03.123
Lomaśa said;
O king, at a certain time, the two Aśvins, gods, saw Sukanyā, who had completed her consecration, with the enclosure open. (03-123-1)
Having seen her, whose limbs were beautiful like the daughter of the king of the gods, the two Nāsatya Aśvins approached and said this.
O beautiful-thighed one, whose are you? What indeed are you doing in the forest? We wish, O auspicious and lovely one, to know you—tell us your true nature. (03-123-3)
Then Sukanya, having approached, spoke to the two best among the gods: 'I am known as the daughter of Śaryāti and as the wife of Cyavana.' (03-123-4)
Then the two Aśvins, smiling, again spoke to her: "How is it that, O auspicious one, your father gave you to someone who has already passed away?" (03-123-5)
You shine in the midst of the forest like a flash of lightning; truly, O radiant one, I do not see anyone even among the gods who is equal to you. (03-123-6)
O flawless-limbed one, if adorned with all ornaments and dressed in the best garments, you would shine; not so as you are now, covered in dirt. (03-123-7)
O blessed one, why, being as you are, do you attend upon a husband worn out by old age, deprived of all enjoyment? (03-123-8)
Who is incapable of protecting or providing, O pure-smiling one, O virtuous lady, abandon Cyavana and choose one among us. For the sake of a husband, O you who are like a divine-being in purity, do not let your youth go to waste. (03-123-9)
Thus addressed, Sukanya spoke this to those two gods: "I am devoted to Cyavana as my husband; do not suspect me thus." (03-123-10)
Those two (physician gods) again said to you: "We, O goddess, as the best physicians, will make this one young and beautiful as your husband." (03-123-11)
Then, among the two, choose one as your husband; with this agreement, address him, O beautiful-faced one. (03-123-12)
She, prompted by the words of those two, O king, approached the Bhārgava and conveyed to the son of Bhṛgu what had been said by them. (03-123-13)
When he heard that, Cyavana said to his wife, "Let it be done." Receiving her husband's permission, she then also said, "Let it be done." (03-123-14)
The two Aśvins, having heard that statement, said, "Let that be done for her." They said to the princess, "Let your husband enter the water." (03-123-15)
Then Cyavana, desirous of regaining his form, quickly entered the water. The two Aśvins also entered that lake, O king, O lord. (03-123-16)
Then, after a moment, all of them crossed the lake; thereafter, they all assumed divine forms, becoming young men with polished earrings, all alike in appearance and increasing the delight of the mind. (03-123-17)
They all spoke together, "Choose any one among us whom you desire, O auspicious and fortunate lady, for your husband, O best-complexioned and beautiful one." (03-123-18)
But she, having seen them all standing there in identical forms, decided by her mind and intellect and chose her own husband, the goddess. (03-123-19)
But having obtained his wife and the youth and form he desired, Cyavana, gladdened and of great brilliance, spoke this speech to those two Aśvins. (03-123-20)
Just as I, possessing beauty and age, have thus been made an elder by both of you, and have obtained this wife. (03-123-21)
Therefore, out of affection, I will do this for you two, O Soma-drinkers; I declare this truth to you both in the presence of the king of the gods. (03-123-22)
Having heard that, those two (the Ashvins) joyfully returned to heaven; and Cyavana and Sukanya, like the gods, enjoyed themselves. (03-123-23)
