Chyavana
Chyavana ( Sanskrit च्यवन Cyavana [ ˈʧjʌʋʌnʌ ] "regsam") is a Maharishi of Indian mythology , one of the descendants of the Rishis Bhrigu .
In Vedic literature, as an old man, he is transformed into a youth. When Chyavana was old and abandoned, according to the Rig Veda, the Ashvins furnished him with a new, young body and made him the husband of virgins. In Shatapatha Brahmana it is told how the old Chyavana was given the young Sukanya as his wife and how she was harassed by the Ashvins. When she does not want to get involved with the two, she is asked why she prefers an old man to them. On Chyavana's advice, she replies that she regards the Ashvins as imperfect as her husband's, but that she will not reveal the reason for this until they are rejuvenated by Chyavana. They rejuvenate him and learn from Chyavana that they are not invited to a festival of sacrifice of the other gods currently taking place in Kurukshetra and therefore cannot be considered perfect. The Ashvins then confront the other gods and show them why their previous sacrifices were incomplete. Since then, the Ashvins have participated in the victims as sacrificial priests.
The story is continued in post-Vedic writings. In the Mahabharata , the rejuvenated Chyavana is visited by King Saryati and both want to make a sacrifice together. When Chyavana wants to sacrifice the Ashvin Soma , Indra appears and forbids him. When his persuasion failed, he continued the rite, whereupon Indra hurled thunder at Chyavana. However, the thunder cannot harm him, instead a huge demon named Mada comes into life from his strength , which drives Indra away. The sacrifice for the Ashvins could still be carried out against Indra's will.
literature
- Volker Moeller: Cyavana . In: Hans Wilhelm Haussig , Heinz Bechert (Ed.): Gods and Myths of the Indian Subcontinent (= Dictionary of Mythology . Department 1: The ancient civilized peoples. Volume 5). Klett-Cotta, Stuttgart 1984, ISBN 3-12-909850-X , p. 54.
Remarks
- ↑ Overall picture ( memento of the original from February 3, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Rigveda 1,16,10 de sa ( Nasatya's also removed the body covering from the aged Chyavana like a garment. Her master prolonged the abandoned life and then you made him the husband of the virgins. Translation after Karl Friedrich Geldner ).
- ↑ Shatapatha Brahmana 4,1,5. German translation in Albrecht Weber : Indian Stripes , Volume 1. Nicolai, Berlin 1868. pp. 13–15.
- ↑ Mahabharata 3,124 de sa
