Word Meaning
| Tough Word | Meaning in English | Meaning in Hindi |
| Platter | A large flat dish or plate | थाली / परात |
| Incense | A substance that produces a pleasant smell when burned | धूप / अगरबत्ती |
| Fragrance | A pleasant and sweet smell | सुगंध / महक |
| Propels | Pushes forward or moves something | आगे बढ़ाना / प्रेरित करना |
| Subtle | Delicate, not easily noticed | सूक्ष्म / हल्का |
| Resounds | Echoes or rings loudly | गूंजना / प्रतिध्वनित होना |
| Charmed | Delighted or attracted | मोहित / आकर्षित |
| Enlightens | Gives knowledge or understanding | ज्ञान देना / प्रकाशित करना |
| Grace | Divine kindness or blessing | कृपा / आशीर्वाद |
| Manifests | Becomes visible or clear | प्रकट होना / व्यक्त होना |
| Pleases | Brings happiness or satisfaction | प्रसन्न करना / खुश करना |
| Almighty | All-powerful, referring to God | सर्वशक्तिमान / ईश्वर |
| Uttering | Speaking or pronouncing words | उच्चारण करना / बोलना |
The Sky is your platter Questions and Answers
Very Short Answer Questions
Who composed the Aarti hymn in Sikhism?
Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Where is Guru Nanak’s Aarti recorded?
Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Page 663 (Raag Dhanasri).
Where did Guru Nanak compose this Aarti?
Jagannath Puri Temple, Odisha.
What does Guru Nanak compare the sky to in the Aarti?
A platter (Thaal) used in worship.
Which celestial bodies are compared to lamps in the Aarti?
The Sun and Moon.
What is used as incense in Guru Nanak’s Aarti?
The fragrance carried by the wind.
What does Guru Nanak say about God’s form?
God has many forms yet remains formless.
What does the phrase “thousand eyes but not one is yours” mean?
God sees everything but has no physical eyes.
How does Guru Nanak describe true enlightenment?
It manifests by the grace of the Guru.
What is the real Aarti according to Guru Nanak?
Praising and remembering God’s Name (Naam Simran).
What does Guru Nanak compare himself to in the hymn?
A thirsty bird longing for a drop of water.
What does the ‘drop of water’ symbolize in the Aarti?
God’s grace and divine mercy.
According to Guru Nanak, what pleases God the most?
Devotion, humility, and remembrance of His Name.
Why does Guru Nanak reject ritualistic Aarti?
Because nature itself is already performing divine worship.
Which Indian classical Raag is Guru Nanak’s Aarti sung in?
Raag Dhanasri.
What does ‘God’s Light enlightens all’ mean?
God’s wisdom and presence illuminate all beings.
What role does the Guru play in spiritual awakening?
The Guru helps reveal true knowledge (Light).
What is the central theme of Guru Nanak’s Aarti?
God is worshipped through nature and sincere devotion, not rituals.
What does Guru Nanak say about the stars in his Aarti?
They are like pearls in the sky’s divine offering.
What ultimate message does Guru Nanak’s Aarti convey?
True worship is remembering God’s Name with love and humility.
Short Answer Questions
Why did Guru Nanak Dev Ji compose the Aarti at Jagannath Puri?
Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited Jagannath Puri Temple, where he observed the traditional Aarti with lamps, incense, and offerings. Instead of following the ritual, he composed his own Aarti, emphasizing that nature itself worships God. He described how the sky, sun, moon, stars, and wind perform divine service, making ritualistic Aarti unnecessary.
What is the significance of “The Sky is Your Platter” in Guru Nanak’s Aarti?
Guru Nanak compares the sky to a platter (Thaal) used in religious offerings, suggesting that the entire cosmos naturally worships God. The sun and moon act as lamps, and the stars shine like pearls, symbolizing divine illumination. This metaphor highlights that true worship transcends human rituals and is present in the natural world.
How does Guru Nanak describe God’s formlessness in the Aarti?
Guru Nanak states that God has thousands of eyes, feet, and forms, yet none at the same time. This paradox means that God is omnipresent, existing in all beings, yet beyond physical existence. By rejecting anthropomorphic (human-like) depictions of God, Guru Nanak emphasizes His infinite and formless nature.
What does Guru Nanak mean by “Your Light enlightens all”?
Here, light symbolizes divine wisdom and truth. Guru Nanak explains that God’s presence illuminates all beings, guiding them towards spiritual realization. However, true enlightenment comes only through the Guru’s grace, as the Guru helps remove ignorance and reveals the path to understanding God.
Why does Guru Nanak reject the need for physical Aarti (ritualistic worship)?
Guru Nanak teaches that God does not require material offerings like lamps, incense, or flowers. Instead, the entire universe is already engaged in a grand, natural Aarti through the sun, moon, wind, and stars. He emphasizes that true worship lies in remembering and meditating on God’s Name (Naam Simran).
Explain the metaphor of the thirsty bird in the Aarti.
Guru Nanak compares himself to a thirsty bird longing for a drop of water, symbolizing a devotee’s deep yearning for divine grace. Just as a bird seeks water for survival, the human soul craves a connection with God. He expresses that even a single drop of God’s mercy is enough to bring eternal peace and contentment.
What role does the Guru play in spiritual enlightenment according to the Aarti?
Guru Nanak states that true knowledge (spiritual light) is attained only through the Guru’s grace. The Guru removes ignorance and reveals the path to God, allowing devotees to experience divine wisdom. Without the Guru’s guidance, people remain trapped in worldly illusions and ego.
What is the central theme of Guru Nanak’s Aarti?
The central theme is that true worship (Aarti) is not about rituals but about devotion, humility, and remembering God’s Name. Guru Nanak presents the universe itself as an ongoing Aarti, rejecting religious formalities and emphasizing God’s omnipresence, divine grace, and the Guru’s role in enlightenment.
How does Guru Nanak’s Aarti promote the idea of equality?
Guru Nanak rejects caste-based distinctions and exclusive religious practices by stating that God’s worship is universal. His Aarti does not belong to any single religion but shows that all creation, regardless of human divisions, naturally glorifies the Divine. This reflects his vision of unity and equality among all beings.
What is the ultimate message of Guru Nanak’s Aarti?
The ultimate message is that God is beyond rituals, temples, and human perceptions. Nature itself worships Him, and true devotion lies in remembering His Name, living truthfully, and seeking divine grace. Guru Nanak teaches that spiritual realization comes through humility, selfless service, and the Guru’s wisdom, not through external offerings.
