Danvantari, the Hindu God of Medicine
Danvantari
Danvantari is the god of medicine in Hindu mythology. According to the Bhagavad Purana, he is an incarnation of Vishnu, who emerged with a pot of amrita, the nectar of immortality, during the Samundra Manthana (Churning of the Ocean of Milk).
As you can see from the image, Danvantari is carrying a kalasha (pot) with his right hand and a bowl with medicines with his left hand. His two missing hands most-likely carried shanka and chakra, Vishnu’s signature objects.
This sculpture is mounted on the outer wall surrounding the southern garbhagriha of Somanathapura Keshava Temple in Karnataka, India.
Danvantari is considered as a minor avatar of Vishnu, and is not one of the Dashavataras. Check the Dashavatara (Ten incarnations of Vishnu) mural painted on the ceiling of the Virupaksha Temple in Hampi for a a list of Vishnu’s ten standard incarnations.
Related Pages
– Somanathapura Keshava Temple
– Hampi Virupaksha Temple Murals
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Bracket Figures
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Navaranga
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Garbhagriha Outer Wall
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