Apsarases in Indian Literature and the Legend of Urvasi and Pururavas

Indian literature abounds in a variety of myths and legends narrating allegorical/historical stories with moral teachings where celestial or semi-celestial beings, in particular the apsarases, occupy an important place. Of such legends, a few have become much popular and they reappear in the course of the history of literature at various stages. One such legend is that of Urvasi and Pururavas which is one of the most ancient legends of India, owing its origin to the Rgveda.

This scholarly work, based on extensive original sources - primary, comprising ancient Sanskrit texts, commentaries and glosses and modern literary pieces, kavyas and plays, as well as critical writings on these original works, studies the origin and development of the institution of apsarases and their characteristics as described in the vast corpus of Vedic, Epic-Puranic and classical works. In this context, it undertakes an interesting survey of the concept of nymphs (apsarases) in Indo-European, especially Greek mythology. Dr. Handique then thoroughly examines the depiction of the legend of Urvasi and Pururavas - a favourite theme that has been immortalized in literary masterpieces in Indian literature as a whole: from the ancient Vedas and Puranas, the Harivamsa and Vikramorvasiyam to modern works like Urvasi Janani and Abhisapta Urvasi and stray poetic pieces.

Presenting anew angle to the study, the book attempts to explore aspects of an age old tradition that bears close affinity with the institution of the apsarases in terms of mode of living worship and ideals - like system of the devadasis.

The book will prove invaluable to scholars of Indian mythology, culture and literature as well as interest general readers of ancient India's legends and tales.

About the Author

Dr. Krishna Kanta Handique is a reputed scholar of Sanskrit and folk literature who has presented research papers and represented the country in world conferences. His published works are Dvatrsaputtalika, Nagananda, Drama by Sriharsa, Uduyana: Vasavadutta and Bohe Brahmadaka Bhedi.

Contents:

   Preface
   Abbreviations
1. INTRODUCTION

Part I
Apsarases in Indian Literature
2. ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF APSARASES ORIGIN 
   OF THE NYMPHS IN INDO-EUROPEAN

   Literature
   Characteristics of nymphs 
   Apsarases' relation with the gandharvas
   Origin of the nymphs or apsarases in Indian 
   literature
   Apsarases in the Ramayana: Post-Vedic period
   The Apsarases in the Mahabharata
   The Apsarases in the Puranas
   Apasarases in the Katha Literature
   Apsarases in the Kath-sarit-sagara

Part II
The Legend of Urvasi and Pururavas 

3. LEGEND OF URVASI AND PURURAVAS IN VEDIC 
   LITERATURE

   The dialogue hymn of the RV 
   Urvasi and Pururavas in the YV
   Urvasi: One of the female seers of the Vedic mantras
   Urvasi-Pururavas: Akhyana theory
   The legend is an allegory
   The dramatic element in the legend 
   A love legend
   Analysis of the word, 'Urvasi' and 'Pururavas'
   Urvasi and Pururavas in Brhaddevata
   Urvasi and Pururavas in Nitimanjari
   Urvasi and Pururavas in Vedarthadipika 

4. THE LEGEND OF URVASI AND PURURAVAS IN 
   POST-VEDIC PERIOD

   Urvasi and Pururavas in Ramayana 
   Urvasi and Pururavas in the Mahabharata 
   Urvasi and Pururavas in the Puranas
   Urvasi and Pururavas in the Harivamsa
   Urvasi and Pururavas in the Katha-sarit-saara
   Urvasi and Pururavas in the Upapuranas
   Urvasi in the holy places
   Urvasi in the fairy tales
   Urvasi: Incarnation of Durga
   Urvasi and Pururavas in Vikramorvasiyam of 
   Kalidasa

5. LEGEND OF URVASI AND PURURAVAS IN MODERN 
   LITERATURE

   Urvasi Janani
   Urvasi: Ramdhari Singh Dinakar
   Abhisapta Urvasi

6. URVASI AND DEVADASI  

   Temples and devadasis 
   Citrangada 
   Devadasi: Profession prevailed in Kerala
   Evidence of devadasis and Siva temples
   Devadasi and Sankaradeva
   Yogini Tantra and devadasi 
   Ahom queen Phulesvari was originally a devadasi 
   The origin of Bharat Natyam
   Madhava Kandali's Ramayana
   Devadasi: A holy tradition
   Devadasi: Social evils and Indian women
   Devadasi: Source hailed from Western countries

7. CONCLUSION

Appendices 
1. Genealogy of the Lunar Race
2. An alphabetical list of apsarases 

Bibliography
Index