Chyavana

Chyavana
Chyavana
17th century artist's imagination of Chyavāna
Personal
ReligionHinduism
SpouseSukanya
ChildrenAurava, Apnavana, Dadhicha, Pramati, Sumana and Harita
Parents
The Goddess worshipped by the sage Chyavana from a Tantric Devi series attributed to Kripal of Nurpur (active c. 1660 - c. 1690). Freer Gallery of Art

Chyavana (Sanskrit: च्यवन, romanized: Cyavana) 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 (ayurvedic jam) or tonic known as chyavanaprasham,[1][2] which was prepared by the Ashvins.[3] 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.[4]

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).[5] According to Rigveda X.61:1-3,[6] Cyavāna is a weak opponent of Tūrvayāṇa, an Indra worshipper and a Paktha king, as the former was closer to the Ashvins.[7]

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.[8] He is also considered as the father of Harita and Uddalaka Varuni.[4]

  1. ^ Sivarajan, V. V.; Balachandran, Indira (1994). Ayurvedic Drugs and Their Plant Sources. International Science Publisher. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-881570-21-9.
  2. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (6 April 2020). "Cyavanaprasha, Cyavanaprāśa, Cyavana-prasha: 5 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  3. ^ Mahabharat
  4. ^ a b Dowson, John (2004). A classical dictionary of Hindu mythology, and religion, geography, history. Delhi: Asian Educational Services. pp. 73–5. ISBN 978-81-206-1786-5.
  5. ^ The Rigveda : the earliest religious poetry of India. Jamison, Stephanie W., Brereton, Joel P., 1948-. New York. 2014. p. 968. ISBN 9780199370184. OCLC 849801119.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. ^ The Rigveda : the earliest religious poetry of India. Jamison, Stephanie W., Brereton, Joel P., 1948-. New York. 2014. p. 1475. ISBN 9780199370184. OCLC 849801119.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)
  7. ^ Macdonnel, Arthur Anthony; Keith, Arthur Berriedale (1985) [1912]. Vedic Index of Names and Subjects. Vol. 1. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 264–5. ISBN 81-208-1332-4.
  8. ^ Pargiter, F.E. (1922, reprint 1972). Ancient Indian Historical Tradition, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, pp.193-7