Dhanwantari Jayanti being celebrated today
Kathmandu. Dhanwantari Jayanti is being celebrated today in the memory of Lord Dhanvantari, the founder of Ayurveda, an ancient medical system based on herbs found in the forest.
Dhanvantari Jayanti is celebrated every year on the day of Trayodashi of Kartik Krishna Paksha. According to religious beliefs, Lord Dhanvantari appeared with a pot of nectar, conch, chakra and herbs during the churning of the ocean. There is a tradition of celebrating Dhanwantari Jayanti in memory of that day.
The word Ayurveda is made up of ‘Ayu’ and ‘Veda’. It means knowledge of life. Known as the ancient Vedic medical system, Ayurveda is used to treat diseases and protect health through the use of various herbs and natural resources. Doctors, students, and institutions related to Ayurveda medicine celebrate this day with special importance.
Shaligram Dhakal, assistant professor at Nepal Sanskrit University, said that Dhanwantari Jayanti has religious and cultural significance. In a conversation with Nepal News Bank, he said that Dhanwantari Jayanti is also associated with Yamapanchak. According to him, the festival celebrated for five days from Kartik Krishna Trayodashi to Kartik Shukla Dwitiya is called Yamapanchak.
He said, “Actually, this is Tihar, Diwali, which we call Yamapanchak. It is celebrated for five days. Especially since it is celebrated for five days from Kartik Krishna Trayodashi to Chaturdashi, Aunsi and then Kartik Shukla Paksha Pratipada and Dwitiya. Explaining the religious story of the name Yamapanchak, he narrated the story of Yama staying at his house for five days on the invitation of his sister Yamuna.
He said, “Yamraj went to the house of his sister Yamuna and left all his work to celebrate this festival happily for five days.” After much persuasion from Yamuna, Yamraj came to his sister’s house despite his busy work and stayed for five days. That is why it is called Yamapanchak. He said that the first day of Yamapanchak is celebrated as Kaag Tihar and Dhanwantari Jayanti is also celebrated on the same day. He said that the tradition of celebrating Dhanteras has also increased in recent times.
Referring to the religious beliefs about the origin of Dhanvantari, Dhakal said, “Dhanvantari means that Lord Dhanvantari came with a pot of nectar at the end of the battle between the gods and demons who churned the ocean to get nectar. Today’s Trayodashi Tithi is the day on which he appeared to attain nectar. That is why it is called Dhanwantari Jayanti. According to him, the promoters of Ayurveda and ancient Ayurvedacharyas like Charaka, Sushruta have given importance to Lord Dhanvantari by connecting him with Amrit and Ayurveda. Dhanwantari Jayanti is celebrated remembering the importance of Ayurveda related to the protection of human life and the protection of health.
प्रतिक्रिया दिनुहोस्
