The Significance of Gudhi Padva: The Celebration of Renewal
The Indian word for festival is Utsav. But Utsav is not limited to meaning festive rituals. It is also the word for celebration. Utsav suggests rejoicing, utsav also suggests blossoming. Utsav signifies Joy and also signifies passion. Utsav means celebration but Utsav also signifies elevation. Now with all these meanings, connotations and significances, one can safely say that in Bhaarat, all 365 days have some Utsav or the other.
Each day is a celebration. Simply put, we were a land of “mindfulness”, there is something to become mindful of on a daily basis, which deserves a celebration. As we already know, all Indian festivals are connected to various dimensions of nature and Gudi Padwa is no different – it is the celebration of creation itself.
The occasion
Gudhi Padwa is the first day of Chaitra month that marks the beginning of the New Year according to Indian calendar. It has many names such as Samvatsar Padvo, Yugadi, Ugadi, Cheti Chand, Bihu, Navreh , Sajibu Nongma, Panba Cheiraoba etc. What is common to all of them?
The occasion is one of creation: It is said that it is the day that Lord Brahma created the universe on this day. The word Ugadi is actually a combination of Yuga – Adi, which is the commencement of a new Yug or even of the world itself. The days, weeks, months and years were created in order to keep a count on time thereafter. One of the many legends associated with this festival is that it is that Lord Krishna shed His body and left the mortal world, signalling the end of Dwapara Yuga and the commencement of Kali Yuga. The day also marks the beginning of Chaitra Navratri, that leads up to Ram Navami, Sri Ram’s birthday to be celebrated on the ninth day.
The Year starting Gudhi Padwa/ Ugadi is called Samvatsar. Samvatsar is simplified as Samvat. Samvatsara refers to a year which is a year based on the relative position of the planet Jupiter. In the English Calendar, the year is equal to one solar year, but it is not so in the Samvatsar. Samvatsara depends on the position of the planet Jupiter. The ancient texts calculate a Samvatsar to be about 361 days, which is slightly less than a solar year. According to Jyotish shaastra, the planet Jupiter enters twelve zodiac signs and the full orbit of these twelve zodiac signs is approximately equal to 12 solar years. Such five orbits of Jupiter (ie 12 times 5 = 60 samvatsar) are called Samvatsar Chakra. Each Samvatsara of this cycle is given a name. Once all 60 Samvatsaras are over, the cycle starts all over again. 60 Samvatsaras are divided into 3 parts and each part consists of 20 Samvatsaras. Sixty Samvatsaras are divided into 3 groups of 20 Samvatsaras. The first 20 from Prabhav to Vyaya are assigned to Brahmadev. The next 20 from Sarvajit to Parbhav to Sri Vishnu and the last 20 to Sri Shiva. The present one called “Krodhi” falls under Sri Vishnu
Symbol of victory and energy
All the rituals associated with Gudi Padwa or any other regional festivals are deeply symbolic and scientific. Each element is a study by itself. The Gudi is a symbol of victory. Amongst the various qualities of divine, ‘Being Victorious’ is one and it symbolizes that The Divine has achieved victory at the outset, and then at various stages and levels. The assembly of the Gudi is an energy system. There is a rationale to the materials that are used to decorate the Gudi. Each of these items transmit and absorb a certain level of frequency. For instance, the mango leaves tied to the flag are known to be purer when compared to others, absorbing and transmitting the positive frequencies effectively. The Gudi, in its entirety, actually, serves as a medium to transmit positive frequencies into the house from the atmosphere. Gudi also symbolizes the ‘Sushumna nadi’ of our body.
Further, the Divine energies emanating during sunrise, absorbed at that time is believed to last longer. This consciousness is stored in the body cells and is positively used as required. Thus the Gudi is recommended to be worshipped within 5-10 minutes of sunrise! The Tantra text Ganeshyamal explains the energy principles in detail. The next day the family can store and consume water from the same pot (used in the Gudi) as the waves have energised the metal and this is imparted onto the water stored in it. Thus, one benefits further from all these positive frequencies and energy
Health
Mixture of Neem (Azadirachta Indica) leaves, Guda (Jaggery) and Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) can be used to eat on this special day. In Ayurved, properties of Neem leaves and Jaggery have been very well explained. The leaves, flowers, stem of Neem tree are useful as medicine. Cumin is carminative, digestive and useful in Urinary disorders. In the spring season, increased heat of the body subside by bathing, using water with Neem leaves to prevent skin diseases like eczema, which is converted to a custom.
Wish you all and your families the very best on occasion on Gudi Padva, Ugadi and all associated festivals!
