About the campaign
1. Ablution with oil (abhyangasnan) - an auspicious bath: On this day one should wake up early in the morning and take an oil bath. With an ordinary bath the raja and ‘tama’ components decrease by 1/1,00,000 % and the sattva component increases by the same amount for a duration of only three hours. However with an oil bath it lasts for four to five hours. An oil bath consists of an oil massage to facilitate the absorption of oil by the skin followed by a warm water bath. Oil should be applied to retain the elasticity of the skin. Warm water is auspicious and pleasing to the body. Bathing after an oil massage retains only that amount of oiliness that the skin and hair require. Hence an oil massage is necessary before a bath. Application of oil after a bath is inappropriate.
‘One should narrate the description of the time period (‘deshkal’) when taking an oil bath. The manner of narration of the time period is peculiar among the Indians (Bharatiyas). This encompasses everything from the birth of Lord Brahma to the duration of His reign, the current ‘manvantar’, the great era (mahayug) in that ‘manvantar’ and the sub-era (‘upayug’) in that ‘mahayug’. This will also give one an idea of the vast amount of time that has elapsed and is yet to come. Each one thinks he is great. It is only after narrating this vast time frame of the universe that one realises how small and subtle one is ! This helps in reducing man’s vanity and is thus a great benefit.’ The scriptures have recommended an ablution with oil on five days of the year that is 1. The commencement of the New Year (sanvatsar).
A. The first day of the celebrations of the Vasant (spring) season, that is the first day of the dark fortnight of the month of Phalgun.
B. The three days of ‘Divali’, namely the fourteenth and the new moon day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin and the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of ‘Kartik’.
2. Decorating the doorstep: After a bath one should decorate the lintel of every door with a bunting of mango leaves and red flowers. Red flowers are used because red colour indicates auspiciousness.
3. Ritualistic worship (puja): First ritualistic worship of God as a routine ritual is done. ‘One should perform a ‘mahashanti’ on New Year’s day. The shanti begins with the worship of Lord Brahma, as He is responsible for creating the universe on this day. He is offered davna (a kind of fragrant plant) during the worship. Later a sacrificial fire (hom) and offering of oblations through the fire (havan) are performed and offerings to Brahmans are made. Then Lord Viíhnu who manifests Himself in countless forms is worshipped. Obeisance is paid to Him chanting the mantra meaning ‘I bow to Lord Vishnu who manifests in innumerable forms.’ Then the Brahmans are offered money or presents (dakshina) and if possible historical and mythological texts (Purans) are presented to them. It is said, that by performing this ‘shanti’ one is cleansed of all sins, no new sins are generated, the lifespan is increased and one becomes wealthy.’ (1) By performing a sanvatsar worship, all sins are cleansed, the lifespan is prolonged, a woman’s married life is prolonged and one acquires serenity. On this day, the Deity of that day of the week is also worshipped.
The following table gives the days of the week and the corresponding presiding Deity of that day.
The table below compares the soothing effect of various substances. This will clarify why when the weather changes and summer begins ‘davna’ (a fragrant leaf) is offered in ritualistic worship everyday, in the month of Chaitra. Though both sandalwood and davna have the same ability to impart a soothing effect, sandalwood can do so only when it is wet unlike ‘davna’ which is effective throughout the day.
4. Hoisting of the Gudi: The gudi, which is Brahma’s flag (Brahmadhvaj) is hoisted in every house as a symbolic representation of Rama’s victory and happiness on returning to Ayodhya, after slaying Ravan. Since a symbol of victory is always held high, so is the gudi (flag).
A bright green or yellow cloth adorned with brocade (zari) is tied to the tip of a long bamboo over which gaòhi (a type of sweet), neem leaves, a twig of mango leaves and a garland of red flowers is tied. This is then hoisted by placing a silver or copper pot placed in the inverted position over it. Beautiful designs with special powder of soft, white stone (rangolis) are drawn on the floor in front of it. Everyone eagerly waits to usher in the New Year. Then uttering the words, ‘I offer obeisance to the flag of Lord Brahma’ one should ritualistically worship the gudhi with a resolve. Since Lord Brahma created the universe on this day, this flag is called ‘the flag of Brahma’ (Brahmadhvaj) in the scriptures. Some also refer to it as ‘the flag of Indra’ (Indradhvaj).
The prajapati frequencies enter the house from the atmosphere using the gudhi as a medium. (This operates just like the antenna of a television set). The next day onwards one should use the pot for drinking water as it is charged with the prajapati frequencies and imparts the same kind of impressions to the water in it. Thus one gets the benefit of the prajapati frequencies throughout the year.
5. Listening to the religious almanac (Panchang shravan): One should ritualistically worship the astrologer or priest and ‘listen to the benefits in the coming year. The benefits of listening to the religious almanac are as follows : " By listening to the discourse on auspicious dates (Tithis) one acquires money (Lakshmi), by that of the day of the week - longevity; by that of lunar asterisms - nullification of sins; by that of the constellation - cure of disease and success in whatever one plans. Listening to the religious almanac daily endows the merit equivalent to bathing in the holy Ganga."
6. An offering (Prasad) of neem: Since neem has the highest ability to absorb prajapati frequencies, on this day it is partaken of as an offering (Prasad). One should distribute this offering prepared by mixing together tender leaves and flowers of neem, soaked split gram lentil (dal) or soaked gram, honey, cumin seeds and a little of asafoetida amidst chanting of a mantra.
The following table gives the ability of certain substances to absorb frequencies. From that one will become cognisant as to why neem is partaken of on Gudhipadva day and milk, curd, clarified butter (ghee) and sugar are avoided in the month of Chaitra.
7. Ploughing the soil: On this day one should start ploughing the soil. As a result the soil below is churned up. The subtle soil particles get charged with the prajapati frequencies and its ability to germinate seeds increases manifold. Consecrated rice (akshata) should be sprinkled on the instruments used in farming and on the oxen amidst chanting of the mantra, which generates the prajapati frequencies. Labourers working in the fields should be gifted with new clothes. The meal given to the labourers and oxen on that day should comprise of ripe pumpkin, lentil (mung dal), rice, puran [gram lentil (dal) cooked till soft and ground to a paste with jaggery], etc.
8. Donation: The needy should be given all kinds of offerings. For example, offering free drinking water by setting up a stall. This appeases the ancestors.
9. Performing actions which bestow happiness: One should spend this day happily, listening to auspicious songs, musical instruments and stories of holy men. One should enjoy the night with one’s wife. Thus the entire year becomes a happy one.
10. Greeting cards: Usually greeting cards are sent to relatives and friends for Diwali or the Christian New Year. Instead one should send greeting cards on the first day of Chaitra as this is the real beginning of the year.
Significance of Gudi Padwa