The Sage Physician Dhanvantari
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
c.a.1735-1740
Attributed to Manaku (active ca. 1700-1760)
Lucinda Bennett, the Medical Librarian at Ascension St Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, MD, publishes a regular series on Art in Medicine and The Health Humanities.
It's only 1-2 pages with gorgeous images, so it won't take you long to read
... and just might enrich your life.
Dhanvantari & Ayurveda
Featured here is a page from an 18th century folio, specifically the “Sixth” component of the Bhagavata Purana
series, also known as the “small” Guler-Basohli series. This folio resides in the Smithsonian Museum of Asian Art
in Washington, D.C. and depicts the subject of this month’s Art in Medicine topic. The object description
accompanying the folio page on the Smithsonian website is as follows:
“Dressed in the fashion of a nobleman at the
court of Shah Jahan, the divine sage
Dhanvantari wears a white jama and a
gold-bordered patka (sash) adorned with a
large flower motif. His beard is white, his face
wrinkled with age, and he wears a Vaishnava
tilak mark on his forehead. He sits on a yellow
carpet decorated with gray-green leaves and
maroon flowers. A narrow strip of
cloud-streaked sky borders the brilliant orange
ground. He holds two objects that may be
associated with medicine.”
As with so many religions across the globe,
one or several gods and/or goddesses have
been attributed to the discovery of medicine.
Often seen as a gift of the divine, the ability to
heal the sick and dying has long been
associated with great skill as well as personal
blessing. In ancient India, all medical practices can be traced back to an epic mythology wherein Dhanvantari emerges with this knowledge in the earliest ages of the world. In the museum label provided by the Smithsonian, the story of this figure is summarized, as is the iconography of his visual representation. “Dhanvantari, whose name means "arrow-moving," is regarded as the father of Ayurvedic medicine. The Bhagavata Purana relates that he emerged
among the treasures thrown up by the turning of the sea, when the gods and demons worked together to churn the
primordial ocean, thereby creating the entire universe. Dhanvantari appeared from the roiling waters bearing a jug
filled with amrita, the nectar of immortality, as a gift for the gods. In more typical iconography, the sage holds the
amrita jug and a conch shell signaling his affiliation with the god Vishnu. Here, however, Dhanvantari holds
perhaps an air pump and a plant root.” (Smithsonian)
Statue of Dhanvantari
In the 21st century statue also pictured in this writing, the iconography of Dhanvantari does include the conch shell
and jug, but also a plant root similar to its 18th century counterpart as well as a star. He also is pictured as a far
younger man, with dark hair and colorful clothes. Fluidity of artistic expression mirrors the values of the creator
and the environment in which a piece is created. While the same central figure might be altered over time, certain
visual cues key a viewer to their identity and purpose. Much like the changes in the medical field over time, visuals
might evolve but their public’s understanding of the artistic representation remains. In modern Indian hospitals,
statues of Dhanvantari are common sights, his presence alerts patients and families that the institution practices
Ayurveda, the system he founded. So what is Ayurveda exactly? According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, this
medical practice is defined as the following:
“Ayurveda, traditional system of Indian medicine. Ayurvedic medicine is an example of a well-organized system of
traditional health care, both preventive and curative, that is widely practiced in parts of Asia. Ayurveda has a long
tradition behind it, having originated in India perhaps as much as
3,000 years ago. Today it remains a favoured form of health care in
large parts of the Eastern world, especially in India, where a large
percentage of the population uses this system exclusively or
combined with modern medicine. Like scientific medicine, Ayurveda
has both preventive and curative aspects. The preventive component
emphasizes the need for a strict code of personal and social hygiene,
the details of which depend upon individual, climatic, and
environmental needs. Bodily exercises, the use of herbal
preparations, and Yoga form a part of the remedial measures. The
curative aspects of Ayurveda involve the use of herbal medicines,
external preparations, physiotherapy, and diet. It is a principle of
Ayurveda that the preventive and therapeutic measures be adapted to
the personal requirements of each patient.”
Many of the underlying principles outlined in this medical practice
are familiar to us today. Combining physical exercises such as Yoga
with modern medicine for conditions such as joint pain or muscle
ache are commonplace. Understanding changes in diet being
beneficial for one’s health is certainly not a new idea either. This
health system, founded by the god Dhanvartari, is no stranger to the
scientific world either. Major organizations have highlighted the
benefits of complementary medicine and this instance is no different.
“Ayurveda’s global impact is further evidenced by its integration into
international health and wellness industries. The First International
Congress on Ayurveda, held in Milan in 2009, marked a significant
step in bridging Indian and Western medical philosophies, attracting
over 400 participants and highlighting Ayurveda’s relevance to
contemporary health discussions. This event underscored the growing acceptance and integration of Ayurvedic principles in Western healthcare systems, promoting a holistic view of health that aligns with both traditional and modern scientific approaches. Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the importance of traditional and complementary medicine systems like Ayurveda, advocating for
their integration into global health systems. This includes setting standards and guidelines for the safe and effective
use of herbal medicines, which are pivotal in Ayurvedic practice. The endorsement by global leaders, such as when
the Prime Minister of India highlighted Ayurveda’s role in treating international dignitaries, further validates its
efficacy and global appeal.” (Indian Mythology in Clinical Medicine)
References:
Smithsonian - Museum of Asian Art
Encyclopedia Britannica - Ayurveda
A Literature Review of the Integration of Ancient Indian Mythology in Clinical Medicine
Reprinted with the generous permission of Ms. Bennett.
