Chyavana

Chyavana
Chyavana
Information
Spouse(s)	Arushi, Sukanya
Children	Aurava, Apnavana, Dadhicha and Harita

Chyavana (Sanskrit: च्यवन, Cyavana) was a rishi in Hindu mythology. He was son of Bhrigu and is known for his rejuvenation through a special herbal paste known as Chyawanprash, which was first prepared. 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 twin Ashvini Kumar brothers, who were the Rajya Vaids or 'State Doctors'. 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 Vedic king 'Sharyati' and granddaughter of Vaivasvata Manu. They had two sons Apnavana and Dadhicha. He is also considered as father of Harita.

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 'chyut' child in Sanskrit, (early delivery) and thus received his name Chyavana. The Rakshasa, seeing the child drop released his mother but immediately converted into ashes.

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.

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