Story of the Birth of Ashvins:

Due to the unbearable heat of Lord Surya, his consort Sanjana left him after creating her similar-looking image called Chhaya (shadow).  Helpless, she assumes the form of a mare and roams in the forest of Kuru.

Distressed, Surya goes to his father-in-law and asks him to cure his splendour. Vishwakarma then reduces Surya’s glory, making him pleasant to behold. Surya then locates Samjna, who is in the form of a mare, and after finding her, he assumes the form of a stallion and engages in lovemaking with her. Samjna delivers twins Ashvins through her nose. Surya shows his normal form to her.

Sanjana is pleased to see her husband’s beauty and returns to her abode with her newborn twins. Unlike the previous version of Harivamsa, Markandeya Purana states that Surya asks his father-in-law to reduce his heat after the birth of Ashvins.

Painting Information:
Painting Details- Birth of the Celestial Twins, Folio from a Harivamsha (Lineage of Vishnu). Folio of Harivamsa made by Mughal artist during Akbar time. It is an appendix of Razmnama.

Painting origin – Pakistan, Lahore, Mughal Empire, circa 1585-1590
Drawings –  Opaque watercolour, gold, and ink on paper
Sheet: 16 1/8 x 11 3/4 in. (40.96 x 29.85 cm); Image: 11 3/4 x 7 in. (29.85 x 17.78 cm)