Apsarasas
group · 2 works · 5 mentions · 9 anchored passages
the Apsarasas · the Apsarasas of the ocean · the Apsarā · the wife
in the texts
Atharvaveda (Paippalāda)
Water-nymph spirits associated with gambling, herb-lore, and (elsewhere) warded-off supernatural danger.
Those Apsarasas who exult in shared revelry in the space between the oblation-cart and the sun — may they join our hands together with skill;
The god who pointed out this wealth to us, who presides over the seizing and remaining of dice — may he, delighting in this oblation, protect us;
From Apsarases, from Gandharvas, from gods, from Asuras, and moreover from all evil — from these protect us, O Jaṅgiḍa.
Rigveda
Inspired water-nymphs of the ocean who stream toward Soma, urge him on as guardian of the mansion, and implore his favor.
The Apsarasas of the ocean, the inspired ones, sitting within, have streamed toward Soma.