Chapter 281 - Greatness of Cyavaneśvara (Continued)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Īśvara said:

1-3. Once, O my beloved, the Aśvin gods happened to see Sukanyā while taking her bath when she was almost nude. All her limbs worthy of being seen and admired made her like a princess in the family of the Lord of Devas. On seeing her, the Aśvins, the Nāsatyas, approached her and said: “O fair lady, to whom do you belong? What do you wish to do in this forest? O splendid lady, we wish to know about you fully. Do tell us the truth?”

4. Then Sukanyā dressed herself properly and spoke to the excellent Suras: “Know me as the daughter of Saryāti and now the wife of Cyavana.”

5-10. Thereupon, the Aśvins laughed and spoke to her again: “How was it that you were given in marriage by your father knowingly? How did you come to this forest?

O fair lady, you shine like lightning in the region of sky. We do not see anyone comparable to you even among Devas.

You are richly endowed with all kinds of ornaments. You wear excellent robes. Do not waste yourself, O lady of blameless limbs. Forsake this person of indiscretion.

How was it that in spite of being such an accomplished lady, you serve this (sage) with limbs shattered due to old age? O fair one, he is one not conversant with the emotions of love.

He is incapable of looking after you and saving you from difficulties. O lady of pure smiles. It is rather worthwhile that you leave off this Cyavana and woo one of us both.

O lady having the lustre of a divine birth (Lit. womb) choose one of us for your husband. Do not waste your youth.”

On being told thus, she spoke to the Suras thus:

11-13. “I am attached to Cyavana, my husband. Do not suspect otherwise in this manner.” They said again: “We are the physicians of gods. We shall make your husband a young man of handsome features. Thereafter, you can choose one among the three (i.e. he and the two of us) as your husband. O lady of excellent waist, with this condition satisfy (agree with) us.”

O fair lady, at this instance, she approached Bhārgava and told him what they said to her about the son of Bhṛgu.

14. Cyavana said to his wife, “Let their words be honoured” On being told thus by Cyavana, Sukanyā said to them:

15. “O Devas, may what was said by you two be carried out quickly.”

On being told thus by Sukanyā, the heavenly physicians told the princess: “Let your husband enter water.”

16. Then Cyavana who sought a handsome physical form entered the water. O fair lady, then the Aśvins too entered the water.

17. Thereafter within a short while all of them emerged from the lake. All of them were youthful in divine form, wearing shining, polished earrings.

18-19. Not only were they in divine guise but also they increased the pleasure in the minds. All of them simultaneously spoke: “O splendid lady, choose one of us. O fair lady, it is our desire that since you are a lady of excellent complexion, you may choose anyone whom you love, O excellently splendid lady.”

20. O goddess, she noticed all of them in similar divine forms and features standing before her. After steadying herself in mind and intellect, she chose her own (original) husband.

21. Having obtained youthful age and handsome forms and also his own wife, Cyavana was delighted. The highly splendid sage spoke these words to the Nāsatyas:

22. “Though old, I have now become richly endowed with handsome form and youthfulness, thanks to your (benigh) action. I got back my wife too. Hence tell me, what you both wish. I shall carry it out.”

Aśvins said:

23. We are the physicians of Devas. Yet Śakra does not make us qualified enough to imbibe the Soma juice. Hence do make us Somapāyins (those who drink Soma juice).

Cyavana said:

24. I shall make you capable enough to share portions of Yajña and imbibers of Soma juice.

Īśvara said:

25. Then both of them became delighted in their minds. The Nāsatyas went back to heaven. Cyavana and Sukanyā sported about like Suras.