YUGADI

Synonyms: Varsha pratipada, Yugadi tithi, Gudipadva.

Importance: There are several ways of commencing New Year. According to the Christian calendar 1^st January marks the beginning of the new year, the financial year begins from the 1^st April, the Hindu new year form the first day (pratipada) of the month of Chaitra from the Hindu lunar calendar, the commercial year from the first day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, the solar (soura) year, the lunar (chandra) year, the luni-solar year and so on. In all these the year comprise s of 12 months. Who fist proclaimed that a year should consist of 12 moths and how did the world accept it? The fore most exponent of this concept are undoubtedly the Vedas, the most ancient literary texts. The Vedas say ’dwadashamasaiye samvatsaraha’ meaning ‘A year consists of Twelve months’. It is because they say so that the world has accepted it. Out of all these days of beginning a year the most ideal one is the first day of the month of chaitra according to the Hindu lunar calendar. Someone conceived that is should be so and thus it began. Contrary to this there are natural, historical and spiritual reasons to mark the commencement f the year on the first day of the month of Chaitra.  

Natural: Towards the first day of the month of Chaitra (Padva), the sun assumes a position above the Vasant intersection (the point of intersection of the equator and the meridians) and the spring season commences. In Shrimadbhagvadgita (10.35) The Lord says ‘Among the seasons the exhilarating Vasant season (spring) is My manifestation’. In this season, the whether is pleasant and exhilarating. In the Shishir season (autumn) the trees shed their leaves. Towards Padva, trees new foliage and appear fresh.

Historical: Rama slayed vali on this day. Lord Ramachandra returned to Ayodhya after slaying the evil demon and Ravan on this very day. The Shakas too defeated the Huns on this day. This day also commemorates the commencement of the Shalivahan calendar after Shalivahan vanquished his enemies.

Spiritual

Creation of the universe: Since on this day Lord Brahma created the universe and the satyayug began, it marks the commencement of the new year.

One among the three and half auspicious days (muhurts): Yugadi tithi, Akshaya trutiya and Dasra (Vijayadashmi) each mark up one, and the first day of the Hindu lunar month of kartik comprises half the total three and a half auspicious days. The special feature of these three and a half auspicious days is that unlike the other days when one has to choose an auspicious moment to perform a ritual, on these one does not need to, as every moment of these days are auspicious.   

The method of celebrating the Yugadi tithi                                           

Ablution with oil (Abhyangasnan) – an auspicious bath: On this day one should wake up early in morning and take an oil bath. With the ordinary bath the raja and tama components decreases by 1/1,00,000 % and the sattva component increases by the same amount for 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.

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 color indicates auspiciousness.

Ritualistic worship (puja): First ritualistic worship of God 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 Vishnu who manifests Himself in countless forms is worshipped. Obeisance is paid to Him chanting the mantra ‘namthse bahuroopaya vishnave namaha’ meaning ‘ I bow to thee O 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 shanty one is cleansed of all sins, no new sins are generated, the lifespan is increased and one becomes wealthy.

          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 weak is also worshipped.

 The following table gives the days of the weak and the presiding deity of that day.

Monday (Somvar): Shankar (Som means     moon and Var means the day)	Tuesday : Parvati / Lakshmi / Ganapati / Maruti
Wednesday     :   Pandurang	Thursday    :    Datta
Friday             :    Parvati / Lakshmi	Saturday     :    Maruti
Sunday (Ravivar) : Ravi means the sun

 The table below comprises the soothing effect of various substances. This will clarify why when the weather changes and summer begins davna is offered in ritualistic worship everyday, in the month of Chaitra. Though both sandalwood and davna have same ability to impart a soothing effect, sandalwood can do so only when it is wet unlike davna which is effective throughout the day.

The substance	The ability to bestow a soothing effect
1.  Chandrama (the moon principle)	100
2.  Davna, sandalwood	1 / 1 lakh
3.  Vala (a grass with fragrant roots)	1 / 10 lakh
4.  Ice	1 / 1 crore
5.  Other substances	1 / 10 crore or even less

 

Hoisting of Gudhi: The gudhi, [Brahma’s flag (Bhrahmadhvaj)] 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 gudhi (flag)

Listening to the religious almanac (panchang shravan): One should ritualistically worship the astrologer or priests and listen to the benefits in the coming year. The benefits of listening to the religious almanac are as follows:

Titheshcha shreekaram proktam naradayushyavardhanam |

Nakshatraddharathe papam yogadroganivaranam ||

Karanachchintitam karyam panchanga phalamuthamam|

Yetesham shravananithyam gangasnanphalam labhet ||

Meaning: 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 by listening to its narration. Listening to the religious almanac daily endows the merit equivalent to bathing in the holy Ganga.

An offering (prasad) of neem: Since neem has highest ability to absorb prajapati frequencies [The prajapati frequencies cause an increase in the fertility of the soil, development of intellect, appearance of new springs in the wells, an increase in the phlegm (kaph) humor in the body, etc.], 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 asafetida amidst chanting of a mantra.

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 increase 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. Laborers 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.                                        

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.

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.

Greeting cards: Usually greeting cards are sent to relatives and friends for Divali. Instead one should send greeting cards on the first day of Chaitra as this is the real beginning of the year.  

By Santhegudde Cricketers,    santhegudde_cricketers@yahoo.com

 

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