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ANCIENT WRITERS ON.
[Chap. II.

and prolonged his life (Rig Veda, i. 117, 13). The recipe is still known by the name of "Chyavana Avaleha." The sage, out of gratitude, promised the Ashvins to intercede in their behalf, and to secure to them the continuance of the libation of Soma at the sacrifices. He induced his father-in-law, king Sarayati, to perform a sacrifice. When the time for distributing the libation arrived, Chyavana offered to the Ashvins the share due to them. Indra took umbrage at this, and was going to hurl his thunderbolt at the sage's head when he found his arm suddenly paralysed. The Ashvins cured Indra of his paralysis, and by dint of their skill and knowledge soon got themselves re-admitted into caste, and obtained their usual share of sacrificial food. These physicians are also given credit for joining again the head and body of Yajna, son of Ruchi, which were severed by Rudra. In the ancient Sanskrit writings we often read of battles between the Devatas and Asuras. In cases of broken legs, the surgeons used to substitute "iron-legs" — Ayasin-jangham — (vide Rig Veda, i. 116, 15), and to furnish artificial eyes in place of those plucked out (Rig Veda, i. 116, 16); arrows lodged in the bodies of the warriors were skilfully