Shikha SaxenaSep 21, 2020 · 5 min read

The Health Deities, traditional ayurvedic medicine and surgery in India has very long history which dates back to 600 BC to 200 AD. Even some evidences in stone age about 5ooo BC where even the art of drilling teeth and filling cavities were also known in Indus Valley. The Indus people used plant based drugs, animal products and minerals in their medical systems. Its earliest concepts are set in the sacred scriptures called the Vedas, especially in the passages/hymns of the Atharvaveda.

The term “Ayurveda” made of two Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). Ayurvedic medicine, practiced in India, is one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world. Many Ayurvedic medical practices have written records and texts and were passed down by word of mouth to disciples of ancients Vaidya (doctors).

The figurines of deities and health god and goddess found in excavations, indicate that the Indus valley people worshiped god and goddess in human form as well. There were no less than 3000 gods in Vedic times. Main among them were Indra, Agni (the sacrificial fire), and Soma. Some gods of social order such as Mitra–Varuna, Aryaman, Bhaga and Amsa also were important. Goddess figurines included Ushas (the Dawn), Prithvi (the Earth) and Aditi (the mother of the Aditya god or sometimes the cow). Rivers, as Ganges and Saraswati, were also considered goddesses. There were nature gods such as Surya (the Sun), Vayu (the Wind), Prithivi (the Earth).

The principal divinity was Indra — the God of War and thunder. Soma the ritual drink dedicated to Indra, was a prominent deity.

Agni was the God of fire, the guardian of the world and giver of eternal life. Surya, the Sun God was also deeply venerated. Chandra, The Moon God or Lord of Night, Plants and Vegetation is a member of Navagraha(nine planets) and among Gods who still find great respect in Hinduism and have rituals associated with them, in Modern India.

Brahma is the King of all Gods. He is the creator or protector who is also given the name of Narayana Prajapati or Pursha. He is the father of all creatures. Prajapati, the creator, came to occupy the supreme position in later Vedic period. Vishnu came to be conceived as the preserver and protector of the people. Rudra, is a Rigvedic Deity, the god of storm or wind and the hunt, became important in later Vedic times. He is “Mightiest of the Mighty’. Because of his tremendous powers as storm god, he is also sometimes translated as Lord Shiva.

The two outstanding Rig Vedic gods, Indra and Agni, lost their former importance in later Vedic period. With some changes and modifications to the Vedic gods and goddesses, a completely new spirituality developed during the Hindu period. It created a real harmony between mental and soul purification and spiritual peace.

Health Deities or Medicine Gods

Following health deities and God forms were worshiped as God of Medicine in Vedic period and have many stories around them:

Dhanvantari : God of Medicine

Lord Dhanvantari is the Hindu Doctor God of medicine. He is also believed to be the founder of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of herbal medicine.

Dhanvantari’s origin dates back to the Puranas and more importantly to the legendary incident of Samudra Manthan. Bhagavata Purana state that Dhanvantari emerged from the Ocean of milk and appeared with the pot of Amrita (elixir for immortality) during the incidence of popular Samudra Manthan (Churning of Sea).

Dhanwantari is depicted as Vishnu with four hands, holding Shanka, Chakra Jalauka (leech) and a pot containing rejuvenating nectar called Amrita.

God Rudra : Eternal Health Deity

The Vedic God Rudra is the very first God of medicine. The Rudra sukta, i.e. chapter 16 of Shukla Yajurveda called Him the “Bhishak”, or the doctor.

This word is used for the medical practitioners. The mantra states that Rudra is the first doctor of the Gods or “Prathamo daivyo bhishak”.

Rudra is also living in the waters and the herbal plants. Rigveda states that the rudras live in the waters, fire and the herbs. Elsewhere in the same, it is also stated that the herbs are calleds “Apsaras”, since they reside in waters. It is derived from the word “Aap” which means water, in vedic sanskrit. The word “Apsaras” means one who resides in water, and denotes herbs.

The Asvins (also spelled Ashvins or Aswins) : God Physicians

Ashwini Kumara’s are twin Vedic health deities who are considered to be physicians or healers. Aswins are inseparable twin gods of medicine and healing. Ashwini Kumara’s are the sons of Lord Surya and Sangya.

They are the earliest known physicians having the ability to perform organ transplant surgery. They are mentioned in the Vedic hymns and the Upanishads.

The Rigvedic hymns describe them as lords of hundred powers, who constantly strive to do good to others, who can make the blind and lame see and walk, the injured recover quickly from their afflictions, and help men produce offspring or the cows yield more milk. They can reduce the heat in the human body, cure the septic sores, store the germ of life in female creatures and perform even surgery.

Traveling in a chariot with three spokes, they come down to the earth thrice a day carrying with them heavenly medicines. The Asvins are considered brothers of Usha, the goddess of dawn and may actually represent twilight, when darkness and light appear intertwined on the horizon just before dawn as well as before dusk.

Five Elements (Panch -Tatva) of Life

Universe which consists of five elements Air, Water, Fire, Earth and Ether (Soul), balances all life on earth. All these five elements were worshipped as health deities in ancient India and this philosophy and belief also extends in modern world. Balance of these five elements maintain s life on earth.

The composition and amount of these five energies also called Doshas vary in each individual. Five elements maintain and regulate the health and hence life of each individual.

Its very important to take care of these five elements (Panch-Tatva) /energies — Air, Water, Fire, Earth and Ether (Soul) and lead a healthy life, before …eternal dissolution!