Sage Chyavana - Important Life Incidents - Short Biography

Sage Chyavana was one of the greatest Rishis of the ancient world. He was the son of Sage Bhrigu and Puloma. His story if found in the Satapatha Brahmana – Rig Veda. The famous story associated with Chyavana is that of him getting covered by anthill due to his intense meditation and a princess hurting his eyes and later she marrying him. (You can read the entire story here).

Sage Chyavana had a faithful wife and impressed with her chastity, Ashwini kumars restored the sight of the sage and also restored his youth.

There are numerous stories associated with the sage in the Mahabharata and the Puranas.

In modern day, Sage Chyavana is famous as the creator of Chyawanprash, an ayurvedic health tonic.

It is mentioned in the Mahabharata that he was so powerful that he opposed Indra, the king of Devas and had no fear for Vajra or thunderbolt the weapon of Indra.

He is said to have married Arushi daughter of Vaivasvata Manu's daughter Arushi and they had a son named Aurva. Another legend has it that he married Sukanya, daughter of King Sharyati and granddaughter of Vaivasvata Manu. They had two sons: Apnavana and Dadhichi. He is also believed to be the father of Harita and Uddalaka Varuni important saints and scholars in the Vedas.

As per Mahabharata (Adi Parva, Ch. 5 - 6), when Puloma was pregnant a demon harassed her. The fetus slipped from her womb and such fetus was named 'chyuta' in Sanskrit (premature delivery) and thus the sage received his name Chyavana. The demon was immediately converted into ashes by the gaze of the child.

Chyavana studied the Vedas from his father, Bhrigu, and later acquired the knowledge of Vedas from Brahma. He subsequently became a Brahmarshi.

Brahmanas, Mahabharata, Srimad Bhagavata Purana, and Padma Purana states that Chyavana practiced intense penance and mediation and got back his youthhood.