#dhanvantari

Hinduism is well known for vast multiplicity of divinities: and to unto that these divinities often have multiple forms to serve very specific functions. Vishnu, “The All Pervading” is the sustainer of the interim universe between its creation and dissolution point. Often worshipped as the Supreme Personality of Godhead by the Viashnavites, he is famed for his use of avatars. Much like Jesus, these divine incarnations come to vanquish evil, re-establish religion and grant salvation but instead of being a once-in-eternity event, Vishnu comes as needed in any form that is needed. His most famous are the Dasha-Avatars, a group of ten spanning the breath of human creation to the age of the Buddha and to the avatar-to-come. These prominent avatars, however, are not only ones and I have commissioned an artist to draw a few for me.

Standing in the middle is Lord Dhanvantari, the god of medicine and healing. An incredibly important portfolio from my point of view. In one hand is a pot filled with Amrita or as we say in the west, ambrosia, the elixir of life. In the other are medicinal herbs for obvious reasons. He said to be the first surgeon and is the patron of doctors. One to call on when sick, when searching for a cure or doctor, and before undergoing procedure. He has few temples but will certainly have the attention of the richest and strongest in due time. Indeed, seeking his blessing daily is a good practice for the believer in avoidance of calamity, as wealth might not mean much without health.

The female avatar is Lady Mohini and presents an interesting dynamic in being the only female avatar of Lord Vishnu. Much like Lord Dhanvanatari, she too is said to have emerged from the churning of the cosmic ocean and carries Amrita in the pot, having given it to the Olympionic deities and bestowed long life. She is the Shakti, or female power, of Lord Vishnu. An interesting prospect as Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth is also said to be his Shakti in the form of eternal husband and wife. However Lakshmi is seen as a fully independent personality while Mohini emanates from Vishnu as avatar. Vishnu even has another form of Vaishnavi, a direct shakti manifestation but enough on that.

Mohini takes another interesting turn depending on what part of India you are in, becoming wife of Shiva: a roll primarily filled by Durga, the goddess of energy in most iterations. This brings the two biggest sects of Hinduism together: as Shivites worship Shiva as the Supreme Being, now having made their rival ideologies into a matrimonial pair. Further cemented by stating the swami-god Ayyapa is the product of this pairing and adding him to Shiva’s divine family with the sons Ganesha, the god of obstacles and Muruga, the god of warfare.

The Third deity is Hayagriva, literally “horse-necked”. He has come to be worshipped as the God of Knowledge, invoked by students and sages. Vaishnavites have even gone so far as to take away authorship of the Vedas (sacred scripture) from Brahma (the universal creator god and traditional author), and say it was in the form of Hayagriva that they were gift to Brahma (whose cultic prominence has been in decline for several thousand years).