A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.162

c5.162

ASWINS, ASWINAU (dual), ASWINĪ KUMĀRAS. ‘Horsemen.’ Dioskouroi. Two Vedic deities, twin sons of the sun or the sky. They are ever young and handsome, bright, and of golden brilliancy, agile, swift as falcons, and possessed of many forms; and they ride in a golden car drawn by horses or birds, as harbingers of Ushas, the dawn. “They are the earliest bringers of light in the morning sky, who in their chariot hasten onwards before the dawn and prepare the way for her.”—Roth. As personifications of the morning twilight, they are said to be children of the sun by a nymph who concealed herself in the form of a mare; hence she was called Aswinī and her sons Aswins. But inasmuch as they precede the rise of the sun, they are called his parents in his form Pūshan. Mythically they are the parents of the Pāndu princes Nakula and Sahadeva. Their attributes are numerous, but relate mostly to youth and beauty, light and speed, duality, the curative power, and active benevolence. The number of hymns addressed to them testify to the enthusiastic worship they received. They were the physicians of Swarga, and in this character are called Dasras and Nāsatyas, Gadāgadau and Swar-vaidyau ; or one was Dasra and the other Nāsatya. Other of their appellations are Abdhi-jau, ‘ocean born;’ Pushkara-srajau, ‘wreathed with lotuses;’ Bādaveyau, sons of the submarine fire, Bādava. Many instances are recorded of their benevolence and their power of healing. They restored the sage Chyavana to youth, and prolonged his life when he had become old and decrepit, and through his instrumentality they were admitted to partake of the libations of soma, like the other gods, although Indra strongly opposed them. (See Chyavana.) The Aswins, says Muir, “have been a puzzle to the oldest commentators,” who have differed widely in their explanations. According to different interpretations quoted in the Nirukta, they were “heaven and earth,” “day and night,” “two kings, performers of holy acts.” The following is the view taken of them by the late Professor Goldstücker, as printed in Muir’s Texts, vol. v. :—