In Hindu mythology, Sukanya was the daughter of Sharyati, son of Vaivasvata Manu and the wife of the great sage Chyavana.
The sage had spent so long in meditation that he was covered by a crow’s nest. The beautiful girl Sukanya came upon the nest and saw two shining objects inside. Not realizing these were the eyes of the sage, she poked playfully at them, and the sage was blinded.

Chyavana was enraged, and Sukanya’s father placated him by offering her in marriage. After their marriage Sukanya served the sage cheerfully, despite his old age and blindness.

One day she was spotted by the Ashwini Kumaras, identical twins who served as physicians of the gods, who decided that her ethereal beauty was worthy of residence in heaven rather than languishing on the Earth serving an old blind sage. They asked her to marry one of them. Being a faithful wife, she vehemently objected to their request. Pleased with her devotion to her husband, the Ashwini Kumaras offered to restore her husband’s youth and eyesight.

The bargain was conditional on Sukanya’s ability to distinguish her husband from the twins themselves. If she failed to do so they would return him to old age and blindness. All parties accepted these terms. The Ashwini Kumaras asked Chyavana to accompany them into the nearby pond. Being demigods, the Ashwini Kumaras left no footprints on the bank as they exited the pond. Although the rejuvenated sage looked identical to the twins, he left footprints. The Ashwini Kumaras blessed the couple and left. In return they also requested that the sage give them a share of the sacrificial offerings in the future.

The esoteric meaning of the story of Rishi Chyavana

Chyavana represents the human body and is derived etymologically from the Sanskrit root, Chgu, to go. It is never fixed but always moves from one state to the other, thus it grows from childhood to old age, and finally dissolves. The Devas are the Jnanendriyas in the body. They are ever maintained young and energetic by the force of Prana. Just like we go to the physician for bodily ailments, for their supply of energy and vitality they will have to depend on the Ashwini Kumaras(Divine Physicians or Physicians to the Gods).

The Aswini Kumaras are the Prana and Apana. They are termed so, because they are always galloping within this body like two horses, without rest for even a moment. Further, they are inseparable. That is why they are referred to as the Twins. Chyavana’s befriending the Twins means bringing under control the Prana and Apana and utilising them to enjoy youth, vigour and enerry.

Thus the real Chyavanaprash, the medicine that Rishi Chyavana used to attain everlasting youth, is the control and manipulation of breath through Yoga, and this alone is the never-failing nervine tonic and energy-giver. Therefore, it is the imperative need for every individual who wishes to live a healthy life of longevity, full of energy and vigour.