[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c5.565.2 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.565.2 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c5.565.2 - **Language:** English ### [c5.565.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c5.565.2) 1) Origin. The devas and asuras together churned the milky ocean, Kṣīrābdhi, to salvage Amṛta (Nectar) from it. After thousand years there arose from the ocean a deva with a Kamaṇḍalu (water-pot of ascetics) in one hand and a daṇḍa in the other. That deva was Dhanvantari, (Śloka 31, Sarga 45, Bāla Kāṇḍa, Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa). The birth of Dhanvantari from the ocean of Milk is described in Chapter 29 of Harivaṃśa thus : Prosperous-looking Dhanvantari rising above the water-level of Kṣīrābdhi stood worshipping Mahāviṣṇu. Viṣṇu gave him the name of Abja. Dhanvantari is thus known by the name of Abja also. Dhanvantari bowing to Viṣṇu said "Prabho, I am your son. Allot to me yajñabhāga". Viṣṇu replied thus: "Portions of yajña have already been allotted. Because you were born after the devas you cannot be considered as one among them. You will be born again in the world for a second time and then you will be a celebrity. In your second life even while in the womb you will have knowledge of Aṇimā and Garimā. Therefore you will be born as a deva incarnate. You will write in eight divisions a book on Āyurveda; your second life will be in Dvāpara yuga." After having said so much Viṣṇu disappeared. - [Previous: c5.565.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c5.565.1) - [Next: c5.565.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c5.565.3) - [Up: c5.565](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c5.565) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c5.565.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c5.565.2) · Pramāṇa