First Day of Deepavali

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Dhanatrayadashi Day<br><br>Meaning<br>The word

Divali has been derived from the word Dipavali, a

Sanskrut word, meaning a row of lights. During Divali,

lamps are lit everywhere.<br><br>It is celebrated on

four consecutive days - the thirteenth day

(Dhanatrayodashi), the fourteenth day (Narak chaturdashi) and the

new moon day (Lakshmipujan) of the dark fortnight of

the Hindu lunar calendar month of Ashvin, and the

first day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of

Kartik (Balipratipada). This year, Dhanatrayodashi falls

on November 13, Narak chaturdashi and Lakshmipujan

fall on November 14, and Balipratipada falls on

November 15. <br><br>Significance and celebration <br>The

thirteenth day (trayodashi) of the dark fortnight of the

month of Ashwin<br>It is also called Dhanatrayodashi or

in common language, Dhanteras. The Hindu commercial

year comprises of the period between one

Dhanatrayodashi and another. Businessmen worship their treasuries

and begin new account books on this

day.<br><br>According to the Ayurveda (ancient Indian medical science),

it is the birthday of the deity Dhanvantari, the

deity bestowing immortality. Hence, it is also called

Dhanvantari jayanti. On this day, Ayurvedic doctors (vaidyas)

worship Him by making a sacred offering (prasad) of small

pieces of neem leaves and sugar to visitors. Besides the

fact that neem leaves are very good for health

(chewing five to six of them everyday helps prevent

malady), they also have the highest ability to absorb

prajapati frequencies.<br><br>On this day, one performs

Yamadipadan that is, an offering of lamps to Lord Yama to

prevent untimely death. Thirteen lamps made of wheat

flour and lit with oil should be placed outside the

house, facing southwards (direction of Lord Yama), in

the evening. A lamp is never kept facing southwards

except on this day.<br><br>Then reciting the following

mantra one should offer obeisance: “I offer these

thirteen lamps to the son (Lord Yama) of the Sun deity

(Surya), so that He liberates me from the clutches of

death and bestows His blessings.” <br><br>Love

<br><br>Sanatan<br><br>Glenn - Sampada