THE MYTHOLOGY OF THE BRAHMANAS 87
stories being that of the rejuvenating of Cyavana, which is told in the Jaiminlya Brdhmana and elsewhere. The account of the Satapatha (IV. i. 5) is that when the Bhrgus or Angirases went to heaven, Cyavana was left behind, old and decrepit. Saryata Manava came to his place of abode, and the youths of the tribe mocked the old man, who in revenge brought discord among the clan; but, when Saryata learned this, he propitiated the seer by the gift of his daughter Sukanya and hastily departed to avoid further chance of discord. The Asvins, however, wandering among men, came upon Sukanya, and after seeking to win her love, agreed to make her husband young again if she would tell them of a defect which she alleged in them. They made Cyavana bathe in a pool whence he emerged with the age desired, and in return she told them that they were incomplete because the gods shut them out from the sacrifice. They accordingly went to the deities, and by restoring the head of the sacrifice obtained a share in it. The reason for their exclusion from the sacrifice is interesting and is given repeatedly: they wandered too much among men to be pure, a sign of the growing decline of the physician's standing as a member of the highest class. Though the Asvins share in the soma, the special offerings in their honour are surd (a kind of brandy) and honey, and the Asvina Sastra, which is sung to them in the Atiratra form of the Soma sacrifice, is recited by the priest in the posture of a flying bird.
Of the gods of the atmosphere Indra is still in the height of his power and develops an elaborate mythology in which the old motives are rehandled. Of the new stories regarding him the most noteworthy is that of his struggle with Tvastr's son Visvarupa, whom he slew, and with Vrtra, who was created by Tvastr from the remains of the soma left undrunk by Indra. Visvarupa's avenger became very powerful and mastered Agni and Soma, all sciences, all fame, and prosperity; and gods, men, and fathers brought him food. But Indra attacked Vrtra, and having obtained the aid of Agni and Soma
