Some time ago I wrote a post on why I worship Kama Deva, the god of love, sex and war. I felt as though I had to defend myself as even though Kama is an accepted god in the Vedic pantheon, in modern times much of his worship has been wiped out and to even mention him is a scandal. This same type of anti-sex thinking also seems to have been taken to illogical extremes in the case of Krishna and the Gopis as I wrote about in my blog post on Love Yuddha. My argument there was that Krishna worship had been de-sexualized and made more monotheistic and controlling under British influence, and that such prudish movements have rendered Hindu men impotent in a sense, and that is why so many Hindu women crave and marry Muslim men whose sexual natures are much more readily expressed.
I make no buts about who and how I worship, nor my opinions of Hinduism's current Victorian era morals, so it should come as no surprise to many that I have always had a close affinity to those beings known as nymphs in the West and Apsaras in the Vedic religion. Nymphs are demi-gods, natural spirits who are in human form. They are known to be extremely beautiful and highly sexed, spending their times in forests finding young men to seduce and lather with affection. The nymphs are not exactly evil, but they are not exactly accepted either. Though a man might be happy to come across a nymph, he would hardly admit it, and human women certainly do not like the unearthly competition. Thus the term "nymphomaniac" is derived from the word nymph and implies one is a sex addict, not a good connotation
It is funny, but I remember reading that male nymphs are almost completely unheard of, though it is likely that at least a few of them exist. Nymphs are often attracted to and associated with water and forests; my favorite place to be is swimming in a forest creek in the green mountains up with the clouds. While nymphs are viewed with ambivalence in the west, while reading the Vedas I eventually came across the Apsaras, the Vedic equivalent of nymphs. I don't know how nymphs were sewn into ancient European paganism as few records exist, but I was pleased to see that the Vedas did give the Apsaras at least some greater position than just a sex sprite. The Rig Veda states that the Apsaras birthed the Vasisthas, wise Vedic gurus, and that these sons of the Apsaras were clothed by the god of death, Yama. The Atharva Veda includes Apsaras and their husbands, the Gandharvas in their conclusions that the men and gods and others were born of a great sacrifice and that the Apsaras were born at the beginning of Time when the god Kala created the universe.
They with perceptions of the heart in secret resort to that which spreads a thousand branches. The Apsaras brought hither the Vasisthas wearing the vesture spun for them by Yama... He thinker, knower both of earth and heaven, endowed with many a gift, bestowing thousands, Destined to wear the vesture spun by Yama, sprang from the Apsaras to life, Vasistha. - Rig Veda 7.33.9, 12
The gods, the (deceased) Fathers, men, Gandharvas and Apsaras, all gods in the heavens, founded upon heaven, were born of the ukkhishta. - Atharva Veda 11.7.27
Upon Time the Gandharvas and Apsarases are founded, upon Time the worlds (are founded), in Time this Angiras and Atharvan rule over the heavens. - Atharva Veda 19.54.4
In the Rig Veda at least, Apsara nymphs are depicted as being benevolent, living by the waters, having wise hearts and urging masters of their houses to be on their way in bliss, far from being temptresses they seem to use their beauty to beckon men to remain faithful while away at sea. Nymphs are rather shown to be sweet smelling demi-goddesses who support their loves in the heavens; those who tread paths with them in the forests are to be counted as friends.
Apsarases who dwell in waters of the sea, sitting within, have flowed to Soma wise of heart. They urge the Master of the house upon his way, and to the Eternal Pavamana pray for bliss. - Rig Veda 9.78.3
The Apsaras, the Lady, sweetly smiling, supports her Lover in sublimest heaven. In his Friend's dwelling as a Friend he wanders: he, Vena, rests him on his golden pinion. - Rig Veda 10.123.5
Treading the path of sylvan beasts, Gandharvas, and Apsarases, He with long locks, who knows the wish, is a sweet most delightful friend - Rig Veda 10.136.6
However, in the Atharva Veda, their is an entire spell dedicated to keeping Apsaras and their husband Gandhavas along with other demons away. It would seem that the Apsaras are not being fully truthful with themselves as it is apparent the Aryans have recognized the Apsaras for what they are, not beautiful women but nymphs. The Gandharvas are chastised for using their handsome looks to seduce the Aryan women and the Aryans pray that these immortals leave the mortals alone. Later, nymph Apsaras are listed among spooks, phantoms and hidden demons whom the Aryans pray will leave them alone.
Charm with the plant, Agasringi, to drive out Rakshas, Apsaras and Gandharvas
1. With thee, O herb, the Atharvans first slew the Rakshas, with thee Kasyapa slew (them), with thee Kanva and Agastya (slew them). 2. With thee do we scatter the Apsaras and Gandharvas... drive them all away with thy smell! 3. The Apsaras... shall go to the river, to the ford of the waters, as if blown away! Thither do ye, O Apsaras, pass away, (since) ye have been recognised! 4. Where grow the asvattha (ficus religiosa) and the banyan-trees, the great trees with crowns, thither do ye, O Apsaras, pass away, (since) ye have been recognised! 5. Where your gold and silver swings are, where cymbals and lutes chime together, thither do ye, O Apsaras, pass away, (since) ye have been recog~ nised... Of the crested Gandharva, the husband of the Apsaras, who comes dancing hither, I crush the two mushkas and cut off the sepas... One is like a dog, one like an ape. As a youth, with luxuriant locks, pleasant to look upon, the Gandharva hangs about the woman. Him do we drive out from here with our powerful charm. 12. The Apsaras, you know, are your wives; ye, the Gandharvas, are their husbands. Speed away, ye immortals, do not go after mortals! - Atharva Veda 4.37
The dog-like Apsaras, and also the Rûpakâs (phantoms), the plucking sprite, that eacerly licks within the vessel, and her that seeks out what has been carelessly hidden, all those do thou, O Arbudi, make the enemies see, and spectres also make them see! - Atharva Veda 11.8.15
(And also make them see) her that strides upon the mist, the mutilated one, who dwells with the mutilated; the vapoury spooks that are hidden, and the Gandharvas and Apsaras, the serpents, and other brood, and the Rakshas - Atharva Veda 11.8.16
The Gandharvas, the Apsaras, the Arâyas and Kimîdins; the Pisâkas and all demons (rakshas), these, O earth, hold from us! - Atharva Veda 12.1.50
How did the Apsaras go from being benevolent creatures of wisdom and protection to being demons and temptresses? Well it does seem the Apsaras have a different and more promiscuous side to their nature. From the Atharva Veda we can see that gambling men call upon the Apsaras to help them, as the Apsaras are attracted to the energy of the vice. Further, it seems that the Apsaras take no issue with aiding a young women who wishes to make a man intoxicated with love for her, the Apsaras are obviously known for using their powers over lust to trick and deceive humans.
Charm to arouse the passionate love of a Man 1
. This yearning love comes from the Apsaras, the victorious, imbued with victory. Ye gods, send forth the yearning love: may yonder man burn after me! 2. My wish is, he shall long for me, devoted he shall long for me! Ye gods, send forth the yearning love: may yonder man burn after me! 3. That yonder man shall long for me, (but) I for him nevermore, ye gods, send forth the yearning love: may yonder man burn after me! 4. Do ye, O Maruts, intoxicate him (With love); do thou, O mid-air, intoxicate him; do thou, O Agni, intoxicate him! May yonder man burn after me! - Atharva Veda 6.130
A Prayer for success in Gambling
A.
1. The successful, victorious, skilfully gaming Apsarâ, that Apsarâ who makes the winnings in the game of dice, do I call hither. 2. The skilfully gaming Apsarâ who sweeps and heaps up (the stakes), that Apsarâ who takes the winnings in the game of dice, do I call hither. May she, who dances about with the dice, when she takes the stakes from the game of dice, when she desires to win for us, obtain the advantage by (her) magic! May she come to us full of abundance! Let them not win this wealth of ours! 4. The (Apsarâs) who rejoice in dice, who carry grief and wrath-tbat joyful and exulting Apsarâ, do I call hither.-Atharva Veda 4.38
What I find interesting is that the Apsaras also seem to have power over madness and witchcraft. The Yajur Veda speaks of a man who has been driven mad by the Apsaras whom he has called into his dwelling so as to serve them in inverted rituals so as to gain powers of sorcery. While the Apsaras are said to drive mad those whom they gift with the sight, the Apsaras can also be called upon the cure insanity as well.
They should be offered for one who is mad; for it is the Gandharva and the Apsarases who madden him who is mad; the Rastrabhrts are the Gandharva and the Apsarases. 'To him hail! To them hail!' (with these words) he offers, and thereby he appeases them. Of Nyagrodha, Udumbara, Açvattha, or Plaksa (wood) is the kindling-wood; these are the homes of the Gandharva and the Apsarases; verily he appeases them in their own abode [4]. They should be offered in inverse order by one who is practising witchcraft; so he fastens on his breaths from in front, and then at pleasure lays him low - Yajur Veda 3.4.8
Charm against Mania
1. Release for me, O Agni, this person here, who, bound and well-secured, loudly jabbers! Then shall he have due regard for thy share (of the offering), when he shall be free from madness! 2. Agni shall quiet down thy mind, if it has been disturbed! Cunningly do I prepare a remedy, that thou shalt be freed from madness. 3. (Whose mind) has been maddened by the sin of the gods, or been robbed of sense by the Rakshas, (for him) do I cunningly prepare a remedy, that he shall be free from madness. 4. May the Apsaras restore thee, may Indra, may Bhaga restore thee; may all the gods restore thee, that thou mayest be freed from madness!- Atharva Vedaa 6.111
However, perhaps what is even more revealing is that the Apsaras can be called upon during times of war along with other gods and men to aid the Aryans and protect them from enemies. The Atharva Veda speaks of a leader who does not slay Apsaras but rules over them with a magical tailisman which he wear about his person.
Him slay not the Apsaras, nor the Gandharvas, nor mortal men; all reoions does he rule, that wears this talisman. - Atharva Veda 8.5.13
The Gandharvas and Apsaras, the serpents and the gods, holy men and (deceased) Fathers, the visible and invisible (beings), do I impel, that they shall slay yonder army! - Atharva Veda 8.8.15
We speak to the Gandharvas and the Apsaras, to the Asvins and to Brahmanaspati, to the god whose name is Aryaman: they shall deliver us from calamity! - Atharva Veda 11.6.4
So who are the Apsaras, the Vedic sisters of the nymphs? They are obviously spirits with a very dual nature. They are demi-goddesses, but they seem to be trapped within human form. They are known to be very wise and use their beauty to beckon men to think of home when they are away on long journeys; they are also counted among the mothers of great Vedic sages and they have been here since the very beginning of time with the rest of the immortal gods. However these nymphs are not immune from using their beauty and powers over lust to trick and deceive men into believing they are mere mortals for the sake of having sway over them. The Vedas do count nymphs among demons and other apparitions, the the Apsaras are fond of being around men who gamble and for aiding women who wish to caste spells of love over men. The nymphs can drive you mad, but they can also bring you back from madness, and you can count on them during times of war. As in Europe, the Vedic nymphs are viewed with ambivalence, just as all deities of sex are... but you can't quite say they are evil, and you can't really shame those of us who truly love them.
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