The five-day tradition of Diwali has started with Dhanteras on Saturday. This is a festival of Sanatan tradition which is not just related to worship, but is a wonderful confluence of health and spirituality. Because the first two days of Diwali are completely based on Ayurveda. While Dhanteras is the day of Dhanvantari deity, Narak Chaturdashi, the second day of Diwali, is also related to Ayurveda.
Narak Chaturdashi is also called Roop Chaturdashi. The form has been explained in spirituality. The meaning of this form is not to be fair or beautiful, but this form comes from the purification of inner thoughts and the mind being beautiful.
Goswami ji says in Ramcharit Manas…
‘How can a dirty mind and body be beautiful?
Like Kanak Ghat full of poison’
(If the mind is filled with bad feelings and thoughts, then there is no use in having a beautiful body, it is just like keeping a golden urn filled with poison.)
What does Ayurveda say?
Ayurveda says that if someone’s mind is dirty, his body also cannot be beautiful. There are many such physical disorders mentioned in Ayurveda, the root cause of which is ‘disorder of the mind’. For example, if you worry too much, it affects your digestive system and you will often suffer from stomach disorders. Similarly, a disease called freckles on the face is also similar. If there is a lot of jealousy, enmity and evilness in the mind then it can manifest as freckles on the face.
Roop Chaturdashi is the festival of beauty
Diwali The name of the festival celebrated on the second day in the series is generally Narak Chaturdashi, but it is also called Roop Chaudas in Indian tradition. In ‘Roop Chaudas’, Roop means beauty and Chaudas means 14th day. On this day women decorate themselves. Roop Chaudas puja is mainly performed by women to attain or enhance beauty, but its traditions are not limited to that only.
People do beauty treatments on Roop Chaudas. Mythology says that Lord Krishna killed Narakasura on this day. Narak Chaturdashi symbolizes the destruction of evil in the world and the arrival of new light. Therefore, earthen lamps are lit for several days.
Time to prepare yourself for seasonal changes
Actually, the festival of Diwali falls at a time when the season is changing. Therefore, purification of the body and environment before Diwali is considered necessary to welcome divine energy. Roop Chaturdashi is the time to welcome this new changing season and prepare ourselves for the coming winter. On Roop Chaudas, people take Abhyanga Snan, which is a ritual bath performed in the morning before sunrise. This bath involves applying ubtan. A natural mixture of gram flour, turmeric, sandalwood, rose water and mustard oil which is known for its detoxification and beauty enhancing properties.
massage and scrub day
This massage and rubbing not only exfoliates the skin but also improves blood circulation and promotes mental peace. According to Ayurvedic belief, applying oil before bathing (called Abhyanga) nourishes the skin, flushes out toxins and balances the body’s doshas (vata, pitta, kapha).
Spiritually, bathing symbolizes the removal of negativity, sins and fatigue, symbolizing rebirth into light and purity, which brings forth the true meaning of Diwali.
The five substances included in Ubtan are symbols of all the five elements. The same five elements that make up our body.
Gram flour: The gram flour included in Ubtan provides natural glow by removing dead skin. Gram flour symbolizes the earth element and connects our body to the earth.
Rose water- Special rose water prepared by the distillation method of rose gives internal coolness to the body and is a symbol of water element.
Turmeric: Improves complexion and works as an antiseptic. Turmeric balances the Vata i.e. air element of the body. Purifies internally and creates a protective circle of protection against bacteria externally. It is the symbol of air element.
Chandan: Sandalwood also provides coolness and comfort to the skin and is a symbol of the sky element. This makes the skin fragrant and the complexion glows.
Mustard Oil Massage: It keeps the body warm, improves blood circulation and strengthens the immune system. Mustard oil is a symbol of fire element.
The day when every housewife becomes Lakshmi Swarupa.
Women especially beautify themselves on this day and become as divine as Goddess Lakshmi herself is. Indian housewives are considered to be the embodiment of Lakshmi and this is a day to celebrate their beauty and love themselves. With this beauty, she prepares to worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. In many areas, people also apply kajal and use natural fragrances or rose extracts to enhance their aura.
These rituals reflect the ancient Indian understanding that beauty is not just physical – it stems from cleanliness, positivity and inner peace.
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