What are the names of all the Apsaras of Indra?

 

The apsaras within Lord India's court and lovely dancers and beautiful. There are two types of apsaras which are Laukika(worldly) and Daivika(divine). Ten apsaras of Lord India's court are mentioned.

“Ghritachi and Menaka and Rambha and Purvachitti and Swayamprabha and Urvashi and Misrakeshi and Dandagauri and Varuthini and Gopali and Sahajanya and Kumbhayoni and Prajagara and Chitrasena and Chitralekha and Saha and Madhuraswana, these and others by thousands, possessed of eyes like lotus leaves, who were employed in enticing the hearts of persons practising rigid austerities, danced there. And possessing slim waists and fair large hips, they began to perform various evolutions, shaking their deep bosoms, and casting their glances around, and exhibiting other attractive attitudes capable of stealing the hearts and resolutions and minds of the spectators.”

The Vana Parva of the Mahabharata has mentioned the important apsaras of Lord India's court.

Tilottama is one of the beautiful apsaras within Lord India's court who was created by the divine Vishwakarma and she helped the world because she created quarrel between Sundaa and Upasunda the two demons and they slayed themselves.

Natya Shastra mentions some of the apsaras which are Manjukesi, Sukesi, Misrakesi, Sulochana, Saudamini, Devadatta, Devasena, Manorama, Sudati, Sundari, Vigagdha, Vividha, Budha, Sumala, Santati, Sunanda, Sumukhi, Magadhi, Arjuni, Sarala, Kerala, Dhrti, Nanda, Supuskala, Supuspamala and Kalabha.

Urvashi is the chief of the apsaras and beautiful who is the favourite of Lord Indra. She was created by Lord Narayana. She marries Pururavas on two promises and when one of the promises is not fulfilled she went to heaven. She also wanted to marry Arjun. She cursed him when he refused to marry her.

Punjikasthala is one of the apsaras who was cursed to be a female vanara and she became Anjana the mother of Lord Hanumana. She married the vanara chief Kesari. She was freed from the curse after the Ramayana.

Pic source- Internet.

How are apsaras described in Hindu folklore?

 Actually the word “Apsara” has been very wrongly interpreted. People make fun of this term without even knowing its Vedic meaning. People think Apsara’s are just some celestial nymphs. The Vedic definition of what the word Apsara actually means is completely different.

Please do read what the Vedas describe Apsara’s to be. It will break all disgusting delusions people have built.

The woman who is the bringer of victory, who removes obstacles and resolves all difficulties is an Apsara according to the Vedic Dharma. This has been directly stated in the Atharva Veda.

Atharva Ved 4.38.1

Udbhindatīṃ saṃjayantīm apsarāṃ sādhudevinīm.
Glahe kṛtāni kṛṇvānām apsarāṃ tām iha huve.

“I invoke here that Apsarā, the virtuous and divine one, she who brings victory and removes obstacles; who unties what has been bound and resolves difficulties.

The woman who celebrates the joy of life with dance and music, who is empowered with intelligence is an Apsara. She who helps to recover what is lost is an Apsara.

Atharva Ved 4.38.3

Yayaiḥ pariṇṛtyaty ādadānā kṛtaṃ glahāt.
Sā naḥ kṛtāni siṣṭi prahām āpnotu māyayā.
Sā naḥ payasvaty ait u mā no jaiṣur idaṃ dhanam.

Apsara who, with her noble acts, rejoices and celebrates life in song and dance, collecting and consolidating the achievements of her performance in the evolutionary struggle of life, may, we pray, guiding and organising our actions, achieve further progress by her wonderful power and intelligence. May she, abounding in the waters and food of life continue to come and bless us so that none may win away this wealth of achievement from us.

The woman who is glorious like the sun, who is mighty and is a protector is an Apsara.

Atharva Ved 4.38.5

Sūryasya raśmīn anu yāḥ saṃcaranti marīcīrvā
yā anu saṃcaranti. Yāsām ṛṣabho dūrato vājīnīvān
sadyaḥ sarvāṃl lokān paryeti rakṣan.
Sā na etu homam imaṃ juṣāṇo ’ntarikṣeṇa saha vājīnīvān.

The divine Apsarā herself, radiant and sovereign, moves along the rays of the Sun and pervades all directions with light. Her own mighty, swift power, like a noble steed, from afar instantly traverses all the worlds, guarding and protecting them. May that Apsarā come to us now, graciously accepting this sacred offering, descending through the mid-region of space with her radiant, life-giving might.

Please understand that a woman who not just excels in physical beauty but excels in all aspects like administration, intellect, protection, knowledge, arts is defined as an Apsara. The Apsara in Vedic terms is a lady who is an absolute mistress of femininity.

Namo Narayana 🙏🏻🪔🌸🦅

Hara Hara Mahadeva 🙏🏻🪔📿🔱