Shalivaktrapura Dhanvantari Stotram
A twelve-verse hymn to Dhanvantari, the divine physician, asking Hari to protect the afflicted from disease and distress.
Verses
O Dhanvantari, O Hari, the foremost physician, the beloved of Lakshmi, who dwells in Shalivaktrapura, protect me who is overcome by attachment, disease, and such afflictions.
Verse 1
O Dhanvantari, O Hari, O Madhava, who holds the conch, discus, nectar pot, and leech, O compassionate one, protect me swiftly.
Verse 2
O Dhanvantari, O Hari, O Govinda, the foundation of all, the remover of all sufferings, O great Vishnu, protect me who is distressed.
Verse 3
O Dhanvantari, O Hari, of dark hue, ever joyful, lord of Shalitundapura, O friend of the world, protect me who is afflicted.
Verse 4
O Dhanvantari, O Hari, O Janardana, O Lord of the universe, O lotus-eyed one, O remover of fevers, O one who is tender to those who bow down, protect me who has surrendered.
Verse 5
O Dhanvantari, O Hari, O eternal one, O abode of virtues, O destroyer of all classes of diseases, O ocean of compassion, protect me who is tormented by ailments.
Verse 6
O Dhanvantari, O Hari, O tranquil one, O dweller of Shalimukhagara, O one whose face resembles the autumn moon, O ocean of happiness, protect me who is helpless.
Verse 7
O Dhanvantari, O Hari, O lord of the immortals, O remover of all worldly sorrows, O Keshava, O one who holds nectar in your hand, protect me who is afflicted.
Verse 8
O Dhanvantari, O Hari, O Vasudeva, O Lord of the senses, O destroyer of all kinds of diseases, O one adorned with a garland of wildflowers, protect me who is wretched.
Verse 9
O Dhanvantari, O Hari, O Narayana, O ocean of compassion, O lord, O dweller of Shalimukhalaya, O lotus-navelled one, O enemy of Mura, protect me.
Verse 10
O Dhanvantari, O Hari, O Murari, O giver of fearlessness to the sick, O ocean of compassion, O form of the supreme physician, O mass of auspiciousness, O consort of Lakshmi, protect me.
Verse 11
O Dhanvantari, O Hari, O Murari, O lord of the milky ocean, O bearer of the conch, discus, nectar, and leech, O one tender with mercy, O lord of Shalimukhalaya, O remover of all ailments, O foremost physician, protect me continuously.
Verse 12
Thus concludes the hymn to Dhanvantari, the resident of Shalivaktrapura.
Verse 13
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham)
Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya)
Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering
- Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home
Background
This stotram is a hymn of praise and supplication to Dhanvantari, the divine physician and an incarnation of Vishnu, recited for healing, protection from disease and relief from suffering. Its title calls him Shalivaktrapuralaya, the dweller of Shalivaktrapura; the text also names the place Shalitundapura and Shalimukha, but the source does not say which shrine is meant, so no location is asserted here. The author is not named. Locator: the Sanskrit Documents text 'Dhanvantari Stotra 4', twelve verses. Devotees often chant it on Dhanvantari Jayanti or in times of illness, appealing to the compassionate healer who holds the conch, discus, pot of nectar and leech.
Did You Know?
Deity and Identity
Dhanvantari is the divine physician and an avatar of Vishnu, worshipped for healing and longevity. This stotra repeatedly addresses him as "Hare" (a name of Vishnu) and equates him with other Vishnu forms like Govinda, Madhava, and Narayana, emphasizing his supreme divinity.
Unique Attribute – The Leech
The stotra uniquely mentions "jaluka" (leech) as one of Dhanvantari's emblems (verses 2 and 12). In ancient Ayurveda, leeches were used for bloodletting therapy, and this detail highlights the practical medical tools associated with the deity.
Place Name
The title 'Shalivaktrapuralaya' means 'dweller of Shalivaktrapura'. The text also uses the forms Shalitundapura and Shalimukha, but it does not identify the shrine, so the place is not located here.
Structure and Refrain
The twelve verses mostly follow one pattern: invoking Dhanvantari with several epithets, naming the devotee's affliction (e.g., "ragarogadibhutam", "vyakulam", "vipannam"), and ending with "pāhi dhanvantare hare", "Protect me, O Dhanvantari, O Hari!" The first ten verses are in the eight-syllable Anushtubh meter; verses 11 and 12 are in longer meters.
Healing from All Ailments
The stotra covers a wide range of afflictions – physical diseases (roga, jvara, amaya), emotional distress (raga – passion/attachment as a kind of disease), and existential suffering (artam, klishta). It presents Dhanvantari as the ultimate remover of all suffering ("sarvamayakulantaka", "nikhilartinivaraka").
Vishnu
More from Hinduism
See allConnected Teachings
The same teaching, echoed across traditions