Dhanteras: Celebration of Good Health

Dhanteras: Celebration of Good Health

The five-day festivities of Diwali which are celebrated with great gusto in Mewar as in other parts of the country began with Dhan Teras. There seems to be a feeling of excitement all over the town, in the houses which are being cleaned and decorated and in the busy streets of the markets where feverish buying has already started.

 

Dhanteras: Celebration of Good Health

The five-day festivities of Diwali which are celebrated with great gusto in Mewar as in other parts of the country began with Dhan Teras. There seems to be a feeling of excitement all over the town, in the houses which are being cleaned and decorated and in the busy streets of the markets where feverish buying has already started.

Dhan Teras is considered to be the most auspicious day for shopping of articles of permanent use such as vehicles, jewelry, property and electronic goods.

Amid all this hectic buying, one aspect of Dhan Teras does not get the attention it rightly deserves. It was on this day that the ‘Vaidya’ of gods, Dhanvantary was born. He is considered to be the father of Ayurveda which is a part of Atharveda. Brahma, the Lord of Creation acquired the knowledge of Ayurveda, and then this knowledge about healing was transferred to Daksha Parjapati, Ashwini- Indra, Bhardwaj in succession. When this knowledge was needed again for the welfare of mankind, Lord Vishnu appeared as an ‘avatar’ in the form of Dhanvantary.

After Samudra Manthan he emerged out of the ocean with a pot of nectar discovered by the Gods. This event is celebrated during Kumbha Fair which is held after every twelve years. He has a conch in one hand which represents power, Ayurveda granth in another and Amrit Kalash in third. In the background of his head is a bright aura ‘Gyan Chakra’ which aims at destroying ignorance from the world.

He wears a bright saffron robe. Before Samudra Manthan, quite a few things such as Kamdhenu, the wish fulfilling cow, Erawat elephant and Kalpavriksha had appeared on the earth. The last valuable gem that the ocean gave to earth was in the form of Dhanvantary who is worshipped as a God and the day of his appearance is celebrated as Dhan Teras. The God of prosperity and glory, Kuber is also worshipped on this day.

Dhanteras is usually associated with wealth in terms of physical possessions. However, according to Ayurveda, the most important ‘sukh’ is a healthy body and then comes wealth. This is why sages have recommended that first of all Dhanvantary should be worshipped and then Goddess Laxmi.

Worshipping him symbolizes the honoring of Ayurveda, healing herbs and vegetation and expressing gratitude for the gifts of nature.

This celebration is well timed as the beginning of the winter season when the weather is quite moderate and is most appropriate for health building. According to Ayurveda, if one follows its rules, one remains healthy and that is why celebration of this auspicious day might be in form of Health Day.

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