Mr Ashish Kumar
(It is difficult to comment about young author Mr Ashish Kumar and his mythological/spiritual writing. He has well researched Hindu Philosophy, Science and quest of success beyond the material realms. I am really mesmerized. I am sure you will be also amazed. We are pleased to begin a series on excerpts from his well acclaimed book “Samudramanthanam” . According to Mr Ashish “Samudramanthanam is less explained and explored till date. I have tried to give broad way of this one of the most important chapter of Hindu mythology. I have read many scriptures and take references from many temples and folk stories, to present the all possible aspects of portrait of Samudramanthanam.” Now our distinguished readers will be able to read this series on every Saturday.)
Amazon Link – Samudramanthanam
☆ Weekly Column – Samudramanthanam – 9 – Apsaras ☆
After deadly and poisonous spell of churning of ‘Kshirasāgara’ now Sura and Asura started churning with less interest. They are doing churning with less speed this time.
As they progress, liquid of ‘Kshirasāgara’ started turning to transparent and crystal clear. Soon environment there started to be pleasant and different kinds of smells started appearing from ocean. All sixteen types of sense engaging smells are flowing all around. All Suras and Asura started losing their sense. All of sudden they stop churning and liquid of ‘Kshirasāgara’ rise up in the sky and divided into sixteen direction and start turning into beautiful female sprits. Those all are ‘Apsaras’ means creature of ‘Ap’ or liquid of different types.
King of Sura were looking them without blinking. Those all sixteen apsaras are most beautiful possible females of all sixteen types of liquids. This is the auspicious day of autumn arriving. It is the day of festival ‘Teej’.
It ilooks like nature is dancing with those sixteen apsaras.
Those were Urvasi, Menaka, Rambha, Tilottama, Ghritachi, Manjukesi, Sukesi, Misrakesi, Sulochana, Saudamini, Devadatta, Devasena, Manorama, Sudati, Sundai, Vigagdha. These sixteen main apsaras appear from ‘Kshirasāgara’ and started dancing. Some other apsaras also appear with main apsaras who were secondary of main sixteen apsaras or means generated from the mixture of sixteen main essence in different ratios. These were Vividha, Budha, Sumala, Santati, Sunanda, Sumukhi, Magadhi, Arjuni, Sarala, Kerala, Dhrti, Nanda, Supuskala, Supuspamala and Kalabha.
The main apsaras Urvasi is actually essence of Rose flower liquid.
Menaka is of Jasmine flower liquid.
Rambha is of Marigold.
Tilottama is of Lavender.
Ghritachi is of Sugarcane.
Manjukesi is of Coconut.
Sukesi is of Betel leaves pan.
Misrakesi is of Kasturi.
Sulochana is of Lemon.
Saudamini is of Basil.
© Ashish Kumar
New Delhi
≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈
