Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.880

c7.880

7) Indra and Cyavana. Indra did not allow the Aśvinīdevas to drink soma juice. The sad Aśvinīdevas left Indraloka and while passing through a forest, they met Sukanyā, wife of the sage Cyavana. She was extremely beautiful. The Aśvinīdevas advised her to become their wife instead of being the wife of the blind Cyavana. But Sukanyā rejected their advice. Pleased by her conjugal fidelity, they restored Cyavana’s eyesight and made him a youth with beautiful eyes. In his gratitude, Cyavana promised to get permission for them to drink soma juice. He performed a yāga. Indra, Aśvini devas and other gods attended it. Indra insisted that the Aśvinīs should not be allowed to drink Soma juice. Cyavana disputed with him and in the dispute Indra was defeated. From that time the Aśvinīs were allowed Soma drinking. See also ‘Cyavana’. (M.B. Vana Parva, Chapter 124, Verse 14; Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 156, Verses 16-31).