PARAKUNNATH SREE VETTAKKORUMAKAN PAYYAN KSHETHRAM (TEMPLE), AROLI, KANNUR, KERALA: Dhanteras is basically known as “Dhanatrayodashi” where the word Dhana means wealth and Trayodashi means 13th day of the month as per Hindu calendar.

Tuesday, 17 October 2017

Dhanteras is basically known as “Dhanatrayodashi” where the word Dhana means wealth and Trayodashi means 13th day of the month as per Hindu calendar.

Dhanteras is basically known as “Dhanatrayodashi” where the word Dhana means wealth and Trayodashi means 13th day of the month as per Hindu calendar. This day is also known as Dhanvantari Trayodashi. Dhanvantari is an avatar of Shri Vishnu. Kartik Krishna Trayodashi or Dhanteras is also the day to pay our respects to Dhanvantari, the lord of Ayurveda and the physician of the gods. As per Bhagawat Purana, lord Dhanvantari, emerged with golden pitcher full of amrita or ambrosia in his hand from the sea when it was being churned by the gods and the demons.

As per another interpretation, Around 600 BC, Lord Dhanvantari took incarnation again as the son of the King Dirghatamas of Kasi in the royal household and became known as Kasi-raja Dhivodasa. He developed ascetic tendencies even as a young boy and started teaching Ayurveda seeing the misery of human beings afflicted by disease on earth. He taught Ayurveda to the sages and rishis who became his disciples. Later He prepared the samhitas on Ayurveda in eight divisions (Ashtangas) for the benefit of humanity. Lord Dhanvanthari’s teachings are recorded in the Agni Purana as well as through the teachings of His disciple ‘Susrutha’ – one among the two master scholars of Ayurveda and who is still revered to as the Father of Surgery. The Bhagvatam states one who remembers the name of Dhanvantari can be released from all disease. Hence Diwali inaugurates with remembrance of Lord Dhanvantari. During dusk time, a lamp pointing toward North by North-East is lit at the entrance of the door step. During the evening, the white owl, the vehicles of goddess Lakshmi along with Lord Kubera are worshipped to attain wealth and prosperity.

One of the reasons why Dhanteras is special is that it includes worshipping Lord Kubera who is the treasurer of wealth and riches. People purchase gold or silver coins, jewellery, utensils and other new things which according to them brings good luck. Maa Lakshmi and Ganesha Puja is held in the evening of the day with the tiny Diyas of clay, Bhajan, and devotional songs to respect Goddess Lakshmi. The light of tiny Diyas denotes that the shadow of evil spirits will stay away from home. The seven cereals are worshipped on this day including barely, wheat, Urad, gram, Moong and Masoor. Some keep fast on dhanteras. They break their fast after sunset with the puja of Goddess Lakshmi.