Dhanvantari

A deva who was a preceptor in Ayurveda.

The devas and asuras together churned the milky ocean, Ksirabdhi, to salvage Amrta (Nectar) from it. After thousand years there arose from the ocean a deva with a #Kamandalu (water-pot of ascetics) in one hand and a danda in the other. That deva was #Dhanvantari,
(Sloka 31, Sarga 45, Bala Kanda, Valmiki Ramayana).

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

Prosperous-looking Dhanvantari rising above the water level of Ksirabdhi stood worshipping Mahavisnu. Visnu gave him the name of Abja. Dhanvantari is thus known by the name of Abja also. Dhanvantari bowing to Visnu said
“Prabho, I am your son. Allot to me yajnabhaga”.
Visnu replied thus:
“Portions of yajna 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 Anima and Garima. Therefore you will be born as a deva incarnate. You will write in eight divisions a book on Ayurveda ; your second life will be in Dvapara yuga.” After having said so much Visnu disappeared.

2) Rebirth of Dhanvantari.
Suhotra, King of Kasi, in the second Dvapara yuga had two sons, Sala and Grtsamada. Sunaka was the son of Grtsamada. Sala got a son, Arstisena. Kasa was born to Arstisena. To Kasa was born Dirghatapas (Dhanva). For a long time Dhanva 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 Dhanva. Dhanva named the boy as Dhanvantari and the latter taught his disciples Ayurveda, by parts, eight in number. From Dhanvantari in order were born Ketuman, Bhimaratha, Divodasa.
(Chapter 29, Harivamsa).

3) Dhanvantari and Pariksit.
There is a story in the Puranas that when Taksaka went and bit Pariksit to kill him, a Visahari (one who cures those infected with snake venom) rushed to save the king but was bribed and sent back by Taksaka. There are indications in the Puranas to show that the Visahari under reference was Dhanvantari though it is stated that Kasyapa was the person involved.
(See under Taksaka).

4) Dhanvantari and Manasidevi.
In the Krsnajanma Khanda of Brahmavaivarta Purana there is a story connecting Dhanvantari with Manasadevi, a serpent-goddess.

Once Dhanvantari with his disciples was going to Kailasa. On the way Taksaka made a venom-spitting hiss. At once one of the disciples of Dhanvantari boldly went and plucked the diamond on the head of Taksaka and threw it to the ground. Hearing this Vasuki, King of serpents, sent to Dhanvantari thousands of serpents under the leadership of Drona, Pundarika and Dhananjaya. 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 Vasuki heard this he sent the serpent-maid, Manasadevi, a disciple of Siva, to face Dhanvantari. Manasadevi and Gadura were both disciples of Siva. But Dhanvantari was a follower of Gadura. Manasadevi made all the disciples of Dhanvantari swoon but the latter because of his great proficiency is Visavidya soon brought back his disciples to normal. When Manasadevi found that it was impossible to defeat Dhanvantari or his disciples by using poison Manasadevi took the trisula given to her by Siva and aimed it at Dhanvantari. Seeing this Siva and Brahma appeared before them and pacifying them sent them all their way.

Dhanvantari is an Avatara of Visnu. He appeared twice. He was the original teacher of Ayurveda.

SB 1.3.17

dhanvantaram dvadasamam
trayodasamam eva ca
apayayat suran anyan
mohinya mohayan striya

dhanvantaram — the incarnation of Godhead named Dhanvantari; dvadasamam — the twelfth in the line; trayodasamam — the thirteenth in the line; eva — certainly; ca — and; apayayat — gave to drink; suran — the demigods; anyan — others; mohinya — by charming beauty; mohayan — alluring; striya — in the form of a woman.

In the twelfth incarnation, the Lord appeared as Dhanvantari, and in the thirteenth He allured the atheists by the charming beauty of a woman and gave nectar to the demigods to drink.

   *  Srimad-Bhagavatam 1

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