Vedic Mythology c5.s8.t2.24

c5.s8.t2.24

The union of Gandharva with the water nymph is typical of marriage. He is therefore connected with the wedding ceremony, and the unmarried maiden is said to belong to Gandharva as well as to Soma and Agni (10, 85⁴⁰⁻¹). The Gandharva Viśvāvasu in the first days of wedlock is regarded as a rival of the husband (ib. ²²), and the Gandharvas' love of women is prominent in later texts (cp. MS. 3, 7³). The Gandharvas and Apsarases thus preside over fertility and are prayed to by those who desire offspring (PB. 19, 3²).