[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879) › c5.122 # A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.122 A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.122 - **Language:** English ### [c5.122](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.122) APSARAS. The Apsarases are the celebrated nymphs of Indra’s heaven. The name, which signifies ‘moving in the water,’ has some analogy to that of Aphrodite. They are not prominent in the Vedas, but Urvasī and a few others are mentioned. In Manu they are said to be the creations of the seven Manus. In the epic poems they become prominent, and the Rāmāyana and the Purānas attribute their origin to the churning of the ocean. (\*See Amrita.\*) It is said that when they came forth from the waters neither the gods nor the Asuras would have them for wives, so they became common to all. They have the appellations of Surānganās, ‘wives of the gods,’ and Sumad-ātmajās, ‘daughters of pleasure.’ - [Previous: c5.121](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.121) - [Next: c5.123](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.123) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5) ## Linked texts (4) - [Mānava Dharmaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.manu) — Manu & Bhṛgu, Sanskrit - [Veda](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda) — Sanskrit - [Purāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana) — Sanskrit - [Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki) — Vālmīki, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.122](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.122) · Pramāṇa