Labh Panchami (लाभ पंचमी) is a Hindu festival which falls in the Kartika month on the 5th day of the bright fortnight (Kartika Shuklapaksha 05) (कार्तिकः शुक्लपक्षे ०५). As this day falls on the fifth day it is called Panchami (पंचमी) & Labh (लाभ) means Auspiciousness. This day is also known as Saubhagya Panchami (सौभाग्य पंचमी) or Jñān/ Gyan Panchami (ज्ञान पंचमी); here the word Saubhagya (सौभाग्य) means blessedness & Jñān/ Gyan (ज्ञान) means Knowledge. Hence this day is associated with benefit & good luck. In Gujarat it is famously known as Labh Pancham (લાભ પાંચમ) by Gujarati speaking community. The festival of Labh Pancham (લાભ પાંચમ) marks the final day of Diwali celebrations in Gujarat.
In Gujarat, this day is considered highly auspicious. It is believed that rituals performed on the day of Labh Panchami (लाभ पंचमी) bring benefit, auspiciousness, prosperity & good luck in life & especially in business. Most shop owners & businessmen restart their business activities on Labh Panchami (लाभ पंचमी) after Diwali festivities. Hence, in Gujarat, Labh Panchami (लाभ पंचमी) is the first business working day after Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varsh) (બેસતું વર્ષ).
Historical account of Shubh & Labh –
The day of Labh Panchami (लाभ पंचमी) is celebrated to bring Shubh & Labh to the business or personal life. According to the Shiva Purana, Lord Shiva has two sons viz. Kartikeya & Lord Ganesha. We must have heard or read many stories related to Kartikeya & Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha has two wives. Lord Brahma conducted the wedding of Lord Ganesha to Siddhi & Buddhi (also known as Riddhi). Later, after a few years, Lord Ganesha has two sons. To Lord Ganesha (God of Wisdom) & Goddess Buddhi (Goddess of Intellect) a son named Shubh (Auspiciousness) born & to Lord Ganesha (God of Knowledge) & Siddhi (Goddess of Spiritual accomplishments) a son named Labh (Profit) born. So, Shubh is the God of Auspiciousness & Prosperity. Labh is the God of Profit. Intelligence as a quality can only be auspicious or in favour of anyone, if guided by wisdom. Therefore, Lord Ganesha is entitled as the Lord or the owner of the attributes that his sons & wives have i.e., Spiritual accomplishments, Intellect, Auspiciousness & Profit.
As to bring Auspiciousness & Profit to the business, on the day of Labh Panchami, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as along with him, he brings Siddhi, Buddhi, Shubh & Labh (i.e., Spiritual accomplishment, Intellect, Auspiciousness & Profit respectively).
Ritual ceremony of Labh Panchami (लाभ पंचमी) -
Usually, the festival of Diwali ends on the day of Bhai Dooj (भ्रातृ द्वितीया) in some parts of India. It is a five-day festival in central India & some parts of north India where, festival season begins from Dhanteras i.e., from the 13th day of dark fortnight of Ashwina month, which is proceeding to Narak Chaturdashi (Kali Chaudas) (काली चौदस), Diwali, New year & ends on Bhai Dooj (भ्रातृ द्वितीया). In Gujarat, the festival season begins from Vaak Baras (वाक् बारस) i.e., from the 12th day of dark fortnight of Ashwina month & ends on Labh Panchami i.e., the fifth day of bright fortnight of Kartika month (कार्तिकः शुक्लपक्षे ०५). After this, everybody gets engrossed in their work with a positive mindset on the day of Labh Panchmi (लाभ पंचमी).
Labh Panchami (लाभ पंचमी) is one of the most important day for businessmen as, on this day, the new books of accounts are reopened after Diwali. On this day, Lord Ganesha & Goddess Lakshmi are worshipped. As any ritual is incomplete without worshipping Lord Ganesha, first of all puja ritual is done to praise & invoke Lord Ganesha, later Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. Sometimes a small Sacrificial Ritual (यज्ञः) is arranged to invoke & praise Goddess Lakshmi. The terms Shubh & Labh plays a vital part on this day. Shubh denotes auspiciousness while Labh refers to benefit/profit. Businessmen write Shubh on the left & Labh on the right & draw a Swastika in between these two words on the first page of their accounts book. It is one of the most significant days for the people of Gujarat state. After such ritual ceremony, businesses are reopend.
The festival of Kartika Shuklapaksha Panchami (कार्तिकः शुक्लपक्षे ०५) is celebrated as Labh Panchami (लाभ पंचमी) & at the same time, the Jain community celebrates this day as Jñān/ Gyan Panchami (ज्ञान पंचमी). Jñān/ Gyan Panchami (ज्ञान पंचमी) is mostly celebrated by the Jain community along with the Labh Panchami festival. On this occasion, Jain community worship Goddess Saraswati. Artistic & attractive Rangolis are created by them in various places & they worship knowledge by putting paper-pen. Jain sages, listeners celebrate Jñān/ Gyan Panchami by fasting & worshiping Jñān/ Gyan i.e., Goddess Saraswati traditionally. The Jain community believes that, the presence of Lord Ganesha & Goddess Saraswati facilitate the arrival of Lakshmi. Therefore, the three deities are worshipped collectively on Labh Panchami.
Thus, the worship on Labh Panchami (लाभ पंचमी) brings profit, good luck, prosperity & progress in both professional as well as personal life. The festival of Labh Panchami (लाभ पंचमी) is considered to be extremely important for venturing into a new business & also establishing the old one. It is considered to be one of the most auspicious day in Hinduism. As Hindus believe that God pervade everywhere, we also believe that our business is also our God which helps us survive in this materialistic world. Before starting any auspicious work Hindus always worship Gods & Goddesses so that if any hurdles will arrive, God will help through it.
ज्येष्ठः कृष्णपक्षे ०४, २०७७