Celestial damsel: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Celestial damsel means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Google Books: The Brihad-dharma PuranaCelestial damsels (in Sanskrit: Apsaras) refers to a class of female divinities who reside in the sky and are regarded as the wives of the Gandharvas. They are very fond of bathing, can change their shapes at pleasure, and are endowed with super-human powers. They are usually described as the servants of Indra, who, when alarmed by the rigorous austerities of some mighty sage, sends down one of them to disturb his penance by tempting him, and her mission is generally successful.
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Source: Pure Bhakti: Jaiva-dharmaCelestial damsels (in Sanskrit: Vidyādharī) refers to one of the various pleasures one can attain after death.—There are many different types of sensual pleasures that one may enjoy in the state one attains after death, and these are called āmutrika-sukha (enjoyment pertaining to the next life). For example, the pleasures of the celestial sphere include residing in Svarga (the higher planets) or Indraloka (the planet of Indra) and witnessing the dancing of the celestial society girls known as Apsarās; drinking the nectar of immortality; smelling the fragrant flowers and seeing the beauty of the nandana-kānana gardens; seeing the wonder of Indrapurī; hearing the melodious songs of the Gandharvas; and associating with the celestial damsels known as Vidyādharīs.
Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text (+68): Apsaras, Divyastri, Menaka, Devamgana, Curamakalir, Jannata, Araman, Sumadatmaja, Devangana, Ritusthala, Devangna, Devakanya, Jannat, Surayuvati, Rambhoru, Divyanari, Svarvadhu, Rambhe, Divyangana, Surata.
Relevant text
Search found 33 books and stories containing Celestial damsel; (plurals include: Celestial damsels). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 17 - Apsareśvara (apsara-īśvara-liṅga) < [Section 2 - Caturaśīti-liṅga-māhātmya]
Chapter 8 - The Greatness of Apsaraḥ Kuṇḍa < [Section 1 - Avantīkṣetra-māhātmya]
Chapter 192 - The Birth of Śrīpati < [Section 3 - Revā-khaṇḍa]
The Bhagavata Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 2 - The History of Agnīdhra < [Book 5 - Fifth Skandha]
Chapter 8 - Mārkaṇḍeya’s Penance and Praise of Lord Nārāyaṇa < [Book 12 - Twelfth Skandha]
Chapter 20 - The History of Pūru’s race—Birth of Bharata < [Book 9 - Ninth Skandha]
Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
The Gautami Mahatmya (by G. P. Bhatt)
Chapter 77 - Apsaroyuga-saṅgama-tīrtha and other Holy Centres
The Shiva Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 51 - The story of Ūṣā < [Section 2.5 - Rudra-saṃhitā (5): Yuddha-khaṇḍa]
Chapter 24 - Nature of women (strī) < [Section 5 - Umā-Saṃhitā]
Chapter 44 - The birth of Vyāsa < [Section 5 - Umā-Saṃhitā]
Dramaturgy in the Venisamhara (by Debi Prasad Namasudra)
Description of Īhāmṛga < [Chapter 2 - Nature and Classification of Sanskrit Drama]