− | The '''Ashvins''' or '''Ashwini Kumaras''', in [[Hindu mythology]], are two [[Rigvedic deities|Vedic gods]], [[divine twin]] [[Equestrianism|horsemen]] in the ''[[Rigveda]]'', sons of [[Saranyu]], a goddess of the clouds and wife of [[Surya]] in his form as Vivasvant. They symbolise 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 the doctors of gods and are [[deva (Hinduism)|deva]]s of [[Ayurvedic]] medicine. They are represented as humans with the heads of horses. 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 '''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 symbolise 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 the doctors of gods and are [[Deva (देवः)|devas]] of [[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|Ayurvedic]] medicine. They are represented as humans with the heads of horses. |
| The Mahabharat and the [[Puranas (पुराणानि)|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''.<ref>Panda, H; ''Handbook On Ayurvedic Medicines With Formulae, Processes And Their Uses'', 2004, p10 ISBN 978-81-86623-63-3</ref> | | The Mahabharat and the [[Puranas (पुराणानि)|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''.<ref>Panda, H; ''Handbook On Ayurvedic Medicines With Formulae, Processes And Their Uses'', 2004, p10 ISBN 978-81-86623-63-3</ref> |
| 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. | | 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. |