Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (Gudi Padwa)

Content

• Introduction
• Message on Gudhi Padwa by H. H. Dr. Athavale, Sanatan Sanstha
• Celebrate New Year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (Gudi Padwa)
• Science in the worship of the Gudi
• Method of raising the Gudi
• Prayer
• Be Bhartiya! Follow Bhartiya culture!!
• Shun Materialism, insist on Dharmachar!

हिंदी लेख: चैत्र शुक्ल प्रतिपदाही वर्षारंभ के योग्‍य क्‍यों है ?

Introduction

Gudi Padwa, the first Holy festival which marks the beginning of the New Year, new month and new day for the Hindus falls on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. (11^th April 2013) It is known as Gudhi Padwa (in Maharashtra), Ugadi (in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh). [In other parts of country it is celebrated during Nau Roz (Kashmir), Baisakhi (Punjab), Cheti Chand (Sindhi), Naba Barsha (Bengal), Goru Bihu (Assam), Puthandu (Tamil Nadu), Vishu (Kerala)] On this very day Lord Brahma created the Universe. Therefore for Hindus, this day carries special importance. The day is celebrated with an auspicious bath, followed by decorating the doorway with a 'toran', performing ritualistic worship and hoisting the Gudhi.
Gudhi Padwa is celebrated as Ugadi (or Yugadi) in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The day, begins with ritual showers (oil bath) followed by pooja to god and Panchanga Shravana.Houses are decorated with Mango Leaves and Rangoli and everyone in the family wear new clothes and celebrate the festival by wishing each other New year greetings.
The eating of a specific mixture called Bevu-Bella (Neem and Jaggery) in Kannada, symbolizes the fact that life is a mixture of good and bad, Happiness and Sorrow. Eating Neem and Sweet Jaggery means one need to take both Good and Bad or Happiness and Sorrow should be accepted together and with equanimity through the New Year. The special mixture consists of:
1. Neem Buds/Flowers for its bitterness, signifying Sadness
2. Jaggery which is sweet, signifying Happiness
In Karnataka a special dish called Obbattu or Holige (Puran Poli), is prepared on this occasion. It consists of a filling (gram and jaggery/sugar boiled and made in to a paste) stuffed in a flat roti like bread. It is usually eaten hot/cold with ghee or milk topping or coconut milk at some places of Karnataka.

O Hindus, Prepare to hoist the true flag of Victory ! - H. H. Dr. Athavale

H. H. Dr. Athavale, Sanatan Sanstha On Gudi Padwa (Samvatsararambh), the Brahmadhwaj (or the Gudi) is hoisted in every house. The Gudi, which provides benefit of the Prajapati waves in the universe, is not only a Brahmadhwaj, it is also a Vijaydhwaj - a flag symbolising victory.
When Shriram reached Ayodhya after conquering Lanka, His subjects hoisted flags in every house symbolising victory and joy.
It was the Gudi Padwa day on which Shaka Kings defeated the Huns; King Shalivahan defeated his enemies and hoisted the flag of victory. However, today Hindus should introspect if they are really worthy of hoisting the true flag of victory.
There is no trace of Hindus left in Kashmir and the north-eastern States. Hindus have been defeated geographically. Hindus are not united - the sad fact responsible for the defeat of Hindus at the hands of fanatics in riots that take place throughout the country.
Through Anti-Hindu land grabbing lobby in States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh etc., Hindu colonies have almost been erased or defeated from the perspective of war-strategy.
Conversion of Hindus year after year is the religious defeat of Hindus. Hindus lack a vote-bank, and that is the main cause of their political defeat in elections everywhere. O Hindus ! When defeat is staring in the face in every field, hoisting a Gudi in every house should not be a routine ritual. A Shloka says - 'A horse, an elephant or a tiger are never sacrificed at the Yadnya altar; a goat is. Even God does not side the weak'.
Hence, O Hindus ! For hoisting the true flag of victory, commence the noble task of uniting and strengthening the weak Hindu community. Erect centres for providing self-defence training (such as indigenous martial arts, karate, defending with a stick etc.) and through these, strengthen the Hindu community. If we are successful in performing this task for a few years continuously, Hindus will get a historic victory in the form of the 'Hindu Nation', and then only we will be worthy of hoisting the flag of victory.
Make a beginning on this Gudi Padwa, which is one of the three and a half muhurts (Auspicious times) of the year.

Celebrate New Year only on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (Gudi Padwa) !

Presently in Bharat, New Year is being celebrated on 1st January as per the Western calendar. Celebration on the eve of the Western New Year involves one indulging oneself in various malpractices like indulging in eve teasing after drinking, etc. So, instead of beginning the New Year on an auspicious note, it begins unpleasantly. To ensure that the beginning of the New Year begins on an auspicious note, celebrate it according to the Hindu scriptures, on Chaitra Shuddha Pratipada as per the Hindu lunar calendar. This date is glorious in all ways - as per the cycle of Nature and it also has historical and spiritual significance. All this contributes to endowing the one celebrating it, as per the Hindu scriptures, with several benefits. It is the duty of each individual to arrest the loss being caused to society due to blindly emulating Westerners.
Click here to in detail about celebration of new year on Gudi Padwa

Science in the worship of the Gudi

'Gudi Padwa' is the day on which the universe was created. Since on this day Shri Brahma created the universe and the Satyayug began, it marks the commencement of the New Year.
The Divine consciousness emanating during sunrise, absorbed at that time lasts longer. Thus the Gudi should be worshipped within 5-10 minutes after sunrise !
On Gudi Padwa, the waves consisting of the fire principle (Tej tatva) and the creative Prajapati waves are activated on a large scale. The Divine consciousness emanating during sunrise, absorbed at that time lasts longer. This consciousness is stored in the body cells and is used as required. Hence the Gudi should be worshipped within 5-10 minutes after sunrise.

Method of raising the Gudi

Position of the Gudi: Care should be taken to raise the Gudi next to the main entrance of the house. The spot selected should be on the right side of the entrance(when facing outwards from the entrance of the home). The right side symbolizes the active state of the soul.
1. The area selected for raising the Gudi should be cleaned and then a Swastik rangoli should be drawn on the ground. Turmeric and vermilion (Haldi-kumkum) should be offered at the centre of the Swastik.
2. While raising the Gudi, the 'Shiva-Shakti' principle in the Universe should be invoked. This enables all the constituents of the Gudi to accept divine principles.
3. The Gudi symbolizes the ‘Sushumna nadi’ of our body. Hence, the Gudi should be raised at the entrance. And it should be kept tilted at an angle. - A Scholar (through the medium of Ms. Anjali Gadgil)

Prayer

'O Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu ! Please enable me to absorb the Principle of Creation and the Fire Principle present in the atmosphere. Let the Divine consciousness present in these principles be preserved constantly. Let the energy thus received, be used for my spiritual practice.'

Reason for raising the Gudi during war

The Gudi is a symbol of victory. Amongst the various qualities of God, 'Being Victorious' is one and it symbolizes that God has achieved victory at the outset and at various levels. To symbolize this at every level of war, a Gudi is hoisted.
Read complete details about the significance

Be Bhartiya! Follow Bhartiya culture !

What you can do to protect Bhartiya culture?

1. Give wishes of New Year to your friends and relatives on Gudi Padwa and ask them give up the Western Culture.
2. To keep the spirit of following Bhartiya culture start spiritual practice. Because only spiritual practice will impart you the strength to increase your will power and fight against the practice of Western culture and attack of anti-Hindus.
3. To participate in the Noble work of serving Bhartiya Culture visit 'How can i contribute' section.
Courtesy: Monthly Sanatan Prabhat

Shun Materialism, insist on 'Dharmachar' !

Chaitra Shukla Pratipada is a sacred day for the Hindus. In some parts, it is observed as New Year's Day. At the end of a year and the beginning of a New Year, it is necessary to ponder over what were the developments with respect to Sanatan Dharma. It is observed that there was a remarkable increase in the onslaughts on Dharma and only a few came forward to oppose these. Neither the onslaughts on Dharma, nor the weak opposition to it by Hindus are new problems for awakened Hindus. The most serious opposition faced by awakened Hindus in the past year was from the so-called pro-Hindu Organisations.
No one should preach about freedom with regards to Sanatan Hindu Dharma, which teaches respect for every living being on the earth. There should be a difference between freedom and wanton behaviour. However, not only the common man but even those who profess to be the champions of Hindutva, make mistakes in understanding the true meaning of wanton behaviour. An onslaught on culture is also wanton behaviour. Some awakened Hindus opposed the growing popularity of 'pub culture' for this reason. Pro-Hindu Organisations not only opposed them, but even demanded a ban. From this, it was clear that these are the pro-Hindu Organisations who instigate Hindus only to meet their own selfish ends.
Globalisation does not mean that we should discard our conscience and accept with open arms anyone who comes from across the seas, without giving a thought to the pros and cons of our action. Be it a 'Valentine's Day', 'pub culture' or a weekly holiday, the pro-Hindu Organisations oppose those who protest such events; yet they hardly take any action in this regard. When there was a ban on bar girls in Maharashtra by the Congress, it was welcomed by others. Taking advantage of this, pro-Hindu Organisations should have tried to follow suit, but this did not happen.
Culture is a collective manifestation of Dharma. Hence, an attack on culture is an attack on Dharma. The 'globalisation', which is materialistic behaviour, attacks the local culture. And that is opposed by followers of other religions too in many parts of the world. Some countries have evolved special machinery in the Police to protect their culture. However, in Bharat there is no such machinery in existence.
The followers of other religions are so vigilant about their faith that their representatives may be in any political party, whenever an issue of their faith is raised, they all unite. The New Year is being ushered in with the message, 'O Hindus! Arise !' Religious interests are above a person or an Organisation. Therefore, learn what religious behaviour is, get spiritual experiences about Dharma and take action in the interests of Dharma. The situation has already gone out of control. Terrorism inspired by pan-Islamism ideology along with the veiled activities of missionaries who are inspired to spread their Gospel in third world countries like Bharat, in this century, are both attacks on Dharma. The cult of materialism is also a form of attack on our Dharma. It is difficult to decide which is more dangerous. With such forces looming large ahead of us and impacting our lives in so many ways, let us take cognisance of the dangers they pose and make a firm resolve to protect Dharma.
Let us resolve to educate ourselves about Dharma and also to impart it to others so as to awaken a love for Dharma in them. Organisations like Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Sanatan Sanstha are already engaged in this noble task. They have taken the first step in this direction by organising Dharmajagruti Sabhas throughout Bharat.
Either you take some action in this regard on your own or participate in the activities of these Organisations. Instead of imbibing various aspects of a Western lifestyle into our personal lives, instil instead behaviour as taught by our Dharma. For example, children should be taught to say 'Ma' and 'Pitajee' etc. instead of 'mummy' and 'daddy'. Inculcate pride for our language. Your resolve to take some action in the interests of Dharma will certainly bring you the blessings of Saints !

Read more at: http://www.hindujagruti.org/hinduism/festivals/gudhipadwa/#greeting