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Dhanteras falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin. The word “Dhan” means wealth. As such this day of the five-day Diwali festival has a great importance for the rich mercantile community of western India. Houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome the goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights. On this auspicious day women purchase gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils. Pooja is performed in the evenings along with tiny diyas of clay which are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. “Bhajans”-devotional songs are sung in praise of Goddess Lakshmi.
Dhanteras is also known as Dhantrayodashi, and takes place two days before Diwali, in honor of Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods and an incarnation of Vishnu.
The Story of Dhanteras – Samudra Manthan and Dhanvantari
The legend of Samudra Manthan is at the heart of these celebrations. Lord Indra was cursed by sage Durvasa once – “The pride of wealth has entered his head and let Lakshmi leave him.” On account of Durvasa’s curse, Lakshmi left Indra. As Lakshmi is the goddess of power, bravery, enthusiasm and radiance, Devendra’s life became miserable once she left him. The demons who were waiting for such an opportunity invaded heaven and defeated Indra. He lost his kingdom and hid out of the sight of the demons.
A number of years passed. Indra’s teacher Brihaspati thought of finding a way out for Indra’s troubles. He went with the gods to Brahma, who went to Vishnu, A way was found out of it. The sea of milk was to be churned. It was a very difficult job. More strength and power was required. The Devas befriended the demons for this and got their assistance as well by tricking them. It was decided that the Mandara Mountain would be used as a churning rod and Vaasuki, the king of the serpents, as a rope.
When the sea will be churned “amrut” will be produced. The gods must drink it and become immortal. It will then be possible for the gods to defeat the demons. When the sea was being churned, Lakshmi who had disappeared will appear again. Her grace will be bestowed. The clever Brihaspati managed to strike a friendship with the demons who agreed in the hope of getting ambrosia and wealth. After initial difficulties posed by the sinking of mount Mandara into the milky sea which was set right by Lord Vishnu who took the form of a tortoise and hoisted it on his back, the churning started.
First, Kalakuta, a dreadful poison was produced which Lord Shiva drank much to the relief of the gods and demons. Due to Vishnu’s continued encouragement, gods and demons continued churning the sea. Then a horse by name Uchhaishravas, Kalpavriksha which had the power to grant what one wished, Kamadhenu and other celestial beings took shape. When the sea continued to be churned the Apsara were born.
After that in the midst of the waves of the sea of milk, a goddess with heavenly looks came into view. She was standing on a fully blossomed lotus. Wearing a lotus garland in the neck, she was holding a lotus in her hand. She was attractive and was radiantly smiling, she was Lakshmi.
The sages began reciting hymns in praise of her. Gandharvas sang. Apsaras danced. The elephants on either side sprinkled sacred holy Ganga water on the goddess and bathed her. Because the elephants sprinkled holy water on her, she acquired the name of Gajalakshmi. Because she was born in the sea of milk, she was called Samudratanya. The king of the sea appeared in his natural form and comforted Lakshmi as a daughter. He presented her with attractive clothes and jewels. He handed to her a garland of lotus flowers. While everybody was looking in surprise, Lakshmi put the garland around the neck of Vishnu. Then she looked at Indra kindly, he acquired an extraordinary radiance.
The gods and demons continued to churn the ocean for Amrit or nectar, Finally Dhanvantari emerged carrying a jar of the elixir (ambrosia). Both the asuras and the Devtas wanted the ambrosia, but finally Vishnu managed to give the immortal nectar to the gods and the asuras were defeated. Thus the churning of the ocean resulted in the immortality of the Devtas and was the reason for Lakshmi’s emergence.
Story of Dhanteras – Hima and His Wife
Another interesting story about this day is of the sixteen year old son of King Hima. As per his horoscope he was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. On that particular fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband’s boudoir and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. And she went on telling stories and singing songs. When Yam, the god of death arrived there in the guise of a serpent his eyes got blinded by that dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the prince’s chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away.
Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of “YAMADEEPDAAN” and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yam, the god of death.
Since this day is associated with wealth, business premises as well as houses are renovated and decorated to welcome the Hindu Goddess of Wealth. The entrance to a house or an office premises will be beautifully decorated with Rangoli design that comprises of traditional motifs. To herald her arrival, miniature footprints are drawn all over the house using vermillion and rice flour. Lamps are kept burning throughout the night.
Since Dhanteras is considered to be auspicious with regard to wealth and prosperity, women in the household make it a point to buy articles or ornaments of gold or silver on this day. If this is not possible, women will at least buy a few new utensils for the home. This is because the purchase of new ‘Dhan’, especially in the form of a precious metal is said to bring good luck to the home.
On the evening of Dhanteras, a Lakshmi puja is performed to ask for prosperity in the coming year. Also, tiny clay diyas or lamps are lit in order to ward off evil spirits. Devotional songs called Bhajans are sung in praise of Goddess Lakshmi. In Maharashtra, there is an added custom of ‘Naivedyam’. In this custom, a mixture of pounded coriander seeds and Jaggery is prepared as a traditional sweet and offered to the Goddess. In Southern India, cows are adorned with ornaments and worshipped on this day as they are considered to be the reincarnation of the goddess Lakshmi.
Bringing new things at home is considered as very auspicious event at the Dhanteras. People perform Lakshmi puja during the subh muhurta according to the calendar. At some places seven cereals (wheat, gram, barley, Urad, Moong, and Masoor) are worshipped while performing puja. Golden flower and sweets are offered during puja to the Mata Lakshmi.
This festival plays a great role in the life of every people. It brings a lot happiness, wealth, prosperity, wisdom and good destiny for all. People clean up everything at this day in order to remove all the bad energy and idleness from their surroundings. People take bath and wear new clothes in order to clean up their body, mind and soul before performing puja.
As this day is the birth day Dev Dhanvantari, all the new innovations related to medical science are established at this day.
Lakshmi Puja Vidhi on Dhanteras Day of Deepavali
Kubera the treasurer of the Universe is worshipped along with Bhoga Bhagya Lahshmi as follow:
- Kubera Dhyana:
Manuj–Brahma–Viman–Sthitam, Garuda–Ratna–Nibham Nidhi–Naykam, Shiva–Sakham Mukutadi–Vibhushitam, Var–Gade Dadhatam Bhaje Tundilam/
May we pray the magnanimous Kubera, who mounts on human-form chariot, who is the master of all the Nidhis or treasures like Garuda Deva the who is friend of Shiva, as adorned with crown and other Jewelleries and with one hand in Vara-Mudra and carry a mace / gada in the other hand.
- Aavaahana:
After Dhyanam of Kubera, invoke Him with following Aavahana Mantra with folded hands
Aavahayami Dev! Tvamihayahi Kripam Kuru, Kosham Vardhdaya Nityam, Tvam Pari–Raksha Sureshwara/
Deva Kubera! May I appeal to you to be with me for ever and to oblige me. Please protect and enrich my treasure and its riches.
3. Pushpanjali with Sukhaasana
Nana–Ratna–Samayuktam Kartya–Swar–Vibhushitam, Aasanam Dev–Devesh! Preetyartham Prati-Grihyataam/ Kuber-Devay Aasanarthe Pancha-Pushpani Samarpayami /
Deva Kubera! Please accept the golden seat decorated with different types of jewels for my pleasure. Hence, I offer five flowers for the seat to you Kubera Deva/.
- Upachaara Puja
After this be performed then the Kuber Puja with Chandan, Akshata, Pushpa, Dhupa, Deep and Naivedya while chanting following Mantras.
Om Shri Kuberaya Namha Padyom Padhyam Samarpayami।
Om Shri Kuberaya Namha Shirsi Arghyam Samarpayami।
Om Shri Kuberaya Namha Gandhakshatam Samarpayami।
Om Shri Kuberaya Namha Pushpam Samarpayami।
Om Shri Kuberaya Namha Dhoopam Ghrapayami।
Om Shri Kuberaya Namha Deepam Darshayami।
Om Shri Kuberaya Namha Naivedyam Samarpayami।
Om Shri Kuberaya Namha Achamaniyam Samarpayami।
Om Shri Kuberaya Namha Tamboolam Samarpayami।
Shri Kubera Nava Upchara PujanaMantra
- Paja Sammarpana:
After doing Pujan as described above, take Gandha, Akshata and Pushpa in left hand and leave them over or near the chest with right hand while chanting following Mantra.
Om Shri Kuberaya Namha/ Anen Pujanen Shri Dhanadhyaksha-Shri Kuber Preeyatam।
Namo Namah।
Shri Kubera Puja Samarpan Mantra thus/ Aneka aneka namaskaaraas to you Kubera Deva!
