Gandharvi, Gāndharvī, Gandharvī, Gamdharvi: 10 definitions
Introduction:
Gandharvi means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit. 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
Ayurveda (science of life)
Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)
Gāndharvī (गान्धर्वी):—One of the sixty-four Divyauṣadhi, which are powerful drugs for solidifying mercury (rasa), according to Rasaprakāśa-sudhākara (chapter 9).
Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Gandharvī (गन्धर्वी).—The first mother of horses. Kaśyapaprajāpati had by his wife Krodhavaśā ten daughters: Mṛgī, Mṛgamandā, Harī, Bhadramatā, Mātaṅgī, Śārdūlī, Śvetā, Surabhi, Surasā and Kadrū. Of the ten girls Surabhi in due course of time became mother of two daughters. Rohiṇī and Gandharvī. From Rohiṇī was born the cattlebreed and horses were born from Gandharvī. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Araṇya Kāṇḍa, Canto 14).
Gāndharvī (गान्धर्वी) refers to the “illusion of Gandharvas”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.22 (“Description of Jalandhara’s Battle”).—Accordingly, after Jalandhara attacked Śiva: “[...] Then, considering Śiva more powerful, Jalandhara the Daitya, created the illusion of Gandharvas (gāndharvī) [gāṃdharvīmadbhutāṃ] that mysteriously fascinated even Śiva. By the power of his Māyā, hosts of Gandharvas and celestial damsels came into view for fascinating Śiva. The Gandharvas and celestial damsels sang and danced. Others played on flutes, mṛdaṅgas and cymbals. On seeing that wonderful feat, Śiva was fascinated by the Gaṇas. He was not conscious of even the garments let down from the hands. [...]”.
1) Gandharvi (गन्धर्वि).—The name om rising from Gāndhāra.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 20. 3.
2a) Gāndharvī (गान्धर्वी).—A daughter of Surabhi and Kaśyapa, and a sister of Rudras; mother of horses like Uccaiśśravas.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 3. 73-7.
2b) A daughter of Gandharvas.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 10.
2c) A R. from the lake Viṣṇupadam.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 18. 68; Vāyu-purāṇa 47. 65.
Gandharvī (गन्धर्वी) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.60.65) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Gandharvī) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
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.
Shaktism
Gāndharvī (गान्धर्वी) refers to one of the “thousand names of Kumārī”, as mentioned in the Kumārīsahasranāma, which is included in the 10th chapter of the first part (prathamabhāga) of the Rudrayāmala-Uttaratantra: an ancient Tantric work primarily dealing with the practice of Kuṇḍalinī-yoga, the worship of Kumārī and discussions regarding the Cakras. This edition is said to be derived of the Rudrayāmalatantra and consists of 6000 verses in 90 chapters (paṭalas) together with the Saralā-Hindīvyākhyopetam (i.e., the Rudrayamalam Uttaratantram with Sarala Hindi translation).—Gāndharvī is mentioned in śloka 1.10.35.—The chapter notes that one is granted the rewards obtained by reciting the text even without the performance of pūjā (worship), japa, snāna (bathing) and puraścaryā.
Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Gandharvī (गन्धर्वी) or Gandhārī is the name of a Ḍākinī who, together with the Vīra (hero) named Gandhahara forms one of the 36 pairs situated in the Ākāśacakra, according to the 10th century Ḍākārṇava chapter 15. Accordingly, the ākāśacakra refers to one of the three divisions of the dharma-puṭa (‘dharma layer’), situated in the Herukamaṇḍala. The 36 pairs of Ḍākinīs [viz., Gandharvī] and Vīras are dark blue in color; they each have one face and four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum, and a knife. Alternatively, the Ḍākinīs have their own marks and motions according to the taste instead of a small drum and a skull staff.
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Gāndharvī (गान्धर्वी) is the name of an Apsaras, instructed by Śakra to help in the preparations of Ṛṣabha’s wedding-preparations, according to chapter 1.2 [ādīśvara-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.
Accordingly,
“[...] Then having ascertained the Lord’s purpose, Purandara at once summoned gods for the tasks of the wedding-preparations.—‘[...] What are you thinking, Mārīcī? What are you looking at, Sumukhī? Why are you not on this side, Gāndharvī? [...]’. From the bustling of the Apsarases instructing each other in this way, and frequently calling names, a mighty tumult arose”.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
1) Gandharvī (गन्धर्वी):—[from gandharva] f. Gandharvī (daughter of Surabhi and mother of the race of horses, [Mahābhārata i, 2631 f.; Rāmāyaṇa iii, 20, 28 f.; Vāyu-purāṇa]), [Ṛg-veda x, 11, 2; Rāmāyaṇa]
2) [v.s. ...] night, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa iv, 29, 21]
3) Gāndharvī (गान्धर्वी):—[from gāndharva] f. speech (according to the legend that the gods gave speech to the Gandharvas and received from them the Soma in return, [Aitareya-brāhmaṇa i, 27 etc.]), [Naighaṇṭuka, commented on by Yāska i, 11]
4) [v.s. ...] Name of Durgā, [Harivaṃśa 10243] ([varia lectio] gandharvā)
5) [v.s. ...] Name of an Apsaras, [Viṣṇu-purāṇa]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Kannada-English dictionary
Gāṃdharvi (ಗಾಂಧರ್ವಿ):—[noun] = ಗಾಂಧರ್ವಿಗ [gamdharviga].
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+0): Gamdharviga, Gandharvi shanti, Gandharvika, Gandharvin.
Full-text (+22): Gandharvi shanti, Somada, Gandharva, Urmila, Narmada, Vasuda, Dundubhi, Manthara, Padmalamkara, Priyamukha, Suryalocana, Indramaghashri, Nirvanapriya, Vajrashri, Vilasendragamini, Shubhamala, Sumalini, Prajapatinivasini, Dharmakankshini, Parishobhitakaya.
Relevant text
Search found 33 books and stories containing Gandharvi, Gamdharvi, Gāṃdharvi, Gāndharvī, Gandharvī, Gāndharvi, Gandharvis; (plurals include: Gandharvis, Gamdharvis, Gāṃdharvis, Gāndharvīs, Gandharvīs, Gāndharvis, Gandharvises). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Text 4.50 < [Chapter 4 - First-rate Poetry]
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 6.1.33 < [Chapter 1 - Jarāsandha’s Defeat]
Verse 5.8.45 < [Chapter 8 - The Killing of Kaṃsa]
Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri) (by Hari Prasad Shastri)
Chapter 5 - The Story of the three Sons of Sukesha < [Book 7 - Uttara-kanda]
Chapter 14 - Jatayu reveals his Lineage to Rama < [Book 3 - Aranya-kanda]
List of Mahabharata people and places (by Laxman Burdak)
Nighantu (critical study) (by Gopalakrishna N. Bhat)
Part 11 - Vannamani (Vac Nama) < [Chapter 3 - First Adhyaya (chapter) of the Nighantu (study)]