SARYÂTI

(3). SARYÂTI.

SKANDHA IX. CHAP. 3.

Saryâti was well versed in the Vedas. He had one daughter, Sukanyâ. He went with her one day to the Âsrama of Chyavana Rishi. Sukanyâ found there two streaks of light as from glow-worms, issuing from within a mound of earth, thrown up by white ants. She pricked those portions with a thorn and blood oozed out. The party of Saryâti found that their usual secretions were stopped. The king thought some one had offended Chyavana. The girl then told her story. The king found the Rishi underneath the mound of earth and asked his pardon. The Rishi wanted the hand of the girl in marriage and Saryâti consented. So Sukanyâ became the wife of Chyavana.

One day the Asvini Kumâras came to Chyavana. The Rishi asked them to give him youth and beauty and promised in return to give them offerings of Sōma, though they had no part in Sōma Yâgas, The Asvini Kumâras took the Rishi inside a tank and all the three came out young and beautiful and looking all alike. Sukanyâ could not recognise her husband and she prayed to the Asvini Kumâras to remove her confusion. They were pleased with her chastity and pointed out her husband.

One day king Saryâti came and found his daughter sitting with a young man. He reproved Sukanyâ for her supposed unchastity. The girl then related the story of her husband's attaining youth and the king became very much pleased.

Chyavana made offerings of Sōma to the Asvini Kumâras. This offended Indra. He held up the Vajra to kill Chyavana, but the son of Bhrigu paralysed the hands of Indra. From that time the Devas consented to give a share in Sōma to the Asvini Kumâras.

                       SARYÂTI.
                          |
  --+------------+--------+---+-----------------+---
    |            |            |                 |
 Sukanyâ    Uttânavarhi    Ânarta            Dhûri Sena
m. Chyavana                   |
                           Revata
                        (He built a town called Kuśasthali
                        in the midst of the sea and from that
                        town ruled Anarta and other lands.)
                              |
     --+----------------------+-------------------+---
       |                                          |
   Kakudmin                                 99 other Sons.
       |
    Revati