Section CXXIII

"Lomasa said,

'Once on a time, O king, those celestials, namely the twin Asvins, happened to behold Sukanya, when she had (just) bathed, and when her person was bare.

And seeing that one of excellent limbs, and like unto the daughter of the lord of celestials, the nose-born Asvins neared her, and addressed her, saying,

'O you of shapely thighs, whose daughter art you? And what doest you in this wood? O auspicious one, O you of excellent grace, we desire to know this, do you therefore tell us.'

Thereupon she replied bashfully unto those foremost of celestials.

'Know me as Sarayati’s daughter, and Cyavana’s wife.'

Thereat the Asvins again spake unto her, smiling.

'What for, O fortunate one, has your father bestowed you on a person who is verging on death? Surely, O timid girl, you shinest in this wood like lightning. Not in the regions of the celestials themselves, O girl, have our eyes lighted on your like.

O damsel, unadornedand without gay robes as you are, you beautifiest this wood exceedingly. Still, O you of faultless limbs, you canst not look so beautiful, when (as at present) you are soiled with mud and dirt, as you couldst, if decked with every ornament and wearing gorgeous apparel.

Why, O excellent girl in such plight servest you a decrepit old husband, and one that has become incapable of realising pleasure and also of maintaining you, O you of luminous smiles? O divinely beautiful damsel, do you, forsaking Cyavana accept one of us for husband. It behoves you not to spend your youth fruitlessly.'"

"Thus addressed Sukanya answered the celestials saying.

'I am devoted to my husband, Cyavana: do you not entertain any doubts (regarding my fidelity).'

Thereupon they again spake unto her,

'We two are the celestial physicians of note. We will make your lord young and graceful. Do you then select one of us, viz., ourselves and your husband,—for your partner. Promising this do you, O auspicious one, bring hither your husband.' ..

O king, agreeably to their words she went to Bhrigu’s son and communicated to him what the two celestials had said.

Hearing her message, Cyavana said unto his wife, 'Do you so.'

Having received the permission of her lord, (she returned to the celestials) and said, 'Do you so.'

Then hearing her words, viz., 'Do you so,' they spoke unto the king’s daughter.

'Let your husband enter into water.'

Thereat Cyavana desirous of obtaining beauty, quickly entered into water. The twin Asvins also, O king, sank into the sheet of water. And the next moment they all came out of the tank in surpassingly beautiful forms, and young and wearing burnished earrings.

And all, possessed of the same appearance pleasing to behold, addressed her saying,

'O fortunate one, do you choose one of us for spouse. And O beauteous one, do you select him for lord who may please your fancy.'

Finding, however, all of them of the same appearance she deliberated; and at last ascertaining the identity of her husband, even selected him.

"Having obtained coveted beauty and also his wife, Cyavana, of exceeding energy, well pleased, spake these words unto the nose-born celestials:

’since at your hands, an old man, I have obtained youth, and beauty, and also this wife of mine, I will, well pleased, make you quaffers of the Soma juice in the presence of the lord of celestials himself. This I tell you truly.'

Hearing this, highly delighted, the twins ascendedto heaven; and Cyavana and Sukanya too passed their days happily even like celestials."