Puranic encyclopaedia

by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222

This page describes the Story of Dhanvantari included the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani that was translated into English in 1975. The Puranas have for centuries profoundly influenced Indian life and Culture and are defined by their characteristic features (panca-lakshana, literally, ‘the five characteristics of a Purana’).

Story of Dhanvantari

A deva who was a preceptor in Āyurveda.

Origin.

The devas and asuras together churned the milky ocean, Kṣīrābdhi, to salvage Amṛta (Nectar) from it. After thousand years there arose from the ocean a deva with a Kamaṇḍalu (water-pot of ascetics) in one hand and a daṇḍa in the other. That deva was Dhanvantari, (Śloka 31, Sarga 45, Bāla Kāṇḍa, Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa).

The birth of Dhanvantari from the ocean of Milk is described in Chapter 29 of Harivaṃśa thus:

Prosperous-looking Dhanvantari rising above the waterlevel of Kṣīrābdhi stood worshipping Mahāviṣṇu. Viṣṇu gave him the name of Abja. Dhanvantari is thus known by the name of Abja also. Dhanvantari bowing to Viṣṇu said "Prabho, I am your son. Allot to me yajñabhāga".

Vtṣṇu replied thus: "Portions of yajña have already been allotted. Because you were born after the devas you cannot be considered as one among them. You will be born again in the world for a second time and then you will be a celebrity. In your second life even from while in the womb you will have knowledge of Aṇimā and Garimā. Therefore you will be born as a deva incarnate. You will write in eight divisions a book on Āyurveda; your second life will be in Dvāpara yuga." After having said so much Viṣṇu disappeared.

Rebirth of Dhanvantari.

Suhotra, King of Kāśi, in the second Dvāpara yuga had two sons, Śala and Gṛtsamada. Śunaka was the son of Gṛtsamada. Śala got a son, Ārṣṭiṣeṇa. Kāśa was born to Ārṣṭiṣeṇa. To Kāśa was born Dīrghatapas (Dhanvā). For a long time Dhanvā did not have any children and so he went and did penance to propitiate Abjadeva. Abjadeva (Dhanvantari) was pleased and was born as a son to Dhanvā. Dhanvā named the boy as Dhanvantari and the latter taught his disciples Āyurveda, by parts, eight in number. From Dhanvantari in order were born KetumānBhīmarathaDivodāsa. (Chapter 29, Harivaṃśa).

Dhanvantari and Parikṣit.

There is a story in the purāṇas that when Takṣaka went and bit Parīkṣit to kill him, a Viṣahāri (one who cures those infected with snake venom) rushed to save the king but was bribed and sent back by Takṣaka. There are indications in the Purāṇas to show that the Viṣahāri under reference was Dhanvantari though it is stated that Kaśyapa was the person involved. (See under Takṣaka).

Dhanvantari and Manasādevī.

In the Kṛṣṇajanma Khaṇḍa of Brahmavaivarta Purāṇa there is a story connecting Dhanvantari with Manasādevī, a serpentgoddess.

Once Dhanvantari with his disciples was going to Kailāsa. On the way Takṣaka made a venom-spitting hiss. At once one of the disciples of Dhanvantari boldly went and plucked the diamond on the head of Takṣaka and threw it to the ground. Hearing this Vāsuki, King of serpents, sent to Dhanvantari thousands of serpents under the leadership of Droṇa, Puṇḍarīka and Dhanañjaya. The poisonous breath of all these serpents joined together made the disciples of Dhanvantari swoon. Immediately Dhanvantari by a medicine made from vanaspati made all his disciples recover and then sent all the serpents to a swoon. When Vāsuki heard this he sent the serpent-maid, Manasādevī, a disciple of Śiva, to face Dhanvantari. Manasādevī and Gaḍūra were both disciples of Śiva. But Dhanvantari was a follower of Gaḍūra. Manasādevī made all the disciples of Dhanvantari swoon but the latter because of his great proficiency is Viṣavidyā soon brought back his disciples to normal. When Manasādevī found that it was impossible to defeat Dhanvantari or his disciples by using poison Manasādevī took the triśūla given to her by Śiva and aimed it at Dhanvantari. Seeing this Śiva and Brahmā appeared before them and pacifying them sent them all their way.

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