KNOWLEDGE PARTNER
Symbolism of His Four Arms — The Four Pillars of Ayurveda
Dhanwantari’s four arms carry sacred objects that represent the foundations of Ayurvedic science and practice:
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  1. Amṛta Kalasha (Pot of Nectar):
    Symbolises rejuvenation (rasāyana), immunity, longevity, and the power of nature to restore vitality. It reminds practitioners that healing is not only about curing disease but enhancing life itself.
  2. Shankha (Conch):
    Represents prāṇa, vibration, and the awakening of inner health. Just as the conch resonates with a cleansing sound, Ayurveda aims to clear blockages and re-establish the natural flow of energy.
  3. Chakra (Sudarshana Disc):
    Symbolises precision, diagnostics, and protection. Like the spinning disc that cuts through disorder, the Ayurvedic physician must cut through confusion to see the truth of a condition (sūkṣma buddhi), applying sharp discrimination to bring balance.
  4. Leech (or sometimes a Healing Herb):
    Represents surgical and therapeutic intervention. Suction therapies, blood purification, and targeted physical treatments all arise from this principle. It is also a reminder that some illnesses require active removal of impurities before healing can begin.

​The Healing Presence of Dhanwantari
In Ayurveda, Dhanwantari is invoked not only for blessings but to align the healer with compassion, clarity, and integrity of purpose. His presence teaches that health is a sacred responsibility and that every therapeutic action—from prescribing herbs to offering touch—becomes effective only when infused with sattva, attention, and genuine care.

why this retreat
  1. To Honour the Divine Alignment of Lord Dhanwanari with the cosmist play of the Pancha Mahabhutas
  2. To Build a Healing Community and Shared Intention
  3. ​To Provide Practical Skills That Create Real Change
  4. To Celebrate Hope, Deep Healing and Renewal
  5. To Strengthen the Healer Within Everyone

resource persons

MS. VIJAYALAKSHMI VIJAYAKUMAR 
CURATOR, TATWA-TANTU RETREAT

  • Multifaceted Cultural Curator and Organizer
  • Bharatanatyam Artiste and Production Visionary
  • Philanthropist and Social Welfare Advocate
  • Diverse Educational Background and Expertise
  • Versatile Leadership in Cultural Initiatives
  • Innovative Event Creator and Author
  • Vijayalakshmi Vijayakumar has curated two iconic festivals since 2010: Gudiya Sambrahma, the Bengaluru Temple Festival, and Srishti Sambhrama, the Earth Mother Festival. She has organized numerous cultural events, including Divya Varna, a traditional art exhibition, and unique motorsport events blending heritage and environmental awareness.
  • With two decades of Bharatanatyam performances and dance productions, she combines her artistic passion with social welfare initiatives like rural school mid-day meal schemes. She has also worked with Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s Arsha Vidya Peetha and served on boards like the Central Film Censor Board and the National Advisory Board for Philately.
  • A graduate in Literature, Psychology, and Economics, Vijayalakshmi is the founder-secretary of Heritage, a not-for-profit trust, and currently serves as the Director of the Indica Centre for Soft Power. She has authored children’s stories, a historical fiction titled Forever There, and is working on another novel.
DR RANGAN RAMAKRISHNAN

DR RANGAN RAMAKRISHNAN

  • Revered Teacher of Dharmic Life
  • Experiential Scholar of Vedic Texts
  • Living Interpreter of Valmiki's Wisdom
  • Integrator of Traditional Wisdom and
  • Modern Narratives
  • Dedicated to Popularizing Ramayana's Values
  • Scholar-Saint Blending Bhakti with Academic Rigor
  • “Dr Rangan teaches the essence of Dharma and the true vision of Dharmic life … wonderfully
    and engagingly...reawakening the soul of India in the modern age.” – Dr David Frawley,
  • Founder, American Institute of Vedic Studies “Shri Ranganji has lived and experienced each
    verse and has touched the heart of the sage Valmiki.
  • Hence, he is unlike those scholars who hold research alone as their focus of studies and who
    would have read the Ramayana only for the limited sake of their research.” – Shri
  • Ramanacharana Thirtha Brahma Shri Nochur Venkataraman - Vedanta-exponent “Dr Rangan
    has taken upon himself the Bhagirathic task of taking Ramayana into all the people without in
    any way diminishing or diluting its values.
  • With Dr Rangan, the deep scholarship of traditional texts along with a vast knowledge of modern
    narratives becomes an instrument of Bhakti that in no way compromises academic rigor.
  • Scholar-saints soaked in Bhakti and traditional wisdom while being well aware of modern
    narratives are rare. Dr. Rangan is one such precious scholar of wisdom.
DR. VISHWANATH MV

DR. VISHWANATH MV

  • ​Accomplished Sanskrit Scholar and Lecturer
  • Expert in Alankara Shastra and Philosophy
  • Principal Investigator of Government-funded Projects
  • Prolific Contributor to Sanskrit Studies
  • Renowned Speaker on Philosophical Texts
  • Dr. Vishwanath M. V. is a Sanskrit scholar serving as a Guest Lecturer at Maharaja Sanskrit College, Mysuru, and Adjunct Professor at IIT Hyderabad. With a Ph.D. in Śrīmadvālmīkirāmāyaṇe Saṃvādavimarśaḥ from BHU, his research spans Sanskrit literature, Rāmāyaṇa, and Sāmkhya philosophy.
  • He is the Principal Investigator of a government-funded project on Rāmakathā and has contributed to various research publications, seminars, and Kannada translations of Sanskrit texts.
  • His lectures on the Upanishads, Jyotisha, and classical Sanskrit literature are widely followed on platforms like YouTube
SWAMI TAPONIDHI SARASWATI ​

SWAMI TAPONIDHI SARASWATI 

  • Spiritual Legacy: Initiated into Dashnami Sannyasa by Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati in 2004 
  • Academic Excellence: Earned a Master’s in Applied Yogic Sciences
  • Innovative Practices: Developed Yoga Nidra 
  • Global Impact: Led yoga retreats and workshops across Asian countries
  • Holistic Philosophy: Promotes ARACE (Attention, Relaxation, Awareness, Concentration, Evolution) for conscious living.
  • Swami Taponidhi Saraswati, initiated into the Dashnami Sannyasa tradition by his Guru Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati in 2004, is a renowned yoga master with over two decades of teaching experience. His academic journey includes a Certificate in Yoga and Teacher Training from Ghantali Mitra Mandal, Mumbai (1999), a Diploma in Yogic Studies from Mumbai University (2001), and a Master’s in Applied Yogic Sciences from Bihar Yoga Bharati (2003).
  • After 15 transformative years at the Bihar School of Yoga, Swamiji now shares the essence of yoga globally. He simplifies the profound techniques of yoga—Asanas for physical stability, Pranayama for energy flow, Pratyahara for sensory withdrawal, Dharana for concentration, and ARACE (Attention, Relaxation, Awareness, Concentration, Evolution)—to enhance participants’ self-awareness and quality of life.
  • Swamiji integrates dynamic practices like Kalaripayattu for chakra balancing and Tibetan Singing Bowls in Yoga Nidra to deepen relaxation. He has led retreats across India, Nepal, and abroad, including sessions on mantra meditation, Vedanta, and subtle yoga practices. His teachings, enriched by his personal transformation and deep spiritual insights, inspire students to explore higher consciousness and embrace a holistic approach to life.
DR. ar ramadas

DR. ar ramadas

  • Medical Director at Vaidyagrama Ayurveda Healing Village since 2008
  • A strong lineage of Ayurveda practitioners in Thrissur
  • Trained in Ophthalmology and Pediatrics under renowned Vaidyas
  • Holds an MS in Psychotherapy and Counseling
  • Guides young Ayurveda doctors as Guru of Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth
  • Hailing from Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala, Dr. A. R. Ramadas is offering his services towards Ayurveda healing and Ayurveda teaching as Medical Director of Vaidyagrama Ayurveda Healing Village in Coimbatore- Tamilnadu, India.
  • He heads the first cluster of this eco-friendly Ayurveda hospital, where he has been engaged in Ayurveda services since 2008. He inherits a strong family tradition of a long line of Ayurveda practitioners, serving the community for more than half a century.
  • Dr. Ramadas completed his Ayurveda graduation and underwent training in Nethra Chikitsa (Ophthalmology) under the guidance of the famous traditional Ayurveda Ophthalmologist Manakunnath Gopalan Vaidyan. He followed this by training under the well-known paediatrician C.N.S Gangadharan Vaidyar. He also did an M.S. in Psychotherapy and Counseling from the Institute of Behavioral and Management Sciences.
  • He had headed his family firm Rajendra Pharmacy, R.P.M Ayurvedic Nursing Home, as well as the Ayurveda centre of Punarnava Ayurveda in Vietnam.
  • His compassion and expertise in offering expert Ayurveda care for varied ailments, has made Dr Ramadas a favourite vaidya of patients across the globe.
  • Dr Ramadas is a  chosen Guru of Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth, and since 2023 he has been guiding brilliant and passionate Ayurveda doctors every year.  
MS. SRISHTIKA SRIRAM