Dhanvantari (Sanskrit: धन्वंतरी; also Dhanvanthari) is an avatar of Vishnu the sustainer of life. He appears in the Vedas and Puranas as the physician of the G-ds (devas), and the G-d of Ayurvedic medicine, of health, healing and cure. It is common practice to pray to Dhanvantari seeking his blessings for sound health for themselves and/or others.

Dhanvantari was an early Indian medical practitioner and one of the world’s first surgeons. Based on Vedic traditions, he is regarded as the source of Ayurveda. He perfected many herbal based cures and natural remedies and was credited with the discovery of the antiseptic properties of turmeric and the preservative properties of salt which he incorporated in his cures.

Dhanvantari is depicted as Vishnu with four hands, holding medical herbs in one hand, and in some depictions a leech, a pot containing rejuvenating nectar called amrita in another, the conch shell, in another and the disc representing the motion of the world, or the sphere of energy.

Aum shankham cakram jalaukam dadhad amrita ghatam caru dorbhis caturbhih

Sukshma svacchati hridyamshuka pari vilasan maulim ambhoja netra

kalambhodojjvalangam kati tata vilasac caru pitambaradhyam

vande dhanvantarim tam nikhila gad vana praudha davagni lilam

Rig veda

(Translation):
Salutations to Him, L-rd Dhanvantari, who is holding with his four hands
a conch shell, a disc (of energy), a leech, and a pot of immortal/celestial ambrosia.
In whose heart shines a very subtle, clear, gentle, and pleasing blaze of light.
This light also shines all around his head and lotus eyes.
On the dark, blue/black water his body is luminous.
His waist and thighs are wrapped in shining yellow cloth.
Who, by His mere play, destroys all disease like a mighty forest fire.

For more information on the myths and legends of Dhanteras, click here.

For information on the healing sounds of Ayurveda, click here.

Patanjali is the author of the Yoga Sutras; which are the foundation of classical yoga. The Sutras are 1 of the 6 Darsanans in the Vedic text (ancient indian thought). Here he defines yoga psychology and practice as "the ability to direct the mind exclusively towards an object and sustain that direction without any distraction". His unique definition of Yoga is only his first contribution. He analyzes the functioning of the mind and cites inumerable means within one's grasp to bring order to a turbulent mind. He speaks of the activity of the mind and the "8 limbs" or steps of the practice with the goal of attaining a clear mind. These 8 components of yoga are: 1. Yama-Our attitude towards our environment 2. Niyama-Our attitude towards ourselves 3. Asana-The practice of body exercises 4. Pranayama-The practice of breathing excercises 5. Pratyahara-The restraint of our senses 6. Dharana-The ability to direct our minds 7. Dhyana-The ability to develop interactions with what we seek to understand 8. Samadhi-Complete integration with the object to be understood. He says in chapter 2, sutra #27 that the attainment of clarity is a gradual process. The first step is to recognize that certain tendencies of our mind are responsible for producing painful effects. If these tendencies are not curtailed, we may reach a point of no return. He also explains how such a mind makes a man/woman extraordinary in his potential and wisdom. The attainment of a stable state of mind and a healthy body are the goals in Patanjali's Yoga.

Krishnamacharya lived to be over 100 years old, and is one of the greatest yogis of the common era. His understanding as a healer of the sick, knowledge of Sanskrit and analysis of the role of Yoga in Indian ritual, make him a total teacher. His greatest contribution was his devotion to the individual, and to the possibility of unimaginable growth and freedom that is inborn in each of us. This, for Krishnamacharya was the gift of Yoga, and the Hope of Mankind. His view of health, as he put it, "Most important, according to me, is to provide necessary health, so that we can digest the food we eat, sleep well, and remember what we have been taught and what we have studied." He was also dedicated to revolutionizing yoga practice for modern life. He swept aside ancient prohibitions against certain practices by women and innovated therapeutic treatments for respiratory, cardiac, stroke, and injury victims, as well as new therapies for mental illness and disabilities. His great mission was to make yoga available to each individual, regardless of age, sex, race, culture, station in life, and belief-or non-belief. Through his relationships and responsibility to his students, he instilled faith, which is a key to the integration of the teachings and success of the practices.

TKV Desikechar, the son and student of Krishnamacharya, and one of the outstanding global authorities on the therapeutic uses of yoga, combines modern day empiracism with ancient wisdom. Desikechar has based his method on Krishnamacharya's fundamental teaching, which maintains that practices must be continually adapted to the individual's changing needs, and stresses the responsibility of the teacher to the student and the importance of this relationship to the growth, realization and health of the student.

Swami Kripalu, known to many as the Beloved Bapuji rooted his practice in silence and stillness. His vision of Yoga is of oneness with spirit with a focus on attuning to prana; energy, life force, higher intelligence. This level of consciousness evolves through Yogic practices aimed at developing an ever increasing awareness of our various levels of experience-physical, energetic, emotional, and spiritual. He spent most of his life in silence, only speaking on his birthday, and yet communicated so eloquently in his writings and teachings.

My Beloved Child,
Break your heart no longer.
Each time you Judge yourself
You break your own heart.
You stop feeding on the love
Which is the wellspring of your vitality.

The time has come-Your time-
To live-To celebrate-
To see the goodness that you are

You my child, are divine.
You are pure.
You are sublimely free.
You are God in disguise.
And you are always perfectly safe.

Do not fight the dark
Just turn on the light.
Let go
And breathe into the goodness that you are.

Joseph LePage is the founder of Integrative Yoga Therapy, who's vision is one of global health and healing for ourselves, our communities and the earth, through the integration of all aspects of ourselves through the art and science of Yoga. His brilliance and knowledge of the ancient texts and Aryuveda(ancient science of life from india) combined with acute intuition and awareness are an inspiration and gift.

Dr. Chauhan, Director, Jiva Ayurveda in New Delhi, India, is a silver medalist in Ayurveda from the University of Delhi. He established the Jiva Ayurveda Clinic, Panchakarma Center and Online College, and has produced over 600 Ayurvedic medicines and products. He devotes his life to the promotion of Ayurveda worldwide in a modern context and has the rare distinction of studying from both the modern and traditional schools of Ayurveda. He is a recognized expert in incurable diseases, pharmacology and rasashastra, and has received the Best Ayruvedic Physicians Award.

His ability to translate the essence of Ayurveda for a deeper integration of it’s message shines from his love, faith and devotion to it. [www.jiva.com]

Chaya has been a student of world-renowned Ayurvedic Physician Vasant Lad, BAMS, MASc, since the spring of 2004, though she has been reading his books since 1994 and even visited his Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque in 1999 and more recently in June, 2008 and 2009. After almost 10 years of journey, practice and study she is grateful to have had the opportunity to study with such a master and also to be in the presence of such a refined and unique human being.

Dr. Lad is a master on every level and dimension; physical, mental and emotional, spirit or consciousness and is the essence of Ayurveda. He is a vehicle for spirit as he communicates a wealth knowledge, love and respect for the science and wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda, and for all beings. Chaya strives to maintain this integrity as she shares with her students, clients, family and friends, the truest essence of what she has learned and experienced and hope it will bring you as much joy, insight and inspiration as it has for her.

Dr. Lad has more than 40 years of clinical experience in Indian medicine and as Executive Director of the Ayurvedic Insititute, brings a wealth of classroom and practical experience to the United States.

A native of India, he served for three years as Medical Director of the Ayurveda Hospital in Pune, India. He was Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Pune University College of Ayurvedic Medicine for 15 years. He holds a Bachelor’s of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) degree from the University of Pune and a Master’s of Ayurvedic Science (MASc) degree from Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya. Vasant Lad’s academic and practical training include the study of Allopathy (Western medicine) and surgery as well as traditional Ayurveda.

Beginning in 1979, he has traveled throughout the United States sharing his knowledge of Ayurveda. In 1984 he came to Albuquerque as Director, principal instructor and founder of the Ayurvedic Institute. Vasant Lad is the author of numerous books and respected throughout the world for his knowledge of Ayurveda.

She planned her winter tour last year to culminiate with 10 days of studying with him which included teaching on Ayurvedic Psychology and Finding Freedom through the Bhagavad Gita. This program was an exploration of the fist chapter of the Gita, analyzing the root cause of dejection, recasting it as the beginning of Yoga and an integral stage on the spiritual journey. The Gita shows us how to transform ourselves by treating dejection as a form of Yoga. It then becomes a stepping stone to ultimate success by giving us the opportunity to let go of our fears and discover our true identity.

Dr. Satya Narayana Das shared his wisdom, passion and love through story, lecture and chanting. His depth of understanding and devotion to this wisdom and way of life is communicated so clearly as a result of his refined style which is a reflection of his own practice and devotion to this lifestyle and to spirit.

She is grateful to be in the presence of such a master who generously shares with his students. She hopes to be a vehicle for this wisdom and love in a way that is according to her dharma/truth and to be able to share it with those who are also interested in freedom from illusion and suffering and living the life they are meant for.

Dr. Satya Narayan Das, PhD is the founder and Director, Jiva Institute of Vedic Studies and Culture. He holds an M.Tech degree from IIT Delhi and a PhD in Sanskrit (Agra University), as well as eight additional shastric degrees in various subjects. He is the author of 15 books related to Indian culture and philosophy and conducts classes on ancient Indian sciences for scholars from around the world. He initiated a program for preservation, translation and publication of ancient Indian works of science and wisdom. His library houses over 2500 texts dating back to the 13th century. His deep respect for the wisdom of the ancients led him to translate important works from Sanskrit into English and he has produced hundreds of audio and video lectures and is seen on TV in India, offering daily morning talks that focus on spirituality in daily life.

[www.jiva.com]

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