Which avatar of Vishnu is the divine physician?

Which avatar of Vishnu is the divine physician? Dhanvantari is regarded as Vishnu’s avatar and the divine physician.

Dhanvantari is associated with Ayurveda and is described in Hindu tradition as the physician of the devas, or gods. In the widely known Samudra Manthana story, the devas and asuras churn the Ocean of Milk using Mount Mandara and the serpent Vasuki. Dhanvantari emerges from the cosmic ocean carrying a pot of amrita, the elixir of immortality.

His iconography often resembles Vishnu’s: he may have four arms and carry a conch, discus, medicinal herbs, a book, or a vessel of amrita. Some images show a leech, recalling the historical Ayurvedic practice of bloodletting. Tradition also connects Dhanvantari with the city and royal lineage of Kashi, present-day Varanasi.

Dhanvantari is especially honored during Dhanteras, two days before Diwali. In India, National Ayurveda Day was first observed in 2016, further strengthening his association with healing and Ayurvedic medicine.