Dhanteras 2024: The auspicious time of Dhanteras has arrived. The five-day festival of lights begins on Kartik Krishna Trayodashi. In this, Dhanteras is considered the most auspicious day for shopping. It is believed that on this day the nectar vessel emerged from the churning of the ocean. Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, had appeared with the pot of nectar. Dhanvantari is worshiped on this day for health and well-being. This day is also considered Kuber’s day. Kuber is also worshiped on this day for his wealth and prosperity. Let us tell you today who are Lord Dhanvantari and Kuber Maharaj who are worshiped in Dhanteras?
Dhanvantari arose from the churning of the ocean
It is a mythological belief that of the 24 incarnations of Lord Vishnu, the twelfth incarnation was that of Dhanvatnari. Many stories about the appearance of Lord Dhanvantari are found in the Puranas. It is said that when the ocean was churning, fourteen gems emerged from the depths of the ocean. When the gods and demons were churning the ocean with the help of Vasuki Naag by turning the Mandar mountain into a churn, after the thirteen gems, Dhanvantari ji appeared as the fourteenth gem in the Trayodashi of Kartik Krishna Paksha. Dhanvantari had appeared with the blessing of Amrit, i.e. life, and also had knowledge of Ayurveda. That is why he is considered the god of health.
Lord Dhanvantari has four arms. Like Lord Vishnu, he has a conch and chakra in his hands. With the other hand he has also held the vessel of nectar. Dhanvatnari appeared in Kartik Krishna Paksha’s Trayodashi. Therefore, there is a tradition of buying utensils on this date. It is believed that the amount of shopping done on the day of Dhanteras increases considerably.
Kuber Maharaj is the treasurer of the gods.
There is also a tradition of worshiping Kuber Maharaj on the day of Dhanteras. Kuber Maharaj is called the treasurer of the gods. The story of how he became treasurer is very interesting. According to mythology, Kuber was the grandson of Lord Brahma and son of sage Vishrava. Kuber was born in a family of wise men, but the characteristics of his life made him different from the common. Through hard penance and sadhana, Kuber had obtained the blessing of immense wealth and being the king of Yakshas from Lord Brahma.
Brahma also declared him the god of wealth, glory and prosperity. Lord Brahma gave a special blessing to Kuber to be called the “treasurer of wealth” of the entire world. Kuber is also said to be the guardian of Lord Shiva. According to Skanda Purana, Lord Shiva had given the title of Kuber to Gunanidhi. It is said that by worshiping Kuber Maharaj on the day of Dhanteras, the storehouse of wealth never remains empty.
