Sathyan and Dasran were twin sons of Sun god Surya; they were the handsomest of all. Vedic hymns mention them as physicians of the gods. “Aswinii” means “of the horse”. They are praised for their beneficent attitude to humans. When sage Dirghasravas prayed for cessation of drought, Aswini caused sweet rain to shower. They helped sage Gautama slake his thirst by creating a spring in the desert.
Indra developed technology for brewing alcoholic liquor but entrusted it only to Dadyanga, threatening to behead him if he disclosed it. Aswini promised they would fit him out with a new head, and he revealed it. Indra beheaded him, but the twins kept their promise. They killed demon Vishwak, who was distressing humans. Because they practiced medicine including surgery, Indra decreed that they would not be entitled to share Soma juice offered in Yaga sacrifices.
In Puranas, their genealogy is from Vishnu through Brahma to Kasyapa who begat Surya through Aditi. One of Surya’s wives was Samjna, who, fatigued by his lovemaking, induced her maid Chhaaya (literally ‘shadow’) to substitute in her guise, and escaped to the forest. When Chhaaya abused Yama, another of Surya’s sons, her identity came out. Surya sought Samjna, and approached her disguised as a horse, disclosing his true form only when she was reconciled. Aswini were born and their association with the horse is mythically ‘explained’.
Their interaction with sage Chyavana is charming. This ascetic entered into such deep meditation that vegetation and anthills grew over him. Sukanya, daughter of King Saryati, chanced upon this copse. Intrigued by two points shining from within it, she poked them with a thorn – alas, they were the sage’s eyes; she, unwittingly, blinded him. The consequences were severe; rains ceased and famine loomed. Saryati discovered, through soothsayers, that the mishap was due to the hurt to the sage. He approached Chyavana, old, decrepit, now blind. The sage harboured no grouse, but sought a damsel to minister to him; only Sukanya volunteered. She was married to him, and faithfully served him, doing the most menial tasks.
Aswini, bewitched by Sukanya’s luscious beauty, approached. Loyal and dedicated to Chyavan, she spurned their advances. They offered to restore Chyavana to youth, in return for her as a fee. She refused, but reported it to the sage, who advised her to return and agree, subject to the condition that, if she recognized him after treatment, then they would forfeit the fee. They administered medicines; all three entered a pond. and emerged, looking identical. Because of her unfailing loyalty, she recognized her husband. Sportsmanlike, Aswini accepted their discomfiture. Chyavana offered to restore to them share in Soma sacrifices. Helped by his now delighted father-in-law, he arranged a sacrifice; all gods and sages were present. When the ritual reached the stage of offering Soma, he gave Aswini their share. Indra was incensed, but in the ensuing battle of words, Chyavana recounted Indra’s misdemeanours with wives of various sages, and how he fled to avoid defeat by various demons. Indra had to yield. Now, whenever Yaga is performed, Aswini get their share. Ayurvedic tonic, Chyavanaprasa, is the present version of the medicine believed to have been administered to Chyavana.
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