Ritualistic worship of the Brahmadhwaj (Gudi) on Gudipadwa

The Hindu New Year Day is ‘Chaitra Shukla Pratipada’ and is also known as ‘Gudipadwa’ or ‘Ugadi’. A Gudi is worshipped and erected immediately after sunrise on this day. To facilitate the worship of the Gudi, all mantras and necessary rituals are outlined here.

Start the ritual by selecting a spot to conduct the puja and erect the Gudi.

1. Performing Achaman

Take a little ladle / spoon in the left hand. Keep the right hand cupped. 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

Repeat the steps given above.

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 nine celestial beings including the Sun, 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

Apply water to the eyes (this is the recitation of the time to date)

shrImadbhagavato mahApuruShasya viShNorAj~nayA pravartamAnasya adya brahmaNo dvitIye parArdhe viShNupade shrIshveta-vArAhakalpe vaivasvata manvaMtare aShTAviMshatitame yuge yugachatuShke kaliyuge kali prathama charaNe jaMbudvIpe bharatavarShe bharatakhaMDe dakShiNApathe rAmakShetre bauddhAvatAre daMDakAraNye deshe godAvaryAH dakShiNatIre shAlivAhana shake asmin vartamAne parAbhav nAma saMvatsare, uttarAyaNe, vasaMtaRRitau, chaitramAse, shuklapakShe, pratipad tithau, brihaspati (guru) vAsare, uttarA bhAdrapadA divasa nakShatre, shukl yoge, kimstughn karaNe, mIna sthite vartamAne shrIchaMdre, mIna sthite vartamAne shrIsUrye, mithun sthite vartamAne shrIdevagurau, mIna sthite vartamAne shrIshanaishchare, sheSheShu sarvagraheShu yathAyatham rAshisthAnAni sthiteShu evaM graha-guNavisheSheNavishiShTAyAM shubhapuNyatithau

(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 पराभव नाम संवत्सरे, उत्तरायणे, वसंतऋतौ, चैत्रमासे, शुक्लपक्षे, प्रतिपद् तिथौ, बृहस्पति (गुरु) वासरे, उत्तरा भाद्रपदा दिवस नक्षत्रे, शुक्ल योगे, किंस्तुघ्न करणे, मीन स्थिते वर्तमाने श्रीचंद्रे, मीन स्थिते वर्तमाने श्रीसूर्ये, मिथुन स्थिते वर्तमाने श्रीदेवगुरौ, मीन स्थिते वर्तमाने श्रीशनैश्चरे, शेषेषु सर्वग्रहेषु यथायथं राशिस्थानानि स्थितेषु एवङ् ग्रह-गुणविशेषेण विशिष्टायां शुभपुण्यतिथौ…)

5. Making a resolve

Pick akshata 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 this, 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, akshata, 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, akshata and flowers.

c. दीपदेवताभ्यो नमः । सकल पूजार्थे गंधाक्षत पुष्पं समर्पयामि ।
The God of light : I bow to you and offer for your Pooja, Sandalwood, akshata and flowers, kindly accept the Pooja.

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 haldi [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, tulsi, 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 the clockwise direction before the Brahmadhwaj.)

ॐ ब्रह्मध्वजाय नमः । दीपं समर्पयामि ।
(Om Brahmadhwajay Namaha I Deepam Samarpayami |)
(Move a lit lamp in a circular manner in the clockwise direction before the Brahmadhwaj.)

9. Naivedya

To take 2 leaves of tulsi in the right hand and to sprinkle water on them. Move these leaves in a circular motion around the food to be offered to the Brahmadhwaj. Then sprinkle water on the food with these leaves. Place one leaf on the food and offer the other leaf to the Brahmadhwaj.

ॐ ब्रह्मध्वजाय नमः । नैवेद्यार्थे पुरतस्थापित नैवेद्यं निवेदयामि ।
Om Brahmadhwajay Namah I Naivedyarthe Puratasthapit (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 the Brahmadhwaj; Or say the mantras with folded hands.

Then take some water in your right palm and let it flow into the platter while saying ‘समर्पयामि’ (samarpayami).

‘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 to the Brahmadhwaj.

‘करोद्वर्तनार्थे चंदनं समर्पयामि ।’ ‘ॐ ब्रह्मध्वजाय नमः । मुखवासार्थे पूगीफल तांबूलं समर्पयामि ।’
(Karodvartanarthe chandanam samarpayami | Om Brahmadhwajaya Namaha | Mukhavasarthe Pugiphal tambulam samarpayami |)
Offer water on the betel 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

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

11. Offer Camphor

“Om Brahadhwajay Namah”
“Karpur Dipam Samarapayami”
(I offer karpur [camphor] arti.)

12. Pradakshina

“Om Brahmadhwajay Namah”

Pradakshinam 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

Fold palms together and bow before the Brahmadhwaj

”Om Brahmadhwajay Namah – Namaskaram Samarapayami
(I pay obeisance.)

14. Prayer

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

Meaning : O divine Brahmadhwaj, the Deity who grants all auspicious fruits, I bow to you. In this new year, let auspiciousness (good and positive events) always occur in my home.”

”Anena Kruta Pujanena Brahmadhwajah Priyatam”.

Now take some akshata in the right palm, pour some water on it and while chanting ‘Vishnave Namo | Vishnave Namo | Vishnave Namaha ||’ drop them into the platter. Then perform achaman twice.

15. Prasad

To partake of Prasad, eat the leaf of Neem

– Shri. Damodar Vaze, Dhavli, Ponda, Goa.

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