Dhanvantari Stotram
धन्वन्तरि स्तोत्रम् in English · English
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✦ Meaning
The Dhanvantari Stotram is the most celebrated dhyana shloka of Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician and avatar of Vishnu who arose from the churning of the cosmic ocean bearing the pot of amrita (nectar of immortality). The verse describes his four-armed form holding the conch, discus, leech and nectar-pot, and praises him as the wildfire that consumes the entire forest of diseases. It is chanted by Ayurvedic practitioners and devotees for health, healing and freedom from illness, especially on Dhanteras (Dhanvantari Jayanti).
Origin & Story
Traditional Sanskrit dhyana shloka (Ayurvedic / Vaishnava tradition) · Unknown (traditionally recited in Ayurvedic and Vaishnava lineages) · Ancient / Classical
Dhanvantari emerged from the Kshira Sagara (ocean of milk) during the Samudra Manthan, the great churning undertaken by the devas and asuras. As the divine physician of the gods he carried the kalasha of amrita that conferred immortality. He is considered an amsha-avatara of Vishnu and the divine source from which Ayurveda, the science of life, was revealed to sages and physicians. This dhyana verse, used as the opening meditation of his worship, fixes his form in the devotee's mind before prayer.
✦ As told in scripture
Traditional accounts hold that sincere worship of Dhanvantari has cured incurable ailments and prolonged life. Ayurvedic lineages relate that physicians who began their practice by invoking Dhanvantari found their medicines unusually effective, as though the Lord himself worked through their hands to burn away the 'forest of diseases' described in this very verse.
The Mantra
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Om Shankham Chakram Jalaukam Dadhad-Amrita-Ghatam Charu-Dorbhish-Chaturbhih Sukshma-Svacchati-Hridyamshuka-Parivilasan-Maulim-Ambhoja-Netram Kalambhodojjvalangam Kati-Tata-Vilasach-Charu-Pitambar-Adhyam Vande Dhanvantarim Tam Nikhila-Gada-Vana-Praudha-Davagni-Lilam
Meaning:Om. I bow to Lord Dhanvantari, who holds in his four beautiful hands the conch, the discus, a leech, and the pot of the nectar of immortality. He is crowned with a diadem of fine, pure, exquisitely radiant cloth, and his eyes are like lotuses. His luminous body glows like a dark rain-cloud, and his hips are adorned with a beautiful yellow silk garment. He sportingly acts as a mighty raging wildfire that burns down the entire forest of all diseases.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting धन्वन्तरि स्तोत्रम्
Invokes Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician, for good health and freedom from disease
Traditionally recited by Ayurvedic doctors and students before treating patients or studying medicine
Believed to act like a wildfire that burns away the 'forest' of physical ailments
Brings mental and physical well-being and strengthens the body's healing power
Especially auspicious on Dhanteras (Dhanvantari Jayanti), the first day of Diwali
Connects the devotee to the cosmic source of amrita, the nectar of vitality and immortality
How to Chant धन्वन्तरि स्तोत्रम्
Face east or north, light a ghee lamp, and visualise Lord Dhanvantari emerging from the ocean holding the amrita-kalasha. Chant the stotram with devotion, ideally 108 times or in multiples of 9. Many recite it together with the Dhanvantari mula mantra 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye...'. It may be chanted on behalf of the sick, with water offered before the deity later given to the patient as prasada.
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