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Lord Dhanvantari, Founder of Ayurveda
Ayurveda is rooted in the rich spiritual traditions of India. Lord Dhanvantari is considered the founder of Ayurveda, a celestial being who incarnated to share this wisdom with humanity.
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Lord Dhanvantari, Founder of Ayurveda
by Vishnu Dass, NTS, LMT, Cayu.
According to the Charaka Samhita, one of the main Ayurvedic scriptures, the knowledge of Ayurveda is eternal and is revealed in each of the cycles of creation and destruction of the universe. Whenever needed, the Lord himself incarnates as Lord Dhanvantari and reestablishes the tradition of Ayurveda.
Lord Dhanvantari first appeared during the great churning of the cosmic ocean of milk to deliver amrit (ambrosia) for the nourishment of the demigods. The churning of the ocean of milk is a famous episode in the Puranas and is celebrated in India every twelve years in the festival known as Kumbha Mela. The story is related in the Srimad Bhagavatam as follows:
Indra, the great leader of the demigods, was riding on his elephant when he came across the sage Durvasa Muni. Seeing the great demigod, Durvasa offered him a special garland. Indra accepted the garland and put it on the trunk of his elephant, who threw it on the floor. Durvasa Muni was very upset by this, and in anger explained that the garland was the dwelling of the Goddess Sri, and was therefore to be treated as a blessed offering. He then cursed Indra and all the demigods to be bereft of all strength, energy, and fortune due to his rudeness.
From then on, the demigods were defeated over and over in battle and the asuras (demons), headed by Bali, gained control of the universe. The demigods approached Lord Vishnu for help, who advised them to seek alliance with the asuras to be able to churn the ocean of milk for the nectar of immortality. They did it because Lord Vishnu told them that he would make sure they alone would obtain the nectar and recover their power to defeat the demons.
All kinds of herbs were cast into the ocean of milk. Using the mountain Mandara as the rod and Vasuki the serpent as the cord, they proceeded to churn the ocean. The churning was so arduous that Lord Vishnu himself had to appear in many ways to help the demigods: He was present as Lord Ajita pulling on the side of the gods; as Lord Kurma supporting the great Mandara mountain so it wouldn’t sink; and as Lord Vishnu himself sitting on top of the mountain and infusing the demigods with energy.
Many great beings and objects emerged from the ocean. Sri Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, emerged from the ocean and Vishnu and she were reunited as husband and wife after having been separated for many ages.
As they continued churning, Lord Dhanvantari also appeared. He was young and strongly built. His eyes were reddish and his complexion bluish black. His chest was very broad. He was as stout and strong as a lion.He was dressed in bright yellow garments and wore shining earrings made of pearl. His hair was anointed with oil, and he carried a conch, a chakra, leeches, and healing herbs, as well as a pot of ambrosia. The asuras, greedy after all things, seeing the container full of nectar, immediately snatched the pot away.
The demons started quarreling about who would be the first one to drink the nectar, and Lord Vishnu didn't miss the opportunity to trick them. He appeared as Mohini, a beautiful woman who fascinated the demons, recovered the nectar from them, and gave it to the demigods. As soon as they drank it, they were invigorated with energy. Thereafter, they defeated the demons. They greatly rejoiced and after worshipping Lord Vishnu and Shri Lakshmi, resumed their position in the heavens.
Lord Vishnu foretold at the time of the churning that Lord Dhanvantari would appear again in the world to teach men the science of Ayurveda. So Lord Dhanvantari appeared again. He was residing in the heavens when Lord Indra, seeing the misery of human beings afflicted by disease on Earth, requested the Lord to come down and teach them Ayurveda.
At the same time, the King Dirghatamas of Kashi (Benares), who wanted to have a son more than anything, was performing austerities and offering them to Lord Dhanvantari. The Lord appeared to him and offered the king to choose a boon. The king said, “Oh Lord, be born as my son, and become the bestower of my goal.” The Lord replied that he would, and vanished. Lord Dhanvantari was then born in the royal household of Kashi. Even though he eventually became the king of Kashi, he had ascetic tendencies even as a young boy and performed severe austerities. He taught Ayurveda orally to the sages who became his disciples. His teachings are recorded in the Agni Purana, as well as through the teachings of his disciples Susruta, Pauskalavata, Aurabha, Vaitarana, and others.
It is written in the scriptures that, “One who remembers the name of Dhanvantari can be released from all disease.” Even today, in India, the Diwali Festival starts with the remembrance of Lord Dhanvantari. At dusk, a lamp pointing toward North by North-East is lit at the doorstep of the house to welcome Lord Dhanvantari for health and happiness in life.
© 2003 Vishnu Dass. No reproduction allowed without written permission from the author.
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