were visible. They humiliated Chyavana, and in his fury, the sage cursed them. His curse created discord amongst Sharyati's family. When Sharyati found the cause of his misfortune, he offered his daughter Sukanya in marriage to Chayavana, so that she could take care of revered saint. Later, the Ashvins came to his ashrama, and tried to seduce Sukanya. Sukanya, who refused to leave her husband, instead asked the Ashvins to restore Chyavana's youth. Following their advice, Chyavana's youth was restored by a combination of three treatments. Certain herbs were put into a pond and the rishi was asked to have a dip in the pond. A herbal paste was prepared for application on the body of rishi, which was part of 'Kayakalpa'. A special herbal paste, chyavanaprasham, was prepared for the rishi to take as a medicine. In return, the Ashvins obtained a share in the sacrificial offerings in Kurukshetra on her suggestion. In the Aitareya Brahmana (VIII.21.4), the inauguration of Sharyata by him is compared with the Indra's coronation. Mahabharata According to the narrative found in the Vana Parva (Ch.122-5) of the Mahabharata, Chyavana was so absorbed in practising austerities on the side of a lake that termites built up their mound all over his body and only his eyes were left. Once, Sharyati, along with his army and household, 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 him his 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. In gratitude, Chyavana assured the Ashvins that he would ensure that the