Dhanvantari Mantra

Dhanvantari, physician of the gods

When the gods and asuras churned the ocean of milk, the last treasure to rise was Dhanvantari, carrying the pot of amrit, the nectar of immortality. He is a form of Vishnu and the patron deity of Ayurveda; practitioners of Indian medicine honour him as its source. His birthday falls on Dhanteras, Kartik krishna trayodashi, which is why Dhanteras is also observed as National Ayurveda Day in India.

Meaning

Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya dhanvantaraye amritakalasha-hastaya sarvamaya-vinashanaya trailokyanathaya shri mahavishnave namah.

• Namo bhagavate vasudevaya: salutations to Bhagavan Vasudeva, Vishnu.
• Dhanvantaraye: to Dhanvantari.
• Amritakalasha-hastaya: who holds the pot of nectar in his hand.
• Sarvamaya-vinashanaya: destroyer of all diseases (amaya means illness).
• Trailokyanathaya: lord of the three worlds.
• Shri Mahavishnave namah: salutations to the great Vishnu.

How to chant it

• On Dhanteras morning or evening, before Lakshmi puja, with a lamp and tulsi leaves.
• Daily for someone who is ill, alongside, never instead of, medical treatment; 108 times is common.
• Many Ayurvedic doctors and pharmacies recite it before beginning work or preparing medicines.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Dhanteras linked to Dhanvantari?

Dhanteras, Kartik krishna trayodashi, is Dhanvantari Jayanti, the day he emerged from the ocean with the pot of amrit.

Is Dhanvantari a form of Vishnu?

Yes. The mantra itself addresses him as Vasudeva and Mahavishnu.

Can the mantra replace medicine?

No. It is a prayer for healing and for the skill of those treating the patient, and is chanted alongside treatment.

What does "sarvamaya vinashanaya" mean?

"Destroyer of all diseases"; amaya is Sanskrit for illness.

Is there a Dhanvantari Gayatri?

Versions exist, but this "Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya dhanvantaraye" mantra is the one most widely chanted.