Once, seeking pleasure, Sukanyā made her way to a splendid forest. There, her father, a great king, resided with his four thousand consorts. Adorned in all her ornaments and accompanied by her companions, Sukanyā wandered through the woods. Driven by curiosity and a confused mind, she picked up a thorn and, not knowing any better, used it to pierce something she saw nearby. Unbeknownst to her, she had wounded the sage Cyavana, who was deep in ascetic meditation. Instantly, he was overcome with agony in both eyes. Soon after, the king himself was struck with suffering—his bodily functions were blocked, and he was in great distress. The king, bewildered and anxious, wondered aloud, “Who has committed an offense here against the great-souled Bhārgava? Whether it is known or unknown, speak of it at once!” He addressed his gathered people, his words alternating between gentleness and harshness, seeking the truth. Sukanyā, seeing her father’s pain, stepped forward and confessed, “I recognized something like a firefly and, out of ignorance, I pierced it.” She had seen the Bhārgava sage, old in years and in asceticism, and now realized her mistake. Turning to the sage, she pleaded, “O lord of the earth, what was done was the act of an ignorant girl, done unknowingly. For the sake of a wife, please accept me and be gracious, best of the twice-born.” Moved by her sincerity, Cyavana replied, “If this is so, I accept her and will forgive, O king.” With this, the sage’s anger was appeased, and he accepted Sukanyā as his wife. Sukanyā, now united with her husband, remained pure and steadfast in her devotion to ascetic life. Time passed, and one day the two Ashvins, divine physicians of the gods, came to visit. They beheld Sukanyā, whose beauty rivaled that of the daughter of the king of the gods. Fortunate and ever devoted to her husband, she greeted them with respect. The Ashvins laughed and addressed her, saying, “O lovely one, you are neglected here, deprived of the pleasures you deserve. Do not waste your youth for the sake of your husband, as if you had a divine womb.” But Sukanyā replied firmly, “I am devoted to Cyavana, the sage; do not doubt my loyalty.” Hearing the conversation, Sukanyā went to Cyavana and relayed the Ashvins’ words. The Ashvins then said to her, “Let your husband enter the lake.” At their invitation, Cyavana entered the water, and the Ashvins followed him in. When they emerged, all three appeared identical—youthful, radiant, and adorned with celestial earrings. The Ashvins said, “Choose any one among us, O auspicious one.” Observing them closely, Sukanyā recognized her husband, Cyavana, even among the identical forms. Through this divine intervention, Cyavana regained his youth and beauty. Filled with gratitude and affection, Cyavana declared to the Ashvins, “Now that I am endowed with beauty and youth, I shall, out of affection, make you both drinkers of Soma.” The Ashvins, delighted by these words, joyfully returned to heaven. However, because of this act—granting the Ashvins the right to partake of Soma, which had been denied to them—the two divine physicians were reproached in heaven. Indra, the king of the gods, threatened them, saying, “I shall strike you with a thunderbolt, terrible and fierce!” Recognizing the power of Indra, Cyavana considered what to do. He resolved, “I shall worship the great god Mahādeva, the lord who is capable, the protector of the world, the creator and destroyer.” With this resolve, Cyavana journeyed to the great Kāla forest. There, with unwavering faith, he worshipped Mahādeva. Pleased with Cyavana’s devotion, Rudra granted him freedom from the threat of the thunderbolt. By the power of the liṅga, which was fully satisfied by Cyavana’s worship, the sage and those he protected were kept safe, and the blessings of the divine were bestowed upon them.