Day To Worship The God of Ayurveda
Dhanvantari Jayanthi or more popularly known as Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five-day Diwali festivl. Many worship Goddess Lakshmi and Kubera on this day for wealth and prosperiety. But It is believed that on Dhana Trayodashi Lord Dhanvantri has appeared during the ‘Sagar Manthan’, as the God of Medicine. Hence Dhanteras is also celebrated as Dhanvantri Jayanthi and the Governement of india has declared the Dhanvantri Jayanthi as the National “Ayurveda Day’.
According to the legends Goddess Mahalaxmi was also born on this day, hence people celebrate the birthdays of Goddess Laxmi and Lord Dhanvantari on the same day.
Who is Lord Dhanavatari
According to the Hindu scriptures and traditions, Dhanwantari is said to be an incarnation of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu as he appeared with – holding Amrit pot (necter pot), Shanka (conch), Chakra and Jalauka in his four hands. Among other things, he holds a leech in one of his four hands.
As per the Vedas and Puranas, Dhanvantari is considered as the Physician of the Gods (Deva Vaidya). Hindus believe that worshiping and praying to him can improve their health. Dhanvantari is also considered as the earliest practitioner.
Physician Dhanvantari was the one who trained the Sushruta sages, the very first surgeons in the world. He taught them the science of Ayurveda and thus began the practice of surgeries in the Vedic age. Sushruta, known as the father of Indian surgery, was the foremost disciple of Dhanvantari. He wrote the famous ‘Sushruta Samhita’.
He is believed to have the power to prevent diseases that could be deadly and offer relief from ailments that have been classified as incurable. Most of his followers believe, and it is also mentioned in old scriptures, that he can negate the effect of all kinds of poison and snakebites.
Dhanvantri as the ‘Prince of Kashi’
Lord Indra, after seeing humanity so afflicted by pain and disease, pleaded with Lord Dhanvantari to descend into the material world and teach Ayurveda to the human race. Dhanvantari, one of the many avatars (divine incarnations) of Lord Vishnu’s, is known as Adi-Dhanvantari.
King Dirghatamas of Kashi (Benares) was performing severe austerities and offering them to Lord Dhanvantari in the hopes that he would be pleased with them and grant him a son. And happy with the devotion of the King was born in the in the royal household of Kashi. He taught Ayurveda orally to the sages and rishis (seers) 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.
Dhanvantari Jayanti – Birthday Celebrations
On the day of Dhanteras, birthday celebrations of Dhanvantari, the God of health, take place in an enthusiastic and delightful atmosphere. Dhanvatari Jayanti is celebrated throughout India by the practitioners of Ayurveda, the Indian traditional medicine.
In South India, mainly in Tamilnadu and Kerala some temples are dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari. In these temples, Dhanvantari Jayanthi is celebrated with utmost devotion. In Ayurveda Maha Sammelan office, Dhanwantari Bhavan in Delhi, the Ayurvedic practitioners worship the big statue of Lord Dhanvantari.
Worship Lord Dhanvantari For A Better Health ( dhanvantari mantra )
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