Gandharva
mythological figure · 4 works · 12 mentions · 15 anchored passages
the Gandharva · Viśvāvasu · the water-maiden
in the texts
Rigveda
Divine being whose 'firm station' is where the inspired sages partake of ghee-rich milk.
The inspired sages, with their thoughts, lick the ghee-rich milk of those two at the firm station of the Gandharva.
the Gandharva grasped his rein.
Indra crushed the Gandharva in the bottomless spaces and dusts, indeed for the benefit of the Brahmin seers.
Atharvaveda (Paippalāda)
Divine or semi-divine being (also named Viśvāvasu) associated with unmarried women, positioned as the bride's second mythic husband and ritually dismissed before the human marriage.
Those Gandharvas and divine Apsarases who dwell today in these forest trees — may they be gentle to this bride;
We make obeisance to the mind of the Gandharva and to his wrath and to his eye.
Soma gave her to the Gandharva;
Sāmaveda
Celestial being described standing armed in the sky.
The Gandharva stood upright in the sky bearing his shining weapons gleaming toward us, wearing a fragrant robe to behold — they have fashioned the dear things in the name of the sun.
Yājñavalkya Smṛti
Deity said to have given women sweet speech.
Soma gave them purity, Gandharva gave them sweet speech, and Pāvaka (Fire) gave them all-purifying nature;