Dhanteras
Dhan
Tryaodarshi or Dhantrayodashi
About Dhanteras
or Dhan Tryaodarshi .... 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 some gold or silver or at least one or two new
utensils. Pooja is performed in the evenings when tiny
diyas of clay 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 honour of Dhanavantri, the
physician of the gods and an incarnation of Vishnu.
The
legend of Samudra manthan is at the heart of these
celebrations. Lord Indra was cursed by sage Durvasa that
“The pride of wealth has entered his head and let
Lakshmi leave him." On account of Durvasa's curse,
Lakshmi left Indra and went away. As Lakshmi is the
goddess of power, bravery, enthusiasm and radiance left,
Devendra's life became miserable. The demons that were
waiting for such an opportunity invaded heaven, 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. Therefore the friendship of
the demons and get their assistance was required.
Mandara Mountain was a churning rod and Vasuki, the king
of the serpents, as a rope.
When
the sea will be churned ambrosia will be produced. The
gods must drink it and become immortal. It will then be
possible for gods to defeat the demons. When the sea is
churned, Lakshmi who has 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
Uchaishravas, Kalpavriksha had the power to grant what
is wished, and Kamdhenu and other celestial articles
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. Lakshmi was
standing on a fully blossomed lotus. Wearing a lotus
garland in the neck, Lakshmi was holding a lotus in her
hand. Lakshmi was attractive and was radiantly smiling. 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.
