SECTION CXXIII
"Lomasa said, 'Once on a time, O king, those celestials, namely the twin
Aswins, happened to behold Sukanya, when she had (just) bathed, and when
her person was bare. And seeing that one of excellent limbs, and like
unto the daughter of the lord of celestials, the nose-born Aswins neared
her, and addressed her, saying, 'O you of shapely thighs, whose daughter
art thou? And what doest you in this wood? O auspicious one, O you of
excellent grace, we desire to know this, do you therefore tell us.'
Thereupon she replied bashfully unto those foremost of celestials. 'Know
me as Sarayati's daughter, and Chyavana's wife.' Thereat the Aswins again
spake unto her, smiling. 'What for, O fortunate one, hath your father
bestowed you on a person who is verging on death? Surely, O timid girl,
thou shinest in this wood like lightning. Not in the regions of the
celestials themselves, O girl, have our eyes lighted on your like. O
damsel, unadornedand without gay robes as you art, you beautifiest this
wood exceedingly. Still, O you of faultless limbs, you canst not look
so beautiful, when (as at present) you are soiled with mud and dirt, as
thou couldst, if decked with every ornament and wearing gorgeous apparel.
Why, O excellent girl in such plight servest you a decrepit old husband,
and one that hath become incapable of realising pleasure and also of
maintaining thee, O you of luminous smiles? O divinely beautiful damsel,
do thou, forsaking Chyavana accept one of us for husband. It behoveth
thee not to spend your youth fruitlessly.'"
"Thus addressed Sukanya answered the celestials saying. 'I am devoted to
my husband, Chyavana: do the not entertain any doubts (regarding my
fidelity). Thereupon they again spake unto her, 'We two are the celestial
physicians of note. We will make your lord young and graceful. Do thou
then select one of us, viz., ourselves and your husband,--for your partner.
Promising this do thou, O auspicious one, bring hither your husband.' .. O
king, agreeably to their words she went to Bhrigu's son and communicated
to him what the two celestials had said. Hearing her message, Chyavana
said unto his wife, 'Do you so.' Having received the permission of her
lord, (she returned to the celestials) and said, 'Do the so.' Then hearing
her words, viz., 'Do the so,' they spoke unto the king's daughter. 'Let
thy husband enter into water.' Thereat Chyavana desirous of obtaining
beauty, quickly entered into water. The twin Aswins also, O king, sank
into the sheet of water. And the next moment they all came out of the
tank in surpassingly beautiful forms, and young and wearing burnished
earrings. And all, possessed of the same appearance pleasing to behold,
addressed her saying, 'O fortunate one, do you choose one of us for
spouse. And O beauteous one, do you select him for lord who may please
thy fancy.' Finding, however, all of them of the same appearance she
deliberated; and at last ascertaining the identity of her husband, even
selected him.
"Having obtained coveted beauty and also his wife, Chyavana, of exceeding
energy, well pleased, spake these words unto the nose-born celestials:
'Since at your hands, an old man, I have obtained youth, and beauty, and
also this wife of mine, I will, well pleased, make you quaffers of the
Soma juice in the presence of the lord of celestials himself. This I tell
you truly.' Hearing this, highly delighted, the twins ascendedto heaven;
and Chyavana and Sukanya too passed their days happily even like
celestials."
--------------------END OF PARVA 3 : UPA-PARVA 123 ---------------------
