ब्रह्मध्वज नमोऽस्तु ते

The onset of Spring in the Indian sub-continent brings yet another festival – गुडी पाडवा / Gudi Padwa (in Maharashtra and Goa) or युगादि/Ugadi (in the Southern States). This is the New Year Day as per the Hindu Calendar – the first day of the Month of Chaitra.

In Maharashtra, it is celebrated as Gudi Padwa – Colourful “गुडी / Gudis” are raised in households to bring in prosperity and happiness through the year. ‘Padwa’ is derived from the Samskritam word “प्रतिपदा  / Pratipada” and means the first day of the Month. Gudi is said to mean “the flag / ध्वज ”.

The practise of raising ब्रह्मध्वज on the first day of the new year in prayer to Lord Brahma – the original creator of the Universe finds mention in the scriptures and seems to be a tradition carried forth from the Vedic period.

It has also been recorded that Gudis (evolved from the ब्रह्मध्वज) were raised to welcome Lord Rama was coronated or when King Shalivahan – whose calendar is now followed (we are now in शालिवाहन शके १९४५; with १९४६ commencing on Tuesday 9th April) – returned victorious from a campaign.

Of course, the form of the गुडी must have changed through the eras.

This Gudi Padwa, when you all raise the Gudi at your home with your family, recite –

ब्रह्मध्वज नमस्तेऽस्तु सर्वाभीष्टफलप्रद । प्राप्तेऽस्मिन् वत्सरे नित्यं मद्गृहे मङ्गलं कुरु ॥

brahmadhvaj

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It means –

ब्रह्मध्वज                               O ब्रह्मध्वज (Brahmadhvaja - Flag of Lord Brahma),

नमः ते अस्तु my salutations to you,

सर्वाभीष्टफलप्रद ।                 who provides all the desired fruits!

प्राप्ते अस्मिन् वत्सरे                In this New Year that I have received,

नित्यं मद्गृहे मङ्गलं कुरु ॥   O ब्रह्मध्वज), make everything auspicious in my house, always.

The गुडी that is raised in Maharashtrian households has Neem Leaves and Sugar Candies (the year will bring both bitter & sweet moments), Marigold flowers and Mango leaves (for fertility and good harvest), colourful silk cloth (signifying prosperity) on an inverted vessel (representing the mineral world).

The neem leaves known for their medicinal properties are consumed for maintaining a good health and sugar candies are a good means to beat the heat in the Chaitra and Vaishakh months.

Through the Gudi we pay obeisance to Mother Earth for the riches it bestows on us – from both below and above the ground. We raise it early at sunrise to revere the Sun-God without whose Energy none of Life is possible.

Let us pray this year to the Creator Lord Brahma that in this New Year, may I get the right disposition to utilise every moment I have received in a righteous way!

।।  कुर्यात् सर्वस्य मंगलम् ।।