Ashvini Kumaras (अश्विनीकुमारौ)

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The Ashvins or Ashwini Kumaras, in Hindu mythology, are two Vedic gods, divine twin horsemen in the Rigveda, sons of Saranyu, a goddess of the clouds and wife of Surya in his form as Vivasvan. They symbolize the shining of sunrise and sunset, appearing in the sky before the dawn in a golden chariot, bringing treasures to men and averting misfortune and sickness. They are considered the physicians of the gods and are devas of Ayurvedic medicine. They are represented as humans with the heads of horses. They may also be referred to as the 'Horsemen' and are forever young, handsome, and athletic.

Vedic and historical references

In the epic Mahabharata, King Pandu's wife Madri is granted a son by each Ashvin and bears the twins Nakula and Sahadeva who, along with the sons of Kunti, are known as the Pandavas.

The Mahabharat and the Puranas, relate that the Ashwini Kumar brothers, the twins, who were Raja-Vaidya (Royal Physicians) to Devas during Vedic times, first prepared the Chyawanprash formulation for Chyawan Rishi at his ashram, hence the name Chyawanprash.

The Ashvins are mentioned 376 times in the Rigveda, with 57 hymns specifically dedicated to them: 1.3, 1.22, 1.34, 1.46-47, 1.112, 1.116-120 (c.f. Vishpala), 1.157-158, 1.180-184, 2.20, 3.58, 4.43-45, 5.73-78, 6.62-63, 7.67-74, 8.5, 8.8-10, 8.22, 8.26, 8.35, 8.57, 8.73, 8.85-87, 10.24, 10.39-41, 10.143.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Arujuna sees them on the Virat Purusha, shown to him by Krishna. In Mahabharata, the Pandava brothers Nakula and Sahadeva are the sons of Ashwini Kumars born to Madri.

Names of Ashvinikumaras

The Ashvins' name derives from the Sanskrit asva or 'horse' and they are closely associated with that animal, sometimes even considered to have the bodies of men and the head of a horse

Each of the Ashvinimumaras have got a unique different name.

they are known individually as Dasra and Nasatya

Ashvini is the other name of their mother Saranyu. Thus from mothers name, the sons are called as Ashvinikumaras.

Ashvini Kumaras family background

Mother: Saranyu

Father: Vivaswan. Vivaswan is known to be the son of Daksha Prajapati.

Sister: Usha is the name of sister of Ashvinikumaras.

Names of the wives of Dasra and Nastya are: Surya and Urjani who are the daughters of Surya devata.

Sons of Ashvinikumaras: In Mahabharata, the Pandava brothers Nakula and Sahadeva are the sons of Ashwini Kumars born to Madri.

Birth of Ashvinikumaras

Ashwini Kumars are the sons of Lord Surya and Sangya. Asvini is the "she-horse", and Kumars means "young boys". This is because they were given birth when Lord Surya took the form of a horse and Sangya took the form of a mare. On advice from their father, the Ashwini Kumars worshiped Lord Brahma and performed intense austerities and Tapasya. Pleased with them, Lord Brahma granted the boon that they will be extremely handsome and will have knowledge of Ayurveda.

Physical appearance of Ashvinikumaras

Gurus of Ashvini kumaras

Ashvini kumaras learned Ayurveda from Daksha Prajapati.

They learned Madhuvidya and pravarga vidya from Atharvana Dadhichi.

Birth of Ashvinikumaras

One can find references about birth of Ashvinikumaras in Rigveda.

Chariot of Ashvinikumaras

It is believed that Ashvinikumaras became the physician of gods after learning Madhuvidya from Dadhichi. In order to to make Ashvinikumaras capable of wondering everywhere in Swarga, Gods created a golden Chariot for them. In vedas one can find the depiction of Ashvinikumaras and their chariot as follows. This chariot was golden in colour and triangular in shape. It has 3 pillars or supports and a beautiful triangular roof. IT has got 3 wheels. The horses carrying this chariot are known as 'Hari' are are believed to run with the speed of Vayu. In this chariot Ashvinikumaras are seen sitting with a smiling face. They have a pot filled with Amrt (elixir) in left hand while hold Shankha in the right hand. They drink Somarasa regularly. In such a way they wonder in the universe thrice in the day and thrice at night and apply their medical skills in such a way that it appears to be a magic or miracle.

They have a very interesting vahana. A ratha which has wings of ‘gridhra’- eagle, a base having ‘koorma’-tortoise, and they, themselves are represented in form if horses. Their vehicle signifies their readiness to help the needy swiftly, they can move around in air, land and even water.

Worshipping Ashvinikumaras

Ashwini Kumars are worshipped on the Dwitiya or the second day in a lunar fortnight.

It is said that, ashwini kumara are ‘Asthu devata’, the one who fulfill any wish. So it is always advised to have good, fulfilling and right desires.

Various medical skills of Ashvinikumaras described in Rigveda

In Rigveda there are many stories about the various medical operations and successful treatments done by Ashvinikumaras. There is an emphasis in their role as helpers and heroes who save and heal. One can realize that, many such medical jobs done by Ashvinikumaras are in fact the very recent and latest developments in medical science and technology developed in current times. But from this we can say that what we call now as latest and advance medical science was known to ancient rshis due to Ashvinikumaras. Few examples are given below,

Surgery

Transplants

Skin grafts

Interesting tale of Dadhichi Rshi

Shalakya

Kayachikitsa

Balarogas

Agada

• The infamous Daksha yagna had a very bad outcome. After Sati devi immolated herself, Veerabhadra wrecked havoc in place of yagna. He beheaded Daksha. Ashwini kumaras attached a head of a goat when Daksha lost his head.
• Prasheerna(surya) lost his teeth, and ashwini devatas fixed those
• Bhaga, had lost eye sight, and through surgery they treated him
• Indra suffered paralyses of shoulders, and he too was treated by ashwini kumaras.
• A verse from Rigveda not only praises ashwini kumaras but also Vishpala, a warrior queen of king Khela. Vishpala had lost a leg in the battle, and ashwini kumaras has installed a iron leg to make her able to run and defeat enemy in battle field.
• There is an incident mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam which indicates that Ashwini Kumars are responsible for the sense of smell in living creatures.
• When a sage named Chyavana got to a very old age, his wife, Sukanya, asked the Ashvin's to restore him to a youthful state. In return, she would tell them what they lacked to become complete gods. The Ashvins completed this task by putting herbs into a pond which Chyavana dipped in (or according to another story and reference, they formulated the famous Chyavanaprasha for the first time and gave it to the Chyavana), and so Sukanya told them that they did not drink the soma, the drink of the gods. So Nasatya and Dasra persuaded Dadhyanchi, the son of the Atharvan priest, to teach them the sacrificial ceremony which involved the sacred drink. However, Indra did not want the Ashvins to drink the soma, he thought they were contaminated for spending much time with humans. So he threatened Dadhyanchi that he would cut his head off if he went through with the ceremony. The Ashvins solved this problem by creating a fake head for Dadhyanc, so when they learned about the soma Indra didn't actually cut his head off.