Vedic Mythology c5.s8.t2.27

c5.s8.t2.27

This suggests the derivation from *gandha* as possible. But such an ety-mology, even if true, would seem to shed no light on the original conception. The name has even been identified with Κένταυρος; but in order to justify this equation the aid of popular etymology has to be called in⁷ as well as the doubtful epenthesis of *u* assumed in the Greek word⁸. The two con-ceptions, moreover, appear to have nothing in common. The utmost, from a review of the evidence, it seems possible to say about the original nature of the Gandharva is, that he was a bright celestial being, sometimes thought of as dwelling in the waters with his spouse the Apsaras. Various conjectures have, however, been made by different scholars. Some regard the Gandharvas as wind-spirits⁹, others think that Gandharva represents the rainbow¹⁰, or a genius of the moon¹¹, or Soma¹², or the rising sun¹³, or a cloud-spirit¹⁴.