That daughter was Shakuntala herself, the narrator of the story.ДЄpsaras represent an important motif in the stone bas-reliefs of the Angkorian temples in Cambodia (8thвЂ“13th centuries AD), however, not all female images are considered to be apsaras. As a consequence, Menaka gave birth to a daughter, whom she abandoned on the banks of a river. Nymph and sage engaged in sex for some time, during which Viswamitra's asceticism was put on hold. Seeing her thus disrobed, the sage abandoned himself to lust. As she approached Viswamitra, the wind god Vayu tore away her garments. Menaka trembled at the thought of angering such a powerful ascetic, but she obeyed the god's order. Deciding that the sage would have to be distracted from his penances, he sent the apsara Menaka to work her charms. Once upon a time, the sage Viswamitra generated such intense energy by means of his asceticism that Indra himself became fearful. One story embodying this theme is that recounted by the epic heroine Shakuntala to explain her own parentage. The Mahabharata documents the exploits of individual apsaras, such as Tilottama, who rescued the world from the rampaging asura brothers Sunda and Upasunda, and Urvashi, who attempted to seduce the hero Arjuna.ДЄ story type or theme appearing over and over again in the Mahabharata is that of an apsara sent to distract a sage or spiritual master from his ascetic practices. 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. 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. Here is one such list, together with a description of how the celestial dancers appeared to the residents and guests at the court of the gods: The epic contains several lists of the principal Apsaras, which lists are not always identical. In many of the stories related in the Mahabharata, apsaras appear in important supporting roles. Later Hindu scriptures allow for the existence of numerous apsaras, who act as the handmaidens of Indra or as dancers at his celestial court. An entire hymn deals with the colloquy between Urvashi and her mortal lover Pururavas. The only apsara specifically named is Urvashi. The Rigveda tells of an apsara who is the wife of Gandharva however, the Rigveda also seems to allow for the existence of more than one apsara. The BhagavataвЂ…Purana also states that the apsaras were born from Kashyapa and Muni.ДЄpsara, DeviвЂ…JagadambiвЂ…temple at Khajuraho in MadhyaвЂ…Pradesh, India. They are associated with fertilityвЂ…rites. Apsaras are sometimes compared to the Muses of ancient Greece, with each of the 26 Apsaras at Indra's court representing a distinct aspect of the performing arts. As ethereal beings who inhabit the skies, and are often depicted taking flight, or at service of a god, they may be compared to angels.ДЄpsaras are said to be able to change their shape at will and rule over the fortunes of gaming and gambling. They dance to the music made by the Gandharvas, usually in the palaces of the gods, entertain and sometimes seduce gods and men. They are often wives of the Gandharvas, the court musicians of Indra. They are youthful and elegant, and superb in the art of dancing. In IndianвЂ…mythology, apsaras are beautiful, supernatural female beings. English translations of the word 'Apsara' include ' nymph', ' fairy', 'celestial nymph', and 'celestial maiden'. ДЄpsaras are widely known as Apsara (бћўбћ”бџ’бћџбћљбћ¶) in Khmer, and also called as AccharДЃ in PДЃli, or Bidadari ( Malay, Maranao), Biraddali ( Tausug, Sinama), Hapsari/Apsari or Widadari/Widyadari ( Javanese), Helloi ( Meitei) and Apsorn ( Thai: аёаё±аё›аёЄаёЈ). Urvasi, Menaka, Rambha, Tilottama and Ghritachi are the most famous among them. There are two types of apsaras: laukika (worldly) and daivika (divine).

They figure prominently in the sculpture, dance, literature and painting of many SouthвЂ…Asian and SoutheastвЂ…Asian cultures. A 12th-century sandstone statue of an apsara from UttarвЂ…Pradesh, IndiaДЄn apsaras or apsara ( Sanskrit apsaras, Pali accharДЃ) is a type of female spirit of the clouds and waters in Hindu and BuddhistвЂ…culture.

Jollyjack apsara painting