HINDU SURAS - APSARA

The Apsaras are celestial nymphs, the dancers in the court of Indra, the king of the Devas. All of them are extremely beautiful and skilled in both dance and music. They occur in Persian mythology also, but there, they are water nymphs, and are closely associated with ApamNapat.

They are many in number, and the most famous are Rambha, Menaka, Urvashi, Tilottama and Ghritachi. Other nymphs who are mentioned in the Puranas are: Mishrakesi, Vapu, Viprachitti, Purvachitti, Sahajanya, Karnika, Punjikasthala, Viswachi, Rithisthala, Umlocha, Pramlocha, Swayamprabha,Janapadi, and Adrika. For Tilottama and Urvashi, the story of their origins is available, but the others are believed to have sprung forth from the ocean-of-milk when it was churned by the Devas and Asuras.

They are closely associated with the Gandharvas, who are the celestial musicians. Some of the Apsaras are paired with a Gandharva, such as Tumburu with Rambha, and Menaka with Vishvavasu. But the relationship is temporary and is not a marriage tie.

In addition to entertaining at Indra's court, they are often sent by him to disrupt the penance of sages, for Indra lives in perpetual fear that his position would be usurped by some sage by his ascetic merit. Sometimes, the nymph would succeed in seducing the sage and achieve her mission, at other times, she would merely incur the wrath of the sage, who would curse her. In the former case, the children (almost always female), born of such a union would be abandoned, and would be brought up by foster parents. Satyavati and Shakuntala are such children, born respectively to Adrika and Menaka.

If the Apsara were to fail in her mission, the sage would curse her, typically to be turned into stone or some lower animal, with the proviso that after the lapse of a certain amount of time, or upon the occurrence of a particular event, they would regain the original form and would return to heaven.

Apsara Dancer
WORLD RELIGIONS COMPARED

WORLD RELIGIONS CLIPART

One of the main tasks of these nymphs is to sport with those men who had attained heaven by virtue of their ascetic merit or by the merit of their good deeds. They are eternal virgins, and the constant "sporting" has no effect on their youth or beauty. While serving as inspiration for lovers, they were often sent by Ravana to tempt rishis or Brahmans who were retreating into the forest.

Apsaras have been variously described as fairies, angels, nymphs and sirens. Actually they are celestial maidens of exquisite beauty and alluring charm, and have the power and will to use both. Like other divine creatures they are able to change their form as and when desired. Hierarchically, the Apsaras were under the control of Indra, the king of the demi-Gods. Under his directions they seduced mortals, kings and sages, who were becoming powerful enough to threaten Indra. They also danced at his court and entertained his guests. The male counterparts of the Apsaras were the Gandharvas. The Gandharvas were the custodians of music and the arts.

These predominantly female fairies are also known as sky dancers, and are much like Western angels. They bless men kindly at important stages of their lives, and are often seen at weddings. To those dying on battlefields, they appear as beautiful courtesans, offering delight in the world to come. They are said to live in fig trees, and sometimes (though very seldom) appear to scholars or scientists, seduce them and exhaust them, making sure that man does not venture into areas that the spirit world deems unfit for them.

Then from the agitated deep up sprung
The legion of Apsarases, so named
That to be watery element they owed
Their being. Myriads were they born, and all
In ventures heavenly clad, and heavenly gems;
Yet more divine their semblance, rich
With all gifts of grace, of youth and beauty.
A train in numerous followed; yet thus fair,
Nor god nor demon sought their wedded love;
Thus Raghava! They still remain-their charms
The common treasure of the host of heaven.

Ramayana

HINDU SURAS - APSARA

Site Index

© Copyright 2006-2023 Bella Terreno; all rights reserved.