Dhanteras 2023

Dhanteras, every year, is celebrated on the thirteenth day of the Kartik Krishna Paksha. It is a ritual to buy brand new things on this day. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on this day as this day brings an increase in wealth. Lord Dhanwantari also incarnated on this day, which is why it is called Dhan Teresa. Dhanwantari and Mata Lakshmi are among the fourteen gems received during the Samudra Manthan performed jointly by the gods and demons. This date is also known as Dhanwantari Trayodashi.

इस पेज को हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए “धनतेरस” पर क्लिक करें।

Dhanteras is a famous festival among the Hindus. It marks the commencement of Diwali. In Jainism, Dhanteras is also called Dhanya Teras and Dhyan Teras. Lord Mahavira revitalized Jain dharma on this day. According to tradition, Mahavira attained omniscience, i.e., absolute or complete knowledge, thus making Diwali one of the most important Jain festivals. This day is also known as National Ayurveda Day.

Why do we buy Utensils on Dhanteras?

God Dhanwantari appeared on the thirteenth day of the Kartik Krishna Paksha by churning of the sea. He had a pot filled with nectar when he appeared. Hence, utensils are bought on this day as God Dhanwantari had a utensil in hand. One should purchase utensils of brass and silver as it will please Lord Dhanwantari. Dhanteras also bring good health and fortune.

Importance of Lightning Diya in the South direction 

According to Indian culture, health is considered above wealth. The saying 'पहला सुख निरोगी काया, दूजा सुख घर में माया' is famous even today. This is why Dhanteras is given so much importance and celebrated before Diwali.

Dhanteras Mythology

One day Yamraja asked his messengers that when you take someone's life away from them, do you sometimes have mercy for them? Does it sometimes break your heart that you cannot do anything about it? Yamdoots hesitated and said, we follow your instructions. Our purpose is not to feel this way. Yamraja felt that maybe they are scared of him, and that's why not telling the truth. He asked them to be fearless and tell him everything honestly. Yamdoots then said that once they came across a situation that shook their heart and didn't want to do their job. Yamraja asked them to tell him what had happened. 

Yamdoots said, "Once there was a king named Hans who went for a hunt in the jungle. Amidst the hunting, he lost his way and got separated by the other hunters. The king crossed the borders and went to another kingdom. King Hema heartily welcomed King Hans. 

The same day King Hema's wife gave birth to a baby boy. Astrologers calculated the constellations and said that the boy would die after four days of getting married. By the king's order, that child was placed as a celibate in a cavity on the river Yamuna banks. He was asked to stay away from women. 

Time passed by, and one day, King Hans's daughter went to the river Yamuna banks. She saw the celibate and married him. On the 4th day of the marriage, the prince died." 

When the yamdoots got to know about their story, they felt devastated. They couldn't listen to what happened to the newlywed couple. They exclaimed that their tears didn't stop when they were picking the young prince's dead body. 

To this, Yamraja said, "what can we do? For restriction of the legislation, we have to this unpleasant terrible job." 

One of the Yamdoots replied, "Maharaja, is there nothing we can do to escape the premature death?" 

Yamraja said that there is a solution to this dreadful situation. 

Worshiping Dhanwantri and doing the Deep Daan relieves premature death. In the house where this worship is done, there is no fear of early death. 

After this incident, the practice of worshipping Dhanwantri and doing the Deep Daan started. According to this belief, in the evening of Dhanteras, people light Diyas in the south direction to pray to Lord Yam. As a result, the worshipper and his family get protection from the God of Death's wrath. If you light a Diya and worship Goddess Lakshmi, it brings good health to the family. 

How did Lakshmi Ji reach the farmer's house? Another story 

Shrihari, who once resided with Mata Lakshmi in Kshirsagar, realized that the death could be inspected. Mata Lakshmi also started asking to come with him.

Lord Vishnu said that she has to follow his conditions if she wants to come with him. Mata Lakshmi agreed and came to visit Earth with him. After some time, Lord Vishnu asked her to wait at a place for him and not go anywhere until he comes back and asks her to. Mata Lakshmi refused to listen to Lord Vishnu and continued to follow him. 

She came across a beautiful mustard field and got delighted after seeing beautiful yellow mustard flowers. She decorated herself with these beautiful flowers. After some time, she saw a sugarcane field. She got very excited as she wanted to have the tasty ripped sugarcane. 

Seeing this, Lord Vishnu got very angry with her as she stole the poor farmer's fruits. He cursed her to stay with the farmer for 12 years and help him with his farming. After cursing her, Lord Vishnu left for Kshirsagar. 

Mata Lakshmi took care of him for 12 years and even blessed him with silver jewels. In the thirteenth year, when Lord Vishnu came to take her back, the farmer refused to send Mata Lakshmi back. To this, Lord Vishnu said that no one could stop her from going. She is always moving from places to places. The farmer still didn't agree and begged Mata Lakshmi to stay with him.

With this, Mata Lakshmi came up with a solution. She asked the farmer to follow whatever she says, and if he does this, she will come back for a year. She said tomorrow is the thirteenth. Clean your house nicely. Then in the evening, worship me with lightning a Diya. Fill a copper vessel for me with coins. If you do this, I will reside in your house for a year. And when the farmer did this, he became prosperous again. Every year, the thirteenth day of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month is celebrated as Dhanteras.

Dhanteras Puja Vidhi

It is always preferred to pray in the evening. At the place of worship, the idols of Lord Kubera and Dhanwantari should be kept on the north side. Along with them, worship Mata Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. It is said that Lord Kubera should be offered sweets of white colour while Lord Dhanwantari should be offered yellow sweets. This is because the yellow colour is Lord Dhanwantari's favorite. Flowers, fruits, rice, roli, dhoop, and Diyas should be kept in the Pooja thaali. Lord Yamraja should be prayed after lighting the Diya. 

Dhanteras astrological concept 

Ancient narratives are not just stories, as they have essential roles in today's environment as well. According to astrology, if there is any problem in the house due to disease, clash, pain, court case, or enemy, what kind of lamp would be benefited by burning? What type of oil in the lamp is best can be calculated. 

Lamps and Oils 

1. Lamps made out of flour are considered favorable for any occasion or Pooja. 

2. Ghee diyas should be lighted to get freedom from money constraints. 

3. Sesame oil lamp should be lit to get rid of Saturn's disaster. One gets rid of the troubles coming at home.

4. Lamp of mahua oil should be lighted in the house temple for the long life of the husband. 

5. Flaxseed oil lamp should be lit to calm the condition of planets Rahu and Ketu. 

6. To win a pending court case, light a five-faced lamp in front of the house temple. 

7. To avoid enemies or prevent any objections, please Shani Dev by burning a mustard oil lamp.

What to Do on Dhanteras  

a) Clean your house thoroughly. This brings positive vibes in one's life and home.

b) Make sure you clean all spider webs around you as they can cause hindrance in your wealth. 

c) Close the doors of your bathroom. Open bathroom doors attract negative energy and cause problems in money matters. 

d) The Northside of the house is said to belong to Lord Kubera. Keep this side of the house clean as they can be a smooth inflow of money. 

e) Make sure you close all the taps of the house as wastage of water means less income. 

f) Don't buy any sharp objects like scissors, knives, etc. 

g) Buy a brand-new broom as it is a symbol of Mata Lakshmi. 

h) Buying items of brass, steel, gold, and silver on Dhanteras is considered very auspicious.

What to not do on Dhanteras 

1. Don't touch the broom using your foot. This means you're disrespecting Mata Lakshmi. 

2. Do not buy oil at all on Dhanteras nor buy any such item in which oil is used. If you have to buy oil, buy oil one or two days before Dhanteras.

3. Don't buy anything black. It is considered to be inauspicious. 

4. Do not give loans to anyone on this day. If you do so, it will cause money loss. 

5. Do not buy any glass item. Glass is said to be related to Rahu. 

6. Worship Lord Dhanwantari also and not just Lord Kubera. 

7. Do not come into blows with anyone on this day. It is believed that Mata Lakshmi doesn't bless the house whose members are fighting. 

8. Do not use vindictive weapons.

9. Do not disrespect elders. Mata Lakshmi doesn't bless the house in which elders are being disrespected and insulted. 

Dhanteras Mantra

कुबेर धन प्राप्ति मंत्र-

ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं श्रीं क्लीं वित्तेश्वराय नमः॥

कुबेर अष्टलक्ष्मी मंत्र-

ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं क्रीं श्रीं कुबेराय अष्ट-लक्ष्मी मम गृहे धनं पुरय पुरय नमः॥

कुबेर मंत्र-

ॐ यक्षाय कुबेराय वैश्रवणाय धनधान्याधिपतये

धनधान्यसमृद्धिं मे देहि दापय दापय स्वाहा॥

You can read similar write-up on relevance of astrology in indian festivals for all other major Indian Festivals.