Chapter 3 - The story of Cyavana and Sukanyā

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Introductory:

Cyavana is a sage of Bhṛgu Clan. Mahābhārata Vana chs 122, 123 and 124 give how he was blinded by Sukanyā and was pacified when Sukanyā married him, and how at his request the celestial physicians Aśvinīkumāras rejuvenated him in consideration of a share in Soma-drinking, and how he petrified Indra’s arm when in protest against Aśvinikumāra’s share in Soma, Indra attacked with his Vajra. The story is repeated in the Devī Bhāgavata Skandha VII chapters 2-7. In that story Sukanyā deliberately perforates the eyes of Cyavana in spite of his warning. A number of verses are common to Mahābhārata Vana, the Bhāgavata Purāṇa. and the Devī Bhāgavata, possibly all borrowing from a common source which supplied the story background for Ṛgveda Saṃhitā. 1.116 (A hymn to AŚVINS).

Śrī Śuka continued:

1. It is reported that Manu’s son, king Śaryāti was the master of the Vedic lore and it was he who, in the sacrificial session of the Aṅgiras, authoritatively explained the procedure of the ritualistic course of the second day (of that session).

2. He had a daughter Sukanyā by name, whose eyes were beautiful like lotuses. Accompanied by her, he went to the hermitage of the sage Cyavana.

3. Surrounded by her maids (of honour), she was leisurely wandering in the forest enjoying the sight of beautiful trees, when she happened to notice a pair of glow-worm-like luminous objects, in the hole of an ant-hill.

4. Impelled by her fate, she, in her childish innocence, perforated the pair of shining objects with a thorn, and blood flowed profusely out of them.

5. That very moment instantly, there was obstruction in the lower passage of his soldiers (stoppage of the excretion and urination). Observing that, the royal sage was astonished and enquired of his men.

6. ‘Has any of you given offence or done wrong to Cyavana, the descendant of the Bhṛgus. Obviously, someone of us must have profaned his hermitage’.

7. Being terrified, Sukanyā confessed to her father. “Something has been done by me in ignorance, inasmuch as a pair of glittering objects were unknowingly pierced by me”.

8. Hearing the words of his daughter, Śaryāti was seized with fear. He slowly tried to appease the sage, lying hidden in the ant-hill.

9. Having ascertained the desire of the sage, the king gave (in marriage) his daughter to the sage. Having thus extricated himself from the scrape, and taking his leave (of the sage), he proceeded to his capital cautiously.

10. Having obtained the extremely wrathful Cyavana as her husband, Sukanyā who (studied and) understood his mentel proclivities, won him over by meticulously careful obedience.

11. After a lapse of some time after this, the twingods Aśvinikumāras visited his hermitage. Worshipping them (with due formalities as guests), he earnestly requested, “Oh ye celestial physicians! Be pleased to restore to me my youth.

12. Even though you are not eligible to share the Somajuice, I shall bear you both gobletfuls of Soma in the Soma sacrifice. Be pleased to bestow on me that youthfulness and beauty, covetable to young damsels.”

13. “Assuredly” approved the foremost of physicians rejoicing at his offer. “May your worship be pleased to plunge in this pool created by Siddhas.”

14. With these words, Cyavana, whose body was stricken with old age and was all over covered with protuberant veins, and appeared repulsive due to his wrinkles and grey hairs, was made to enter the pool by the pair of Aśvin gods.

15. There emerged three men (from that pool)—all bewitchingly beautiful, captivating to women, adorned with lotus-garlands and ear-rings, clad in rich garments, resembling each other in form.

16. Finding them all resembling each other in form, resplendent like the sun, the chaste lady Sukanyā, being unable to distinguish as to who her husband was, sought refuge with Aśvinikumāras (to help her in knowing the husband, by standing apart).

17. Being pleased with her fidelity to her husband, the Aśvinikumāras pointed out her husband. Taking leave of the sage, they left for the celestial region, in their heavenly car.

18. One day, king Śaryāti, intending to perform a sacrifice, went to the hermitage of Cyavana, and found a man glorious like the Sun, by the side of his daughter.

19. When the daughter bowed down to him (to pay respect), the king was not much pleased in his mind about her, and instead of giving the usual benedictions, censured her.

20. “What have you intended to do? Your husband, a sage respectfully saluted by all the world, is deceived by you, inasmuch as abandoninig the aged husband falsely approved by you, you have resorted to a way-farer as your paramour, you unchaste woman!

21. How is it that your mentality stooped to such low wickedness? Otherwise, you are born in a noble family of righteous persons, and this is a vile stigma on the family. You have lost your sense of shame and are harbouring a paramour, hurling thereby the families of your father and husband into the dark depth of hell.”

22. To her father who was thus indicting her, Sukanyā. of pure gentle smiles, replied slightly laughting, “Father! This is your son-in-law Cyavana, the delight (or descendant) of Bhṛgu”.

23. Then she reported to her father how he (Cyavana) came to regain his youth and beautiful looks. Full of astonishment and being extremely pleased with her, he embraced his daughter.

24. Cyavana made the heroic king Śaryāti to perform a Soma sacrifice, in which by dint of his personal ascetic powers, he bore a cup of Soma to the pair of Aśvinikumāras, even though they were not entitled for a share in Soma till then.

25. The irascible Indra was instantly enraged and raised his Vajra (thunderbolt) to kill him. But Cyavana, a descendant of Bhṛgus, petrified Indra’s arm along with the Vajra.

26. Thenceforth, all of them (gods) agreed to give a share in Soma juice to Aśvinikumāras who, being physicians, were previously excluded from the oblations of Soma to them.

27. Śaryāti had three sons—Uttānabarhis, Ānarta and Bhūriṣeṇa. Revata was born of Anarta.

28. Building a city called Kuśasthalī, in the middle of the sea, he occupied it and ruled over the country called Ānarta (and adjoining territories), Oh subduer of enemies.

29-30. One hundred excellent sons, of whom Kakudmin was the eldest, were born to him. Taking with him his daughter Revatī Kakudmī went to god Brahmā for consulting him for a suitable husband to his daughter. The region of Brahmā was then open. As a musical concert of Gandharvas, was going on, he did not get opportunity (to speak to god Brahmā) and waited for a moment.

31. After the conclusion of the musical programme, he bowed down to god Brahmā (the first created god), and told the object of his visit. Hearing that, god Brahmā laughed loudly and said.

32. “Oh King! Suitors that you had in your mind, have already been swallowed up by Time long ago. We do not even hear of their sons, grandsons, great-grandsons. Nay, not even their gotras (races).

33-35. The time calculated as thrice nine (i.e. twenty-seven) revolutions of the group of four yugas has now elapsed. Therefore, now you go back and offer this jewel of a daughter to the extremely mighty Baladeva, the ray of the God of gods, and a jewel among men. The glorious Lord, the creater of all beings, the chanting and hearing of whose name is meritorious, has incarnated on the earth by his own aṃśa (ray) for lightening the burden of the earth”. When thus commanded, he bowed down to the unborn god Brahmā, and returned to his capital which was already abandoned by his brothers, out of fear of yakṣas, who were scattered all over the quarters (different parts of the earth).

36.Having given in marriage his extremely beautiful daughter to the mighty Balarāma, the king repaired to the hermitage of Nārāyaṇa, known Badarī, to perform austerities.