A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.166

c5.166

“It seems to be the opinion of Yāska that the Aswins represent the transition from darkness to light, when the intermingling of both produces that inseparable duality expressed by the twin nature of these deities. And this interpretation, I hold, is the best that can be given of the character of the cosmical Aswins. It agrees with the epithets by which they are invoked, and with the relationship in which they are placed. They are young, yet also ancient, beautiful, bright, swift, &c. ; and their negative character, the result of the alliance of light with darkness, is, I believe, expressed by *dasra*, the destroyer, and also by the two negatives in the compound *nāsatya* (na + a-satya) ; though their positive character is again redeemed by the ellipsis of ‘enemies, or diseases’ to *dasra*, and by the sense of *nāsatya*, not untrue, *i.e.*, truthful.”