Vedic Mythology c5.s8.t2.1

c5.s8.t2.1

Apsaras denotes a kind of nymph that even in the RV. appears almost completely separated from her physical basis. The information there obtainable is very scanty, as the name occurs only five times. The Apsaras smiles at her beloved (the Gandharva mentioned in the preceding verse) in the highest heaven (10, 123⁵). Vasiṣṭha was born of the Apsaras (7, 33¹²) and the Vasiṣṭhas are said to have sat close to the Apsarases (ibid. ⁹). The Apsarases of the sea are described as flowing to Soma (9, 78³), with reference to the water which is mixed with the juice. The long-haired ascetic with semi-divine powers is spoken of as able to move on the path of the Apsarases and the Gandharvas (10, 136⁶). The Apsaras is also doubtless meant by the aqueous nymph (*apyā yoṣā*), the wife of the Gandharva in the waters (10, 10⁴).