Effect of clapping during Āratī
Singing the Āratī should be accompanied by clapping. For seekers in the primary stage clapping should be done softly to maintain a rhythm. For those in the advanced stage, instead of clapping, one should attempt to look inward and become introverted. When singing the Āratī, in addition to the clapping, musical instruments should be played.
It is incorrect to clap on occasions other than during the singing of Āratīs, as it brings about a stance that does not enhance the purity element within. Nowadays people clap during a discourse of Saints, at spiritual meetings or at religious functions; this is prevalent, but incorrect. Bliss should never be expressed by clapping; because due to the mudrā (posture) created by this, the (Sun Channel) in the human body is activated. The Suryanāḍi in the body is known as 'Tamoguṇa-vardhini' (one which increases the Tamoguṇa in us). The Moon channel in the body is known as 'Rajoguṇa-vardhini' as activation of this channel increases the influence of Raja component in the body. The Sushumnānāḍī (central channel) is known as 'sattvagun-vardhini', as activation of this channel increases the influence of Sattva component in the body. That is why the Sushumnānāḍī is beneficial for the practice of Spirituality. The mudrā created while clapping causes the activation of the Suryanāḍi in the body and there is an increase in the Tama component in the body, thus reducing the proportion of Sattva component. Hence clapping is against the tenets of Sanatan Dharma, which teaches us how to acquire the Sattva component.
Even though clapping increases the Tama component, how it is useful in aiding the Āratī is explained ahead.
Why should a seeker in the primary stage clap while singing an Āratī?
When one sings an Āratī, one should clap gently to maintain a rhythm. According to the science of Spirituality the reason for this is as follows: We appeal to the Deity via the medium of the Āratī. The frequencies of sound generated by singing the Āratī have the capacity to appease the Deity. When we restrict the sound of the Āratī to a taal (rhythm) by clapping, the frequencies of sound created by the Āratī become melodious. Thus we can activate the Deity and its principle then begins to function. As the bhāv of the devotee is awakened during the Āratī, the Sattva component in his body is already high. As his Sushumnānāḍī is activated at that time, the clapping does not have much effect on his body. (Divine knowledge received through the medium of Ms Anjali Gadgil 10.1.2004, 12.15 pm)
When one sings an Āratī, besides clapping, musical instruments should be played, as it will help in awakening bhāv in a seeker in the primary stage of spiritual practice. At this stage the seeker's attitude is extroverted. But, as the goal of a seeker is to achieve introversion, to attain the next stage in his progress he should concentrate on becoming introverted rather than clapping or playing musical instruments during the Āratī. Once introversion occurs, the seeker does not need to even utter the gross words in the Āratī, as the Bliss he experiences is beyond words and is superior.
Email 