Welcome to Samathguru Dhara! Festive content Section.
On 02 Oct we will celebrate Vijayadashami or Dussehra festival. On this day particularly in Southern India, people also perform Ayudh Puja, the worship of weapons and instruments. We too performed a small worship of our own equipment. Many friends immediately requested us to share about its significance.
This ritual may look simple on the surface, but its roots go back to the Mahabharata and the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, carrying timeless lessons for modern spiritual seekers.
The Mahabharata Story Behind Ayudh Puja
After losing their gambling match with the Kauravas, the Pandavas were sentenced to 12 years of exile and one year of incognito living. The condition was severe—if discovered, they would have to repeat the 12 years again.
During this period, the Pandavas had to hide not just themselves but also their legendary weapons. Arjuna’s Gandiva bow, for instance, was so powerful and famous that even its sound revealed his identity.
On Lord Krishna’s advice, the Pandavas invoked the blessings of Goddess Durga to protect their weapons. As they entered the kingdom of Matsyadesh, they hid their weapons in a massive Shami tree.
After a year of incognito, when Duryodhana’s army attacked, Arjuna retrieved the weapons from the Shami tree and fought valiantly to protect Dharma. This incident occurred on the day of Dussehra. Since then, people perform Ayudh Puja on Vijayadashami, offering respect to the instruments and tools that support their lives.
The Deeper Significance of Ayudh Puja
This ritual has a very special meaning. It teaches us the ability to see Divinity in everything.
During the Dussehra festival, Hindus consciously celebrate this aspect as Ayudh Puja—by offering respects to every big and small thing that adds meaning to life. These include:
- weighing scales
- farming instruments
- weapons
- vehicles
- kitchenware
- computers
- and many other utility things.
Unfortunately, for many modern spiritual seekers, work is seen only as a burden. They are constantly made to feel that it should be given up as early as possible. This attitude prevents them from actually practicing the art of seeing Divinity in everything.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3 – Karma Yoga, Shri Krishna explains this principle very clearly. He says that all works are prescribed in the Vedas, and the Vedas emerge directly from the Supreme. Therefore, even the Pandavas did Ayudh Puja—the worship of weapons—knowing the sacredness of these weapons in protecting Dharma.
Why This Matters in Today’s World
In today’s fast-paced life, work is often seen as a burden. Many modern seekers feel that spirituality means detachment from action. But this is a misconception.
Our ancient rishis taught us the art of seeing God in everything—not just in temples but also in our work, relationships, and daily activities.
Unfortunately, modern attitudes sometimes reduce everything to mere utility—a “use and throw” mindset. This detachment from sacredness also reflects in how relationships, work, and nature are treated.
Ayudh Puja is a conscious way of bringing back respect, gratitude, and divinity into our everyday life.
Key Lessons from Ayudh Puja
- Gratitude in Action – Every tool, no matter how small, supports our life. Honoring them cultivates thankfulness.
- Work as Worship – Spirituality is not about escaping work, but doing it with devotion.
- Seeing Divinity Everywhere – True seekers learn to see God in tools, people, and all aspects of life.
- Balance of Tradition and Modernity – Whether it’s a plough or a laptop, both deserve respect when they serve Dharma.
FAQs on Ayudh Puja
Q1. What is Ayudh Puja?
Ayudh Puja is the worship of tools, weapons, and instruments used in daily life. It is performed on Vijayadashami (Dussehra) to honor the divinity present in everything that helps us.
Q2. Why is Ayudh Puja linked to Mahabharata?
It originates from the Pandavas hiding their weapons in a Shami tree during exile. When Arjuna retrieved them on Dussehra to fight for Dharma, the day became symbolic of respecting instruments of righteous action.
Q3. What items are worshiped in Ayudh Puja?
Traditionally, weapons, farming tools, vehicles, scales, and kitchen utensils are worshiped. Today, even computers, books, and machines are included.
Q4. How does Ayudh Puja relate to spirituality?
It teaches us to see work as sacred and tools as divine gifts—bringing spirituality into our everyday life instead of limiting it to rituals alone.
Q5. When is Ayudh Puja in 2025?
Ayudh Puja in 2025 will be celebrated on Vijayadashami, October 2, 2025. It is the worship of tools, weapons, and instruments used in daily life, reminding us to honor the divinity in everything that supports our work and Dharma.
