Vedic Mythology c5.s8.t2.6

c5.s8.t2.6

The above evidence indicates that the oldest conception of the Apsaras is that of a celestial water nymph, already regarded in the RV. as the consort of a genius named Gandharva. In the later Saṃhitās the sphere of the Apsarases extends to the earth and in particular to trees. They are spoken of as inhabiting banyans (*nyagrodha*) and sacred fig-trees (*aśvattha*), in which their cymbals and lutes resound (AV. 4, 37⁴). Elsewhere the same trees as well as other varieties of the fig-tree (*udumbara* and *plakṣa*) are said to be the houses of Gandharvas and Apsarases (TS. 3, 4, 8⁴). The Gandharvas and Apsarases in such trees are entreated to be propitious to a passing wedding procession (AV. 14, 2⁹)⁴. In the ŚB. (11, 6, 1) the Apsarases are described as engaged in dance, song, and play. Post-Vedic texts even speak of mountains, both mythical and actual, as favourite resorts of these two classes of beings⁵. The AV. adds the traits that the Apsarases are fond of dice and bestow luck at play (AV. 2, 2⁵ &c.), but that they are feared especially as causing mental derangement, magic therefore being employed against them (AV. 2, 3⁵ &c.).