infinite nature of God, suggesting that divine worship is limitless and beyond human-made customs.
5. What elements of nature does Guru Nanak compare to divine lamps in the Aarti?
a) Sun and Moon
b) Wind and Water
c) Earth and Fire
d) Rivers and Mountains
Answer: a) Sun and Moon
Explanation: Guru Nanak compares the sun and moon to divine lamps in this cosmic Aarti. Just as oil lamps illuminate a traditional prayer ceremony, the sun and moon provide natural light to the universe. This comparison signifies that God’s presence is always shining upon the world, and nature itself is constantly engaged in a divine act of worship.
6. Which poetic device is used in ‘The Stars in the sky are the pearls’?
a) Metaphor
b) Personification
c) Simile
d) Hyperbole
Answer: a) Metaphor
Explanation: In this line, Guru Nanak uses a metaphor to compare stars to pearls. Just as pearls are precious and shine brilliantly, the stars in the sky appear like scattered jewels adorning the heavens. This imagery enhances the beauty of divine creation and highlights how the universe itself is a sacred offering to God.
7. What role does the Guru play in the Aarti’s message?
a) Provides material wealth
b) Reveals divine knowledge
c) Performs rituals
d) Leads military expeditions
Answer: b) Reveals divine knowledge
Explanation: In Sikh philosophy, the Guru is a spiritual guide who leads individuals from ignorance to enlightenment. Guru Nanak emphasizes that true knowledge comes through the Guru’s teachings rather than through external rituals. The Guru’s wisdom helps seekers realize God’s presence everywhere and understand the deeper essence of devotion, which is beyond physical practices.
8. What is the real Aarti that pleases God according to Guru Nanak?
a) Burning lamps
b) Chanting mantras
c) Remembering God’s Name (Naam Simran)
d) Offering flowers
Answer: c) Remembering God’s Name (Naam Simran)
Explanation: Guru Nanak rejects ritualistic offerings and emphasizes the power of Naam Simran—meditating on God’s Name. He teaches that true devotion lies in remembering and connecting with God through the heart and soul rather than performing elaborate ceremonies. In Sikhism, Naam Simran is considered the highest form of worship, leading to inner peace and divine union.
9. What does Guru Nanak compare himself to in the hymn?
a) A burning candle
b) A wandering cloud
c) A thirsty bird
d) A blooming flower
Answer: c) A thirsty bird
Explanation: Guru Nanak compares himself to a small, thirsty bird longing for a drop of water, symbolizing a deep yearning for God’s grace. In Indian mysticism, the Chaatrik (Pied Cuckoo bird) is believed to drink only raindrops from the sky, representing intense spiritual thirst. This metaphor expresses the soul’s longing for divine connection, highlighting that even a little grace from God is enough to bring eternal peace.
10. What does the ‘drop of water’ symbolize in the Aarti?
a) Material wealth
b) God’s grace
c) Human desires
d) Worldly knowledge
Answer: b) God’s grace
Explanation: The ‘drop of water’ symbolizes divine grace, mercy, and blessings. Guru Nanak conveys that he does not seek material wealth or worldly pleasures; instead, he longs for a single drop of God’s love, which is enough to satisfy his soul. This teaches humility, devotion, and complete surrender to the Divine, emphasizing that spiritual fulfillment comes only through God’s kindness.
11. Which classical Indian Raag is Guru Nanak’s Aarti sung in?
a) Raag Bhairav
b) Raag Dhanasri
c) Raag Yaman
d) Raag Bhimpalasi
Answer: b) Raag Dhanasri
Explanation: Guru Nanak’s Aarti is sung in Raag Dhanasri, a melodic scale in Indian classical music known for its deep, devotional, and contemplative nature. The use of this Raag enhances the spiritual essence of the hymn, making it more profound and meditative. Raag Dhanasri is associated with devotion, surrender, and a longing for divine connection, which aligns perfectly with the Aarti’s message.
12. What is the central theme of Guru Nanak’s Aarti?
a) Human rituals
b) Cosmic worship of God
c) Political power
d) Wealth accumulation
Answer: b) Cosmic worship of God
Explanation: Guru Nanak’s Aarti emphasizes that the entire cosmos is engaged in divine worship, making human-performed rituals unnecessary. Instead of traditional Aarti, where lamps, incense, and flowers are used, Guru Nanak describes the sun, moon, stars, and wind as natural elements that glorify God continuously. This shifts the focus from ritualistic worship to universal devotion, reinforcing Sikhism’s belief in God’s omnipresence.
13. What does Guru Nanak mean by ‘Your Light enlightens all’?
a) Physical brightness
b) Sunlight
c) The power of fire
d) Divine wisdom
Answer: d) Divine wisdom
Explanation: In this line, “Light” symbolizes divine wisdom and spiritual awakening. Guru Nanak teaches that God’s presence illuminates the path of truth and righteousness for all beings. This metaphor suggests that spiritual enlightenment is available to everyone, but it requires the guidance of the Guru to recognize and embrace this divine knowledge.
14. What is rejected in Guru Nanak’s Aarti?
a) Spiritual enlightenment
b) Ritualistic worship
c) Divine grace
d) Universal worship
Answer: b) Ritualistic worship
Explanation: Guru Nanak strongly rejects external, ritualistic forms of worship and instead emphasizes inner devotion, sincerity, and Naam Simran (meditation on God’s Name). He challenges the idea that material offerings and ceremonies are necessary for divine connection, teaching that true worship is an internal experience of love, humility, and remembrance of God.
15. Which natural element does Guru Nanak use to represent incense in his Aarti?
a) Fire
b) Wind
c) Water
d) Earth
Answer: b) Wind
Explanation: In traditional Aarti, incense (Dhoop) is lit to create a fragrant atmosphere during worship. Guru Nanak compares wind to incense, suggesting that nature itself is already engaged in continuous worship. The movement of wind spreading fragrance is a symbol of God’s presence pervading all of creation, reinforcing the idea that divine worship is naturally occurring in the universe.
16. What does Guru Nanak’s Aarti emphasize about God’s form?
a) God has a physical form
b) God is made of light
c) God is a human being
d) God is Nirankar (Formless)
Answer: d) God is Nirankar (Formless)
Explanation: Guru Nanak teaches that God is beyond physical attributes and cannot be confined to a human-like form. He describes God as Nirankar (Formless), omnipresent, and beyond human comprehension. This aligns with Sikhism’s fundamental belief in Ik Onkar (One God), who exists in all of creation yet remains beyond material existence.
17. What is the significance of comparing the stars to pearls?
a) To depict their brightness and value
b) To describe their color
c) To show they are expensive
d) To explain their chemical composition
Answer: a) To depict their brightness and value
Explanation: By comparing stars to pearls, Guru Nanak uses a metaphor to highlight their beauty, brilliance, and spiritual significance. Just as pearls are rare and precious, the stars in the sky symbolize the divine jewels adorning God’s cosmic Aarti. This imagery enhances the grandeur of nature’s worship and portrays the universe itself as a sacred temple of God.
18. What is the philosophical tone of the Aarti?
a) Materialistic
b) Mystical and devotional
c) Scientific
d) Historical
Answer: b) Mystical and devotional
Explanation: The Aarti carries a mystical and devotional tone, as it moves beyond religious boundaries and presents a universal approach to worship. Guru Nanak describes the natural elements—sky, sun, moon, wind, and stars—as divine offerings, inviting the reader to see God’s presence in all aspects of creation. This hymn promotes spiritual reflection, humility, and the realization of divine unity in everything.
19. What is the meaning of ‘Naam Simran’ in Sikhism?
a) Reciting mantras
b) Performing rituals
c) Remembering God’s Name
d) Visiting temples
Answer: c) Remembering God’s Name
Explanation: Naam Simran (meditation on God’s Name) is a fundamental practice in Sikhism. Guru Nanak teaches that true devotion is not in rituals but in constantly remembering, chanting, and meditating on God’s Name. This practice leads to spiritual enlightenment, inner peace, and a direct connection with the Divine. Naam Simran is the path to liberation (Mukti) and the highest form of worship according to Sikh teachings.
20. What does Guru Nanak’s Aarti ultimately convey?
a) Rituals are necessary
b) Nature itself performs divine worship
c) Only priests can perform Aarti
d) Material offerings are the best form of worship
Answer: b) Nature itself performs divine worship
Explanation: The central message of Guru Nanak’s Aarti is that worship is not confined to temples, ceremonies, or rituals—rather, the entire universe is already engaged in the continuous glorification of God. Through the sun and moon as lamps, the sky as a platter, the stars as pearls, and the wind as incense, Guru Nanak illustrates that divine worship is happening naturally, and humans should align themselves with this universal devotion through inner realization and remembrance of God.
