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Concept
Gandharva
Summary
A gandharva (गन्धर्व) is a member of a class of celestial beings in Dharmic religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, whose males are divine performers such as musicians and singers, and the females are divine dancers. In Hinduism, they are regarded to be the celestial demigods who serve as the musicians of the devas.
It is also a term for skilled singers in Indian classical music.
Gandharvas have been associated with the historical Gandhara region.
In Buddhism, this term also refers to a being in the intermediate state (between death and rebirth).
In Hinduism, the gandharvas (गन्धर्व, गन्धर्व, गंधर्व, গন্ধৰ্ব, ಗಂಧರ್ವ, ଗନ୍ଧର୍ବ, గంధర్వ; கந்தர்வன், மணவாளன், ഗന്ധർവ്വൻ) are a class of minor deities who serve as divine musicians in Hindu mythology. The term gandharva is present in Vedic sources (including in the Rigveda) as a singular deity. According to Oberlies, "In mandala I, IX and X the gandharva is presented as a celestial being (dwelling near the Sun / in the heavenly waters) which watches over the Soma (apparently) for the benefit of the gods and the sacrificers." The gandharva also "receives the Soma from the ‘Daughter of the Sun' to put it into the Soma plant (RV 9.113.3), i.e., to bring it to this world." The gandharva also brings other things from the beyond, including humans (RV 10.10.4) and the horse (RV 1.163.2). As such, the function of the gandharva is "to escort things from ‘outside' into this world thereby divesting them of their (potential) dangerous nature." Later, the figure also came to be associated with fertility and virility.
The Atharvaveda mentions that there are 6333 gandharvas. The female gandharvas are called gandharvis, though gandharvas are generally the husbands of the apsaras. They are described to be handsome beings who wear fragrant attires. Some are part animal, usually a bird or horse. They have exceptional musical skills, and are described to be passionate about women. They guard the sacred Soma drink, and play beautiful music for the devas in their palaces.
Official source
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