Chyavana
Encyclopedia
Chyavana was a maharshi (great sage) in Hindu mythology
. He was son of sage Bhrigu and known for his rejuvenation after penances for several years. According to the Mahabharata
, he was powerful enough to oppose the Vajra
of Indra
and was responsible for the Ashvins
getting their share of the sacrificial offerings. He created a demon, Mada
to achieve it.
Chyavana is mentioned in the Rigveda
as Chyavāna (च्यवान). He is described as an aged and feeble person whose youth and strength was restored by the Ashvins
. According to a hymn of this text (X.61.1-3), Chyavāna seems to be opposed to Turvayana, an Indra worshipper Paktha
king as he was closer to the Ashvins.
According to one tradition, he married Vaivasvata Manu's daughter Arushi and their son was Aurva. According to another tradition, he married Sukanya
, daughter of Sharyati and granddaughter of Vaivasvata Manu. They had two sons Apnavana and Dadhicha. He is also considered as father of Harita.
(Adi Parva
, Ch.5-6), when Bhrigu's wife Puloma was pregnant, a Rakshasa
fell in love with her and carried her off. Puloma's child slipped from her womb and thus received his name Chyavana. The Rakshasa, seeing the child drop released his mother but immediately converted in to ashes.
and the Padma Purana
.
on her suggestion. In the Aitareya Brahmana
(VIII.21.4), the inauguration of Sharyata by him is compared with the Indra
's coronation.
(Ch.122-5) of the Mahabharata, Chyavana was so absorbed in practising austerities on the side of a lake that white ants built up their nests all over his body and only his eyes were left. Once, Sharyati along with his army and the harem
came to visit the place. Sukanya, daughter of king Sharyati, seeing only two bright eyes in what seemed to be an anthill, poked them with a stick. Chyavana felt excessive pain and became furious. He obstructed the calls of nature of Sharyati's army. He was pleased only after the king gave her daughter in marriage. Subsequently, the Ashvins came to the hermitage of Chyavana. They saw Sukanya while she was bathing and tried to convince Sukanya to reject old and ugly Chyavana and accept one of them as her husband. They also promised to restore the youth of Chyavana first so that she could make an unbiased choice amongst Chyavana and one of them. Sukanya rejected their proposal and informed Chyavana. Later, at the behest of Chyavana, Sukanya requested the Ashvins to do so. All three took bath in the lake and came out with the same youthful divine look. Each of them requested Sukanya to be his bride, but she identified Chyavana and selected him only. In gratitude, Chyavana assured the Ashvins that he will ensure that the Ashvins get shares of the sacrificial offerings. Accordingly Chyavana, while officiating as a priest of Sharyati in a soma sacrifice, offered the share of the sacrifice to the Ashvins. Indra
objected to it as the Ashvins wandered amongst men as physicians. He tried to hurl his vajra
towards Chyavana, but his arms were stayed by Chyavana, before he could do so. Chyavana by virtue of his ascetic energy, created a huge demon, Mada, with four fangs. Mada was on the point of devouring Indra, when he became afraid and finally accepted the right of the Ashvins to have share of the offerings.
.
(Avanti Khanda, Ch.57), Chyavana's ashrama (hermitage) was located in the present-day Chausa in Buxar district. According to the Padma Purana
(Patala Khanda, Ch.8), his hermitage was on the Satpura Range
, near the river Payoshni
. According to another tradition, his hermitage was in Dhosi Hill near Narnaul
in Mahendragarh district
. According to another tradition, his hermitage is located near Ankleshwar in Bharuch District
of Gujarat.
Hindu mythology
Hindu religious literature is the large body of traditional narratives related to Hinduism, notably as contained in Sanskrit literature, such as the Sanskrit epics and the Puranas. As such, it is a subset of Nepali and Indian culture...
. He was son of sage Bhrigu and known for his rejuvenation after penances for several years. According to the Mahabharata
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
, he was powerful enough to oppose the Vajra
Vajra
Vajra is a Sanskrit word meaning both thunderbolt and diamond...
of Indra
Indra
' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
and was responsible for the Ashvins
Ashvins
The Ashvins , in Hindu mythology, are divine twin horsemen in the Rigveda, sons of Saranya , a goddess of the clouds and wife of Surya in his form as Vivasvat. The Ashvins are Vedic gods symbolising the shining of sunrise and sunset, appearing in the sky before the dawn in a golden chariot,...
getting their share of the sacrificial offerings. He created a demon, Mada
Mada
Mada is a term from both Hindu theology and Hindu mythology.-Hindu theology:In Hindu theology means "pride, stubborn mindedness". It is seen as a major obstacle to attaining moksha or salvation...
to achieve it.
Chyavana is mentioned in the Rigveda
Rigveda
The Rigveda is an ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns...
as Chyavāna (च्यवान). He is described as an aged and feeble person whose youth and strength was restored by the Ashvins
Ashvins
The Ashvins , in Hindu mythology, are divine twin horsemen in the Rigveda, sons of Saranya , a goddess of the clouds and wife of Surya in his form as Vivasvat. The Ashvins are Vedic gods symbolising the shining of sunrise and sunset, appearing in the sky before the dawn in a golden chariot,...
. According to a hymn of this text (X.61.1-3), Chyavāna seems to be opposed to Turvayana, an Indra worshipper Paktha
Pakthas
For the present-day Afghan provinces of , see Paktia Province, Paktika Province and Khost Province.Pakthas are an ancient people, that find reference in Sanskrit and Greek sources and as a people living in the areas now in Afghanistan, as well as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of Pakistan...
king as he was closer to the Ashvins.
According to one tradition, he married Vaivasvata Manu's daughter Arushi and their son was Aurva. According to another tradition, he married Sukanya
Sukanya
In Hindu mythology, was the daughter of Shryayati, son of Vaivasvata Manu and the wife of the great sage Chyavana.The sage had spent so long in meditation that he was covered by a termite nest. The beautiful girl Sukanya came upon the nest and saw two shining objects inside...
, daughter of Sharyati and granddaughter of Vaivasvata Manu. They had two sons Apnavana and Dadhicha. He is also considered as father of Harita.
Birth
According to an account found in the MahabharataMahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
(Adi Parva
Adi Parva
Mahabharta Book 1 Adi Parva is a book about how the Mahabharata came to be narrated by Sauti to the assembled rishis at Naimisharanya. The recital of the Mahabharata at the Sarpasatra of Janamejaya by Vaishampayana at . The history of the Bharata race is told in detail and the parvan also traces...
, Ch.5-6), when Bhrigu's wife Puloma was pregnant, a Rakshasa
Rakshasa
A Rakshasa or alternatively rakshas, is a race of mythological humanoid beings or unrighteous spirit in Hindu and Buddhist religion...
fell in love with her and carried her off. Puloma's child slipped from her womb and thus received his name Chyavana. The Rakshasa, seeing the child drop released his mother but immediately converted in to ashes.
Penance and rejuvenation
The earliest version of the narrative of Chyavana's practice of austerities and subsequent restoration of youth is found in the Brahmanas. A later version of this narrative is found in the Mahabharata. More later versions are found in the Bhagavata PuranaBhagavata purana
The Bhāgavata Purāṇa is one of the "Maha" Puranic texts of Hindu literature, with its primary focus on bhakti to the incarnations of Vishnu, particularly Krishna...
and the Padma Purana
Padma Purana
Padma Purana , one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text, is divided into five parts.In the first part of the text, sage Pulastya explains to Bhishma about religion and the essence of the religion. The second part describes in detail Prithvi...
.
In the Brahmanas
In a narrative found in the Satapatha Brahmana (IV.1.5.1-13), Chyavana is mentioned as a descendant of Bhrigu or Angirasa. While, all the Bhrigus, the descendants of the Angirasas, left for heaven, Chyavana with senile body was abandoned. Once, Sharyata, son of Manu came near Chyavana's hermitage with his sons. Sharyata's sons pelted lumps of earth on Chyavana's senile body. Chyavana became furious and his curse created discord amongst Sharyata's sons. When Sharyata found the cause of his misfortune, he offered his daughter Sukanya for marriage to Chayavana. Later, the Ashvins came to seduce Sukanya. Sukanya refused to leave her husband and instead asked the Ashvins to restore Chyavana's youth. Following their advice, Chyavana's youth was restored by immersion in a certain pond. In return, the Ashvins obtained a share in the sacrificial offerings in KurukshetraKurukshetra
Kurukshetra is a land of historical and religious importance. Historically the land belonged to Punjab now a district in Haryana state of India. It is a holy place and is also known as Dharmakshetra . According to the Puranas, Kurukshetra is named after King Kuru, the ancestor of Kauravas and...
on her suggestion. In the Aitareya Brahmana
Aitareya Brahmana
The Aitareya Brahmana is the Brahmana of the Shakala shakha of the Rigveda, an ancient Indian collection of sacred hymns. This work, according to the tradition is ascribed to Mahidasa Aitareya.-Contents:...
(VIII.21.4), the inauguration of Sharyata by him is compared with the Indra
Indra
' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
's coronation.
In the Mahabharata
According to the narrative found in the Vana ParvaVana Parva
Mahabharta Book 3 Vana Parva is the book in the Mahabharata that discusses the twelve-year exile of the Pandavas in the forest....
(Ch.122-5) of the Mahabharata, Chyavana was so absorbed in practising austerities on the side of a lake that white ants built up their nests all over his body and only his eyes were left. Once, Sharyati along with his army and the harem
Harem
Harem refers to the sphere of women in what is usually a polygynous household and their enclosed quarters which are forbidden to men...
came to visit the place. Sukanya, daughter of king Sharyati, seeing only two bright eyes in what seemed to be an anthill, poked them with a stick. Chyavana felt excessive pain and became furious. He obstructed the calls of nature of Sharyati's army. He was pleased only after the king gave her daughter in marriage. Subsequently, the Ashvins came to the hermitage of Chyavana. They saw Sukanya while she was bathing and tried to convince Sukanya to reject old and ugly Chyavana and accept one of them as her husband. They also promised to restore the youth of Chyavana first so that she could make an unbiased choice amongst Chyavana and one of them. Sukanya rejected their proposal and informed Chyavana. Later, at the behest of Chyavana, Sukanya requested the Ashvins to do so. All three took bath in the lake and came out with the same youthful divine look. Each of them requested Sukanya to be his bride, but she identified Chyavana and selected him only. In gratitude, Chyavana assured the Ashvins that he will ensure that the Ashvins get shares of the sacrificial offerings. Accordingly Chyavana, while officiating as a priest of Sharyati in a soma sacrifice, offered the share of the sacrifice to the Ashvins. Indra
Indra
' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
objected to it as the Ashvins wandered amongst men as physicians. He tried to hurl his vajra
Vajra
Vajra is a Sanskrit word meaning both thunderbolt and diamond...
towards Chyavana, but his arms were stayed by Chyavana, before he could do so. Chyavana by virtue of his ascetic energy, created a huge demon, Mada, with four fangs. Mada was on the point of devouring Indra, when he became afraid and finally accepted the right of the Ashvins to have share of the offerings.
Chyavana and Kushika
In a narrative found in the Anushasana Parva (Ch.52-56) of the Mahabharata, Chayvana exacted many menial offices from king Kushika and his queen for 21 days. Later, he was pleased by their devotion and rewarded them by creating a magical palace of gold and predicting the birth of their grandson endued with great energy, Vishvamitra, who would attain to the status of a BrahmanaBrahmana
The Brāhmaṇas are part of the Hindu śruti literature. They are commentaries on the four Vedas, detailing the proper performance of rituals....
.
Hermitage
According to the Skanda PuranaSkanda Purana
The Skanda Purana is the largest Mahapurana, a genre of eighteen Hindu religious texts. The text is devoted mainly to the lilas of Kartikeya , a son of Shiva and Parvati. It also contains a number of legends about Shiva, and the holy places associated with him...
(Avanti Khanda, Ch.57), Chyavana's ashrama (hermitage) was located in the present-day Chausa in Buxar district. According to the Padma Purana
Padma Purana
Padma Purana , one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text, is divided into five parts.In the first part of the text, sage Pulastya explains to Bhishma about religion and the essence of the religion. The second part describes in detail Prithvi...
(Patala Khanda, Ch.8), his hermitage was on the Satpura Range
Satpura Range
The Satpura Range is a range of hills in central India. The range rises in eastern Gujarat state near the Arabian Sea coast, running east through Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to Chhattisgarh. The range parallels the Vindhya Range to the north, and these two east-west ranges divide the...
, near the river Payoshni
Purna River
The Purna River is a river of Western India. It runs parallel to the Tapti river and empties in it at Changdev in Jalgaon, Maharashta.-Description:...
. According to another tradition, his hermitage was in Dhosi Hill near Narnaul
Narnaul
Narnaul is a city, a municipal council and headquarter of Mahendragarh district in the Indian state of Haryana. It is one of the very few districts in India with the name of the district different from the name of the main town in the district.- Geography :...
in Mahendragarh district
Mahendragarh District
Mahendragarh district is one of the 21 districts of Haryana state in northern India. The district occupies an area of 1,859 km². The district has a population of 812,022. Narnaul town is the administrative headquarters of the district...
. According to another tradition, his hermitage is located near Ankleshwar in Bharuch District
Bharuch district
Bharuch in India, is a district in the southern part of the Gujarat peninsula on the west coast of state of Gujarat with a size and population comparable to that of Greater Boston...
of Gujarat.