Dhanteras Dhanvantari Mantra & Gayatri — Word-by-Word Meaning

धनतेरस धन्वन्तरि मंत्र एवं गायत्री

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

ॐ नमो भगवते

Om Namo Bhagavate

Om, salutations to the Lord

महासुदर्शनाय

Maha-Sudarshanaya

To the wielder of the great Sudarshana discus (a form of Vishnu)

वासुदेवाय धन्वन्तरये

Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye

To Vasudeva (Vishnu) in the form of Dhanvantari, the divine physician

अमृतकलशहस्ताय

Amrita-Kalasha-Hastaya

Who holds the pot of nectar (amrita) in his hand

सर्वामयविनाशनाय

Sarvamaya-Vinashanaya

The destroyer of all diseases and afflictions

त्रैलोक्यनाथाय

Trailokyanathaya

The Lord of the three worlds

श्रीमहाविष्णुस्वरूप

Shri Mahavishnu-svarupa

Of the very nature of the great Lord Vishnu

औषधचक्रनारायणाय

Aushadha-chakra-Narayanaya

To Narayana who presides over the wheel of medicines and healing

नमः

Namah

Salutations, I bow

तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे

Tat-Purushaya Vidmahe

May we know that Supreme Person

अमृतकलशहस्ताय धीमहि

Amrita-Kalasha-Hastaya Dhimahi

Let us meditate on the holder of the nectar-pot

तन्नो धन्वन्तरिः प्रचोदयात्

Tanno Dhanvantarih Prachodayat

May that Dhanvantari inspire and guide us (toward health)

Complete Translation

Om, salutations to the Lord — the wielder of the great Sudarshana, Vasudeva who appears as Dhanvantari, who holds the pot of nectar in his hand, the destroyer of all diseases, the Lord of the three worlds; of the very form of Mahavishnu, the form of Sri Dhanvantari, the thrice-blessed Narayana presiding over the wheel of healing — to him I bow. Om, may we know that Supreme Person, let us meditate on the holder of the nectar-pot; may that Dhanvantari inspire and lead us toward perfect health.

Origin & History

Source: Dhanvantari worship mantras (the Maha-Dhanvantari mantra and the Dhanvantari Gayatri), recited on Dhanteras / Dhanvantari Jayanti

Author: Traditional (Puranic; Dhanvantari Gayatri from the Gayatri tradition)

Period: Puranic / classical

When the gods and demons churned the ocean of milk (Samudra Manthan) seeking the nectar of immortality, Lord Dhanvantari rose from the waters bearing the pot of amrita. As an avatar of Vishnu and the divine physician, he revealed the science of Ayurveda to the world. His appearance fell on Kartik Krishna Trayodashi, celebrated as Dhanteras and Dhanvantari Jayanti — the opening day of Diwali — when his mantras are chanted for health, healing and prosperity, and lamps are lit to welcome well-being into the home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Dhanvantari and why is he worshipped on Dhanteras?▼

Dhanvantari is an avatar of Lord Vishnu who emerged from the churning of the ocean of milk holding the pot of amrita (nectar). He is the divine physician and the founder of Ayurveda. Dhanteras (Dhana-trayodashi) marks his appearance, so he is worshipped for health and healing at the start of Diwali, alongside Lakshmi for wealth.

What is the difference between the Dhanvantari mantra and Gayatri?▼

The longer mantra ('Om Namo Bhagavate Maha-Sudarshanaya... Dhanvantaraye') is a full invocation praising Dhanvantari as the destroyer of all disease. The Dhanvantari Gayatri ('Om Tat-Purushaya Vidmahe...') is a meditative seed-prayer asking him to inspire and lead us toward health. Both are chanted on Dhanteras.

How many times should the mantra be chanted on Dhanteras?▼

A traditional count is 108 times using a mala. During illness or for a sustained healing practice, it may be chanted daily, morning and evening, and even recited over drinking water or medicine with faith.

Why is Dhanteras associated with both health and wealth?▼

Dhanteras combines the worship of Dhanvantari (health) with that of Lakshmi and Kubera (wealth). 'Dhana' means wealth, but tradition teaches that true wealth begins with good health — so on this day people buy gold, utensils or new items and also pray for the family's well-being.

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