Chyavana () was a sage (rishi) in Hinduism. He was a son of Bhrigu, also known as Bhrigu Varuni in the Upanishads, and is known for his rejuvenation through a special herbal paste or tonic known as chyavanaprasham, which was prepared by the Ashvins. According to the Mahabharata, he was powerful enough to oppose the celestial thunderbolt (vajra) of Indra, and was responsible for the Ashvins getting their share of the sacrificial offerings. He created an asura, Mada, to achieve it. Chyavana (with a different spelling: च्यवान Cyavāna) is also mentioned in the Rigveda, where he is described as an aged and feeble person whose youth and strength was restored by the twin Aśvins (RV VII.68:6). According to Rigveda X.61:1-3, Cyavāna is a weak opponent of Tūrvayāṇa, an Indra worshipper Paktha king, as the latter was closer to the Ashvins. According to one tradition, he married Vaivasvata Manu's daughter Arushi. Their son was Aurva. According to another tradition, he married Sukanyā, daughter of Vedic king Sharyati and granddaughter of Vaivasvata Manu. They had two sons: Apnavana and Dadhicha. He is also considered as the father of Harita and Uddalaka Varuni. Legend Birth According to an account found in the Mahabharata (Adi Parva, Ch.5-6), when Bhrigu's wife Puloma was pregnant and lived in her hermitage, a rakshasa harassed her. Puloma's child slipped from her womb, called a 'chyuta' child in Sanskrit ("early delivery") and thus received his name Chyavana. The rakshasa released the mother after seeing the child drop, but immediately converted into ashes. Chyavana studied the Vedas from his father and later acquired the knowledge of Vedas from Brahma. He subsequently became a Brahmarshi. 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 Purana and the Padma Purana. Brahmanas In a narrative found in the Satapatha Brahmana (IV.1.5.1-13), Chyavana is mentioned as a descendant of Bhrigu. While all the Bhrigus were away, Chyavana, with a senile body, was living in his ashrama. Once, King Sharyati, son of Manu, came for hunting near Chyavana's ashrama (hermitage) with his army. Sharyati's children was also with him. They went to Chyavana Rishi's ashrama, where the rishi was in meditation. While white-ants had covered his body and only his eyes