Dhanteras, an auspicious festival marking the beginning of Diwali, is celebrated with reverence and joy across India. Falling on the thirteenth day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartika, it holds profound spiritual and cultural importance. The name itself, Dhanteras, combines “Dhan” (meaning wealth) and “Teras” (the thirteenth day), symbolizing not just material prosperity but also spiritual well-being. Central to Dhanteras is the worship of Lord Dhanvantari, the divine healer and incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who symbolizes health, longevity, and holistic well-being.
Who Is Lord Dhanvantari?
In Hindu mythology, Lord Dhanvantari is the celestial physician and the originator of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine. Depicted with four hands holding a pot of amrita (the nectar of immortality), a Shankha (conch), a Chakra (discus), and medicinal herbs or leeches, he embodies healing and restoration. His role is paramount in Hindu mythology, particularly in the story of the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), which is central to understanding the importance of Dhanteras.
The Tale of Samudra Manthan and Dhanvantari’s Emergence
The Samudra Manthan is a grand allegory in Hindu scriptures, appearing in the Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana. This story tells of the Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) coming together to churn the ocean of milk to obtain amrita, the elixir of immortality. The Devas hoped the amrita would grant them eternal strength, while the Asuras sought unparalleled power. During this process, numerous celestial treasures emerged from the ocean, including Kamdhenu (the wish-fulfilling cow), Airavata (a divine elephant), Kaustubh Mani (a rare gem), and the goddess Lakshmi herself.
Dhanvantari god appeared, holding a pot of amrita, symbolizing health and eternal life. His emergence represents divine intervention by Lord Vishnu, who incarnated as Dhanvantari to ensure the well-being of all beings. This event marked Dhanvantari as the supreme healer and protector, giving him a revered place in Hindu belief.
The Connection between Dhanvantari and Dhanteras
1. Symbol of Health and Prosperity
Dhanteras celebrates the harmony between health and wealth. Lord Dhanvantari’s role as the harbinger of both reflects a belief that true prosperity includes well-being alongside material success. Hence, on Dhanteras, people worship Dhanvantari for blessings of health, wealth, and longevity, seeking a balance between physical well-being and material prosperity.
2. The Significance of Amrita: Immortality and Vitality
The amrita that Dhanvantari holds symbolizes life and health. On Dhanteras, buying gold, silver, or other valuable items is customary, symbolizing the arrival of good fortune and health. Dhanteras is not just about shopping for gold, silver, and utensils. It is about praying to the Lord for health and keeping you well so you can earn wealth.
3. Ayurveda and Its Role in Modern Wellness
As the founder of Ayurveda, Dhanvantari introduced holistic health practices to humanity. His association with Ayurveda adds an extra layer of meaning to Dhanteras, as this day also honours his contribution by incorporating Ayurvedic principles into their rituals. Some even use medicinal herbs and plants as offerings, embracing a lifestyle rooted in balance and wellness.
Dhanvantari Jayanti
Dhanvantari Jayanti, celebrated on Dhanteras, honours Lord Dhanvantari as the father of Ayurveda and the patron deity of health. Worshippers perform rituals, lighting diyas (lamps) with clarified butter in the northeastern direction of their homes. This ritual and reciting the Dhanvantari Mantra are believed to promote physical and spiritual healing. Additionally, many Ayurveda practitioners, especially in India, regard Dhanvantari as their guiding deity, offering free health services on this day to embody his principles of selfless care.
Rituals and Acts of Compassion on Dhanvantari Jayanti:
1. Offering Medicines to the Needy
Devotees commemorate Dhanvantari by distributing medicines to those in need, symbolizing the spreading of good health and compassion.
2. Supporting Public Health Initiatives
Doctors, especially those practising Ayurveda, often organize free health camps on this day to honour the healing spirit of Dhanvantari.
3. Practicing Selfless Service
Acts of charity, like aiding the elderly or the underprivileged, are encouraged as they align with Dhanvantari’s message of service to humanity.
Story Behind Dhanteras
In addition to Dhanvantari’s story, Dhanteras is enriched by other tales. One popular legend tells of a young prince, the son of King Hima, who was destined to die from a snakebite on the fourth day of his marriage. To protect him, his wife piled gold and silver around him and illuminated the room with lamps. The radiant glow and melodic singing distracted Yama, the god of death, who left without harming the prince. This legend inspired the practice of lighting diyas and displaying wealth on Dhanteras, symbolizing the victory of life over death and prosperity over adversity.
Today, Dhanteras is widely celebrated as a day of new beginnings. Families clean and decorate their homes, welcome wealth by buying gold and silver, and honor Dhanvantari’s legacy by embracing Ayurveda and traditional wellness practices. This dual emphasis on wealth and health reflects a holistic view of prosperity. Beyond material gain, Dhanteras encourages investing in physical and spiritual well-being.
How to Celebrate Dhanteras Mindfully
– Worship Dhanvantari:
Offer prayers and light a lamp in the northeastern direction of your home to invite positive energy.
– Purchase Gold or Silver:
It symbolizes welcoming prosperity. However, mindful purchases also bring attention to sustaining good health and wealth.
– Practice Ayurveda:
Incorporate Ayurvedic practices or distribute Ayurvedic medicines as an homage to Dhanvantari’s teachings.
– Charity and Service:
Donate to those in need or support health initiatives as an act of compassion and service.
Dhanteras reminds us that wealth is incomplete without health and that material and spiritual success go hand in hand. This festival transcends time by venerating Dhanvantari, the divine healer, and urging us to embrace a life of wellness, balance, and gratitude.
Dhanvantari Mantra in English
- Om Shree Dhanvantre Namaha.!!
- Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaaya, Dhanvantaraye Amrita- Kalasha Hastaaya
- Sarva-amaya Vinashaaya Trailokya Naathaya Dhanvantri Maha-vishnave Namaha..!!
Dhanvantari Mantra in Hindi
ध्यानं
अच्युतानंत गोविंद विष्णो नारायणाऽमृत
रोगान्मे नाशयाऽशेषानाशु धन्वंतरे हरे ।
आरोग्यं दीर्घमायुष्यं बलं तेजो धियं श्रियं
स्वभक्तेभ्योऽनुगृह्णंतं वंदे धन्वंतरिं हरिम् ॥
शंखं चक्रं जलौकां दधदमृतघटं चारुदोर्भिश्चतुर्भिः ।
सूक्ष्मस्वच्छातिहृद्यांशुक परिविलसन्मौलिमंभोजनेत्रम् ।
कालांभोदोज्ज्वलांगं कटितटविलसच्चारुपीतांबराढ्यम् ।
वंदे धन्वंतरिं तं निखिलगदवनप्रौढदावाग्निलीलम् ॥
धन्वंतरेरिमं श्लोकं भक्त्या नित्यं पठंति ये ।
अनारोग्यं न तेषां स्यात् सुखं जीवंति ते चिरम् ॥
मंत्रं
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय धन्वंतरये अमृतकलशहस्ताय [वज्रजलौकहस्ताय] सर्वामयविनाशनाय त्रैलोक्यनाथाय श्रीमहाविष्णवे स्वाहा ।
[पाठांतरः]
ॐ नमो भगवते महासुदर्शनाय वासुदेवाय धन्वंतरये अमृतकलशहस्ताय सर्वभयविनाशाय सर्वरोगनिवारणाय त्रैलोक्यपतये त्रैलोक्यनिधये श्रीमहाविष्णुस्वरूप श्रीधन्वंतरीस्वरूप श्री श्री श्री औषधचक्र नारायणाय स्वाहा ।
गायत्री मंत्रम्
ॐ वासुदेवाय विद्महे सुधाहस्ताय धीमहि ।
तन्नो धन्वंतरिः प्रचोदयात् ।
तारकमंत्रम्
ॐ धं धन्वंतरये नमः ।