Vedic Mythology c5.s8.t2.21

c5.s8.t2.21

In the RV. Gandharva seems to be localized in the high region of air or sky. He is a measurer of space (10, 139⁵). He is found in the fathomless spaces of air (8, 66⁵). He is heavenly (*divya*) and stands erect on the vault of heaven (10, 123⁷). He is the lover on whom the Apsaras smiles (ib. ⁵). His abode is in heaven (AV. 2, 2¹· ²) and the Blest live with the Gandharvas (AV. 4, 34³). In several passages Gandharva is closely connected with some form of celestial light. Thus he is brought into relation with the sun, 'the golden-winged bird, the messenger of Varuṇa' (10, 123⁶), with the sunbird (10, 177²), with the sun-steed (1, 163²), with Soma likened to the sun (9, 85¹²). He is further connected with the 27 stars of the moon's orbit (VS. 9, 7) and in particular with Rohiṇī (AV. 13, 1²³). He is possibly also associated with the rainbow⁴ in one hymn of the RV. (10, 123). In the VS. (18, 38 ff.) the Gandharvas are enumerated with Agni, Sun, Moon, and Wind. In post-Vedic literature one of the names of the mirage is 'city of the Gandharvas'⁵.