Namita Sinha
- urdhva-yoga
India celebrates the National Ayurveda Day on Dhanvantari Jayanti, also Dhanteras on the 13th day,
trayodashi, of Kartik month, Krishna Paksha (dark moon) that falls two days before Diwali.
The five-day Diwali celebration begins with Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi. On this day, people traditionally buy gold, silver, and other precious metals, and worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera, the deities of wealth and prosperity. The new purchases of gold and silver are seen as offerings to these deities to invite blessings of abundance.
This day is also celebrated as Dhanvantari Jayanti, marking the emergence of Lord Dhanvantari from the ocean of milk, carrying the Amrita Kalasha (pot of nectar). This day symbolizes the origin of Ayurveda and its healing powers. An avatar of Maha Vishnu, Lord Dhanvantari holds a prominent place in the Vedas and Puranas as the divine physician and the deity of Ayurveda. His statue can be found in most Ayurvedic treatment centres and colleges. There are temples dedicated to lord Dhanvantari in south India and prominent temples as Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangam in Tamilnadu also has a statue of lord Dhanvantari.
The five-day Diwali celebration begins with Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi. On this day, people traditionally buy gold, silver, and other precious metals, and worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera, the deities of wealth and prosperity. The new purchases of gold and silver are seen as offerings to these deities to invite blessings of abundance.
This day is also celebrated as Dhanvantari Jayanti, marking the emergence of Lord Dhanvantari from the ocean of milk, carrying the Amrita Kalasha (pot of nectar). This day symbolizes the origin of Ayurveda and its healing powers. An avatar of Maha Vishnu, Lord Dhanvantari holds a prominent place in the Vedas and Puranas as the divine physician and the deity of Ayurveda. His statue can be found in most Ayurvedic treatment centres and colleges. There are temples dedicated to lord Dhanvantari in south India and prominent temples as Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangam in Tamilnadu also has a statue of lord Dhanvantari.
His mantra is:
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaaya Dhanvantaraye
Amrutha-Kalasa-Hasthaaya Sarvaamaya-Vinaashanaaya
Tri-Lokya-Naathaaya Shri Mahaavishnave Namaha ||
Amrutha-Kalasa-Hasthaaya Sarvaamaya-Vinaashanaaya
Tri-Lokya-Naathaaya Shri Mahaavishnave Namaha ||
Meaning
I offer my salutations to lord Dhanvantari who is Bhagavan Vasudeva, carrying a pot of nectar in his
hands; may he destroy all diseases; I bow to the form of Maha Vishnu who is the lord of three worlds
(waking, dream and sleep).
The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India declared this day as National Ayurveda Day in 2016.
It may not be a coincidence that both material wealth and health are celebrated on the same day. Devi Lakshmi and lord Dhanvantari emerged from the milky ocean after churning on the same day.
Ayurveda has so much relevance in our modern, technology driven busy lives. Ayurveda helps us to understand our unique and personal constitution, based on the five elements – akasha (space), vayu (air), agni (fire), jala (water) and prthvi (earth) that form three doshas of Vata (air+space elements), Pitta (fire+water elements) and Kapha (earth+water elements).
These doshas combinations are unique to every individual which is known as Prakriti, and when they are imbalanced it is a state of Vikruti.
Ayurveda applies usage of herbs, diet and food combinations, therapeutic methods of snehana (oiling), swedana (sweating), langhana (reduction and fasting), virechana (purgation) and such treatments are applied for reduction of excess accumulation of doshas and restoring balance.
To live in harmony with the nature is a significant aspect of Ayurveda, known as Dincharya – daily routine and Ritucharya – seasonal routine.
The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India declared this day as National Ayurveda Day in 2016.
It may not be a coincidence that both material wealth and health are celebrated on the same day. Devi Lakshmi and lord Dhanvantari emerged from the milky ocean after churning on the same day.
Ayurveda has so much relevance in our modern, technology driven busy lives. Ayurveda helps us to understand our unique and personal constitution, based on the five elements – akasha (space), vayu (air), agni (fire), jala (water) and prthvi (earth) that form three doshas of Vata (air+space elements), Pitta (fire+water elements) and Kapha (earth+water elements).
These doshas combinations are unique to every individual which is known as Prakriti, and when they are imbalanced it is a state of Vikruti.
Ayurveda applies usage of herbs, diet and food combinations, therapeutic methods of snehana (oiling), swedana (sweating), langhana (reduction and fasting), virechana (purgation) and such treatments are applied for reduction of excess accumulation of doshas and restoring balance.
To live in harmony with the nature is a significant aspect of Ayurveda, known as Dincharya – daily routine and Ritucharya – seasonal routine.
Charaka Samhita of Charaka Rishi is one of the foundational texts of Ayurveda that defines Ayurveda
and its scope as:
Hitahitam Sukham Dukham Aayustsya hitahitam
Maanam Ch tachh yatroktam Ayurved S Ucchayate||
Maanam Ch tachh yatroktam Ayurved S Ucchayate||
This verse defines Ayurveda as the science of life management, which deals with the favourable and
unfavourable for happiness and unhappiness, what is beneficial and detrimental for longevity of life;
and what is the exact span of life, that is known as Ayurveda.
Charaka Rishik also lays down the two-fold purpose of Ayurveda:
Charaka Rishik also lays down the two-fold purpose of Ayurveda:
- To protect the health of the one who is healthy and
- To treat the disease of the one who suffering
In this way, Ayurveda is both preventive and curative.
As you celebrate Dhanteras, also remind yourself of lord Dhanvantari and offer a lamp in his name with his mantra on his Jayanti.
Lokah samasta sukhino bhavantu! May all beings be happy!
As you celebrate Dhanteras, also remind yourself of lord Dhanvantari and offer a lamp in his name with his mantra on his Jayanti.
Lokah samasta sukhino bhavantu! May all beings be happy!
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