Sukanya

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In Hindu mythology, Sukanya (Sanskrit: सुकन्‍या), daughter of Shryayati, was a great pativrata, wife of the great sage Chyavana.

She had accidentally caused the blindness of Sage Chyavana, who was deep in meditation and covered by an anthill. Playfully poking at two shining objects inside the anthill, little did Sukanya realise that she had blinded the sage. Repentful of her folly, she requested her father to give her in marriage to the sage and served him cheerfully, despite his old age and blindness. One day, she was spotted by the Ashwini Kumaras, the physicians of the Gods, who opined that for her ethereal beauty, she should have been in the heavens and not languishing on the Earth, serving an old blind sage. Being a chaste woman, she vehemently objected to their request and pleased with her devotion to her husband, the Ashwini Kumaras offered to restore her husband's youth and eyesight, on the condition that she should then be able to distinguish her husband from the twins themselves, otherwise, they would revert him to his old age. Following a discussion with the sage, they accepted this exercise. The Ashwini Kumaras asked Chyavana to dip along with them in the nearby pond. Being the race of demi-Gods, when they came out of the pond, they didn't leave the foot prints on the banks of the pond, but Chyavana did. And despite the fact that the revived sage looked identical to the twins, by virtue of her chastity, or paativratyam, she could identify her husband. Pleased with her devotion to her husband, the Ashwini Kumaras blessed the couple and left. They also requested the sage that in return, he would get them a share of the sacrificial offerings in future sacrifices or yajnas. Sukanya also means sunshine.