Dhanteras gifts tradition and its history/legend
10.12.04 (5:05 am) [edit]
[b]Dhanteras[/b] known also as Dhantrayodashi takes place on the thirteenth day of the Ashwin masa, two days prior to Diwali. It is celebrated to revere Dhanavantri, the physician of the gods, who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
According to a legend, Sage Durvasa was enraged with Lord Indra, when the latter did not notice him. He cursed Indra due to which Lord Lakshmi deserted him and he was bereft of wealth and prosperity. He started feeling miserable and the morale of the inhabitants of heaven touched a new low. For demons (asuras), this was the kind of opportune moment they were waiting for to get back at their rivals. They invaded heaven and unseated Indra. Indra had to flee away from heaven.
For quite a few years demons ruled over the heaven. At this time, Indra's teacher Brihaspati sought the help of Brahma. Brahma went to Vishnu acting as an emissary for gods. Vishnu asked to churn the oceans and thereby gain the friendship of the demons. He also suggested that Mandara Mountain could be used as a churning rod, while Vasuki, the king of the serpents would aid them as a rope. The resultant mixture would be ambrosia (amrut) which would make gods immortal, when drunk by them. He assured them assistance in this endeavour and even volunteered to come to their aid when necessary. He also assured them that goddess Lakshmi would reappear again.
Brihaspati shrewdly managed to strike a friendship with the demons who were hoping to get ambrosia and wealth. The churning process was put in motion. Kalakuta, a dreadful poison was produced during this process. However, Lord Shiva came to the rescue by drinking it. This process caused Apsara damsels to be born. Suddenly, a goddess Lakshmi standing on a lotus appeared. The king of the sea also emerged in his original form and accepted Lakshmi as his daughter.
Finally Dhanavantri appeared with the jug of ambrosia in her hand. Demons and Gods both hankered after the ambrosia, but Vishnu managed to pass it on to the Gods. Gods drank it and defeated the Asuras.
Therefore, Dhanteras is celebrated in honor of Dhanavantri. Dhanteras is also celebrated in reverence of Laxmi.
According to a legend, Sage Durvasa was enraged with Lord Indra, when the latter did not notice him. He cursed Indra due to which Lord Lakshmi deserted him and he was bereft of wealth and prosperity. He started feeling miserable and the morale of the inhabitants of heaven touched a new low. For demons (asuras), this was the kind of opportune moment they were waiting for to get back at their rivals. They invaded heaven and unseated Indra. Indra had to flee away from heaven.
For quite a few years demons ruled over the heaven. At this time, Indra's teacher Brihaspati sought the help of Brahma. Brahma went to Vishnu acting as an emissary for gods. Vishnu asked to churn the oceans and thereby gain the friendship of the demons. He also suggested that Mandara Mountain could be used as a churning rod, while Vasuki, the king of the serpents would aid them as a rope. The resultant mixture would be ambrosia (amrut) which would make gods immortal, when drunk by them. He assured them assistance in this endeavour and even volunteered to come to their aid when necessary. He also assured them that goddess Lakshmi would reappear again.
Brihaspati shrewdly managed to strike a friendship with the demons who were hoping to get ambrosia and wealth. The churning process was put in motion. Kalakuta, a dreadful poison was produced during this process. However, Lord Shiva came to the rescue by drinking it. This process caused Apsara damsels to be born. Suddenly, a goddess Lakshmi standing on a lotus appeared. The king of the sea also emerged in his original form and accepted Lakshmi as his daughter.
Finally Dhanavantri appeared with the jug of ambrosia in her hand. Demons and Gods both hankered after the ambrosia, but Vishnu managed to pass it on to the Gods. Gods drank it and defeated the Asuras.
Therefore, Dhanteras is celebrated in honor of Dhanavantri. Dhanteras is also celebrated in reverence of Laxmi.