Shloka 22

Sukanyā’s Encounter with the Aśvins and Cyavana’s Rejuvenation (लोमश–सुकन्या–च्यवनोपाख्यानम्)

Devanagari script

हृष्टोडब्रवीन्महातेजास्तौ नासत्याविदं वच: । यथाहं रूपसम्पन्नो वयसा च समन्वित:,“अथवा शोभने! जिसको भी तुम मनसे चाहती होओ, उसीको पति बनाओ।' देवी सुकन्याने उन सबको एक-जैसा रूप धारण किये खड़े देख मन और बुद्धिसे निश्चय करके अपने पतिको ही स्वीकार किया। महातेजस्वी च्यवन मुनिने अनुकूल पत्नी, तरुण अवस्था और मनोवाञ्छित रूप पाकर बड़े हर्षका अनुभव किया और दोनों अश्विनीकुमारोंसे कहा --आप दोनोंने मुझ बूढ़ेको रूपवान्‌ और तरुण बना दिया, साथ ही मुझे अपनी यह भार्या भी मिल गयी; इसलिये मैं प्रसन्न होकर आप दोनोंको यज्ञमें देवराज इन्द्रके सामने ही सोमपानका अधिकारी बना दूँगा। यह मैं आपलोगोंसे सत्य कहता हूँ”

Transliteration

hṛṣṭo ’bravīn mahātejās tau nāsatyāv idaṃ vacaḥ | yathāhaṃ rūpasampanno vayasā ca samanvitaḥ |

Translation

Rejoicing, the mighty sage spoke these words to the two Nāsatyas (the Aśvin twins): “Now I am endowed with beauty and restored to youthful vigor.” In the episode’s ethical frame, Sukanyā—after discerning with mind and judgment among identical forms—chooses her rightful husband, affirming marital fidelity and discernment over mere appearance. Having regained youth and his desired form through the Aśvins’ aid, Cyavana gratefully resolves to secure for them a rightful share in the Soma-drinking at the sacrifice, even in Indra’s presence, declaring this promise as truth.

Word by Word

हृष्टःdelighted, joyful

उवाचsaid

महातेजाःthe very radiant one

तौthose two (them)

नासत्यौthe two Nāsatyas (Aśvins)

इदंthis

वचःspeech, words

यथाas, just as

अहंI

रूपसम्पन्नःendowed with beauty/form

वयसाwith age (youthfulness/age)

चand

समन्वितःendowed with, possessed of

Speaker

लोगश उवाच

Characters & Entities

Cyavana (Chyavana) Muni

Sukanyā

Aśvinīkumāras (Nāsatyas)

Indra

Soma

Yajña (sacrifice)

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The passage highlights dharma through discernment and fidelity (Sukanyā choosing her true husband despite deceptive sameness) and through gratitude and truthfulness (Cyavana acknowledging the Aśvins’ help and promising them rightful ritual honor).

What is happening in the narrative?

After the Aśvin twins restore Cyavana’s youth and beauty, Sukanyā identifies and accepts Cyavana as her husband among identical-looking figures. Cyavana, pleased, tells the Aśvins that he will ensure they gain the right to drink Soma in the sacrifice even before Indra, affirming his promise as true.