Gudhipadwa (30th March) : Commencement of the Hindu New Year

Importance of Gudhipadwa

One among the three-and-a-half muhurts (Auspicious times) : Gudhipadwa (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada), Akshayya Trutiya and Dussehra (Vijayadashmi) each make up one, and the first day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik comprises one-half of the total three-and-a-half muhurts. The special feature of these muhurts is that unlike other days, when one has to select an auspicious moment to perform a ritual, on these days one does not need to, as every moment of these days is auspicious.

Other names of the Gudhi : Since Deity Brahma created the Universe on this day, this flag is called ‘Brahmadhwaj’ (The flag of Deity Brahma) in the Hindu Scriptures. Some also refer to it as ‘Indradhwaj’ (The flag of Deity Indra).

What does a Gudhi symbolise ? : The Gudhi (Or the Brahmadhwaj) is erected in every house as a symbol of victory and happiness. Since a symbol of victory is always held high, so is the Gudhi.

Method of hoisting

1. After seeing the appropriate timing of the tithi and the Panchang, the Gudhi should be erected immediately after sunrise.

2. A bright green or yellow cloth adorned with zari (Brocade) is tied to the tip of a long bamboo, over which sugar candies, neem leaves, a twig of mango leaves and a garland of red flowers is tied.

This is then erected after placing a silver or copper kalash (A metal pot) in an inverted position over it. The Gudhi should be erected outside the main entrance on the ground on a wooden seat, adjacent to the threshold, on the right-hand side (When seen from the house). The Gudhi should be slightly inclined towards the front, and not erect. Beautiful designs with rangoli should be drawn on the floor in front of it.

3. Then uttering ‘  ’, meaning, ‘I offer obeisance to the flag of Deity Brahma’ and accompanied by a sankalpa (Resolve), puja of the Gudhi is performed.

4. At the time of sunset, the Gudhi should be lowered after offering jaggery as Naivedya (Food offered to the Deity).

(For details on how to worship the ‘Brahmadhwaj’, please visit : Sanatan.org/en/a/88703.html)

Reaping maximum benefits from the Prajapati waves

By hoisting the Gudhi, the combined waves of Deity Prajapati enter the house with kalash as the medium. (This works like the antenna of a TV). From the next day, we should use the kalash for storing drinking water. A kalash charged with Prajapati waves imparts these to the water stored in it. Thus, we benefit from the Prajapati waves throughout the year. In these, the extent of Prajapati waves is 80%, whereas the proportion of Surya, Yama and composite waves is 10%, 8% and 2% respectively. On no other day in the entire year, the proportion of Prajapati waves is so high. Prajapati waves have multiple positive effects such as increase in the ability of the soil to cause sprouting of vegetation, intellect becoming expansive, and the wells developing new channels of water.

Emission of Sattva, Chaitanya, waves of Knowledge, materialised & non-materialised Principle of Brahma

When compared with any other day, on Gudhipadwa, the emission of Sattva, Chaitanya (Divine consciousness), waves of Knowledge and materialised & non-materialised Principle of Brahma from Deity Brahma is more than 50%. Gudhi is hoisted in front of the entrance door of the house to absorb these waves (throughout the day) and be preserved.

Once the Gudhi gets charged with the Principle of Deity Brahma, the Principle gets absorbed in the garland of flowers, sugar candies, copper kalash and mango leaves tied to the Gudhi, and these too get charged with it. From these, if usable items are either consumed or preserved in the premises, people living in the premises as well as those visiting the premises benefit and the Principle of Deity Brahma gets absorbed in each cell of their body.

Individuals should have bhav (Spiritual emotion) of at least 40% so as to benefit from the subtle emission of the Brahma Principle. More the bhav of the individual, more will he benefit to the maximum extent from the waves of Knowledge, Shakti, waves of Sattva and Principles of specific Deities and from this Holy festival.

Why is it ideal to start New Year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada ?

Irrespective of the New Year day in different parts of the world, the year always comprises twelve months. Who first proclaimed that a year should have twelve months and how did the world accept it ? The Vedas are foremost in promoting this concept. There is no difference of opinion that Vedas are the most ancient of literary texts. It is because the Vedas say so, that the world has accepted it. There are natural, historical and spiritual reasons also to mark the start of the year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada.

1. Natural

Towards the first day of the month of Chaitra (Padwa), the sun assumes a position above the Vasant intersection (Point of intersection of the Equator and the Meridians) and the spring season commences. In Srimadbhagwadgeeta (10.35) Bhagawan Shrikrushna says – ‘Amongst the seasons, the exhilarating Vasant (Spring) is my manifestation’. In Vasant, the weather is pleasant and exhilarating. In Shishir (Autumn), trees shed their leaves. Towards Padwa, trees bear new foliage and appear fresh.

2. Historical

2A. Shriram killed Vali

2B. Shakas defeated the Huns.

2C. This day also marks the start of ‘Shalivahan Shake’ – on this day King Shalivahan vanquished his enemies.

3. Spiritual : Deity Brahma created the Universe on this day, that marked the beginning of Satyayug; hence, the start of the New Year on this day.

The manner of celebrating Gudhipadwa

1. Abhyangasnan : On this day one should wake up early in the morning and bathe – an abhyangasnan (Manglik snan or auspicious bath). An abhyangasnan consists of an oil massage till oil is absorbed by the skin, followed by a warm water bath.

Benefits : After bathing, the Raja and Tama components reduce by 1/1,00,000 % and the Sattva component increases in the same proportion; and their effect lasts for three hours. However, after a abhyangasnan the effect lasts for four to five hours.

2. Utterance of the ‘deshkal’ (Time and place) : The deshkal is required to be uttered during an abhyangasnan.

Importance of uttering the deshkal : This encompasses everything – the number of years from the birth of Deity Brahma to date, the current Manvantar (A period of 31,104,000 years started by Manu), the Mahayuga (Great Era) in that Manvantar and the Upayuga (Period within the Yuga) in that Mahayuga. It gives an idea of the vast time that has elapsed and that which is yet to come. We may think that we are someone great; however, from the vastness of the time of the Universe, we can gauge how insignificant and small we are. Uttering deshkal helps reduce the ego in us.

3. Decoration with toran : After bathing, we should decorate the lintel of every door with a toran (A bunting of mango leaves and red flowers). Red flowers are used because red symbolises auspiciousness.

4. Samvatsarpuja : First ritualistic worship is performed as a routine ritual. A Mahashanti is performed on the New Year’s day. The Mahashanti begins with the worship of Deity Brahma since He created the Universe on this day. He is offered davna during the worship. Later, homa (Fire-sacrifice performed to please the Deities) and havan (Ritual of sacrificial fires) are performed along with offerings to Brahmans. Then Shri Vishnu, who manifests Himself in countless forms is worshipped. Obeisance is paid to Him by reciting the mantra which means – ‘I bow to You O’ Shri Vishnu, You who manifest in innumerable forms’. Then Brahmans are offered dakshina, and if possible, historical and Scriptures are presented to them. It is said that by performing this Mahashanti one is cleansed of all sins, no new sins are generated, the lifespan increases and one becomes wealthy.

What is meant by ‘Subtle knowledge’ ?

‘Subtle’ is that which is beyond the comprehension of the five sense organs, mind and intellect. Various Scriptures contain reference to subtle knowledge. Some seekers study their ability to understand the subtle dimension through tests on what they perceive about an object. These are called ‘Experiments on subtle knowledge’.

There are natural, historical and spiritual reasons also to mark the start of the New Year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada !