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Apsaras are gorgeous nymphs in Southern Asian cultures known for their beauty and impeccable dancing. Because of their unmatched splendor, the gods often send apsaras to distract various characters like sages and demons. Sages often practice tapas or strict religious practices, which can make them more powerful than the gods. Many times, demons proved formidable enemies for the gods to conquer. However, apsaras often derailed these powerful beings.
Despite their attractiveness, they are more than just a pretty face or playthings for the gods. They have intricate, individual, and autonomous stories filled with emotion and drama. The Mahabharata, a book about ancient India, sheds some light on the lives of three apsaras: Menaka, Urvashi, and Tilottama. I will alter and elaborate on each of their stories to emphasize their individuality and importance.
Menaka seduces Vishvamitra. Source: Wikimedia
Menaka fits the more common role of an apsara in Indian culture. Nevertheless, storytellers often overlook the interesting drama in her relatively normal story. Indra sent her to distract Vishvamitra, a threateningly pious sage, the same sage that asked King Dasaratha for Rama. Menaka successfully completed Indra’s goal and temporarily distracted Vishvamitra, but she was not just a passive player in the games of the gods. She fell in love with the sage she was meant to seduce, and her heart remained pure. However, readers may end up questioning the morality of the sage Vishvamitra.
Urvashi leaving Pururavas behind. Source: Wikimedia
On the other hand, Urvashi's story is anything but common. Instead of a man falling for an apsara, Arjuna, Indra's son, stole Urvashi's heart. Indra ended up sending Urvashi as more of a gift rather than a distraction for Arjuna, and Arjuna’s response to Urvashi was also unusual. The only typical part of this story is that an apsara led to a man's troubles, at least temporarily.
Tilottama. Source: Wikimedia
Tilottama's beauty captured the attention of gods and demons alike. The divine architect, Vishvakarman, crafted her from everything that was lovely, and she went on to dazzle the universe. One part of her story focused on how she saved the world from being completely destroyed by two practically invincible demon brothers, Sunda and Upasunda. Most people know that Tilottama's beauty helped her kill these demons, but how could someone be beautiful inside and out and still manage to kill?
Each of these stories will show that apsaras, though beautiful creatures, are more than just their physical bodies. They have minds, souls, and spirits that think and lust and hurt. They are also not all the same, but individuals, each with their own character traits and predicaments of fate. They are not necessarily human, but they have hearts steeped in the dramas of life.
Banner Image: Royal Apsara Ballet. Source: Wikimedia.
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