Shloka 11
ऋते त्वां विबुधांश्वान्यान् कथं वै नाहत: सवम् | अश्रिनावपि देवेन्द्र देवौ विद्धि पुरंदर,च्यवनने कहा--मघवन! ये दोनों अश्विनीकुमार बड़े उत्साही और महान् बुद्धिमान हैं। रूप-सम्पत्तिमें भी सबसे बढ़-चढ़कर हैं। इन्होंने ही मुझे देवताओंके समान दिव्य रूपसे युक्त और अजर बनाया है। देवराज! फिर तुम्हारे या अन्य देवताओंके सिवा इन्हें यज्ञमें सोमरसका भाग पानेका अधिकार क्यों नहीं है? पुरंदर! इन अश्विनीकुमारोंको भी देवता ही समझो
ṛte tvāṁ vibudhāṁś cānyān kathaṁ vai nāhataḥ savam | aśvināv api devendra devau viddhi puraṁdara ||
Cyavana said: “O Devendra, apart from you and the other gods, how could anyone have remained unharmed after striking down the sacrifice? Know that the Aśvins too are gods, O Purandara. Since they are spirited, wise, and foremost in beauty—and since it is they who restored to me a divine, ageless form—why should they not have the right to a share of Soma in the sacrifice? Therefore, regard the Aśvinīkumāras as deities as well.”
च्यवन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ritual privilege should align with merit and rightful status: Cyavana argues that the Aśvins, having performed divine benefaction and possessing divine qualities, deserve recognition and a Soma-share in the yajña; denying them is an injustice within the sacrificial order.
Cyavana confronts Indra, insisting that the Aśvin twins are true gods and should receive Soma in the sacrifice. He supports this claim by citing their excellence and the boon they granted him—restoring him to a divine, ageless form—thereby pressing Indra to acknowledge their entitlement.