Topic started by Amresh Vashisht (@ 202.157.74.226) on Sat Oct 4 04:32:30 .
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THE DHANVANTARIES-The first Physician
on earth
Amresh Vashisht
Dhanvantari is considered as the God of medicine (the ayurvedic branch) in the Hindu mythology. The avatar (incarnation) of Dhanvantari appeared billions of years ago. He first appeared during the great churning of the Cosmic Milk Ocean to deliver amrita (nectar), for the nourishment of the demigods. The churning of the Cosmic Milk Ocean is one of the most famous episodes in ancient history and is celebrated in a major way every twelve years as a 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, a saint. 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. The sage explained that the garland was the dwelling of Sri (fortune) and was therefore to be treated as prasada (holy offering). In a fit of anger Durvasa Muni cursed Indra and all the demigods to be bereft of all strength, energy, and fortune.
After this in the battles, the demigods were defeated 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 with them. Of course, Vishnu told the demigods that He would arrange for them alone to obtain the nectar, or else the demons too will on drinking it, become powerful and harm the universe.
All kinds of herbs were cast into the Milk Ocean and using the Mandara Mountain as the churning rod and Vasuki the serpent 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, then as Lord Kurma who supported the great Mandara mountain which was in danger of sinking, then and Lord Vishnu Himself sat atop the Mountain infusing the demigods and Vasuki the serpent with energy. Many great beings and objects were produced from the ocean and were accepted by various demigods as offerings.
A lot of poison was also generated and Lord Shiva drank all the poison so generated. This explains why in depictions of Lord Shiva his face and neck are blue black in color. Because of this He is called NEELAKANTHA. Laksmi-devi, the goddess of fortune, appeared from the ocean and Vishnu and She were reunited as husband and wife after having been separated for many ages.
Then as they continued churning, a very young and handsome male 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 garlanded with flowers, and His entire body was fully decorated with various ornaments."
He 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. He was Lord Dhanvatari.
The demons stole the jug of nectar much to the disappointment of the Gods. Lord Vishnu then appeared as Mohini, a beautiful woman, who fascinated and seduced the demons and recovered the nectar from them. The demigods then drank the nectar 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 positions in the heavens.
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 will 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, then be my son, the 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 Brahma, with great difficulty persuaded Him to accept lordship over the city of Kasi and since then He became 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" meaning the one that remembers the name of Dhanvantari can be released from all disease.
Those who are new to the Vaishnava and Puranic thoughts may wonder at the purpose of the Lord's array of avatars especially during the churning of the Milk Ocean. After all if God is all-powerful, why couldn't He accomplish all His ends at once? Why does He have to act through so many different forms? In answer to this, the Vedic literature affirms the omnipotence of the Lord in His various avatars. However, when the Lord descends, He, The Lord seamlessly fuses His serious purpose (in protecting the demigods and humanity) with sheer sport. In the form of Mohini, He enchants the demons and the demigods. As Lord Dhanvantari, He diminishes the misery of the world by teaching the medical sciences. As Lord Ajita, He enjoys assisting His devotees directly in their struggle for victory. At times He even desires His devotees to be glorified, which is why Lord Shiva drank the poison produced of the ocean. In short, although the devotees never stop glorifying the Lord, and no one can fully understand His divine play (Lila).
It is also said that life resembles the motion and process of churning. Every human being has to undergo this process of churning before the nectar of life is extracted... And during this process God manifests himself and helps in different forms.
In a Rig Veda there is a specific DHANANTER STROT
1.15.95.10 of the Rig Veda.
Dhanvanterstrot Krunte Gatumumriham Sukrarubhibhiribhi nakshti akshyam ; vishwa snani Jathreshu dhatte ngatnarvasu charti prasushu;.
O Agni! You have the power to take the water beyond marushatl. You strengthen the inner waves of the prithvi. Dhanvanter are those who keep all types of food grains & medicines which protects from Death.
DHAN TERAS –A Festival Dedicated To DHANENTERS
Two days prior Deepawali on the 13th day of the dark half of Kartika, Dhan
Teras or Dhanvantri Trayodashi is observed with great mirth and gaiety. Dhanvantri, the physician of gods, who appeared at the churning of the ocean, is worshipped on this day, especially by the physician-community. He is the father of Indian science of medicine and Ayurveda is attributed to him. He is also called Sudha pani, because he appeared from the ocean, carrying nectar in his hands.
The people get early at dawn and baths, put on new cloth and keep fast. In the evening an earthen-lamp is invariable lit before the door of every house, and then fast is broken. New utensils are bought on this day because it is regarded very auspicious.
Dhanvantri as astrology
As Dhanvantri, you are spontaneous, happy-go-lucky, and you enjoy the company of others--the more the merrier. You make friends easily as people are attracted to your warm and generous nature. However, you have to watch that others do not take advantage of your generosity, for you are apt to be influenced by hard-luck stories and give when it might be more prudent not to. You are ever on the watch for ways and means of making some "easy money" because this name destroys initiative and ambition, producing an easy-going, come-what-may nature, which attaches value to money only for the self-enjoyment it can offer. Misunderstandings could exist in your personal life because of this emotional power which you have difficulty controlling and also because of a difficulty in accepting a responsibility and seeing it through. You are apt to leave a project unfinished and go on to something else. Routine and system are foreign to your life, and, of course, these assets are an integral part of any successful undertaking. You are fond of sweets and rich foods and your tendency to eat heavily causes overweight. You could be subject to skin disorders, swelling of the legs and ankles, fluid function disorders or weakness affecting the back.
Journey of the Dhananters can be summarised as follows.
The Dhanvantri God
The Teacher of Parikshit s/o Abhimanyu.
The Chandergupta II ruled Ujjan from AD 380 to 413 appointed 9 gems.He was a son of Samundra Gupta who fought the Sakas.Chandragupta II had achieved a final victory. Dhanvantri was one of a nine gems TheotherwereKalidas,varamihara,Sanku,Vetallabhatta,Kshapanka,Amarasimha,Ghatkarpara,Vararuchi.
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