Aswini Kumars / Ashvins /Asvins/ Acvins

Alternate Names: Aswins, Ashvins, Açvins, the Nasatyas, the Darsas, the Ocean-born (abdhi-jau), Wreathed-with lotuses (pusbara-srajau), Sons-of-the-submarine-fire (vadabeyau), Twin-undoers-of-illness (gadagadau), and Twin-celestial-physicians (svarga-vaidya).

"Aswam " means "horse", "vini" means 'dual' and kumar means boy. Aswini kumars are half horse and half man. They are twin gods who practise medicine and are devas of Ayurvedic Medicine. They are depicted as human with horse heads. They are physicians of Gods. They are also known to posess good knowledge about horses and plant life (medicines). They are fond of honey(Madhu) and Soma(liquor). They are said to be honey complexioned.

Ashwini Kumars are harbingers of Goddess Usha(the dawn) and they follow her. Goddess usha is the daughter of Sun god and hence sister to both Ashwini kumars. Ashwini kumars represent twilight, where darkness and light are intertwined on the horizo just before dawn as well as dusk.

Ashwini Kumars are believed to descend to earth thrice a day, to cure and restore the health of humankind. Ashvini kumars used to have flying chariot which was three storeyed and triangular and three wheeled . It could carry three passengers and was made of gold , silver and Iron and had two wings. The flying machine was either drawn by horses or by winged steeds or by buffaloes or by an ox. their flying machine was so fast that they can come down to earth thrice a day to cure humans.
The flying machine exuded a golden glow and a vibrating sound and has a honey whip. Their flying machine is ladden with honey and medicines and faster than a human thought.

Ashwini kumars are said to be born to Saranyu and Vivasant. Saranyu is the Goddess of Clouds and daughter of Tvashta, the divine architect.Vivasant is the 'sun god' and saranyu after begotting him 'Yama and Yami' leave her husband's home as she is unable to bear his scorching heat and leaves behind another woman identical to her called chaya devi. Saranyu leaves to the mountain in guise and lives in the form of mare. When Surya knows about the swap he takes the form of a stallion and courts saranyu and in due course they have two children Nasatya ( meaning "kind, helpful') and Dasra (meaning 'enlightened giver'). They came to be called as Ashwini Kumars. Vivasant is also the father of Manu(Vaivasvatha Manu ), who is the first ruler of Solar dynasty

In another account, the ashwini kumars have come out when the devas and asura churned the milky ocean for Amritam. After some time they had incurred the wrath of Lord Indra who forbade them from partaking Havis, the sacrificial obligations.

Dadhichi was a great sage of knowledge and he was the son of Atharvan. Dadhichi possesed the knowledge of "Madhu Vidhya' the knowledge by which mortals can become immortals. Indra was insecure that any man would get knowledge of 'madhu vidhya' and he would lose his immortal status. so he vowed that he could behead anyone who taught the vidhya. They devised a plan to learn it from Dadhichi without the knowledge of Indra. Indra needed Dadhichi spinal bones to make a powerful weapon, Vajra to kill the demon.

He sought the permision of Dadhichi and he was ready to forsake his life for the world's welfare. The Ashwini kumars were not pleased as they wanted to learn the Vidhya . so they devised a plan , as Indra beheaded Dadhichi they transplanted a horse head and learnt the Madhu Vidhya from him. Indra was very angry so he beheaded Dadichi with horse head. They again resuscitated Dadhichi with his own head. The Ashwini Kumars earned the wrath of Indra by playing this trick on him, so Indra forbade them from partaking Havis.

Once upon a time there was a King named Tugra who was ruling over the Sindh region. A fleet of ship laden with riches and traders were returning home after business with foreign countries. The traders were happy that they have earned a lot than their previous expeditions. The ship captain chooses to use the strait to cross into their homeland so they could cut the long route short and reach their homeland early. The traders and the captain was not aware of sea pirates who frequent the island near the strait and plunder the ship for living.Sea pirates waited for the traders ship to come close to them before revealing their identity. When they were was no route for turn back they surronded all the seven ships plundered all the wealth and left the traders alive as they pleaded for their life in exchange of wealth. The pirates transferred all riches to their ship and bid adieu to traders. The traders reached their homeland in few days and went to Raja Tugra how they were plundered by sea pirates who live in nearby islands of strait. They asked the king to help them as doing business outside country is not safe because of them. Raja assured them that its his duty to make the sea safe. Raja Tugra discussed with his son Byju how the islanders have turned into sea robbers and tormenting the traders.
Raja Tugra," I plan to take an voyage to the Island "
Byju" Father, Please allow me to lead me this expedition it will be a learning experience for me."
Raja Tugra,"Son, you are not aware of the hazards of sea."
BYju" Father , This is a right time for me and it will be a great learning experience"
Queen Mother," O Son, the island chief is a very wicked , vile treacherous man"
Byju," Mother , All the more i should face him. I am the prince I should protect the weak and virtous and destroy wicked"

Raja Tugra and his queen feel proud of their son and bless his on his maiden voyage. Byju selected few men to accompany him on the voyage to fight the sea pirates. Prayers and offerings were given to Lord Pushan. Lord Pushan is one of the twelve Adithyas(Vedic deity). He carries a golden lance and rides in chariot driven by goats. He was responsible for Journeys, Roads , Marriages and feeding and locating lost cattle. He protects travelers from bandits and wild beast. His purpose is to lead his followers towards wealth. Byju also gave offerings to Indra, ashwini kumars and many more gods before starting his journey.

Byju and his Fleet of ships set sail towards the strait with Bjyu blowing the conch and his soldiers shouting war cries"long live Sapt sindhu". After three days and threee nights they were able to catch sight of birds in the horizon which was an indication that the island was near by.Just then a veteran sailor informed Byju of an incoming storm. In few moments the calm sea turned into churning pot of rage . Ships were tossed by sea waves as if they were small toys. few people fell into the sea as the ships rocked violently. Byju tried to help his warriors who fell into water but the water hit the ship violently and most of the ships were broken and Byju was thrown into water and many soldiers drowned. Byju swam with great effort and tried to make to a unbroken ship of his fleet but the soldiers fearing their safety sailed away not knowing it was their prince who called out for help.
Atlast the storm subsided but Byju was weak . Byju Prayed to Ashwini kumars who are ocean born to save him from here. He sees a log floatting towards him. He catches the log and stays afloat on the sea thanking Ashwini kumars for helping him by sending a log.Byju driftedd as he clung to the log of wood . When he opened his eyes he saw that he was not alone and a nasty shark was swimming towards him with its mouth wide open .Byju was left without weapons nor strength to fight the animal. He pushed the log into the mouth of the shark forcefully that it sank to the bottom of the ocean. He was tired and thirsty and drank sea water only to spit it out. Byju calls out to Ashwini kumar to help him as he doesnt want to die in a watery grave but on battlefield like a true warrior.

" O Ashvins you saved Antaka, Vandana, Rebha, Deerghatamas and many more.. Please save Byju who worships you"

A few boats appeared at the moment and on board were Ashwini kumars. They Saved Byju and gave him Honey,Milk and Soma. Byju thanked his saviors who came like a lightning to rescue him out of nowhere. Ashwini kumars then dropped him at the port of Sindh. Raja Tugra and his queen reached the port as they heard that a ship was seen at the horizon . Raja tugra and his Queen are glad that their son Byju is safe and both hug him and thank Ashwini kumars for helping their son.

Byju after gaining back his health wants to have another try at the expedition against the sea pirates . The king and the Queen concede as they know that Ashwini kumar who helped their son last time would always help him again. After few weeks Byju reach the island and a ferocious battle breaks out between him and the islander. Byju's men vanquished the islanders and recovered the stolen riches and reached their homeland victorious with capitves. The seas were safe for traders and Byju had fulfilled his father's promise.

Atri was a sage residing in the forest with his two sons. He loved to take care of his plants, animals besides teaching. The sons of Atri warned their father not to venture into forest as Dasyus had moved there. Dasyus are people who dont perform sacrifices or follow Aryan culture. Atri told his sons not to mind Dasyus as the forest was big enough to host them all.Atri headed towards the forest. Atri walked and walked until he reached the thickest part of the forest. He saw a big tree and wondered how the world looked from the tree and climbed the tall tree. He sat upon the tall tree and wondered how the earth would look from skies. thinking on the same thought he started to meditate and lost count of hours and soon it was day break. Seeing the morning sun spreading his beautiful rays around the earth Atri was delighted by the picture the rasining Sun painted. He climbed down the trees and went to the river and took bathe and offerered his prayers to the Sun. As he finished his prayers and was about to open his eyes Dasyus attackedd him. He called out to Ashwini kumarsto help him. Hearing their father voice for help the two youths rushed into the forest and were also caught by the Dasyus.

Dasyus dragged Atri and his sons to a gaint tree with hollow that ran deep into the ground. Then the Dasyus threw all of them into the pit and planned to burn them . Atri and his sons prayed to Ashwini kumars to help them .Ashwini kumars came in their chariot pulled by two assess to rescue their devotee. The wise and experienced Dasyus ran out of the way of the divine twin warrior and the foolish ones who tried to fight him persished. Ashwini kumars poured water to put out the fire Dasyus had created. Ashwini Kumars blessed Atri and his sons and left off.

Sukanya was a princess ,daughter of Sharyati, Son of Vaivasvata Manu. sukanya was very playfull despite reaching a marriageable age. once she went to the forest with her friends and she was enthralled by the beauty of the forest and ran hither and thither. she saw an ant hill and also chanced to see two shining objects in it . she was curios and wanted to know what the shining objects were. she picked up a stick and poked at the objects. Unknown to Sukanya , it was the eyes of a sage who was covered by ant hill due to his innumerable years of penance and austerity. the sage cried out in pain and his vision was impaired. Sukanya was horrified at what happened due to her childish pranks and begged the sage for forgiveness. the news reached the King sharyati and he came to the forest. He pleaded to the sage,Chyavana to forgive his beloved daughter. the Sage ignored the pleas of the king and asked him to give Sukanya in marriage to him as he had lost his sight because of her. Sukanya accepted to be his wife and was prompt to help her old and blind husband with his chore. Ashwini kumars saw a beautiful , young lady Sukanya serving an old and blind Chyavana and decided to help her. Ashwini kumars were smitten by her youthful beauty and approached her to help her in curing her husbands blindness and restoring his youth. The ashwini kumars appreciated her beauty and offered her residence in heaven. Sukanya was faithfull to her husband and she rejected their proposal. So Ashiwini Kumars had a scheming plan that they would cure her husband blindness and old age but she must identify her husband from the twins or else they will return him his blindness and old age. Sukanya was gullible to fall for their trick and accepted their help.

The Ashwini Kumars took the Sage, Chyavana to a nearby pond and three of the took a dip in the pond. Sukanya was surprised to see three Ashwini Kumars before her after they come out the pond. She understood the ploy of the demi gods. she saw that there was only one set of foot prints from the water on the shore. Sukanya identified her husband. The Sage, Chyavana knew of their inability to partake havis and wanted to appreciate the help rendered by Ashwini kumars inspite of their intial dishonorable motives, so he thought them a verse from vedas which was even unknown to Brihaspathi by uttering which they can have a share of Havis.

The Ashwini Kumars also helped a female warrior, Vispala in Khela's battle. Vispala leg was cut off in the war and Ashwini Kumars gave her an artificial iron leg so she could run and fight in the war.

One of the most fascinating Vedic stories refers to the bridal of Surya or Sarasvati, for the two are identified, with the Asvins. Surya, the daughter of the Sun, dressed in her lovely robes, went with her treasury of Heaven and Earth, to Soma her lord, to whom she was plighted; and the bridesmen were the Asvin pair. But suddenly the bridesmen became the wooers; the gods agreed to the change, and Surya became the wife of the Asvins; and of their union was Pushan born.

In Mahabharatham, Ashwini Kumars were summoned by Queen Madri, the second wife of Pandu to beget her sons. She sired the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva who were excellent horsemen and skilled in Ayurveda and Astrology.