Dhanvantari - The Birth of the Unborn

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Lord Dhanvantari - The Original Teacher of Ayurveda

 

The origins of the ancient healing science known as

Ayurveda are lost in cosmic antiquity. According to

the ancient text Caraka-samhita, this " Science of Life

and Longevity " is eternal and is revealed in each

universe in each of its infinite cycles of creation

and destruction. This healing science is generally

revealed by great sages or demigods. Occasionally, the

Supreme Lord Himself descends as the avatara

(incarnation) Dhanvantari and re-inaugurates the

tradition of Ayurveda. This extremely rare appearance

of God is recorded in the Vedic literature of ancient

India.

 

 

The avatara of Dhanvantari appeared billions of years

ago. Although an avatara is unborn, He takes His

divine birth among the living beings to display His

divine pastimes.

 

The First Appearrance of Dhanvantari

 

In this epoch (kalpa), He first appeared during the

great churning of the cosmic milk ocean to deliver

amrta (nectar) for the nourishment of the demigods.

The churning of the milk ocean is one of the most

famous episodes in Puranic history and is celebrated

in major way every twelve years in the festival known

as Kumbha Mela. The story is related in the Srimad

Bhagavatam, a major work that describes the avataras

in great detail. Here is what happened:

 

The great leader of the demigods Indra was riding on

his elephant, when he came across Durvasa Muni. Seeing

the great demigod, Durvasa offered him a special

garland (mala). Indra accepted this garland and put it

on the trunk of the elephant. The elephant threw the

garland onto the floor, thus enraging Durvasa Muni. In

a fit of anger, the sage explained that the garland

was the dwelling of Sri (fortune) and was therefore to

be treated as prasada. (1) Therefore cursed Indra and

all the demigods to be bereft of all strength, energy,

and fortune (Sri).

 

In the ensuing battles, the demigods were defeated in

battle and the demons headed by Bali gained control of

the universe. The demigods sought out the help of Lord

Vishnu, who instructed them in the art of diplomacy.

The demigods then entered into an alliance with the

demons to jointly churn the ocean for the nectar of

immortality and to share it among them. Of course, the

demigods were told by Vishnu that He would arrange for

them alone to obtain the nectar, which would empower

them to defeat the demons.

 

All kinds of herbs were cast into the milk ocean and

using Mandara mountain as the churning rod and Vasuki

as the cord, they proceeded to churn the ocean. This

churning was so arduous that Lord Vishnu Himself

interceded in so many ways to aid the demigods: He was

present as Lord Ajita pulling on the side of the gods,

as Lord Kurma who supported the great Mandara mountain

which was in danger of sinking, and Lord Vishnu

Himself sat atop the Mountain infusing the demigods

and the serpent Vasuki with energy. Many great beings

and objects were produced from the ocean and were

accepted by various demigods as offerings.

Laksmi-devi, the goddess of fortune, appeared from the

ocean and Vishnu and Her were reunited as husband and

wife after having been separated for many ages.

 

Then as they continued churning, a very wonderful male

person appeared. The Bhagavatam tells us, " He was

strongly built; His arms were very long, stout and

strong; His eyes were reddish, and His complexion was

black. He was very young, He was garlanded with

flowers, and His entire body was fully decorated with

various ornaments. " (2)

 

Lord Dhanvantari was " dressed in yellow garments and

wore brightly polished earrings made of pearl. The

tips of His hair were anointed with oil and His chest

was very broad. His body had all good features, and He

was stout and strong as a lion. In His hand, He

carried a jug of nectar. "

 

The demons stole the jug of nectar and Lord Vishnu

appeared as Mohini, a beautiful woman, who fascinated

the demons and recovered the nectar from them. The

demigods took the nectar and drank it and were

invigorated with energy. Thereafter, the demigods

fought the demons and were victorious. They greatly

rejoiced and worshipped Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi, the

goddess of fortune, and resumed their position in the

heavens.

 

Dhanvantari's Second Appearance (3)

 

The second appearance occurred at the beginning of the

reign of the current Manu in the second Dvapara-yuga,

two billion years ago. Lord Vishnu foretold at the

time of the churning that Dhanvantari would appear

again in the human society and be offered sacrifices

and worshipped by human beings. He would also teach

them the science of Ayurveda. Dhanvantari at that time

was residing in the heavens and Lord Indra seeing the

misery of human beings afflicted by disease on earth,

requested the Lord to teach Ayurveda to the human

race.

 

At the same time, the King Dirghatamas of Kasi was

performing penance, desiring a son. The king desired

to propitiate Lord Dhanvantari for the sake of a son.

Thereupon, Dhanvantari appeared to him and urged the

king to choose a boon as he pleased. The king said, " O

Lord, if You are pleased with me, be my son, bestower

of my goal. " The Lord replied, " So be it, " and He

vanished.

 

Lord Dhanvantari was then born in the royal household

of Kasi. He developed ascetic tendencies even as a

young boy and performed severe austerities. Lord

Brahmawith great difficulty persuaded Him to accept

lordship over the city of Kasi and since then He

bacame known as Kasi-raja. As a king He prepared the

samhitas on Ayurveda in eight divisions for the

benefit of humanity.

 

Lord Dhanvantari's teachings are recorded in the Agni

Purana 279-289 as well as through the teachings of His

disciple Susrutha.

 

The Bhagavatam states " smrta-matrarti-nasanah " One who

remembers the name of Dhanvantari can be released from

all disease.

 

 

- From 'avatara.org'

 

 

 

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