Ritualistic worship of the Brahmadhwaj (Gudi) on Gudipadwa

The Hindu New Year Day is ‘Chaitra Shukla Pratipada’ and is also known as ‘Gudipadwa’. It has been told in the scriptures that on this day immediately after sunrise perform ritualistic worship of the Gudi and erect it. Given ahead are the details of the ritualistic worship along with associated mantras. Erect the gudi at the selected site and perform the worship.

The script of the ritualistic worship is given ahead

सर्वेभ्यो देवेभ्यो ब्राह्मणेभ्यो नमो नमः ।
(Sarvebhyo Devebhyo Brahmhanebhyo Namo Namaha ।)

 

1. Performing Achaman

(Sipping water from the cupped palm thrice, while uttering the first three of the twenty-four names of Shri Vishṇu and releasing the water into a plate from the palm while uttering the fourth name.)

Take a little ladle in the left hand. Keep the right hand supine. Take water in the right hand by the ladle and utter the mantras accompanied by the actions as mentioned ahead.

श्री केशवाय नमः ।
(Shri Keshvaya Namaha I)
(Take water on the right palm and sip it.)

श्री नारायणाय नमः ।
(Shri Narayanaya Namaha I)
(Take water on the right palm and sip it.)

श्री माधवाय नमः ।
(Shri Madhavaya Namaha I)
(Take water on the right palm and sip it.)

श्री गोविंदाय नमः ।
(Shri Govindaya Namaha I)
(Take water on the right palm and release it into the plate.)

Wipe your hands and keep the palms folded.

Utter the 20 Names of Shri Vishnu from ‘श्री विष्णवे नमः ।’ (Shri Vishnave Namaha |) to ‘श्रीकृष्णाय नमः ।’ (Shri Krushnaya Namaha |),

‘श्री विष्णवे नमः । श्री मधुसूदनाय नमः । श्री त्रिविक्रमाय नमः । श्री वामनाय नमः । श्रीधराय नमः ।
श्री हृषीकेशाय नमः । श्री पद्मनाभाय नमः । श्री दामोदराय नमः । श्री संकर्षणाय नमः । श्री वासुदेवाय नमः । श्री प्रद्युम्नाय नमः । श्री अनिरुद्धाय नमः । श्री पुरुषोत्तमाय नमः । श्री अधोक्षजाय नमः । श्री नारसिंहाय नमः । श्री अच्युताय नमः । श्री जनार्दनाय नमः । श्री उपेंद्राय नमः । श्री हरये नमः । श्रीकृष्णाय नमः ।’

(Shri Vishnave Namaha I Shri Madhusudanaya Namaha I Shri Trivikramaya Namaha I Shri Vamanaya Namaha I Shridharaya Namaha I Shri Hrishikeshaya Namaha I Shri Padmanabhaya Namaha I Shri Damodaraya Namaha I Shri Sankarshanaya Namaha I Shri Vasudevaya Namaha I Shri Pradumnaya Namaha I Shri Aniruddhaya Namaha I Shri Purushottamaya Namaha I Shri Adhokshajaya Namaha I Shri Naarsimhaya Namaha I Shri Achyutaya Namaha I Shri Janardanaya Namaha I Shri Upendraya Namaha I Shri Haraye Namaha I Shri Krushnaya Namaha I)

 

2. Repeat Achaman

(Sipping water thrice and releasing it the fourth time accompanied by uttering the respective Names)

 

3. Pay obeisance to the Gudi

To be uttered with folded hands.

Pay obeisance to the gudi and say,

‘इष्टदेवताभ्यो नमः । कुलदेवताभ्यो नमः । ग्रामदेवताभ्यो नमः । स्थान देवताभ्यो नमः । वास्तुदेवताभ्यो नमः । आदित्यादि नवग्रहदेवताभ्यो नमः । सर्वेभ्यो देवेभ्यो नमः । सर्वेभ्यो ब्राह्मणेभ्यो नमो नमः ।’

‘Ishtadevatabhyo Namaha I (O Benevolent Deity, I bow unto You.)
Kuldevtabhyo Namaha I (O Family Deity, I bow unto You.)
Gramadevatabhyo Namaha I (O Deity of the Village [Region], I bow unto You.)
Sthan Devatabhyo Namaha I (O Deity of the place, I bow unto You.)
Vastudevatabhyo Namaha I (Deity of the premises I bow unto You)
Adityadi Navgrahadevtabhyo Namaha I (The Sun and the nine planets I bow unto You)
Sarvebhyo Devebhyo Namaha I (Each and every Deity I bow unto You)
Sarvebhyo, Brahmanebhyo Namaha I (Each and every Brahman I bow unto You)’

 

4. Desh-kal (The Times of the Nation)

Apply water to the eyes (The Deshkal to be uttered by the people of Bharat)

श्रीमद्भगवतो महापुरुषस्य विष्णोराज्ञया प्रवर्तमानस्य अद्य ब्रह्मणो द्वितीये परार्धे विष्णुपदे श्रीश्वेत-वाराहकल्पे वैवस्वत मन्वंतरे अष्टाविंशतितमे युगे युगचतुष्के कलियुगे कलि प्रथम चरणे जंबुद्वीपे भरतवर्षे भरतखंडे दक्षिणापथे रामक्षेत्रे बौद्धावतारे दंडकारण्ये देशे गोदावर्याः दक्षिणतीरे शालिवाहन शके अस्मिन् वर्तमाने व्यावहारिके क्रोधी नाम संवत्सरे, उत्तरायणे, वसंतऋतौ, चैत्रमासे, शुक्लपक्षे, प्रतिपद् तिथौ, भौम(मंगळ) वासरे, रेवती दिवस नक्षत्रे, वैधृति योगे, किंस्तुघ्न करणे, मीन स्थिते वर्तमाने श्रीचंद्रे, मीन स्थिते वर्तमाने श्रीसूर्ये, मेष स्थिते वर्तमाने श्रीदेवगुरौ, कुंभ स्थिते वर्तमाने श्रीशनैश्चरे … शेषेषु सर्वग्रहेषु यथायथं राशिस्थानानि स्थितेषु एवं ग्रहगुणविशेषेणविशिष्टायां शुभपुण्यतिथौ

 

5. Making a resolve

Pick akshata (Unbroken rice grains, usually smeared with kumkum and used in ritualistic worship) from the vessel using thumb and fingers of the right hand and turn the palm and hold it facing upwards. Then release the thumb and allow akshata to slide down the fingers on to the palm. Pronounce one’s own gotra and name. For example, if the gotra is Kashyap and name is Balkrushna then utter ‘Kashyap gotre utpannaha Balkrushna sharma aham (Born in the Kashyap lineage I am Balkrishna Sharma)’ and make the resolve mentioned ahead.

‘अस्माकं सर्वेषां, सह कुटुंबानां, सह परिवाराणां, क्षेम, स्थैर्य, अभय, विजय, आयुःआरोग्य प्राप्त्यर्थं अस्मिन् प्राप्त नूतन वत्सरे, अस्मद् गृहे, अब्दांतः नित्य मंगल अवाप्तये ध्वजारोपण पूर्वकं पूजनं तथा आरोग्य अवाप्तये निंबपत्र भक्षणं च करिष्ये । निर्विघ्नता सिद्ध्यर्थं महागणपति पूजनं / स्मरणं करिष्ये । कलश, घंटा, दीप पूजां करिष्ये ।’

(“We ourselves along with family and with extended family being desirous of obtaining welfare, stability, fearlessness, victory, long life and good health in the present time, in my home, and for all times, we are doing this Puja, and for obtaining good health we are partaking of this lemon leaf. In order that the ceremony gets completed without hurdle we are remembering and performing puja and worshipping Ganesh. We are also worshipping a pot, bell and lit lamp.)

While uttering, performing puja take water over the akshata in the right palm and release them into the plate and then wipe off the hand. Those who know to perform the puja of Shri Ganapati, should say I am performing the puja and should perform it on the betel nut or the coconut. Those who do not know how to perform the puja, should say that I am remembering Shri Ganapati and should do it as mentioned ahead.

 

6. The remembrance of Shri Ganapati

वक्रतुंड महाकाय कोटि सूर्य समप्रभ । (Vakratund Mahakay Koti Surya Samaprabha |)
निर्विघ्नं कुरू मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा ।। (Nirvighnam Kuru Me Dev Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada ||)
महागणपतिं चिंतयामि नमः । (Mahaganapatim Chintayami Namaha |)

“O great Ganapati, I remember and bow to you always ! Please let all my work be  completed without hitches and obstructions.”

 

7. Worshipping the pot, bell, lamp

Worship Kalash, bell, lamp by offering sandalwood, flowers and akshata.

a. कलशाय नमः । सकल पूजार्थे गंधाक्षत पुष्पं समर्पयामि ।
(Kalashay Namaha | Sakal Pujarthe Gandhakshat Pushpam Samarpayami |)
O Kalash, I pay obeisance unto you. I offer sandalwood, consecrated rice, flower and worship to you.

b. घंटिकायै नमः । सकल पूजार्थे गंधाक्षत पुष्पं समर्पयामि ।
(Ghantikayayi Namaha | Sakal Pujarthe Gandhakshat Pushpam Samarpayami |)
To the bell : For thy Pooja I offer sandalwood, consecrated rice and flowers.

c. दीपदेवताभ्यो नमः । सकल पूजार्थे गंधाक्षत पुष्पं समर्पयामि ।
The God of light : I bow to you and offer for your Pooja, Sandalwood, consecrated rice and flowers, kindly accept the Pooja or worship of the flag of Brahma !

 

8. Brahmadhwaj Puja

ॐ ब्रह्मध्वजाय नमः । ध्यायामि ।
(Om Brahmadhwajaya Namaha I Dhyayami |)
(Do Namaskar.)

ॐ ब्रह्मध्वजाय नमः । विलेपनार्थे चंदनं समर्पयामि ।
(Om Brahmadhwajaya Namaha I Vilepanarthe chandanam samarpayami I)
(Offer sandalwood paste.)

ॐ ब्रह्मध्वजाय नमः । मंगलार्थे हरिद्रां समर्पयामि ।
(Om Brahmadhwajaya Namaha I Mangalarthe haridram samarpayami I)
(Offer haladi [turmeric powder].)

ॐ ब्रह्मध्वजाय नमः । मंगलार्थे कुंकुमं समर्पयामि ।
(Om Brahmadhwajaya Namaha I Mangalarthe kumkumam samarpayami I)
(Offer kumkum.)

ॐ ब्रह्मध्वजाय नमः । अलंकारार्थे अक्षतां समर्पयामि ।
(Om Brahmadhwajaya Namaha I Mangalarthe akshatam samarpayami I)
(Offer akshata.)

ॐ ब्रह्मध्वजाय नमः । पूजार्थे पुष्पं, तुलसीपत्रं, दुर्वांकुरान्, पुष्पमालांच समर्पयामि ।
(Om Brahmadhwajaya Namaha I Puajarthe Pushpam, Tulsipatram, Durvankuran, Pushpamalanch samarpayami |)
(Offer flowers, leaves of Basil, durva and a garland of flowers.)

ॐ ब्रह्मध्वजाय नमः । धूपं समर्पयामि ।
(Om Brahmadhwajay Namaha I Dhupam samarpayami |)
(Light incense stick and move it in a circular manner in front of the Deity.)

ॐ ब्रह्मध्वजाय नमः । दीपं समर्पयामि ।
(Om Brahmadhwajay Namaha I Deepam Samarpayami |)
(I present lighted Deep. To move lighted oil lamp circularly in front of God.)

 

9. Naivedya (Food offered to God)

To take 2 leaves of Basil plant in the right hand and to put water on them. Around the plate of food offerings of God, move in the clockwise direction the 2 leaves of moist basil, once. On the food plate sprinkle water by the 2 leaves and place one leave on the plate of food and the other to be plant at the feet of the flag of Brahma.

ॐ ब्रह्मध्वजाय नमः । नैवेद्यार्थे पुरस्थापित नैवेद्यं निवेदयामि ।
Om Brahmadhwajay Namah I Naivedyarthe Purasthapit (take the name of the food item to be offered) Naivedyam Nivedayami |’

‘ॐ प्राणाय स्वाहा, ॐ अपानाय स्वाहा, ॐ व्यानाय स्वाहा, ॐ उदानाय स्वाहा, ॐ समानाय स्वाहा, ॐ ब्रह्मणे स्वाहा |
(Om Pranaya Swaha, Om Apanaya Swaha, Om Vyanaya Swaha, Om Udanaya Swaha, Om Samanaya Swaha, Om Brahmane Swaha |)
Along with chanting these mantras, join the five fingers of the right hand and move it from the food offering towards God, as if directing the fragrance of the food towards God; Or say the mantras with folded hands.

Then taking little water in your right palm and saying ‘समर्पयामि’ (samarpayami), leave it in a copper platter.

‘ब्रह्मध्वजाय नमः । नैवेद्यं समर्पयामि । मध्ये पानीयं समर्पयामि, उत्तरापोशनं समर्पयामि, हस्त प्रक्षालनं समर्पयामि, मुख प्रक्षालनं समर्पयामि ।’
(Brahmadhwajaya Namah | Naivedyam samarpayami | Madhye Paniyam samarpayami, uttaraposhanam samarpayami, hast prakshalanam samarpayami, mukha prakshalanam samarpayami |)
Take sandalwood and flowers in the right hand and offer it at the holy feet of Brahmadhwaj.

‘करोद्वर्तनार्थे चंदनं समर्पयामि ।’ ‘ॐ ब्रह्मध्वजाय नमः । मुखवासार्थे पूगीफल तांबूलं समर्पयामि ।’
(Karodvartanarthe chandanam samarpayami | Om Brahmadhwajaya Namaha | Mukhavasarthe Pugiphool tambulam samarpayami |)
Leave water on the leaf.

‘ॐ ब्रह्मध्वजाय नमः । फलार्थे नारिकेल फलं समर्पयामि ।’(नारळावर पाणी सोडणे)
(Om Brahmadhwajaya Namaha | Falarthe Narkel Falam samarpayami |)
Leave water on the coconut.

 

10. Perform Arti

To move a lighted lamp in a circular motion before God accompanied by a devotional song. To perform “Aarti” as described above of the God Ganesh.

Om Brahmadhwajay Namah
Mangalartikya Dipam Samarapayami
(I offer arti.)

 

11. Offer Camphor

To move in a circular motion, lighted piece of camphor
“Om Brahadhwajay Namah”
“Kapur Dipam Samarapayami”
(I offer karpur [camphor] arti.)

 

12. Pradakshina

“Om Brahmadhwajay Namah”
(I pay obeisance to the Brahma-dhwaj)

Pradakshina Samarapayami
(I circumambulate [do pradakshina] and offer it to You.’)
(If possible do the circumambulation to the Brahma-dhwaj, else circumambulate on the spot.)

 

13. Paying obeisance

To fold 2 palms together and bow before other or God
”Om Brahmadhwajay Namah – Namaskaram Samarapayami
(I pay obeisance.)

 

14. Prayer

‘Brahmadhwaj Namastestu Sarvabhisht falaprad |
Praptesmin Vatsare Nityam Madgahe Mangalam Kuru ||’

Meaning : O the Deity Brahmadhwaj, those who give all good things, I bow down to you. In this New Year, let there happen every day good things, ”ANEN KRUT PUJNEN BRAHMADHWAJAHA PRIYATAAM”.

Taking consecrated Rice in the right palm and putting water on it, it is to be dropped in a plate chanting, ‘Vishnave Namo | Vishnave Namo | Vishnave Namaha ||’ – 3 times and as said before take 2 sips of water in the mouth 2 times.

 

15. Prasad (Holy Sacrament)

To partake of “Prasad” or “Holy Morsel of food”, to eat the leaf of sour lemon

– Shri Damodar Vaze the Sadhak cum Purohit of Sanatan, Dhavli, Ponda, Goa.

(Context : Sanatan’s book “Holy festivals, Religious festivals and vowed religious observances”.)