Religious Articles
SRI DHANVANTARI	Return to Articles Index
Šri Dhanvantari is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is revered as the physician of the devas because at the conclusion of the great churning of the ocean by the devas (gods) and asuras (demons) Šri Dhanvantari emerged from the ocean holding a vessel containing amruta, the nectar that conferred immortality on the devas. The story of this incarnation is vividly described in Srimad Bhãgavatam. Once, when the asura monarch Bali was reigning supreme in the three worlds, the devas were oppressed and mercilessly killed by the asuras thereby depleting the deva forces. In order to find a solution to this dilemma, the devas led by Brahma approached Lord Nãrãyana and appealed to Him to help them. Lord Nãrãyana suggested that the only remedy was to churn the ocean and obtain amruta, the elixir that will confer immortality on them. Since this was a stupendous task requiring brute force, the Lord advised the devas to make temporary truce with the asuras and enlist their help in this endeavor. While the Lord promised that He will see to it that the devas get the entire benefit of the amruta and not the asuras, He also warned them that the devas should go along with whatever suggestions the asuras may make. The Lord agreed to take part in this effort as well. Accordingly, the devas and the asuras commenced the ocean churning using the Mandara mountain as the churning staff and the serpent Vãsuki as the rope. The first thing that came out of the ocean was the Hãlãhala poison, which was swallowed by Lord Šiva in order to save the world from destruction. Then the celestial cow Kãmadhenu came out and it was given to the rishis. Soon, the exquisite horse uchhaišravas emerged and was taken by Bali. This was followed by a magnificent elephant called Airãvata (taken by Indra); Kaustubha (taken by Lord Nãrãyana); Pãrijãta and Apsara (taken by Indra); Lakshmi, who chose Lord Nãrãyana as Her Consort; and Vãruni (taken by the asuras). The churning continued and finally, the form of a divine looking being holding a vessel filled with nectar, arose from the ocean. That was none other than Šri Dhanvantari, an incarnation of Lord Nãrayana and the originator of Ãyurveda, the science of attaining longevity. Although the asuras snatched the vessel from Šri Dhanvantari by force, Lord Nãrãyana tricked the asuras by His Mãya and served the entire nectar to the devas as promised before and made all of them immortal. Worshipping Šri Dhanvantari is believed to cure all ailments and confer longevity.
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