#IgnorantHindu project aims to share basic knowledge about Hindu festivals with the current and the next generation. Till date #IgnorantHindu has shared necessary information on Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, SHRADH and PITRA SHRADH, AATM SHRADH, Adhik Mass, Navratri, Dussehra and Karva Chauth. Here is the info on Dhanteras.
You can contribute. Write about one of the upcoming festivals. Tell us how it is celebrated in your region. Or Just share these articles with fellow Hindus friends and families. Sharing Is Always Appreciated. To connect, please send an email. Twitter S_kotnala. You can also donate to support the cause.
DHANTERAS IN THE YEAR 2020.
The day of Dhanteras starts on 12th November ( Thursday) at night 2130 Hrs. It ends on 13th November 1759 Hrs. So, we say Dhanteras is on 13th November 2020.
Dhanteras; Dhan=Money, Teras= Thirteenth day. Dhanteras is also called Dhanatrayodashi. It is the first of the five day festival of Diwali. Dhanteras is followed with Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali), Lakshmi Pujan (Kali Puja/Diwali), Balipratipada (Annakut, Padwa, Govardhan Puja) and on the 5th day Bhai Duj (Bhau-Beej, Vishwakarma Puja).
THE BEST TIME FOR DHANTERAS PUJA.
The best puja time is 1729 Hrs to 1759 Hrs on 13th November.
On Dhanteras, we worship, Lord Dhanvantri, so that we remain fit and healthy. Lord Kuber, for being rich and wealthy. And we lit a Diya ( Deepak) outside our home for Lord Yama, the lord of Death, to saves the family from the untimely death of a member.
THE STORY BEHIND DHANTERAS.
On Dhanteras, Lord Dhanvantari (Physician to Gods and the God of Ayurveda) appeared with the Kalash containing Amrit (divine Nectar of immortality) during the collective Samudra Manthan ( Churning of the sea) by the Dev’s(Gods) and Asurs ( Demons). This was the Thirteenth (teras) day of the Krishna Paksha ( Waning Moon) of the Kartik Mass ( Month).
SAMUDRA MANTHAN.
During Samudra Manthan, God on one side and Asuras on the other side used Vasuki ( the might king of all serpents) as a rope around the mountain Mandara to churn the sea. The mountain was placed on a giant tortoise (an avatar of Lord Vishnu) to prevent it from drowning in the ocean.
WHY WAS SAMUDRA MANTHAN DONE?
Once Sage Durvasa (known for his temper) saw that Lord Indra has become too proud of his wealth and has forgotten basic etiquettes, he cursed him. When cursed, Goddess Lakshmi ( Wealth) abandon Lord Indra. Thus Indra was devoid of power, bravery, enthusiasm and radiance. He became miserable. Sensing an opportunity, the demons attacked heaven and defeated Lord Indra. He lost everything – Lakshmi, his throne and kingdom, and began living in a hideout.
Brihaspati, Indra’s teacher, tried finding a solution to Lord Indra’s predicament. He met and talked with Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. They found a solution to churn the ocean of milk so that they could get potent ambrosia. Consuming it, the Gods will become immortal, and it will also then bring Goddess Lakshmi back.
For Samudra Manthan, God needed demons assistance. Lord Brihaspati struck a deal with the demons. They hoped to get ambrosia for themselves and the wealth that the churning could provide. And amassing wealth for themselves.
THE RESULT OF OCEAN CHURN.
KALAKUTA, a dreadful poison was initially produced, Lord Shiva drank it. A horse named UCHAISHRAVAS and the tree KALPAVRIKSHA empowered to grant any wish emerged. KAMDHENU the cow that can grant any wish also came out of the churning of the ocean of milk. And so did other celestial bodies including the Apsaras. Goddess Lakshmi also came out of the sea. Born from the ocean of milk, she is also referred to as SAMUDRATANYA, the king of ocean adopted her as a daughter. Goddess Lakshmi garlanded Lord Vishnu with it.
After a lot of churns, Lord Dhanavantri emerged from the ocean of milk, carrying a jar of the elixir (ambrosia. Nectar of immortality). Both the asuras and the devas wanted the ambrosia. Lord Vishnu once again came to the rescue of Gods and managed to trick the demons. Gods got Nectar and were later able to defeat asuras.
ANOTHER STORY OF DHANTERAS
In ancient time, there was a pious king – King Hima. He had a son. The prince horoscope predicted he will die of snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage when he is sixteen years of age.
When he got married, and the bride came to know of this prediction, she did not allow him to sleep. She laid out all her ornaments and many gold and silver coins in a heap at the entrance of the sleeping chamber and lit many lamps. Then she sat there narrating stories and singing songs to keep her husband from falling asleep.
The Lord Yama, the God of Death, arrived at the Prince’s doorstep as a serpent. His eyes were dazzled and blinded by the brilliance of the lamps and the jewellery. Lord Yama could not enter the sleeping chamber. The snake climbed on top of the heap of gold coins and sat listening to the stories and the songs.
In the morning, the serpent went away. The young Prince was saved from the clutches of death, and the day came to be celebrated as Dhanteras. Hence it is also called Yamadeepdan.
ANOTHER VARIATION OF THE STORY.
Once Yama asked his messenger if they ever felt weak or hated doing their duty of taking away the souls. They narrated the story of King Hima.
King Hima was very popular king and always cared for his Praja. Once while hunting, he crossed his state boundary and went into the kingdom of King Hansa. That night the queen of King Hima gave birth to a son. The astrologers predicted that he will die on the 16th year on the fourth day of his marriage from a snake bite.
King Hima, created a castle away from the kingdom on the banks of a beautiful lake. No woman was allowed. As it was destined, the daughter of King Hansa came across the castle and met the Prince. They married as per Gandharva Vivah. On the fourth day, the Prince, as predicted by the astrologers, dies of a snake bite. The princes then wept. Hear her cry the messengers of Yama said, they felt weak. They hated what they do.
The messengers asked Lord Yama if there was a way in which such untimely deaths can be avoided. Yama replied and suggested that if on the Dhanteras day, people light up lamps, do the Puja and keep these lamps outside their house, untimely death in the family can be avoided. Since then, Dhanteras is celebrated, and people keep lit diyas outside their home.
DHANTERAS VRAT KATHA – STORY OF GODDESS LAKSHMI AND THE FARMER.
Once, Goddess Lakshmi insisted upon Lord Vishnu to accompany him during one of His visits to the earth. Lord Vishnu agreed, but he had one condition, Goddess Lakshmi will not look in the south direction. Goddess Lakshmi agreed, however, during the visit due to her Chanchal (unstable) nature, she looked in the south direction. Mesmerized with the beauty of yellow mustard flowers and sugarcane fields on the earth, she started moving towards the south. Thus she broke her pledge.
Lord Vishnu was annoyed and asked her to spend the next twelve years on the earth as a penance. Additionally, she was to serve in the field of the poor farmer who has cultivated mustard and sugarcane in the field.
With the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi, the poor farmer became prosperous and wealthy. Twelve years passed. Lord Vishnu came to take Goddess Lakshmi back, the farmer refused to relieve Goddess Lakshmi from his services.
GODDESS LAKSHMI PROMISES.
When all attempts failed, Goddess Lakshmi revealed her true identity. She said she cannot stay any longer on the earth and need to go back to Vaikuntha. However, she promised, She will visit the farmer every year during the night of Krishna Trayodashi before Diwali.
On Trayodashi before Diwali, the farmer cleaned to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. He lit earthen lamp full throughout the night to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. These pleased the Goddess and the farmer more prosperous year after year.
Knowing this, other People also started worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on the night of Krishna Trayodashi before Diwali. And that’s how on Dhanteras, people worship Goddess Lakshmi along with Lord Kubera.
WHAT DOES YOUR ZODIAC SIGN TELLS YOU TO BUY ON DHANTERAS?
| ZODIAC SIGN | ZODIAC SIGN | What to Buy |
| MESH | ARIES | Silver Utensils or Electronics. |
| KRISHAB | TAURUS | Cloths. Silver or Copper Utensils |
| MITHUN | GEMINI | Gold Ornaments. Green Color Home Items Like Curtains. |
| KARK | CANCER | Silver Ornaments, Coins, Home Appliance, Electronics |
| SINGHA | LEO | Copper or Bronze Vessel, Cloths And Gold Item |
| KANYA | VIRGO | Lord Ganesh Idol, Gold Ornament |
| TULA | LIBRA | Cosmetics or Decorative Items. Silver Coin. Gold Ornaments. |
| VRASHCIK | SCORPIO | Electronics. Gold Coins. |
| DHANU | SAGGITARIUS | Gold Coins. Ornaments. Brass Utensil. |
| MAKAR | CAPRICORN | Vehicle, Cloths, Silver Ornament or Coins. |
| KHUMBH | AQUARIUS | Cosmetics, Gold, Footwear |
| MEEN | PISCES | Gold Coin or Ornaments, Silver Coins, Utensil. Electronics |
WHY DO PEOPLE BUY UTENSILS AND GOLD ON DHANTERAS?
As a token representation of the AmritKalash, Hindus buy utensil preferably Kalash / pot. Another tradition belief is that the day is auspicious for purchasing new things, especially metal, Gold and silver. This DHAN ( new wealth) bought will bring further wealth into home.
SOME CULTURAL AND REGIONAL VARIATIONS.
As this is the first day of the five day Diwali celebration, people prefer that the annual Diwali cleaning is over by this day. This is the day when usually people place the lanterns and start lighting Diya in the evening.
In Maharashtra people lightly pound dry Dhane (coriander seeds in Marathi) and jaggery, and then offer the mixture as an offering to God. It is then served to people.
In south India (Tamil Nadu)on Dhanteras, women make ‘Marundhu’. This is consumed before sunrise. It is supposed to act like a medicine and eliminate the imbalance tridoshas ( VATA, PITA and Kapha) in the body. The Marundhu recipe is traditionally passed through the generations.
Blog/92/2020/#IgnorantHindu/11
