[2] According to the narrative found in the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata, Sage Chyavana was so absorbed in practising austerities on the side of a lake that termites built up their mound all over his body and only his eyes were left.
Sukanya, daughter of King Sharyati, seeing only two bright eyes in what seemed to be an anthill, poked them with a stick.
The deities then promised to restore the youth and eyesight of Chyavana first, so that she could make an unbiased choice amongst her present husband, and one of them.
Each of them requested Sukanya to be his bride, but she successfully identified Chyavana and selected him, in some accounts, after praying to Adi Parashakti.
In gratitude for his restored youth and eyesight, Chyavana assured the Ashvins that he would ensure that the deities would get their share of the sacrificial offerings.