Health Shanti Puja
Aarogya Prapti & Recovery

Health Shanti Puja (also known as Aarogya Prapti Puja or Dhanvantari Puja) is a powerful Vedic ritual performed for recovery from chronic illness, disease prevention, and overall wellness. This sacred ceremony invokes Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician who emerged during the churning of the cosmic ocean carrying the nectar of immortality.

While modern medicine treats physical symptoms, Vedic astrology recognizes that certain planetary afflictions create the karmic foundation for diseases. Health Shanti Puja addresses both the spiritual root causes and supports medical treatment for holistic healing.

The Mythology of Lord Dhanvantari

Lord Dhanvantari is an avatar of Lord Vishnu and the father of Ayurveda. According to the Puranas, during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean), Lord Dhanvantari emerged holding a pot of Amrit (nectar of immortality) and the ancient texts of Ayurveda.

He is depicted with four hands holding a conch shell, discus, medicinal herbs, and the pot of Amrit. His appearance symbolizes the divine origin of healing knowledge. Dhanvantari Jayanti is celebrated on Dhanteras, two days before Diwali, when devotees worship him for health and longevity.

The worship of Dhanvantari is mentioned in the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, the foundational texts of Ayurveda. He taught the science of healing to the sage Sushruta, who became the father of surgery.

Astrological Causes of Health Issues

In Vedic astrology, the 6th house represents diseases and the 8th house represents chronic ailments and longevity. Several planetary configurations cause health problems:

• Afflicted 6th House: Malefic planets in the 6th house or aspecting it cause diseases
• Weak Ascendant Lord: Debilitated or afflicted ascendant lord affects overall vitality
• Sun Affliction: Weak or afflicted Sun causes low immunity, heart issues, and vitality problems
• Moon Affliction: Weak Moon causes mental health issues, emotional instability, and digestive problems
• Mars Affliction: Malefic Mars causes blood disorders, accidents, surgeries, and inflammation
• Saturn in 6th/8th: Chronic diseases, bone problems, and slow recovery
• Rahu-Ketu Axis: Mysterious diseases, allergies, and conditions difficult to diagnose
• Pitra Dosh: Ancestral karma manifesting as hereditary diseases

Common Health Issues by Planetary Afflictions

• Sun: Heart disease, eye problems, fever, bone issues, low immunity
• Moon: Mental illness, depression, anxiety, digestive issues, hormonal imbalance
• Mars: Blood pressure, accidents, surgeries, inflammation, skin rashes
• Mercury: Nervous system disorders, speech problems, respiratory issues
• Jupiter: Liver problems, diabetes, obesity, cholesterol
• Venus: Kidney problems, reproductive issues, diabetes
• Saturn: Chronic pain, arthritis, bone problems, dental issues, depression
• Rahu: Mysterious diseases, allergies, poisoning, mental confusion
• Ketu: Viral infections, skin diseases, accidents, spiritual crisis

When is Health Shanti Puja Essential?

• Chronic Illness: Diseases lasting more than 6 months without cure
• Repeated Health Issues: Falling sick frequently despite treatment
• Before Major Surgery: For successful operation and quick recovery
• Cancer or Life-Threatening Disease: To support medical treatment
• Mental Health Crisis: Depression, anxiety, or psychological disorders
• Unexplained Symptoms: When doctors cannot diagnose the problem
• Post-Accident Recovery: For healing from injuries
• Preventive Care: During planetary Mahadasha known to cause health issues

Comprehensive Health Shanti Ritual Vidhi

Pre-Puja Preparations

1. Fasting: Light fast with fruits and milk (if health permits)
2. Purification: Bath with turmeric and neem water
3. Clean Clothes: Wear yellow or white clothes
4. Timing: Best on Sunday (for Sun/vitality) or Thursday (for Jupiter/healing)

Main Ritual Process

1. Ganesh Puja: Remove obstacles to healing
2. Dhanvantari Puja: Main deity worship with medicinal herbs
3. Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Jaap: The most powerful healing mantra - chanted 11,000 or 21,000 times:

   "Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam
   Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat"
   (We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva who nourishes all beings. May he liberate us from death for the sake of immortality, just as the ripe cucumber is severed from its bondage to the vine.)

4. Planetary Remedies: Specific pujas for afflicted planets causing illness
5. Ayurvedic Havan: Fire ritual with medicinal herbs
6. Healing Daan: Donations of medicines, food to sick people