apsaras

apsaras f. plur. always (-rāḥ) The nymphs of Svarga, attendants on INDRA.

E. apa water, sṛ to go, and asi Uṇādi affix: or apsa in the waters, and rasa flavour: from their fondness for bathing, or from their being produced at the churning of the ocean.

apsaras plu. (rāḥ) 5. f. Courtezans
of paradise, nymphs.

apsaras Tatpur. f. (-rāḥ) The name of female divinities,

not often met with in the three Vedas, but frequently in the

classical poetry:

^a. The Sāmaveda makes no mention of them; the Ṛgveda

names as such Urvaśī, (the Anukram. of the Ṛgv. two

Apsarasas Śikhaṇḍinī as authoresses of a hymn); in the Vā-

jasan. S. of the Yajurveda there occur five pairs of Apsarasas:

Puñjikasthalā and Kratusthalā, Menakā and Śahajanyā,

Pramlochantī and Anumlochantī, Visvāchī and Ghṛtāchī,

Urvaśī and Pūrvachitti; in the Śatapathabr., Śakuntalā and

Urvaśī; in the Atharvaveda, Ugrampaśyā, Ugrajit and Rā-

ṣṭrabhṛt. In the Ādiparvan of the Mahābhārata several of

these divinities are enumerated under two heads, the first

comprising: Anūchānā (v. l. Anūnā, another Ms. Anṛṇā),

Anavadyā, Guṇamukhyā (v. l. Priyamukhyā), Guṇāvarā

(v. l. Gaṇāvarā), Adrikā (v. l. Attikā), Somā (v. l. Sāchī),

Miśrakeśī, Alambuṣā, Marīchi, Śuchikā (v. l. Iṣukā),

Vidyutparṇā, Tilottamā (v. l. Tulā and Anaghā), Ambikā,

Lakṣaṇā, Kṣemā, Devī, Rambhā, Manoramā [v. l. Mano-

harā, or devī ‘divine’ and manoramā (or manoharā) ‘beauti-

ful’ are perhaps epithets of Rambhā], Asitā, Subāhu, Su-

priyā, Vapus (v. l. Suvapus), Puṇḍarīkā, Sugandhā, Su-

rasā (v. l. Surathā), Pramāthinī, Kāmyā and Śāradvatī;

the second comprising the following eleven: Menakā, Saha-

janyā, Karṇikā (v. l. Parṇini), Puñjikasthalā, Ṛtusthalā

(v. l. Kratusthalā), Ghṛtāchī, Viśvāchī, Pūrvachitti (v. l.

Viprachitti), Umlochā, Pramlochā (v. l. Pramlā) and Ur-

vaśī. (Hemachandra mentions two Apsaras Saudāminī and

Chitrā; other names too, will occur in the following.)

^b. As regards their origin, the Rāmāyaṇa makes them

arise from the Ocean when it was churned by the gods for

obtaining the Amṛta; Manu represents them as one of the

creations of the seven Manus, themselves created by the

seven Prajāpatis Marīchi, Atri &c.; in the later mythology

they are daughters of Kaśyapa by Muni (e. g. according to

the Viṣṇu- and Bhāgav. Pur.), or by Vāch (according to

the Padma P.), or some by Muni, some by Prādhā, while

a third class is created by the mere will of Kaśyapa; thus,

according to the Harivanśa, the daughters of K. and Prādhā

are: Anavadyā, Anūkā, Anūnā (v. l. Aruṇā), Aruṇapriyā,

Anugā, Subhagā, (two names seem omitted); of K. and

Muni: Alambuṣā, Miśrakeśī, Puṇḍarīkā, Tilottamā, Su-

rūpā, Lakṣmaṇā, Kṣemā, Rambhā, Manoramā (or ‘the

beautiful Rambhā’), Asitā, Subāhu, Suvrittā, Sumukhī,

Supriyā, Sugandhā, Surasā (v. l. Suramā), Pramāthinī,

Kāmyā (v. l. Kāśyā) and Śāradvatī; those created by the

will of the Prajāpati and called the vaidik Apsarasas are:

Menakā, Sahajanyā, Parṇinī (v. l. Parṇikā), Puñjikasthalā,

Ghṛtasthalā, Ghṛtāchi, Visvāchī, Urvaśī, Anumlochā,

Pramlochā and Manovatī. (The two Śikhaṇdinī of the

Anukr. of the Ṛgv. are also daughters of K.)--Another

and more elaborate list is that of the Vāyu-Purāṇa. [It is

omitted in two E. I. H. Mss. of this P. and very incorrect

in four other Mss. that I consulted, belonging severally

to the E. I. H., the R. A. S. and the R. S.; in some in-

stances, as Miśrakeśī instead of Mitrakeśī, Puñjikasthalā

p. Puñjakastanā, Kratusthalā p. Vṛtastanā &c. the cor-

rection appeared safe, in others it was preferable to give

the doubtful reading.] This Purāṇa mentions in the first

place thirty-four Apsarasas, called the Gandharva-Apsarasas

or wives of the Gandharvas, and daughters of Kaśyapa by

Muni (but the Mss. in question give only twenty-nine, or

if Devī and Manoramā are proper names, thirty-one names):

Antachārā, Daśavadyā(?), Priyaśiṣyā, Surottamā, Miśra-

keśī, Śāchī, Piṇḍinī (v. l. Parṇinī), Alambuṣā, Mārīchi,

Śuchikā, Vidyudvarṇā, Tilottamā, Adrikā, Lakṣaṇā(?),

Devī, Rambhā, Manoramā (or: the divine, beautiful Rambhā),

Sucharā, Subāhū, Sūrṇitā (?, Sūnṛtā ?), Supratiṣṭhitā, Pu-

ṇḍarīkā, Akṣagandhā (v. l. Sugandhā), Sudantā, Surasā, He-

mā, Śāradvatī, Suvrittā, Kamalāchayā, Subhujā, Hansapādā;

these are called the laukikī or worldly Apsarasas; then six

daughters of Gandharvas: Suyaśā, Gāndharvī, Vidyāvatī,

Aśvavatī, Sumukhī, Varānanā; and four daughters of Suyaśā,

also called Apsaras: Lauheyī, Bharatā, Kṛśāṅgī (v. l. Kṛ-

ṣṇāṅgī) and Viśālā; then eight daughters of Kaśyapa by

Ariṣṭā: Anavadyā, Anavaśā, Atyantamadanapriyā, Surūpā,

Subhagā, Bhāsī, Manovatī and Sukeśī; then the daivati or

divine Apsarasas: Vedakā (sic, but v. l. Menakā), Sahajanyā,

Parṇinī, Puñjikasthalā, Kratusthalā, Ghṛtāchī, Viśvāchī,

Pūrvachitti, Pramlochā, Anumlochantī, to whom are added

Urvaśī, born from the thigh of Nārāyaṇa, and Menakā

the daughter of Brahman. Besides these the Vāyu-P. men-

tions fourteen Gaṇas or classes of Apsarasas: 1. The Śobha-

yantyas, produced by the mind (manas) of Brahman, 2. the

Vegavatyas born in heaven (? the Mss. svariṣṭāḥ), 3. the

Ūryās (?, perhaps Ūrjas, comp. Vājas. 18. 41.), produced by

Agni (comp. Vājas. 18. 38.), 4. the Āyuvatyas, by the Sun

(comp. Vājas. 18. 39.), 5. the Śubhañcharās, by Wind (comp.

Vājas. 18. 41.), 6. the Kuravas(?), by the Moon (Mss.: …

somasya jñeyāste kuravaḥ śubhāḥ; perhaps their name is Bheku-

rayas, as occurring also in another passage of one Ms.;

comp. Vājas. 18. 40.), 7. the Śubhās (?), by Sacrifice (; their

name is perhaps Stāvās, comp. Vājas. 18. 42.), 8. the Vahna-

yas (? perhaps Eṣṭayas, comp. Vājas. 18. 43.), by the Rich-

and Sāman-verses, 9. the Amṛtās, by Amṛta, 10. the Mu-

das by Water; (three Mss. have vāyutpannāḥ and one Ms.

vāyūtpannāḥ which however must be corrected vāryutpannāḥ,

since vāyujāḥ occurs under 5; comp. Vājas. 18. 38), 11. the

Bhavās(?), by the Earth, 12. the Ruchas, by Lightning,

13. the Bhairavās, by Death (comp. Vājas. 24. 37.) and 14.

the Śoṣayantyas, by Love; (this list is probably meant

by the author of the Kādambarī, who--ed. Calc. p. 122--

professes to give fourteen classes of Apsarasas, but, in fact,

only names thirteen, fathering moreover one class on Da-

ksha).--The Harivanśa (v. 6798) speaks of seven Gaṇas

of Apsarasas, but, without naming them. Vyādi, ad quoted

in a comm. on Hemachandra, mentions an Apsaras Prabhāvatī

as born from a hole in the ground for receiving the fire con-

secrated to Brahman, Vedavatī as born from an altar-ground,

Sulochanā from Yama, Urvaśī from the left thigh of Viṣṇu,

Rambhā from the mouth of Brahman, Chitralekhā from

his hand, and from his head Mahāchittā, Kākalikā, Mā-

rīchī, Sūchikā, Vidyutparṇā, Tilottamā, Adrikā, Lakṣaṇā,

Kṣemā, the divine and beautiful Rāmā (or Divyā, Rāmā,

Manoramā), Hemā, Sugandhā, Suvasu, Subāhū, Suvratā,

Asitā, Śāradvatī, Puṇḍarīkā, Surasā, Sūnṛtā, Suvātā,

Kāmalā, Hansapadī, Sumukhī, Menakā, Sahajanyā, Parṇinī,

Puñjikasthalā, Ṛtusthalā, Ghṛtāchī and Viśvāchī.

^c. Originally these divinities seem to have been personi-

fications of the vapours which are attracted by the Sun

and form into mist or clouds; their character may be thus

interpreted in the few hymns of the Ṛgveda where mention

is made of them. At a subsequent period when the Gan-

dharva of the Ṛgveda who personifies there especially the

Fire of the Sun, expanded into the Fire of Lightning, the

rays of the Moon and other attributes of the elementary

life of heaven as well as into pious acts referring to it, the

Apsarasas become divinities which represent phenomena or

objects both of a physical and ethical kind closely associated

with that life; thus in the Yajurveda Sunbeams are called

the Apsarasas associated with the Gandharva who is the Sun;

Plants are termed the Apsarasas associated with the Gan-

dharva Fire: Constellations are the Apsarasas of the Gan-

dharva Moon: Waters the A. of the G. Wind: Sacrificial gifts

the A. of the G. Sacrifice: Rich- and Sāman hymns the A.

of the G. Manas (creating will); in another passage of the

Vājas. Fire is connected (Mahīdhara: in the two months

of Vasanta or spring) with the two Apsarasas Puñjikasthalā

and Kratusthalā (considered by the comm. as personifi-

cations of a principal and an intermediate point of the com-

pass), Wind (Viswakarman) with Menakā and Sahajanyā

(comm.: in the two months of Grīṣma or the hot season),

Sun (Viśvavyachas) with Pramlochantī and Anumlochantī

(comm.: in the two months of Varṣā or the rainy season),

Sacrifice (Samyadvasu) with Viśvāchī and Ghṛtāchī (comm.:

in the two months of Śarad or the sultry season), Parjanya

(Arvāgvasu) with Urvaśī and Pūrvachitti (comm.: in the

two months of Hemanta or the cold season).--This latter

idea becomes then more systematized in the Purāṇas, when

a description is given of the Genii that attend the chariot

of the Sun in its yearly course; thus the Bhāgavata P.

mentions that besides the Ṛṣis, Gandharvas &c. also one

Gaṇa or troupe of Apsarasas pays adoration to the Sun every

month; and the Viṣṇu P., that among the Genii who pre-

side each in every month over the chariot of the Sun, Kra-

tusthalā performs this function in the month Madhu, Punji-

kasthalā in the month Mādhava, Menā in Śuchi, Sahajanyā

in Śukra, Pramlochā in Nabhas, Anumlochā in Bhādra-

pada, Ghṛtachī in Āsvina, Visvāchī in Kārttika, Urvaśī

in Agrahāyaṇa, Pūrvachitti in Pausha, Tilottamā in Māgha,

Rambhā in Phālguna; an analogous description is given in

the Vāyu P. with the only difference that Viprachitti takes

the place of Pūrvachitti, apparently with less correctness,

as this account is a strict developement of the quoted pas-

sage of the Yajurveda (Vājas. 15. 15-19.). In the last my-

thological epoch when the Gandharvas have saved from

their elementary nature merely so much as to be the musi-

cians in the paradise of Indra, the Apsarasas appear amongst

other subordinate deities which share in the merry life of

Indra's heaven, as the wives of the Gandharvas, but more

especially as wives of a licentious sort, and they are pro-

mised therefore, too, as a reward to heroes fallen in battle

when they are received in the paradise of Indra; and while,

in the Ṛgveda, they assist Soma to pour down his floods,

they descend in the epic literature on earth merely to shake

the virtue of penitent Sages and to deprive them of the

power they would have otherwise acquired through un-

broken austerities.--To this association of the ethical with

the physical element in the character of the Apsarasas

belongs also that view expressed by Manu, according to

which the Soul in its transmigrations is reborn as Apsaras

when it was in its previous existence under the influence of

rajas or passion; and probably too the circumstance, that in

the Atharvaveda they are fond of dice, and three Apsarasas,

whose names are given above, are supposed to have the

power of removing faults committed at gambling with dice.

The word occurs also in the form apsarā, and may be

written, besides, apssaras accord. to Kātyāyana, or aphsaras

accord. to Pauṣkarasādi; (these latter forms however are not

varieties of the form apsaras, but the consequence of general

Sandhi rules; the first is given as an instance by Patanjali,

the latter by the Kāśikā). E. ap and saras (sṛ, uṇ. aff.

asi), liter. ‘coming from the waters’ (Rāyam.: vāruṇapra-

dhānatvādadbhyaḥ sṛtā ityapsarasaḥ); this is the most probable

E.; it is given also by Yāska who mentions besides an im-

probable one by Śākapūṇi, viz. from apsas ‘form, beauty’

which he completes by adding the latter part of the comp.,

ras (from rā), when the word would mean according to

him, ‘a woman endowed with beauty (rūpavatī)’ or ‘one

by whom beauty is taken (tad--scil. rūpam--anayāttam)’

or ‘one to whom beauty is given (tadasyai dattam)’; a similar

E. is intended by the passage of the Śatapath. (IX. 4. 1. 4.):

gandharvāpsaraso hi bhūtvodakrāmannatho gandhena ca vai rūpeṇa ca ga-

ndharvāpsarasaścaranti, on which the comm. of Sāyaṇa runs

thus (E. I. H. 149): gandhena ca (Ms. cā sic) vai rūpeṇa

(Ms. vai śca rūpeṇa sic) ca gandharvāpsarasaścarantītyanena (Ms. ga-

ndharvopsa°° sic) gandharvaśabdo'psaraḥśabdaśca nirucyate . gandhena

viśantīti (Ms. gandhona viśintīti sic) gandharvāḥ . apsaśabdena

(Ms. apraśabdena sic) rūpamabhidhīyate . tena viśiṣṭāścarantīti

apsarasaḥ . gandharvāpsarasaḥ . gandharvāpsaraḥśabdayoḥ pṛṣodarādi-

tvāt (Pāṇ. VI. 3. 109.) varṇāgamāditi vidhānenokta evārthe

sādhutvaṃ draṣṭavyam, when the word would literally mean: ‘go-

ing (distinguished) with beauty’; (comp. the quotation of

Patanj. on Pāṇ. V. 2. 95: urvaśī vai rūpiṇyapsarasām), but

this kind of popular E. of the word is as little plausible as

that given by the Rāmāyaṇa, according to which these deities

would derive their name from the circumstance that they

arose from the essence (rasa) which was obtained from the

churning ‘in the waters’ (apsu) of the ocean.

apsaras apsaras, i. e. ap-sṛ + as, f.

The name of female divinities; in

the classical poetry the courtesans of

paradise. — Comp. Pañcāpsaras, i. e.

pañcan-, n. the name of a pond.

apsaras apsaras, ās, or apsarā, f. (fr. ap,

q. v., and rt. sṛ, ‘going in the waters or between

the waters of the clouds’); certain female divinities,

who reside in the sky and are the wives of the Gan-

dharvas; they have the faculty of changing their

shapes, are very fond of bathing, and are said to have

been produced at the churning of the ocean. —Apsa-

raḥ-pati, is, m. Indra, lord of the Apsarasas. —Apsa-

ras-tīrtha, am, n. a pool in which the Apsarasas

bathe. —Apsarā-pati, is, m. lord of the Apsarasas;

N. of the Gandharva Śikhaṇḍin.

apsarás, f. one of a class of semi-divine beings, wives of the Gandharvas; an Apsaras, 67¹²N. [1151. 2d.]

apsaras f. (

— rāḥ rā). [adbhyaḥ saraṃti udgacchaṃti, sṛ-asun Uṇ. 4. 236; cf. Rām. apsu nirmathanādave rasāttasmādvarastriyaḥ . utpeturmanujaśreṣṭha tasmādapsaraso'bhavan]

1 A class of female divinities or celestial damsels who reside in the sky and are regarded as the wives of the Gandharvas. They are very fond of bathing, can change their shapes, and are endowed with superhuman power (prabhāva). They are called svarveśyāḥ and are usually described as the servants of Indra, who, when alarmed by the rigorous austerities of some mighty sage, sends down one of them to disturb his penance, and her mission is generally successful; cf. yā tapoviśeṣapariśaṃkitasya (pb) sukumāraṃ praharaṇaṃ maheṃdrasya V. 1. They are also said to covet heroes who die gloriously on the battle-field; cf. R. 7. 53. Bāṇa mentions 14 different families of these nymphs (see K. 136). The word is usually said to be in pl. (striyāṃ bahuṣvapsarasaḥ); but the singular, as also the form apsarā, sometimes occur; niyamavighnakāriṇī menakā nāma apsarāḥ preṣitā Ś. 1; ekāpsaraḥ &c. R. 7. 53 and see Malli. thereon; anapsareva pratibhāsi V. 1.

2 Direction or the intermediate point of the compass (dik ca upadik ca).

Comp.

— tīrthaṃ N. of a sacred pool in which the Apsarasas bathe; probably it is the name of a place, see Ś. 6.

— patiḥ lord of the Apsarasas, epithet of Indra.

apsarás f. Apsaras (a cert. class of fem. deities).

apsaras ap-sarás, °rā -rā́, f. celestial nymph.

ap-saras a See s.v.

ap-sarás b ās [RV.; AV. &c.], or ap-sarā́ [AV. &c.], f. (fr. 2. áp + √ sṛ), ‘going in the waters or between the waters of the clouds’, a class of female divinities (sometimes called ‘nymphs’; they inhabit the sky, but often visit the earth; they are the wives of the Gandharvas (q.v.) and have the faculty of changing their shapes at will; they are fond of the water; one of their number, Rambhā, is said to have been produced at the churning of the ocean).

apsaras f. plur. always (-rāḥ) The nymphs of Swerga, attendants on INDRA.
E. ap water, sṛ to go, and asi Unādi affix: or apsa in the waters,
and rasa flavour: from their fondness for bathing, or from their
being produced at the churning of the ocean.

apsaras f. (-rāḥ, rā). [adbhyaḥ saranti udgacchanti, sṛ-asun Uṇ.4.236; cf. Rām. apsu nirmathanādeva rasāttasmādvara- striyaḥ | utpeturmanujaśreṣṭha tasmādapsaraso'bhavan || A class of female divinities or celestial damsels who reside in the sky and are regarded as the wives of the Gandharvas. They are very fond of bathing, can change their shapes, and are endowed with superhuman power (prabhāva). They are called svarveśyāḥ and are usually described as the servants of Indra, who, when alarmed by the rigorous austerities of some mighty sage, sends down one of them to disturb his penance, and her mission is generally successful; menakā'psarasāṃ śreṣṭhā maharṣiṇāṃ pitā ca te Mb.1.74.75. cf. yā tapoviśeṣapariśaṅkitasya sukumāraṃ praharaṇaṃ mahendrasya V. 1. They are also said to covet heroes who die gloriously on the battle-field; cf. paraspareṇa kṣatayoḥ prahartrorutkrāntavāyvoḥ samakālameva | amartyabhāve'pi kayościdāsīdekāpsaraḥ prārthitayorvivādaḥ || R.7.53. Bāṇa mentions 14 different families of these nymphs (see K.136) The word is usually said to be in pl. (striyāṃ bahuṣvapsarasaḥ) but the singular, as also the form apsarāḥ, sometimes occurs; niyamavighnakāriṇī menakā nāma apsarāḥ preṣitā Ś.1; ekāpsaraḥ &c. R.7.53 and see Malli. thereon; anapsareva pratibhāsi V.1. -2 Direction or the intermediate point of the compass (dik ca upadik ca). -Comp. -tīrtham N. of a sacred pool in which the Apsarasas bathe; probably it is the name of a place, see Ś.6. -patiḥ lord of the Apsarasas, epithet of Indra. N. of the Gandharva śikhaṇḍin; Av.4.37.7.

apsaras apsaras et apsarā f. (ap-sṛ). Dans le Veda, personnification des liqueurs sacrées; elles siègent sur les bords du Samudra.

Nymphes du paradis d'Indra.

apsaras- (et apsarasa- apsarā-) f. n. de divinités femelles (nymphes).

°tīrtha- nt. n. d'un étang mythique.

apsarás oder apsarā́ (H. 183, Sch. ŚABDAR. im ŚKDR. apsarā́m AV. 4, 38, 1. 3. apsarāṇām R. 1, 45, 34. apsarā́bhyas AV. 7, 109, 2. apsarā́su 2, 2, 3.) f. N. weiblicher Wesen geisterhafter Art, deren Sitz in den Lüften ist. Sie sind die Weiber der Gandharva, haben die Fähigkeit sich zu verwandeln, lieben das Würfelspiel und verleihen Spielglück. Nach dem AV. sind die Apsaras wie andere gespenstische Wesen gefürchtet und wird Zauber gegen sie angewandt; insbesondere weil sie Wahnsinn verursachen können (im Anschluss hieran wohl ihre spätere Liebesverführungskraft). àpsàrasā̂ṃ gandhàrvāṇā̂ṃ mṛ̀gāṇā̀ṃ carâṇè carân ṚV. 10, 136, 6. sàmùdriyā̂ apsàrasô manī̀ṣiṇàmāsī̂nā àntaràbhi somâmakṣaran 9, 78, 3. àpsàrasâḥ sadhàmādâṃ madanti havìrdhānâmantàrā sūryâṃ ca AV. 7, 109, 3. 12, 1, 23. jā̀yā idvô apsàrasò gandhârvā̀ patâyo yū̀yam 4, 37, 12. 11, 9, 15. 16. 14, 2, 35. ṚV. 10, 123, 5. VS. 18, 38. fgg. 24, 37. 30, 8. ùdbhìndàtīṃ sàṃjayântīmapsàrāṃ sā̂dhudèvinī̂m AV. 4, 38, 1. àkṣakā̂māḥ 2, 2, 5. 4, 37, 1. fgg. 7, 109, 2. 8, 5, 13. 12, 1, 50. 14, 2, 9. mànòmuhâḥ 2, 3, 5. 6, 111, 4. 130, 1. fgg. tàddha tā̀ apsaràsa ātàyo bhūtvā pàripaplavire ŚAT. BR. 11, 5, 1, 4. Die acht ersten Bücher des ṚV. thun der Apsaras und unter ihnen der Urvaśī nur an einer Stelle Erwähnung, im Anfange eines Vasiṣṭha-Liedes 7, 33, 9. 12; auch die letzten Bücher nur selten. Die VS. (15, 15-19. Vgl. ŚAT. BR. 9, 4, 1, 2. fgg.) kennt folgende Namen: Anumlocantī, Urvaśī, Kratusthalā, Ghṛtācī, Puñjikasthalā, Pūrvacitti, Pramlocantī, Menakā, Sahajanyā. AV. 16, 118, 1. 2. werden genannt: Ugrajit, Ugraṃpaśyā, Rāṣṭrabhṛt. In der ṚV. ANUKR. zu 9, 104. 105 : die zwei Śikhaṇḍinī, in ŚAT. BR. 13, 5, 4, 13 : Śakuntalā, 3, 4, 1, 22.11, 5, 1, 1 : Urvaśī. Vgl. noch MBH. 1, 3055. 4816. fg. R. 2, 91, 17. HARIV. 12470. fgg. VP. 150, N. 21. BRAHMA-P. in LA. 51, 22. VYĀḌI zu H. 183. Bilden die Viś des Königs Soma Vaiṣṇava ŚAT. BR. 13, 4, 3, 8. entstehen bei der Quirlung des Oceans R. 1, 45, 33. fgg. VP. 76. Geschöpfe der sechs Prajāpati M. 1, 37. Prajāpati's (heissen Vaidikī; vgl. damit die Laukikī und Daivikī VP. 150, N. 21.) HARIV. 12476. VP. 42. der Muni HARIV. 234. 12473. VP. 150. der Prādhā HARIV. 11554. 12470. der Vāk PADMA-P. in VP. 150, N. 21. 14 Geschlechter derselben Kādamb. in Z. d. d. m. G. VII, 584. nehmen mit den Gandharva, Guhyaka, Yakṣa und den Dienern der Götter (vibudhānucara) die höchste Stelle unter den von der Leidenschaft (rajas) getriebenen Wesen ein M. 12, 47. wohnen in Brahman's Welt KAUṢ. UP. in Ind. St. 1, 398. apsarasāṃ loke M. 4, 183. sind Indra's Dienerinnen N. 26, 13. Kuvera's R. 4, 33, 36. empfangen im Svargaloka die im Kampfe gefallenen Krieger als Gatten MBH. 12, 3657. fg. werden auf Bitten der Götter von Indra auf die Erde gesandt um Büsser, die durch ihre Kasteiungen eine zu grosse Macht zu erlangen im Begriff sind, zu verführen, LIA. I, 774. werden von Aṣṭāvakra verflucht VP. 618. Die ind. Lexicographen (AK. 1, 1, 1, 6. 47. TRIK. 1, 1, 64. H. 183; nach Uṇ. 4, 236. meistens im pl.) führen apsaras als pl. tantum an, während der sg. so häufig ist, dass es beinahe keines Beleges dazu bedürfte; vgl. N. 26, 13. HIḌ. 4, 28. VIŚV. 13, 4. 28. — Bei der etym. Erklärung bieten sich drei Möglichkeiten dar:

1) ap + saras (von sar gehen) also im Wasser gehend; vgl. NIR. 5, 13 : apsarā apsāriṇī . Diese Etymologie hat wohl mit Veranlassung zu der Sage von der Entstehung der Apsaras bei der Quirlung des Oceans gegeben.

— 2) a + psaras . Dieses würde aber nicht gestaltlos heissen, da psaras vielmehr Ergötzen zu bedeuten scheint. Bei dieser Ableitung hätte man sich die Apsaras als unfriedliche Wesen zu denken, wie sie uns im AV. entgegentreten.

— 3) von apsas; wenn dieses Wort Wange bedeutet, wären die Apsaras die schönwangigen, καλλιπάρῃοι. — Eine vierte Etymologie, die wir R. 1, 45, 33. antreffen, wird wohl nur einem Inder zusagen können: apsu nirmathanādeva rasāttasmādvarastriyaḥ . utpeturmanujaśreṣṭha tasmādapsaraso 'bhavan ..

apsaras , apsarā Verz. d. Oxf. H. 56,b,37. Z. 15 lies 2,2,5 st. 2,3,5; Z. 22 lies 6,118,1. 2 st. 16,118,1. 2. apsaroloka Verz. d. Oxf. H. 13,a,17. sāpsaraska adj. KATHĀS. 54, 48. 59. 65.

— Vgl. āpsarasa .

a-psarás, f. [AV. auch apsarā́], ursprünglich wol nicht speisend, nicht der Speise bedürfend [psáras, psara, vgl. sa-psará, mádhu-psaras, su-psáras]. Bezeichnung einer Klasse von Geistern, die in der Luft schweben und den Gandharven vermählt sind.

-ā́s [s.] {949,5}.

-ásas [N.] {790,3}.

-ásas [A.] {549,9. 12}.

-ásām {962,6} cáraṇe (neb. gandharvā́ṇām, mṛgā́ṇām).

apsarás und apsarā́ f. Bez. weiblicher Wesen geisterhafter Art , die als Weiber der Gandharva erscheinen. In der epischen Poesie werden sie auf Bitten der Götter von Indra auf die Erde gesandt , um Büsser in ihren Kasteiungen zu stören.

apsarás u. °rā́ f. eine Apsaras (Nymphe aus Indra's Himmel).

apsaras f. Apsarasa, nympha (deduci solet ab ap aqua

et saras, a r. sṛ ire s. as. Sunt enim Apsarasae, se-

cundum mythologiam, e mari natae, quum a diis Asuris-

que ad Amritum adipiscendum agitaretur.

apsaras;
yakṣarākṣasagandharvasiddhakinnaraguhyakāḥ .
vidyādharāpsarobhūtapiśācā devayonayaḥ .. 87 ..
1.1.1.87

Apsaras¹, mostly pl. (°aḥ). § 11 (Parvas.): I, 2, 398 (all.

to the five Aps. in Nārītirthāni).—§ 21f (Pramadvarā): I, 8,

943, 944, 945, 970 (Gandharvāpsarasoḥ sutā, i.e. Pramadvarā).

—§ 28 (Amṛtam.): I, 18, 1113 (on the Mandara mountain).

—§ 39 (Rāmaṇīyaka): I, 27, 1311 (Gandharvā°āṃ priyaṃ,

sc. Rāmaṇīyakaṃ).—§ 62 (Sarpasattra): I, 56, 2122 (°āṃ

gaṇaiḥ).—§ 75 (Vasu): I, 63, 2366 (Gandharvā°o).—§ 76

(Matsya): I, 63, 2388.—§ 84 (Paraśu-Rāma): I, 64,

2495, 2503 (Gandharvā°āṃ gaṇān).—§ 85 (Aṃśāv.): I, 65,

2515 (Gandharvā°āṃ sambhavaṃ).—§ 102 (do.): I, 65, 2556

(°āṃ vaṃśaṃ).—§ 105 (do.): I, 65, 2560 (Gandharvā°aḥ).—

§ 106 (do.): 65, 2561 (Gandharvā°āṃ saṃbhavaḥ).—§ 132

(do.): I, 67, 2788 (gaṇas tv A°āṃ), 2795 (Gandharvā°ām

aṃśāvataraṇaṃ).—§ 133 (Duṣyanta): I, 68, 2799 (do.);

70, 2858 (Gandharvā°āṃ gaṇaiḥ).—§ 134 (Viśvām.): I, 71,

2916 (guṇair A°āṃ divyair).—§ 135 (Śakuntalop.): I, 74,

3055 (ṣaḍ evāpsarasāṃ varāḥ), 3063 (Menakā°āṃ śreṣṭhā).—

§ 149 (Yayāti): I, 89, 3595.—§ 165 (Satyavatīl.): I, 100,

4062.—§ 167 (Vicitravīryop.): I, 102, 4083 (Kāśipateḥ

kanyās tisro 'psaropamāḥ).—§ 185 (Sambhavap.): I, 120,

4649 (Gandharvā°ām ākrīḍabhūmiṃ).—§ 191 (Arjuna): I,

123, 4806 (Gandharvā°aḥ), 4808 (do.), 4809 (°āṃ gaṇāḥ),

4816 (Anūcānā, etc.).—§ 200 (Droṇa): I, 130, 5103.—

§ 233 (Svayaṃvarap.): I, 187, 7011 (sahasā°obhiḥ).—§ 250

(Arjunavanavāsap.): I, 217, 7882.—§ 264 (Sabhākriyāp.):

II, 4, 131 (Gandharvā°as).—§ 266 (Śakrasabhāv.): II, 7,

305.—§ 267 (Yamasabhāv.): II, 8, 349 (A°o-gaṇāḥ).—

§ 268 (Varuṇasabhāv.): II, 9, 378 (Gandharvā°āṃ gaṇāḥ).—

§ 269 (Vaiśravaṇas.): II, 10, 391 (gaṇair A°ām), 395

(Gandharvā°āṃ gaṇāḥ), 396 (do.).—§ 270 (Brahmasabhāv.):

II, 11, 445 (do.), 472 (Gandharvā°as).—§ 271 (Lokapālas.):

II, 12, 481 (do.).—§ 322 (Dvaitavanapr.): III, 24, 925

(yaḥ sarvaloka-dvārāṇi nityaṃ sañcarate vaśī | devalokād

Brahmalokaṃ Gandharvā°āṃ api).—§ 335 (Indralokābh.):

III, 42, 1726, 1741 (°gaṇasaṅkīrṇe, i.e. Himālaya?), 1750

(°āṃ gaṇān).—§ 336 (do.): III, 43, 1758 (Nandanaṃ vanam

A°gaṇa-sevitaṃ), 1764, 1786.—§ 338 (do.): III, 45, 1801

(°āṃ varām Urvaśīṃ); 46, 1836 (°āṃ vare, i.e. Urvaśi),

1844 (sarvā°su), 1846.—§ 354 (Nalop.): III, 78, 3043

(divi Śakram ivāpsarāḥ).—§ 357 (Tīrthay.): III, 82,

4064 (Gandharvā°aḥ).—§ 359 (Vaḍavā): III, 82, 5036

(Gandharvā°āṃ gaṇāḥ).—§ 361 (Kurukṣetra): III, 83,

5076 (Gandharvā°).—§ 370 (Tīrthay.): III, 84, 8164

(Kāverīṃ vṛtām A°āṃ gaṇaiḥ).—§ 373 (Prayāga): III, 85,

8215 (Gandharvā°).—§ 377 (Dhaumyatīrthak.): III, 90,

8391.—§ 382 (Agastyop.): III, 96, 8568 (Satyavatī

rūpeṇāpsaraso 'py ati).—§ 389 (Agastyop.): III, 108, 9929.

—§ 395 (Jamadagni): III, 115, 10145 (°samā,~Ṛcīka,

i.e. Satyavatī).—§ 423 (Gandhamādanapr.): III, 143, 10968

(Gandharvā°āṃ priyaṃ Gandhamādanaṃ).—§ 424 (Bhīma-

kadalīkhaṇḍapr.): III, 146, 11092 (°o-nūpuraravaiḥ).—

§ 425 (Hanūmad-Bhīma-s.): III, 148, 11220.—§ 432 (Sau-

gandhikāh.): III, 153, 11358; 154, 11372 (Gandharvā°aḥ).

—§ 436 (Yakṣayuddhap.): III, 158, 11623; 159, 11645

(Gandharvā°āṃ gaṇāḥ), 11653.—§ 438 (Yakṣayuddhap.):

III, 161, 11777 (°āṃ gaṇāḥ).—§ 441 (Nivātakavacay.): III,

166, 11920 (Gandharvā°āṃ gaṇāḥ).—§ 443 (do.): III, 168,

12001 (gaṇāś cā°āṃ), 12035 (Gandharvā°āṃ prabhāvam),

12051.—§ 447 (do.): III, 175, 12307 (A°āṃ gaṇāḥ).—

§ 450 (Ājagarap.): III, 178, 12368 (°gana-sevitān deśān

Himavataḥ).—§ 456 (Sarasvatī-Tārkṣya-s.): III, 186, 12721.

—§ 459 (Mārkaṇḍeyas.): III, 188, 12925 (Gandharvā°).—

§ 474 (Dhundhumārop.): III, 201, 13485 (kathāṃ Kinna-

rā°āṃ).—§ 501 (Skandop.): III, 229, 14440 (A°āṃ

gaṇaiḥ).—§ 502 (Manuṣyagrahak.): 230, 14493 (yā janitrī

tv A°āṃ garbham āste pragṛhya).—§ 505 (Skanday.): III,

231, 14539.—§ 506 (do.): III, 231, 14557 (°āṃ gaṇāḥ).—

§ 512 (Ghoṣay.): III, 240, 14870 (gaṇair A°āñ caiva);

246, 15026.—§ 520 (Vrīhidrauṇ.): III, 261, 15446

(Gandharvā°as).—§ 523 (Draupadīhar.): III, 265, 15589.

—§ 533 (Rāmop.): III, 281, 16178 (do.).—§ 548

(Pāṇḍavapr.): IV, 9, 257.—§ 552 (Goharaṇap.): IV, 58,

1895 (Gandharvā°as).—§ 555 (Sainyodyogap.): V, 9, 235,

247; 11, 354, 356 (Gandharvā°āṃ gaṇāḥ); 17, 541 (°āṃ

gaṇāḥ); 18, 544 (Gandharvā°āṃ gaṇaiḥ), 546; 29, 824

(Gandharva-yakṣā°).—§ 560 (Sanatsujātap.): V, 44, 1704

(rūpam A°āṃ abhūt).—§ 565 (Gālavacar.): V, 111, 3841

(atra Vidyutprabhā nāma jajñire 'psaraso daśa).—§ 566

(Yayāti): V, 121, 4052; 123, 4100 (Gandharvā°āṃ gaṇaiḥ).

—§ 573 (Ambop.): V, 176, 6054 (Gandharvā°as).—§ 574

(Jambūkh.): VI, 6, 212 (°o-gaṇa-saṃyuktāḥ), 227 (striyaś

cāpsarasopamāḥ), 229 (°āṃ saṅghaiḥ); 7, 261 (striyaś

cāpsarasopamāḥ).—§ 581 (Bhīṣmav.): VI, 66, 2997.—

§ 595 (Dilīpa): VII, 61, 2266 (only in B.); VII, 69, 2403

(Gandharvā°; v. Pṛthu Vainya), 2418 (do.).—§ 596

(Pratijñāp.): VII, 80, 2852.—§ 600 (Ghaṭotkacav.): VII,

156, 6921; 160, 7292 (°āṃ gaṇāḥ), 7312, 7313 (Siddhā°āṃ

gaṇaiḥ).—§ 602 (Droṇavadhap.): VII, 188, 8611.—§ 603

(Nārāyaṇāstram.): VII, 202, 9617 (Gandharvā°).—§ 606

(Tripurākh.): VIII, 34, 1513 (°āṃ gaṇāḥ), 1514 (āṃ

vṛndair), 1536 (°āṃ gaṇāḥ).—§ 608 (Karṇap.): VIII, 49,

2373 (°saṅghaiḥ), 2374 (gaṇaḥ); 57, 2852; 61, 3098; 69,

3445 (°o-gīta-vāditraiḥ); 87, 4424 (Gandharvā°āṃ gaṇāḥ);

88, 4490 (Gandharva-Rakṣopsarasāñ ca saṅghaiḥ); 90,

4640 (sabālavyajanair divyair divisthair A°o-gaṇaiḥ).—§ 610

(Śalyap.): IX, 5, 275 (°āṃ gaṇāḥ), 276.—§ 615c (Subhū-

mika): IX, 37, 2121, 2123 (°āṅ gaṇāḥ), 2125; 38i,

(Saptasārasvata), 2194 (°o-gaṇāḥ); 42 (Vasiṣṭhāpavāha),

2397; 45u (Skanda), 2509; 46, 2656 (do.), 2677 (°o-gaṇāḥ);

49ee (Ādityatīrtha), 2848; 51gg (Sārasvata), 2941 (°āṅ

gaṇāḥ); 57 (Gadāyuddhap.), 3243; 58 (do.), 3306; 61

(do.), 3443.—§ 619 (Strīvil.): XI, 20, 593, 594.—§ 635

(Rājadh.): XII, 33, 1200.—§ 639 (do.): XII, 52, 1885

(°āṅ gaṇāḥ).—§ 641 (do.): XII, 98, 3657 (varā°sahasrāṇi).

—§ 656c (Dakṣa): XII, 166, 6137.—§ 662 (Jāpakop.):

200δ, 7343 (°saṅghāḥ).—§ 669 (Mokṣadh.): 221, 8019.—

§ 674b (Śrī-Vāsava-s.): XII, 229, 8346.—§ 677 (Mokṣadh.):

XII, 244, 8871 (°āṃ loke jāmayo, sc. prabhuḥ).—§ 686

(do.): XII, 273, 9825.—§ 693b (do.): XII, 282, 10114;

283 (Vṛtravadha), 10185, 10187, 10189 (°āṅ gaṇāḥ).—

§ 694b (Jvarotp.): XII, 284, 10219 (°gaṇasaṅghāḥ).—§ 695b

(Dakṣa-yajña-vināśa): 285, 10276 (Gandharvā°ākīrṇe),

10279 (Gandharvā°).—§ 709b (Sulabhā-Janakas.): XII,

321, 12102 (°gaṇāḥ).—§ 712 (Śukotp.): XII, 324, 12176;

325, 12200 (°gaṇāḥ).—§ 713 (Śukakṛti): XII, 326,

12249.—§ 714 (Śukakṛtya): XII, 328, 12315.—§ 716

(Śukābhipat.): XII, 333, 12591 (Gandharvā°āṅ gaṇāḥ),

12594 (sarvā°gaṇāḥ); 334, 12624 (°āṅ gaṇāḥ), 12635 (do.).

—§ 717b (Nārāyaṇīya): XII, 343 (VII), ††13211 (deva-

striyaḥ); 351 (§ 717d: Brahma-Rudra-s.), 13733.—§ 730

(Ānuśāsanik.): XIII, 14, 766, 958 (Gandharvā°), 995

(do.).—§ 731b (Aṣṭāvakra-Diks.): XIII, 19, 1422 (gaṇāḥ),

1426.—§ 733c (Puṣkara): XIII, 25, 1697, 1710 (°āṃ

nivāse, a tīrtha?), 1715 (°āṅ gaṇaiḥ), 1731.—§ 738b (Śyenaka-

potākh.): XIII, 32, 2075.—§ 742 (Ānuśāsanik.): XIII,

38, 2208 (°ottamā, i.e. Pañcacūḍā).—§ 745c (Cyavana-

Kuśika-s.): XIII, 54, 2837 (°āṃ saṅghān), 2846 (°āṅ

gaṇāḥ).—§ 746 (Ānuśāsanik.): XIII, 62, 3190; 64, 3268

(°āṃ loke), 3282 (°āṃ gandhān); 79b, 3779 (Gandharvā°āṃ

lokaṃ); 80, 3789 (Gandharvā°); 81, 3832 (°āṃ gaṇāḥ).—

§ 750 (do.): 93, 4411.—§ 752 (do.): XIII, 96, 4647.—

§ 757d (Mandākinī): XIII, 102, 4860, 4865 (§ 757f:

Nandana).—§ 759 (Ānuśāsanik.): XIII, 106, 5168 (°ām

adhivāse nṛtyagīta-), 5186; 107, 5216, 5222, 5233, 5292

(°gaṇasevitaṃ), 5296, 5305 (°gaṇaiḥ), 5315 (do.), 5316, 5328;

109, 5378, 5379.—§ 768b (Umā-Maheśvara-s.): XIII,

140α, 6340 (°gaṇa-), 6347 (pranṛttāpsarasaṃ sadas); 142,

6547; 145, 6688; 146ε, 6805 (Gandharvā°).—§ 772j

(Utathya): XIII, 155, 7368.—§ 773 (Ānuśāsanik.): XIII,

162, 7518 (Gandharvā°).—§ 775 (do.): XIII, 166β, 7640

(°āṃ gaṇāḥ; among the names that are to be recited morning,

noon, and evening in order to be freed from sins).—§ 778b

(Saṃv.—Mar.): XIV, 8, 184 (Gandharvā°); 10, 282.—§ 782g

(Guruśiṣyas.): XIV, 43θ, 1185 (strīṇām uttamāḥ).—§ 784b

(Utaṅka): XIV, 54, 1566.—§ 785 (Anugītāp.): XIV, 88,

2639 (°āṃ gaṇaiḥ).—§ 786e (Agastya): XIV, 92, 2870 (°āṃ

saṅghāḥ).—§ 789 (Putradarś.): XV, 31, 848 (Gandharvā°);

32, 883 (°sāṃ gaṇaiḥ).—§ 793 (Mausalap.): XVI, 3, 62

(Kṛṣṇa's and Baladeva's standards were taken away by

Aps., who day and night called upon the Vṛṣṇis and

Andhakas to set out on a pilgrimage to some sacred water);

4θ, 129, 131.—§ 795 (Svargārohaṇap.): XVIII, 3, 104;

5μ, 173 (the 16,000 wives of Kṛṣṇa are transformed into

Aps.); 6, 217 (§ 795c, Mahābhārata ξ: mentioned in

the Mhbhr.), 235 (°gaṇa-saṅkīrṇaṃ), 242 (sā°gaṇaṃ), 248

(°saṅghaiḥ), 252.

Apsaras² (mostly sing.), special Apsarases, etc. § 21f

(Pramadv.): I, 8, 943, 944, 945, 970 (i.e. Menakā).—

§ 76 (Matsya): I, 63, 2396 (varā° = Adrikā), 2388 (do.).—

§ 135 (Śakuntalop.): I, 74, 3056 (Menakā Brahmayoni-

varāpsarāḥ), 3057 (Menakā°), 3063 (Menakā°āṃ śreṣṭhā).—

§ 150 (Pūruvaṃś.): I, 94, 3698 (Miśrakeśyāṃ daśāpsarasi

sunavaḥ Raudrāśvasya).—§ 162 (Śāntanūp.): I, 97, 3894

(Śāntanu asks Gaṅgā if she is an Aps.).—§ 171 (Vicitravīrya-

sutotp.): I, 106, 4297 (dāsīm Apsaropamāṃ, i.e. the mother

of Vidura).—§ 198 (Śaradvat): I, 130, 5078 (dṛṣṭvā Gautamo

'psarasaṃ vane, i.e. Jānapadīṃ).—§ 200 (Droṇa): I, 130,

5103 (Bharadvāja iti khyātaḥ…dadarśāpsarasaṃ—C. °āṃ-

…Ghṛtācīm).—§ 217 (Caitrarathap.): I, 166, 6329

(do.).—§ 250 (Arjunavanavāsap.): I, 216, 7853 (Vargā in

Nārītīrthāni).—§ 338 (Indralokābhig.): III, 45, 1801

(°āṃ varām Urvaśīṃ); 46, 1836 (°āṃ vare, i.e. Urvaśi),

1857 (i.e. Urvaśī).—§ 354 (Nalop.): 78, 3043 (divi Śakram

ivāpsarāḥ).—§ 391 (Ṛśyaśṛṅga): III, 110, 10002 (dṛṣṭvāp-

sarasam Urvaśīṃ).—§ 523 (Draupadīhar.): III, 265,

15589 (Koṭikāsya asks Draupadī if she is a D., Y., Dā.,

or varāpsaras, or a Dai.).—§ 615aa (Śrutāvatī): IX, 48,

2826 (Ghṛtācī); 51 (§ 615gg: Sārasvata), 2931 (Alambuṣā),

2937 (id.).—§ 712 (Śukotp.): XII, 325, 12188 (Ghṛtācīṃ),

12189, 12191.—§ 721 (Ānuśāsanik.): XIII, 3, 191

(Rambhā).—§ 742 (do.): XIII, 38, 2204 (Brāhmīṃ

Pañcacūḍāṃ, discourse between her and Nārada), 2205

(do.), 2208 (°ottamā = do.).—§ 745c (Cyavana-Kuśika-s.):

XIII, 53, 2816 (°sopamāṃ).

APSARAS . [Footnote] *) Ariṣṭhā, a wife of Kaśyapa, delivered thirteen Apsaras. They were: Alambuṣā, Miśrakeśī, Vidyutparṇā, Tilottamā, Rakṣitā,

Rambhā, Manoramā, Keśinī, Subāhu, Surajā, Suratā and Supriyā. Ariṣṭhā gave birth also to four Gandharvas, Hāhā, Hūhū, Atibāhu

and Tumburu as mentioned in the following verse.

Ariṣṭāsūta Subhagādevī devarṣitaḥ purā

Alambuṣā miśrakeśī Vidyutparṇā Tilottamā

Aruṇā rakṣitā caiva rambhā tadvat manoramā

Keśinī ca subāhuśca vikhyatau ca hahāhuhū

Tumburuśceti catvāraḥ smṛtāḥ gandharvasattamāḥ.

An Apsaras is a nymph (devastrī). These

apsarā women were born at the churning of the ocean

of Milk. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa, Chapter 45,

Verse 32 and Viṣṇu Purāṇa, Part I, Chapter 9 and

Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 3). There are thousands of

Apsaras. (Details given against the names of Apsaras).