Who is Dhanvantari?
Dhanvantari is the Hindu god of medicine. In Hindu mythology, he is also an avatar or reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, the god of sustenance.
In ancient puranas, or scriptures of Indian Hindu civilizations, Dhanvantari is also the god of ayurveda.
Birth / Origin of Dhanvantari
According to Hindu mythology, Dhanvatari originated with the exilir of life, or amrit, during samundra manthan, or churning of the ocean, by gods and demons. It was followed by a scramble between gods and demons to take possession of the pitcher containing the exilir of life.
Dhanvantari Day: Dhanatrayodashi or Dhanvantari Trayodashi (Dhanteras)
Hindus worship Lord Dhanvantari each year on Dhanatrayodashi or Dhanvantari Trayodashi, which is commonly known as Dhanteras. It is the first day of Diwali festival in India. Dhanteras is celebrated on the 13th day of Krishna Paksha in the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar month of Kartik.
Most Hindus seem to have misplaced the day with the day of wealth creation, just before the Diwali festival of lights. On this day, people across different parts of India purchase valuables such as gold and utensils as a symbolism of wealth.
Dhanvantari Mantra: Prayer for Good Health
Dhanvantari, being the god of ayurveda, is worshipped as the provider of good health and long life. Dhanvantari mantra is recited to please Lord Dhanvantari and seek his blessings for good health, well being and long life.
“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”
ॐ नमो भगवते
महा सुदर्शना
वसुदेवा धन्वंताराया ;
अमृता कलसा हस्थाया
सर्व भय विनासाया
सर्व रोका निवारानाया
थ्री लोक्य पठाए
थ्री लोक्य निथाये
श्री महा विष्णु स्वरूपा
श्री धन्वन्तरी स्वरूपा
श्री श्री श्री
ओउषता चक्रा नारायणा स्वाह”
Meaning of Dhanvantari mantra: We pray to the God, Sudarshana Vasudev Dhanvantari. He holds the Kalasha (pitcher) full of nectar of immortality (amrit, or elixir of life). Lord Dhanvantri removes all fears and removes all diseases. He is the well wisher and the preserver of the three worlds. Dhanvantari is like Lord Vishnu, empowered to heal the souls of living beings. We bow to the Lord of Ayurveda.