Introduction to Lord Dhanvantri
Dhanvantri is one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu. People worship him for good health and disease-free life. He is the Hindu God of Healing and Medicine and is considered the ‘Father of Ayurveda,’ the ancient science of Indian Medicine. Dhanvantri is specially worshipped during his Jayanthi (Birthday) and Dhanteras.
Dhanvantri Meaning
The word dhanvan means desert. Dhanvachara refers to the one who moves in a desert. Thus Dhanvantari, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, holding a pot of nectar in his hand, is like an oasis in the desert of worldly existence.
Dhanvantari History
Once the Devas and Asuras churned the Milky Ocean searching for the Amrut, the nectar of immortality. At the last stage of churning, he came out carrying a golden pot containing the nectar of immortality. Dhanvantri is the physician of the Gods and Goddesses, and he saves the world from all kinds of diseases. The detailed incident of his emergence is as follows.
Once the asura monarch Bali reign supreme in all the three worlds, the devas were oppressed and killed by the asuras. Feeling depressed over the crisis, the devas led by Indra took Lord Brahma along with them and went to Lord Vishnu and pleaded with him to save them. Lord Maha Vishnu proposed that the only remedy was to churn the Milky ocean and obtain the divine Amruta, the elixir that will give immortality to them. As the ocean churning was a very big task requiring brute force, the Lord recommended the devas to make temporary peace with the asuras and request their help in this great endeavor.
While Lord Vishnu promised that He would see to it that the devas, not the asuras, get the Amruta, He also warned the devas to accept any suggestions the asuras might make. Lord Maha Vishnu agreed to be a part of the churning effort as well.
Accordingly, the devas and the asuras started the ocean churning using the Mandara mountain as the churning staff and the serpent Vasuki as the rope. The first thing that came out of the ocean was the Halahala poison, which Lord Shiva swallowed to save the world from destruction. Then many heavenly things and beings emerged and were divided between the Devas and Asuras. Goddess Lakshmi too emerged from the ocean, and she married Lord Maha Vishnu.
The churning continued and finally, Lord Dhanvantari holding a vessel filled with nectar, emerged from the ocean. The Asuras snatched the nectar pot from Dhanvantri, but Maha Vishnu took the form of Mohini and tricked the Asuras and distributed the Amrut to the devas.
Depiction of Lord Dhanvantri
Dhanvantari features a dark complexion and has four hands. His upper hands hold Conch and Ayurvedic texts, while the lower hands hold Jalauka (leech) and a pot containing Amrita. Dhanvantri is depicted wearing yellow clothes and is adorned with flower garlands and ornaments.
Dhanvantri Jayanthi
The birthday of Dhanvantri is known as Dhanvntri Jayanthi. Every year it falls on the 13th lunar day in Aswini Month. On this day, Lord Dhanvantari emerged from the Milky Ocean with Amurutha Kalasam in his hands.
In 2016, the Union Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Sidda, and Homoeopathy) of the Indian Government announced that Dhanvantri Jayanti would be observed as the Ayurveda Day.
Every year during Dhanvantri’s birthday, people visit his shrines and recite Dhanvantri mantras and slokas.
Dhanvantri Mantra and Meaning
Below is a popular Dhanvantri mantra chanted by people for good health and the removal of all fears.
Om Namo Bhagavate Maha Sudharshana Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye
Amrutha Kalasa Hasthaaya Sarva Bhaya Vinasaya Sarva Roka Nivaranaya
Thri Lokya Pathaye Thri Lokya Nithaye Sri Maha Vishnu Swarupa Sri Dhanvantri Swarupa
Sri Sri Sri Aoushata Chakra Narayana Swaha
Meaning:
We pray to God, who is known as Sudarshana Vasudeva Dhanvanthari. He holds the Kalasha full of nectar of immortality and removes all fears and diseases. Dhanvantri is the well-wisher and the preserver of the three worlds. He is like Lord Vishnu, empowered to heal the Jiva souls. We bow to the Lord of Ayurveda.
Dhanwantari Gayatri Mantra
Om tat purushaaya vidmahae Amritha kalasa hastaaya dheemahi
Tanno Dhanvantri prasodayaat
Meaning:
I worship the supreme person who holds the pot containing Amrut. As meditate on him, let him kindle my intellect with wisdom.
Dhanvantari Mantra for Ayurvedic Practioners
Several Doctors and physicians pray to Lord Dhanvantri to treat a patient successfully. Most of the Indian traditional medicine system practitioners start treating the patients after invoking Dhanvantri. Below mantra is recited by them before commencing the treatment.
Namani Dhanwanthary Aadi Devam
Surasura Vanditham Pada Padmam
Loke Jara Rugbhay Mrityu Nashakam
Datharam Eesham Vividhaushadhinam
Meaning:
I bow down in front of you, Lord Dhanvantari. The gods and demons respectfully worship your lotus feet. You have infinite powers to save the people from the miseries of diseases, aging, fear of death, and other sufferings. Oh Lord, please bless me with your grace and medicines to help the people with cures from their diseases.
Benefits of Dhanvantri Mantra for Health
- Chanting the Dhanvantri mantra will improve the vitality and energy levels in humans.
- It will lead to a natural state of well-being.
- This mantra can obliterate mental fears and all kinds of afflictions.
- Continuous chanting of the Dhanvantari mantra will act as a protection ring to you and your family.
- Whenever the mantra is chanted, its divine vibes will reach you and will transform your body, mind, and soul.
- The more you chant this mantra, its positive and healing effects on you will be significant.
- Incurable diseases can be cured by chanting the Dhanvantri mantras.
- This mantra is capable of curing both physical and mental problems.
- This mantra can grant the wish of liberation.
With the world experiencing difficult times due to the Corona pandemic, worshipping Lord Dhanvantri and chanting his mantra will help to come out of this crisis successfully. May he bless us all with sound health and a peaceful mind.
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