Apsara Are Ancient

Historical reports indicate that Apsaras are ancient deities who have mastered the fine art of the celestial dance. As mythological figures, they were known to dance in divine palaces and entertain their fallen heroes. The term Apsara has been translated into the English language as "nymph", "celestial nymph" and "celestial maiden". It is also said that the original Apsaras were the wives of the Gandharvas, the male nature spirits who were the court servants of Indra. The Apsaras purportedly performed their ritualistic dance as the Gandharvas played heavenly music for their gods in their grand chateaus. In many respects, the Gandharvas were similar to the centaurs of Greek mythology because they were part human and part animal. As the Gandharvas often had the physical attributes of a horse or bird as well as a human being, they were responsible for guarding the temples as well as the soma. The soma was a magic elixir that provided extraordinary energy that has been described in various folk stories. In ancient times, it was considered to be the drink of the deities. It was allegedly consumed in copious quantities as it enhanced the strength and vigor of the gods. At the present time, however, the Apsara has become a permanent fixture in the culture of the Cambodian people as it can often be seen in finely hewn stone. It has had a lasting ubiquitous presence as it can now be seen in various sculptures of different sizes and shapes. Moreover, Apsaras can be seen in a wide range of motifs that have been carved into the beautiful walls of the legendary Angkor Wat temple. It is also interesting to note that the Apsara were often referred to as the female spirit of water and the clouds in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Gerald Marchewka is an American freelance writer currently staying in Siem Reap, Cambodia.