Gandharva Kingdom
Encyclopedia
Gandharva Kingdom refers to the territory inhabited by a people called the Gandharvas, who were one of the Exotic Tribes of Ancient India
. They were well versed in music and dance. Gandarvas were also powerful warriors who roamed in Indian kingdoms disregarding any Indian king or Kshatriya
warrior. A Gandharva named Chitrangada killed the Kuru prince Chitrangada for the reason that no two kings with the name Chitrangada shall live. A group of Gandharvas defeated Duryodhana
and his powerful allies like Karna
. Another Gandharva named Angaraparna, challenged the great warrior Arjuna
while he was crossing river Ganges
. Though formidable to Kshatriya warriors, Gandharvas were subservient to Devas
, who seem to be a superior race of warriors who conquered Gandhara
in prehistoric times. Thus Gandarvas lived in the kingdom of Deva Indra
, being subservient to the Devas. Many Gandharva kings were mentioned in Mahabharata
. Some of them were under the sway of Deva king Indra
and some others under the Yaksha
king Kubera
.
Gandharvas were probably the earlier inhabitants of the Gandhara Kingdom
, who were alien to the Vedic civilization in the beginning. Gandharvas in the Hindu mythology are depicted as super natural beings. However, in Mahabharata
, there were many references of them as a tribe with a territory.
which lieth to the south of the Saraswati River
and the north of the Drishadwati river. (3,83)
During Bala Rama’s pilgrimage along Saraswati River
he has seen many Gandharva settlements there
Description of a place called Subhumika of Saraswati River
: The Devas and the Gandharvas repair there. The Gandharvas and diverse tribes of Apsaras are to be seen there assembled together and passing the time as happily as they like. That spot is the beautiful sporting ground of those Apsaras, therefore is that tirtha on the excellent bank of the Sarasvati called Subhumika. Bala Rama of Madhu’s race, bathed in that tirtha. He heard the sound of those Gandhrava songs and musical instruments. He also saw there many abodes of Devas, Gandharvas, and Rakshasas. The son of Rohini then proceeded to the holy-place called Gandharva Teertha. There many Gandharvas headed by Viswavasu and possessed of ascetic merit, pass their time in dance and song of the most charming kind.(9,37)
The Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Sadhyas, the Maruts, the Gandharvas, and the Apsaras are ever present in Pushkara (Pushkar
lake Rajasthan
close to Saraswati) (3,82)
A mention of Gandharvas raiding the Sauvira Kingdom
(close to Saraswati River) is found at (1,141): Arjuna
and the other Pandava
princes became so powerful that they slew in battle the great Sauvira
king who had performed a sacrifice extending over three years, unaffected by the raids of the Gandharvas. (1,141)
is said to be resorted by Gandharvas (3,81) The spot where Ganges rusheth past, cleaving the foremost of mountains which is frequented by Gandharvas and Yakshas and Rakshasas and Apsaras, and inhabited by hunters, and Kinnaras, is called Gangadwara (the hole of the Ganges) (3,90). Angaraparna himself lived in a forest by the name of Angaraparna on the banks of river Ganges.(1,172)During the time of Yayati, Nagas, Yaksas and Gandharvas met at Prayaga (5,120). Arjuna encountered some Gandharva tribes (along with Asuras, Yakshas, Rakshasas and Nagas) in Khandava forest (near Yamuna
river) when it was being burnt (1,229). In Khandava Arjuna
had baffled Gandharvas and Nagas (3,159)
is described as the birth place of Yaksha
king Kuvera
(Vaisravana), where his father Visravas, who was a sage, lived. It is also a territory of Gandharvas. (3,89). Gokarna (Gokarn, Karnataka
) is also mentioned as a place of Yakshas and Pisachas, and Kinnaras and the great Nagas, and Siddhas and Charanas and Gandharvas. (3,85) This probably could be the source of Yakshagana
, a dance-form practiced in Karnataka
and northern Kerala
.
This could mean Gandhara Kingdom
also. But the striking similarity makes one to speculate that Gandharvas were originally Gandharas.
were mentioned as Gandharvas. These were either deliberate, or a confusion of facts or errors creaped into the epic when it was orally transmitted through generations
Gandharva king Angaraparna mentions to Arjuna
about a country of Gandhravas which was famous for its horses. They were used by Devas and Gandharvas. They were lean-fleshed, but fast and will not get tired easily. (1,172).
The initial composition of Mahabharata by Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, comprising 24000 verses, along with an epitome comprising 150 verses, grew in size later and spread to various regions, including the region of Gandharvas. Vyasa’s disciple Vaisampayana
and the story teller Ugrasrava Sauti
spread it in Aryavarta (Gangatic plain). Vyasa’s son Suka published it in the region of Gandharvas, Yakshas
, and Rakshasas
. (1,1)
Yaksha king Vaisravana (Kubera, Kuvera etc were his other names) had his kingdom in southern Tibet
, surrounding the Kailas
ranges of the Himalayas
.
Kuvera the king of Yakshas
, leaving Lanka and followed by Gandharvas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, and Kinnaras, went to live on mount Gandhamadana, due to a dispute with his stepbrother and Rakshasa
king Ravana
. (3,273)
Cooling breezes flow through forests of tall Mandaras, near river Alaka and Nandana-gardens exist in the Kingdom of the Yakshas
. There the Devas with the Gandharvas surrounded by various tribes of Apsaras, sing in chorus notes of celestial sweetness. Misrakesi and Rambha, and Chitrasena, and Suchismita; and Charunetra, and Gritachi and Menaka, and Punjikasthala; and Viswachi Sahajanya, and Pramlocha and Urvasi and Ira, and Varga and Sauraveyi, and Samichi, and Vududa, and Lata—these and a thousand other Apsaras and Gandharvas, all well-skilled in music and dance, attend upon Kuvera (Vaisrvana) the king of Yakshas. His palace is always filled with the notes of instrumental and vocal music, as also with the sounds of dance of various tribes of Gandharvas, and Apsaras. The Gandharvas called Kinnaras, and others called Naras and many Yaksha chiefs along with Rakshasas, Pisachas and Vidyadharas wait upon Kuvera. Hundreds of Gandharva chiefs, attired in their respective robes like Viswavasu, and Haha and Huhu; and Tumvuru and Parvatta, and Sailusha (Sailusha mentioned in Ramayana
also. Raghava Rama’s brother Bharata
defeated Sailusha Gandharva’s Kingdom); and Chitrasena skilled in music and also Chitraratha,—these and innumerable Gandharvas worship the king of Yakshas. (2,10)
The Yakshas, the Guhyakas, the Rakshasas, the Gandharvas and Apsaras and the Deva having the bull for his vehicle, are to be found in the court of Yaksha king. (2,12). Many Gandharvas resided at Alaka, the city of Kuvera. (3,161). Gandhamadana (a mountain in the northern Himalayas in Tibet
) was inhabited by Siddhas and Gandharvas (5,64). Yaksha king Kuvera’s army consisted of Gandharvas, Devas and Yakshas with reddened eyes, golden lustre and having huge bodies, strong built, equipped with weapons and swords.(3,160). *The Yakshas of Kuvera headed by Manibhadra, and many Gandharvas and Kinnaras mentioned at (13,19). The region, called Mandakini, of king Vaisravana, there the Gandharvas and Yakshas and Apsaras live, also in Uttara Kuru (13,102)
.
Gandharvas are mentioned as allied with Devas along with Sadhyas, Vasus, Rudras and Adityas (1,32). Gandharvas under Deva king Indra
along with the Yakshas, the Nagas, the Rakshasas were mentioned many times (5-10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18). As many as 42000 Gandharvas used to dance before Indra
(12,222). The Danavas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas and Nagas and man-eaters were subjugated by the Devas (1,65). Agni
to Indra
: Let this king of the Gandharvas repair thither as thy messenger (14,9). (That Gandharva’s name was Dhritarashtra. He was to deliver the message to king Marutta.) (14,10).
Accompanied by the Rudras, the Vasus, the Adityas, the Aswins, the celestial Rishis, the Gandharvas, the Siddhas, and other superior orders of beings, Indra
, seated in splendour on his four-tusked elephants, called Airavata
, travelled all over the world. (12,226). Varuna
, the son of Aditi, had in days of yore performed in the region of Yamuna
, a Rajasuya
sacrifice. Having in battle subjugated both Aryas and Devas and Gandharvas and Rakshasas, Varuna performed his grand sacrifice. Upon the commencement of that sacrifices, a battle ensued between the Devas and the Danavas. It was a terrible battle amongst the Kshatriyas. (9,49)
Gandharvas also allied with Kartikeya the generallisimo of the army of Devas (9-45,46)
king Vali’s sway in days gone by. (12,223). The two Asuras viz Sunda and Upasunda defeated the Devas, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, the Nagas, the Rakshasas, and the kings Aryavarta. (1,214). Rakshasa
Ravana
conquered the Devas, the Danavas, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, and the Kimpurushas (3,279)
in his military campaign for collecting tribute for Pandava
king Yudhisthira
’s Rajasuya
sacrifice, reached the northern regions where he found the kingdoms of Kimpurushas, Guhakas, Yakshas and Gandharvas
Arjuna is mentioned as conquering a Gandharva Kingdom close to the Kailas range in Tibet
(2,27)
Crossing the White mountains (some say it is the mountain chains containing the Kailasa
peak, thought to be the abode of Siva
. This mountain range is now known as the Kailas Range in Tibet
), subjugated the country of the Kimpurushas
ruled by Durmaputra (also known as Druma, an ally of the Yaksha
king Kuvera (2,10)), after a collision involving a great slaughter of Kshatriyas, and brought the region under his complete sway. Having reduced that country, Arjuna
reached the country called Harataka, ruled by the Guhakas (a class of Yakshas). Subjugating them by a policy of conciliation, the Kuru prince beheld in that region that excellent of lakes called Manasa (lake Manasa is in Tibet close to Kailas peak) and various other lakes and tanks sacred to the Rishis. Arjuna
having arrived at the lake Manasa conquered the regions ruled by the Gandharvas that lay around the Harataka territories. Here the conqueror took, as tribute from the country, numerous excellent horses called Tittiri, Kalmasha, Manduka. Arjuna
at last reached the country of North Harivarsha and desired to conquer it. Thereupon certain frontier-guards of huge bodies coming to him with gallant hearts, said, ‘O Arjuna
, this country can be never conquered by thee. If thou seekest thy good, return hence. The Uttara Kurus (see also Kuru Kingdom
) live here. There cannot be war here.'
Lomasa said, ‘O king Yudhisthira
, now hast thou left behind the mountains Usiravija, Mainaka and Sweta, as well as the Kala hills, O son of Kunti, O descendant of Bharata, here flow before thee the seven Gangas. Now wilt thou see the play-ground of the Devas, marked with their footprints, as we have passed the mountain Kala. We shall now ascend that white rock, the mountain Mandara, inhabited by the Yakshas, Manibhadra and Kuvera, king of the Yakshas. O king, at this place eighty thousand fleet Gandharvas, and four times as many Kimpurushas and Yakshas of various shapes and forms, holding various weapons, attend upon Manibhadra, king of the Yakshas. In these regions their power is very great. They can, without doubt, displace even the lord of the Devas (Indra
) from his seat. Protected by them, and also watched over by the Rakshasas, these mountains have been rendered inaccessible. There are fierce ministers of Kuvera and his Rakshasa kindred. The mountain Kailasa is six yojanas in height. Numberless Devas and Yakshas and Rakshasas and Kinnaras and Nagas and Suparnas and Gandharvas pass this way, in going towards Kuvera’s palace. (3,139)
Pandavas saw hillocks teeming with various minerals, thronged with Vidyadharas, inhabited on all sides by foresters and Kinnaras and Kimpurushas, and Gandharvas (3-144,157)
The Siddhas, the Charanas, the Gandharvas, the Kinnaras and the serpents (Nagas) were prenset in the Saugadhika forest (3,83)
Bhima
on his way to Saugadhika forest saw many hills inhabited by Yakshas and Gandharvas (3,145). The wives of the Devas and Gandharvas resort to this place, and the time of their arrival is night.(3,150) Bhimasena saw Saugandhika lake, in the vicinity of the Kailasa cliff. It was a lotus lake, guarded by the Rakshasas. And it sprang from the cascades contiguous to the abode of Kuvera. It situated on the rocky elevation. This lake was the sporting region of the high-souled Kuvera, the king of the Yakshas. It was held in high regard by the Gandharvas the Apsaras and the Devas. It was frequented by the sages of the Deva regions and the Yakshas and the Kimpurushas and the Rakshasas and the Kinnaras; There was a river flowing into it. (3,152)
On the summits of the mountain were seen amorous Kimpurushas with their paramours, mutually attached unto each other; as also many Gandharvas and Apsaras clad in white silk vestments; and lovely-looking Vidyadharas, wearing garlands; and mighty Nagas, and Suparnas, and Uragas, and others. (3,158)
By ascending the Gandhamadana mountain inhabited by Kinnaras, and great Nagas, and sages, and Gandharvas, and Rakshasas, Bhima
saw the city of Kuvera (Alaka), adorned with golden crystal palaces surrounded on all sides by golden walls having the splendour of all gems, furnished with gardens all around, higher than a mountain peak, beautiful with ramparts and towers, and adorned with door-ways and gates and rows of pennons.(3,159)
The births of the Devas, the Danavas, the Nagas, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras, men (Aryas), Yakshas and Rakshasas are mentioned at (1,65). Here the names of some of the prominent Gandharvas were also mentioned. The verifiability of this information is very limited.
Tumvuru, Bhimasena, Ugrasena, Urnayus, Anagha, Gopati, Dhritarashtra, Suryavarchas, Yugapa, Trinapa, Karshni, Nandi, Chitraratha, Salisirah, Parjanya, Kali, and Narada, Vrihatta, Vrihaka, Karala, Brahmacharin, Vahuguna, Suvarna, Viswavasu, Bhumanyu, Suchandra, Sam and the celebrated tribes of Haha and Huhu were collectively mentioned as Gandharvas (1,123)
Anuchana and Anavadya, Gunamukhya and Gunavara, Adrika and Soma, Misrakesi and Alambusha, Marichi and Suchika, Vidyutparna and Tilottama and Ambika, Lakshmana, Kshema Devi, Rambha, Manorama, Asita, Suvahu, Supriya, Suvapuh, Pundarika, Sugandha, Surasa, Pramathini, Kamya and Saradwati, and Menaka, Sahajanya, Karnika, Punjikasthala, Ritusthala, Ghritachi, Viswachi, Purvachiti, the celebrated Umlocha, Pramlocha and Urvasi were described as Apsaras (1,123)
Viswavasu, the Hahas, the Huhus, the Gandharva Chitrasena with other Gandharvas were mentioned at (12,199)
) (1,172)
is mentioned as a Gandharva at (1,123). He is mentioned along with his companion Dwapara] at (3-58), where he said to become envious upon, Nishadha
king Nala
(3-59,72,76,78,79). The last two eras among the four, (viz Krita Age (1728000 years), Treta Age (1296000 Years), Dwapara Age (864000 Years) and Kali Age (432000 Years), mentioned in ancient Indian texts, were named after Dwapara and Kali. Other sources consider both Kali and Dwapara as Gandharvas. (At (1,67) Dwapara is equated with Sakuni and Kali with Duryodhana
). Bhagavata Purana
mentions Kali having an encounter with Kuru
king Parikshit.
In the Kalki Purana
, Kali
dies near the end from wounds inflicted by Dharma
and Satya Yuga
personified.
prince Chitrangada, son of Santanu
, was slain by a Gandharva king (1,95). This history is detailed again at (1,101): Bhishma installed his stepbrother Chitrangada, on the throne of Kuru Kingdom
. Chitrangada the powerful king of the Gandharvas, approached the Kuru King Chitrangada for an encounter. Between that Gandharva king and the Kuru king there occurred on the field of Kurukshetra
a fierce combat which lasted full three years on the banks of the Saraswati River
.
(2-4,5). In the palcace of Deva king Indra
, Arjuna
learned music and dance from Chitrasena. Chitrasena taught the music that was the latest hit, among the Devas during that time. Arjuna lived happily in peace with Chitrasena. And Chitrasena instructed Arjuna all the while in music; vocal and instrumental and in dancing. When however, his friendship with Chitrasena had ripened fully, he at times learned the unrivalled dance and music practised among the Gandharvas.(3-44,45,46)
The art of music and dance itself was called the Gandharva Veda (the knowledge of the Gandharvas) (3,91). Arjuna learned this knowledge from Chitrasena. Arjuna
dwelt in Indra
’s sacred abode with the children of the Gandharvas (3,173). The Gandharvas and the Apsaras were highly skilled in music (13,14)
The soldiers of Duryodhana
, having reached the region of the Dwaita lake, were about to enter the gates of the wood, a number of Gandharvas appeared and forbade them to enter. The king of the Gandharvas accompanied by his followers, had come thither beforehand, from the abode of Kuvera. The king of the Gandharvas, Chitrasena had also been accompanied by the several tribes of Apsaras, as also by the sons of the Devas. Intent upon sport, he had come to that place for merriment, and occupying it, had closed it against all comers. (3-238). Duryodhana attacked the Gandharvas. The angry Chitrasena, their king, resolved to exterminate the Kuru army.(3-239). Gandharvas took Duryodhana and allies captive (3,240). Commanded by Yudhisthira
, Arjuna fought with the Gandravas. Seeing that their king was Chitrasena, his old friend, Arjuna
stopped fighting. Gandharvas then released Duryodhana
. (3-241,242,243,244). This incident is mentioned again at (3-245,246,247,251) (4-44,49,63) (5-49,54,56,138,159) (7-125,155) (8-9,37,41
, and the Gandharva Chitrasena were mentioned as friends of Arjuna
(2-4,5). The Gandharva Tumburu gladly gave a hundred horses to Yudhisthira
as tribute for Rajasuya. (2,51). The friend of Arjuna
, Tumburu, and the Gandharva Chitrasena with his ministers, and many other Gandharvas and Apsaras, well-skilled in vocal and instrumental music and in cadence and Kinnaras also well-versed in musical measures and motions singing celestial tunes in proper and charming voices, waited upon Pandava
king Yudhisthira
(2-4,5)
, gave four hundred horses gifted with the speed of the wind to Yudhisthira
as tribute for Rajasuya
. And the Gandharva Tumvuru gladly gave a hundred horses. (2,51), (3,80). The steeds of the Tittiri, Kalmasha, and Gandharva breeds, decked with ornaments, where given by Chitraratha, having been vanquished in battle, unto Arjuna. (2,60). Chitraratha among the Gandharvas is the foremost (6,34)
while crossing river Ganges, who ruled over a forest by the name Angaraparna on the banks of the Ganges. This place was close to the Panchala Kingdom
. (1,172). Arjuna calls him a ranger of the skies. He possessed a chariot. The name Angaraparna means the blazing vehicle. He had this name since he possessed this blazing chariot
. He tells to Arjuna that it is due to the science of producing illusions called Chakshushi that Gandharvas are superior to kings of Aryavarta. He also gave to each of the five Pandavas, a hundred steeds born in the country of the Gandharvas. He seemed to know a great deal about horses. In exchange of this, Angaramparna took from Arjuna
, his excellent weapon of fire, using which he destroyed the chariot of Angaraparna (1,172). (Some argue that Angaraparna and Chitraratha are same person, siting the reference (2,60))
Dhrishtadyumna, who is acquainted with human, Deva, Gandharva and Asura arrays of battle, leadeth that host. (5,54). Bhishma
is acquainted with all the methods of military array prevalent amongst the Devas, Gandharvas, and human kings. (5,166), (6,19). Kaurava
generalissimo Bhishma
, as each day dawned, sometimes disposed the troops in the human army, sometimes in the Deva, sometimes in the Gandharva, and sometimes in the Asura. (6,20). Abhimanyu
the son of Arjuna
, then, applied the Gandharva weapon and the illusion consequent to it. Practising ascetic penances, Arjuna
had obtained that weapon from the Gandharva Tumvuru and others. With that weapon, Abhimanyu now confounded his foes. (7,43)
When the father of the girl, disregarding his own wishes, bestows his daughter upon a person whom the daughter likes and who reciprocates the girl’s sentiments, the form of marriage, is called Gandharva by those that are conversant with the Vedas. (13,44)
:
(18,4). Gandharvi Dundhubhi was born as Manthara (3,274).
who was about to travel to the territory of Devas (3,42)
Mystification of Gandharvas
Draupadi spread the rumour that she had five Gandharva husbands at the court of Virata in order to feel safe. (This is an example of the mistification of the Gandharva tribe) (4-12,14,16,21,22,23,24,25,30,71). Virata’s son Uttara also took the same stratey (4-43,45)
Gandharvas are said to visit wars. E.g., the war between Matsyas, Trigatas and Kurus for stealing cattle (4-56,58) and also the Kurukshetra War
((6,35), many other references) and important events in the epic Mahabharata and Ramayana. These seems to be purely dramatic and mythological.
Gandharva and Kurukshetra War
The Asuras and the Daityas with the Danavas will be vanquished, and the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras will be victorious. Indeed, the Devas, and Asuras, and human beings, and Gandharvas, and Snakes, and Rakshasas, will in rage slaughter one another in Kurukshetra War
(5,128). Arjuna’s bow Gandiva was well known even to the Devas and Gandhravas (1,227) (4,43)
Gandharvas and Siva
The Rishis, the gods, the Gandharvas, and Apsaras, always worship Siva
and his emblem (7,199). Siva
sometimes assume the form of a Gandharva (13-14,17). Siva
was also surrounded by Kinnaras and Yakshas and Gandharvas and Rakshasas (13-140,146)
Gandharvas and Gold
Churning the entire universe, a mass of energy was found. That energy is gold. It is for this reason that the Devas and Gandharvas and Uragas and Rakshasas and humans and Pisachas hold it with care. All these beings shine in splendour, with the aid of gold, after converting it into crowns and armlets and diverse kinds of ornaments. (13,83)
The Science of Gandharvas
The science of reasoning, as also the science of words, the science of the Gandharvas, and the four and sixty branches of knowledge known by the name of Kala, the Puranas and the Itihasas were mentioned at (13,104)
Exotic tribes of ancient India
The classic Indian epics such as the Mahabharata, the Ramayana and the Puranas refer to many exotic tribes, describing them as superhuman or subhuman. Narrations about these tribes are often mixed with mythology and fiction...
. They were well versed in music and dance. Gandarvas were also powerful warriors who roamed in Indian kingdoms disregarding any Indian king or Kshatriya
Kshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
warrior. A Gandharva named Chitrangada killed the Kuru prince Chitrangada for the reason that no two kings with the name Chitrangada shall live. A group of Gandharvas defeated Duryodhana
Duryodhana
In the Hindu epic the Mahābhārata, Duryodhana is the eldest son of the blind king Dhritarashtra by Queen Gandhari, the eldest of the one hundred Kaurava brothers, Emperor of the world at that time which means Emperor of India or Bharatvarsha as it was known at that time, cousin and the chief...
and his powerful allies like Karna
Karna
Karna or Radheya is one of the central characters in the epic Mahābhārata, from ancient India. He was the King of Anga...
. Another Gandharva named Angaraparna, challenged the great warrior Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
while he was crossing river Ganges
Ganges River
The Ganges or Ganga, , is a trans-boundary river of India and Bangladesh. The river rises in the western Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, and flows south and east through the Gangetic Plain of North India into Bangladesh, where it empties into the Bay of Bengal. By discharge it...
. Though formidable to Kshatriya warriors, Gandharvas were subservient to Devas
Deva (Hinduism)
' is the Sanskrit word for god or deity, its related feminine term is devi. In modern Hinduism, it can be loosely interpreted as any benevolent supernatural beings. The devs in Hinduism, also called Suras, are often juxtaposed to the Asuras, their half brothers. Devs are also the maintainers of...
, who seem to be a superior race of warriors who conquered Gandhara
Gandhara Kingdom
Gandhara is a kingdom grouped among the western kingdoms in the epic Mahabharata. The epic Ramayana also mentions it as a western kingdom. Gandhara prince Sakuni was the root of all the conspiracies of Duryodhana against the Pandavas, which finally resulted in the Kurukshetra War. Sakuni's sister...
in prehistoric times. Thus Gandarvas lived in the kingdom of Deva Indra
Indra
' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
, being subservient to the Devas. Many Gandharva kings were mentioned in Mahabharata
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
. Some of them were under the sway of Deva king Indra
Indra
' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
and some others under the Yaksha
Yaksha Kingdom
Yaksha Kingdom refers to the territory of a tribe called Yakshas who were one of the Exotic Tribes of Ancient India. They had kinship with another similar tribe, the Rakshasas. Yaksha king Vaisravana and Rakshasa king Ravana were both sons of the sage Visrava Paulastya. Kubera is sometimes...
king Kubera
Kubera
Kubera , also spelt Kuber, is the Lord of wealth and the god-king of the semi-divine Yakshas in Hindu mythology. He is regarded as the regent of the North , and a protector of the world His many epithets extol him as the overlord of numerous semi-divine species and the owner of the treasures of...
.
Gandharvas were probably the earlier inhabitants of the Gandhara Kingdom
Gandhara Kingdom
Gandhara is a kingdom grouped among the western kingdoms in the epic Mahabharata. The epic Ramayana also mentions it as a western kingdom. Gandhara prince Sakuni was the root of all the conspiracies of Duryodhana against the Pandavas, which finally resulted in the Kurukshetra War. Sakuni's sister...
, who were alien to the Vedic civilization in the beginning. Gandharvas in the Hindu mythology are depicted as super natural beings. However, in Mahabharata
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
, there were many references of them as a tribe with a territory.
Himalaya Region
The Himalayas, is applauded and revered by the Devas and the Gandharvas, and seemed to be covered with Vedic beauty. (13,14). There was a peak named Munjaban on the summits of the Himalaya mountains. Gandharvas live there with other tribes. Marutta’s gold mine was there (14,8). The Gandharvas, the Yakshas, and the Siddhas were aboundand in the north (5,111). A small population of "Gandhava" is still found in the mid and western part of Nepal, specially in Kaski district. These people play "SARANGI" and amuse and entertain people in festivals. They sing songs and play "Sarangi" very well.Along the Saraswati River
The Rishis, the Siddhas, the Charanas, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras, the Yakshas and the Nagas, often repair to KurukshetraKurukshetra
Kurukshetra is a land of historical and religious importance. Historically the land belonged to Punjab now a district in Haryana state of India. It is a holy place and is also known as Dharmakshetra . According to the Puranas, Kurukshetra is named after King Kuru, the ancestor of Kauravas and...
which lieth to the south of the Saraswati River
Sarasvati River
The Sarasvati River is one of the chief Rigvedic rivers mentioned in ancient Hindu texts. The Nadistuti hymn in the Rigveda mentions the Sarasvati between the Yamuna in the east and the Sutlej in the west, and later Vedic texts like Tandya and Jaiminiya Brahmanas as well as the Mahabharata...
and the north of the Drishadwati river. (3,83)
During Bala Rama’s pilgrimage along Saraswati River
Sarasvati River
The Sarasvati River is one of the chief Rigvedic rivers mentioned in ancient Hindu texts. The Nadistuti hymn in the Rigveda mentions the Sarasvati between the Yamuna in the east and the Sutlej in the west, and later Vedic texts like Tandya and Jaiminiya Brahmanas as well as the Mahabharata...
he has seen many Gandharva settlements there
Description of a place called Subhumika of Saraswati River
Sarasvati River
The Sarasvati River is one of the chief Rigvedic rivers mentioned in ancient Hindu texts. The Nadistuti hymn in the Rigveda mentions the Sarasvati between the Yamuna in the east and the Sutlej in the west, and later Vedic texts like Tandya and Jaiminiya Brahmanas as well as the Mahabharata...
: The Devas and the Gandharvas repair there. The Gandharvas and diverse tribes of Apsaras are to be seen there assembled together and passing the time as happily as they like. That spot is the beautiful sporting ground of those Apsaras, therefore is that tirtha on the excellent bank of the Sarasvati called Subhumika. Bala Rama of Madhu’s race, bathed in that tirtha. He heard the sound of those Gandhrava songs and musical instruments. He also saw there many abodes of Devas, Gandharvas, and Rakshasas. The son of Rohini then proceeded to the holy-place called Gandharva Teertha. There many Gandharvas headed by Viswavasu and possessed of ascetic merit, pass their time in dance and song of the most charming kind.(9,37)
The Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Sadhyas, the Maruts, the Gandharvas, and the Apsaras are ever present in Pushkara (Pushkar
Pushkar
Pushkar is a town in the Ajmer district in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is situated at 14 km North West from Ajmer at an average elevation of 510 metres , and is one of the five sacred dhams...
lake Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
close to Saraswati) (3,82)
A mention of Gandharvas raiding the Sauvira Kingdom
Sauvira Kingdom
Sauvira was a kingdom mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. According to the epic, Jayadratha was the king of Sindhus, Sauviras and Sivis. Probably Sauvira and Sivi were two kingdoms close to the Sindhu kingdom and Jayadratha conquered them. Jayadratha was an ally of Duryodhana and husband of...
(close to Saraswati River) is found at (1,141): Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
and the other Pandava
Pandava
In the Hindu epic Mahābhārata, the Pandava are the five acknowledged sons of Pandu , by his two wives Kunti and Madri. Their names are Yudhisthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. Although, Karna is told by Lord Krishna that according to the laws and ethics he is the first son of Kunti making...
princes became so powerful that they slew in battle the great Sauvira
Sauvira Kingdom
Sauvira was a kingdom mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. According to the epic, Jayadratha was the king of Sindhus, Sauviras and Sivis. Probably Sauvira and Sivi were two kingdoms close to the Sindhu kingdom and Jayadratha conquered them. Jayadratha was an ally of Duryodhana and husband of...
king who had performed a sacrifice extending over three years, unaffected by the raids of the Gandharvas. (1,141)
Along the rivers Ganges and Yamuna
Region, near the source of the GangesGanges River
The Ganges or Ganga, , is a trans-boundary river of India and Bangladesh. The river rises in the western Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, and flows south and east through the Gangetic Plain of North India into Bangladesh, where it empties into the Bay of Bengal. By discharge it...
is said to be resorted by Gandharvas (3,81) The spot where Ganges rusheth past, cleaving the foremost of mountains which is frequented by Gandharvas and Yakshas and Rakshasas and Apsaras, and inhabited by hunters, and Kinnaras, is called Gangadwara (the hole of the Ganges) (3,90). Angaraparna himself lived in a forest by the name of Angaraparna on the banks of river Ganges.(1,172)During the time of Yayati, Nagas, Yaksas and Gandharvas met at Prayaga (5,120). Arjuna encountered some Gandharva tribes (along with Asuras, Yakshas, Rakshasas and Nagas) in Khandava forest (near Yamuna
Yamuna
The Yamuna is the largest tributary river of the Ganges in northern India...
river) when it was being burnt (1,229). In Khandava Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
had baffled Gandharvas and Nagas (3,159)
Southern Regions
The banks of river NarmadaNarmada River
The Narmada , also called Rewa is a river in central India and the fifth largest river in the Indian subcontinent. It is the third largest river that completely flows within India after Ganges and Godavari...
is described as the birth place of Yaksha
Yaksha Kingdom
Yaksha Kingdom refers to the territory of a tribe called Yakshas who were one of the Exotic Tribes of Ancient India. They had kinship with another similar tribe, the Rakshasas. Yaksha king Vaisravana and Rakshasa king Ravana were both sons of the sage Visrava Paulastya. Kubera is sometimes...
king Kuvera
Kubera
Kubera , also spelt Kuber, is the Lord of wealth and the god-king of the semi-divine Yakshas in Hindu mythology. He is regarded as the regent of the North , and a protector of the world His many epithets extol him as the overlord of numerous semi-divine species and the owner of the treasures of...
(Vaisravana), where his father Visravas, who was a sage, lived. It is also a territory of Gandharvas. (3,89). Gokarna (Gokarn, Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
) is also mentioned as a place of Yakshas and Pisachas, and Kinnaras and the great Nagas, and Siddhas and Charanas and Gandharvas. (3,85) This probably could be the source of Yakshagana
Yakshagana
Yakshagana is a musical theater popular in the coastal and Malenadu regions of Karnataka, India. Yakshagana is the recent scholastic name for what are known as kēḷike, āṭa, bayalāṭa, bayalāṭa, daśāvatāra . It is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre during Bhakti movement...
, a dance-form practiced in Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
and northern Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
.
Gandharva mentioned as a kingdom of Ancient India (Bharata Varsha)
...the Kasmiras, the Sindhusauviras, the Gandharvas, and the Darsakas; the Abhisaras, the Utulas, the Saivalas, and the Valhikas; the Darvis, the Vanavadarvas, the Vatagas, the Amarathas, and the Uragas... at (6,9)This could mean Gandhara Kingdom
Gandhara Kingdom
Gandhara is a kingdom grouped among the western kingdoms in the epic Mahabharata. The epic Ramayana also mentions it as a western kingdom. Gandhara prince Sakuni was the root of all the conspiracies of Duryodhana against the Pandavas, which finally resulted in the Kurukshetra War. Sakuni's sister...
also. But the striking similarity makes one to speculate that Gandharvas were originally Gandharas.
People of Gandhara mentioned as Gandharvas
There were many references in Mahabharata where people of Gandhara KingdomGandhara Kingdom
Gandhara is a kingdom grouped among the western kingdoms in the epic Mahabharata. The epic Ramayana also mentions it as a western kingdom. Gandhara prince Sakuni was the root of all the conspiracies of Duryodhana against the Pandavas, which finally resulted in the Kurukshetra War. Sakuni's sister...
were mentioned as Gandharvas. These were either deliberate, or a confusion of facts or errors creaped into the epic when it was orally transmitted through generations
Sakuni, the chief of Gandharas
- The ruler of the Gandharvas (Sakuni) with his son were mentioned at (8,79)
- The ruler of the Gandharvas (Sakuni), cut off the head of Kulinda king (8,85)
- Covetous of kingdom and relying on the ruler of the Gandharvas (Sakuni), DuryodhanaDuryodhanaIn the Hindu epic the Mahābhārata, Duryodhana is the eldest son of the blind king Dhritarashtra by Queen Gandhari, the eldest of the one hundred Kaurava brothers, Emperor of the world at that time which means Emperor of India or Bharatvarsha as it was known at that time, cousin and the chief...
summoned the Pandavas (8,91) - The twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) and Satyaki, pursued with great speed the king of the Gandharvas (Sakuni)(8,93)
- Surrounded by a 1,000 Gandharvas, Shakuni, beholding the son of Adhiratha slain, proceeded quickly towards the encampment. (8,95)
- There the mighty Shakuni, the chief of Gandharvas, of prowess incapable of being baffled, hath been slain by SahadevaSahadevaSahadeva was one of the five Pandava brothers according to the epic Mahābhārata. He was one of the twin sons of Madri, who invoked Ashvins using a mantra shared by Kunti for a son. His twin brother was named Nakula...
(11,24) - The mighty king of the Gandharvas (Sakuni) is mentioned at (9,23)
Sakuni’s brothers
- Both the brothers (of Sakuni) Achala and Vrisha are foremost of Gandharvas (5,169)
The people of Gandhara Kingdom
- The heroic Gandharvas along with Sakuni with a large force surrounded SatyakiSatyakiYuyudhana , better known as Satyaki , was a powerful warrior belonging to the Vrishni clan of the Yadavas, to which Krishna also belonged. According to the Puranas, he was grandson of Shini of the Vrishni clan, and son of Satyaka. Satyaki was devoted to Krishna and his best friend Arjuna, with...
and AbhimanyuAbhimanyuAbhimanyu is a tragic hero in the Hindu epic, the Mahābhārata. He is the son of Arjuna and Subhadra, who is the half-sister of Lord Krishna...
. (6,58) - Many kings, amongst whom Nagnajit was the foremost, while staying in Girivraja, as also the Amvashthas, the Videhas, and the Gandharvas, were all vanquished by KarnaKarnaKarna or Radheya is one of the central characters in the epic Mahābhārata, from ancient India. He was the King of Anga...
(7,4) - What duties should be performed by the Yavanas, the Kiratas, the Gandharvas, the Chinas, the Savaras, the Barbaras, the Sakas, the Tusharas, the Kankas, the Pathavas, the Andhras, the Madrakas, the Paundras, the Pulindas, the Ramathas, the Kamvojas ?(12,64)
- The Gandharvas, the Sindhus, and the Sauviras fight best with their nails and lances. (12,100)
Gandarva kingdom famous for its horses
The countries famous for horses where all situated in the north and north-west regions of ancient IndiaGandharva king Angaraparna mentions to Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
about a country of Gandhravas which was famous for its horses. They were used by Devas and Gandharvas. They were lean-fleshed, but fast and will not get tired easily. (1,172).
Spread of the epic Mahabharata into Gandharva region
The spread of Mahabharata as an epic-poem is mentioned have reached the regions of Gandharvas too.The initial composition of Mahabharata by Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, comprising 24000 verses, along with an epitome comprising 150 verses, grew in size later and spread to various regions, including the region of Gandharvas. Vyasa’s disciple Vaisampayana
Vaisampayana
Vaishampayana was the traditional narrator of the Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. He was an ancient Indian sage who was the original teacher of the Black Yajur-Veda. The Ashvalayana Grihya Sutra mentions him as Mahabharatacharya...
and the story teller Ugrasrava Sauti
Ugrasrava Sauti
Ugrashravas was the narrator of several Puranas, including Mahābhārata, Bhagavata Purana, Harivamsa, and Padma Purana, with the narrations typically taking place before the sages gathered in Naimisha Forest...
spread it in Aryavarta (Gangatic plain). Vyasa’s son Suka published it in the region of Gandharvas, Yakshas
Yaksha Kingdom
Yaksha Kingdom refers to the territory of a tribe called Yakshas who were one of the Exotic Tribes of Ancient India. They had kinship with another similar tribe, the Rakshasas. Yaksha king Vaisravana and Rakshasa king Ravana were both sons of the sage Visrava Paulastya. Kubera is sometimes...
, and Rakshasas
Rakshasa Kingdom
Rakshasa Kingdom refers to the territory of Rakshasas who were a tribe, mentioned along with others like Devas , Asuras , Pisachas, Gandharvas, Kimpurushas, Vanaras, Suparnas, Kinnaras, Bhutas and Yakshas...
. (1,1)
Gardens of Chitraratha Gandhrava
These gardens are mentioned at many places ((1-70,75,78)- King Yayati sported with Apsara Viswachi at gardens of Chitraratha (1,75)
- Asura priest’s daughter Devayani and Asura king’s daughter Sarmista sported there (1,78)
Gandharvas in Yaksha Kingdom
Main article Yaksha KingdomYaksha Kingdom
Yaksha Kingdom refers to the territory of a tribe called Yakshas who were one of the Exotic Tribes of Ancient India. They had kinship with another similar tribe, the Rakshasas. Yaksha king Vaisravana and Rakshasa king Ravana were both sons of the sage Visrava Paulastya. Kubera is sometimes...
Yaksha king Vaisravana (Kubera, Kuvera etc were his other names) had his kingdom in southern Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
, surrounding the Kailas
Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash is a peak in the Gangdisê Mountains, which are part of the Himalayas in Tibet...
ranges of the Himalayas
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
.
Kuvera the king of Yakshas
Yaksha Kingdom
Yaksha Kingdom refers to the territory of a tribe called Yakshas who were one of the Exotic Tribes of Ancient India. They had kinship with another similar tribe, the Rakshasas. Yaksha king Vaisravana and Rakshasa king Ravana were both sons of the sage Visrava Paulastya. Kubera is sometimes...
, leaving Lanka and followed by Gandharvas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, and Kinnaras, went to live on mount Gandhamadana, due to a dispute with his stepbrother and Rakshasa
Rakshasa Kingdom
Rakshasa Kingdom refers to the territory of Rakshasas who were a tribe, mentioned along with others like Devas , Asuras , Pisachas, Gandharvas, Kimpurushas, Vanaras, Suparnas, Kinnaras, Bhutas and Yakshas...
king Ravana
Ravana
' is the primary antagonist character of the Hindu legend, the Ramayana; who is the great king of Lanka. In the classic text, he is mainly depicted negatively, kidnapping Rama's wife Sita, to claim vengeance on Rama and his brother Lakshmana for having cut off the nose of his sister...
. (3,273)
Cooling breezes flow through forests of tall Mandaras, near river Alaka and Nandana-gardens exist in the Kingdom of the Yakshas
Yaksha Kingdom
Yaksha Kingdom refers to the territory of a tribe called Yakshas who were one of the Exotic Tribes of Ancient India. They had kinship with another similar tribe, the Rakshasas. Yaksha king Vaisravana and Rakshasa king Ravana were both sons of the sage Visrava Paulastya. Kubera is sometimes...
. There the Devas with the Gandharvas surrounded by various tribes of Apsaras, sing in chorus notes of celestial sweetness. Misrakesi and Rambha, and Chitrasena, and Suchismita; and Charunetra, and Gritachi and Menaka, and Punjikasthala; and Viswachi Sahajanya, and Pramlocha and Urvasi and Ira, and Varga and Sauraveyi, and Samichi, and Vududa, and Lata—these and a thousand other Apsaras and Gandharvas, all well-skilled in music and dance, attend upon Kuvera (Vaisrvana) the king of Yakshas. His palace is always filled with the notes of instrumental and vocal music, as also with the sounds of dance of various tribes of Gandharvas, and Apsaras. The Gandharvas called Kinnaras, and others called Naras and many Yaksha chiefs along with Rakshasas, Pisachas and Vidyadharas wait upon Kuvera. Hundreds of Gandharva chiefs, attired in their respective robes like Viswavasu, and Haha and Huhu; and Tumvuru and Parvatta, and Sailusha (Sailusha mentioned in Ramayana
Ramayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
also. Raghava Rama’s brother Bharata
Bharata (Ramayana)
In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Bharata was the second brother of the main protagonist Rama, and the son of Dasaratha and Kaikeyi. Dasaratha was the Emperor of Ayodhya and belonged to the Suryavansha or Solar Dynasty...
defeated Sailusha Gandharva’s Kingdom); and Chitrasena skilled in music and also Chitraratha,—these and innumerable Gandharvas worship the king of Yakshas. (2,10)
The Yakshas, the Guhyakas, the Rakshasas, the Gandharvas and Apsaras and the Deva having the bull for his vehicle, are to be found in the court of Yaksha king. (2,12). Many Gandharvas resided at Alaka, the city of Kuvera. (3,161). Gandhamadana (a mountain in the northern Himalayas in Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
) was inhabited by Siddhas and Gandharvas (5,64). Yaksha king Kuvera’s army consisted of Gandharvas, Devas and Yakshas with reddened eyes, golden lustre and having huge bodies, strong built, equipped with weapons and swords.(3,160). *The Yakshas of Kuvera headed by Manibhadra, and many Gandharvas and Kinnaras mentioned at (13,19). The region, called Mandakini, of king Vaisravana, there the Gandharvas and Yakshas and Apsaras live, also in Uttara Kuru (13,102)
Gandharvas allied with the Devas
The regions of Devas were further north to the Yaksha regionsYaksha Kingdom
Yaksha Kingdom refers to the territory of a tribe called Yakshas who were one of the Exotic Tribes of Ancient India. They had kinship with another similar tribe, the Rakshasas. Yaksha king Vaisravana and Rakshasa king Ravana were both sons of the sage Visrava Paulastya. Kubera is sometimes...
.
Gandharvas are mentioned as allied with Devas along with Sadhyas, Vasus, Rudras and Adityas (1,32). Gandharvas under Deva king Indra
Indra
' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
along with the Yakshas, the Nagas, the Rakshasas were mentioned many times (5-10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18). As many as 42000 Gandharvas used to dance before Indra
Indra
' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
(12,222). The Danavas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas and Nagas and man-eaters were subjugated by the Devas (1,65). Agni
Agni
Agni is a Hindu deity, one of the most important of the Vedic gods. He is the god of fire and the acceptor of sacrifices. The sacrifices made to Agni go to the deities because Agni is a messenger from and to the other gods...
to Indra
Indra
' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
: Let this king of the Gandharvas repair thither as thy messenger (14,9). (That Gandharva’s name was Dhritarashtra. He was to deliver the message to king Marutta.) (14,10).
Accompanied by the Rudras, the Vasus, the Adityas, the Aswins, the celestial Rishis, the Gandharvas, the Siddhas, and other superior orders of beings, Indra
Indra
' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
, seated in splendour on his four-tusked elephants, called Airavata
Airavata
Airavata is a mythological white elephant who carries the Hindu god Indra. It is also called 'Ardha-Matanga', meaning "elephant of the clouds"; 'Naga-malla', meaning "the fighting elephant"; and 'Arkasodara', meaning "brother of the sun". 'Abharamu' is the elephant wife of Airavata. Airavata has...
, travelled all over the world. (12,226). Varuna
Varuna
In Vedic religion, Varuna is a god of the sky, of water and of the celestial ocean, as well as a god of law and of the underworld...
, the son of Aditi, had in days of yore performed in the region of Yamuna
Yamuna
The Yamuna is the largest tributary river of the Ganges in northern India...
, a Rajasuya
Rajasuya
Rajasuya was a sacrifice, described in detail in the Mahabharata, performed by the ancient kings of India who considered themselves powerful enough to be an emperor...
sacrifice. Having in battle subjugated both Aryas and Devas and Gandharvas and Rakshasas, Varuna performed his grand sacrifice. Upon the commencement of that sacrifices, a battle ensued between the Devas and the Danavas. It was a terrible battle amongst the Kshatriyas. (9,49)
Gandharvas also allied with Kartikeya the generallisimo of the army of Devas (9-45,46)
Gandharvas conquered by Asuras and Rakshasas
The Devas, Arya kings, the Gandharvas, the Nagas, and the Rakshasas, were all under AsuraAsura
-In Hinduism:In Hinduism, the Asuras constitute a group of power-seeking deities, sometimes considered sinful and materialistic. The Daityas and Danavas were combinedly known as Asuras. The Asura were opposed to the Devas. Both groups are children of Kasyapa...
king Vali’s sway in days gone by. (12,223). The two Asuras viz Sunda and Upasunda defeated the Devas, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, the Nagas, the Rakshasas, and the kings Aryavarta. (1,214). Rakshasa
Rakshasa Kingdom
Rakshasa Kingdom refers to the territory of Rakshasas who were a tribe, mentioned along with others like Devas , Asuras , Pisachas, Gandharvas, Kimpurushas, Vanaras, Suparnas, Kinnaras, Bhutas and Yakshas...
Ravana
Ravana
' is the primary antagonist character of the Hindu legend, the Ramayana; who is the great king of Lanka. In the classic text, he is mainly depicted negatively, kidnapping Rama's wife Sita, to claim vengeance on Rama and his brother Lakshmana for having cut off the nose of his sister...
conquered the Devas, the Danavas, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, and the Kimpurushas (3,279)
Arjuna’s conquest of the Gandharva territory
ArjunaArjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
in his military campaign for collecting tribute for Pandava
Pandava
In the Hindu epic Mahābhārata, the Pandava are the five acknowledged sons of Pandu , by his two wives Kunti and Madri. Their names are Yudhisthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. Although, Karna is told by Lord Krishna that according to the laws and ethics he is the first son of Kunti making...
king Yudhisthira
Yudhisthira
In the great Hindu epic Mahabharata, Yudhisthira , the eldest son of King Pandu and Queen Kunti, was king of Indraprastha and later of Hastinapura. He was the leader of the Pandava side in the Kurukshetra War...
’s Rajasuya
Rajasuya
Rajasuya was a sacrifice, described in detail in the Mahabharata, performed by the ancient kings of India who considered themselves powerful enough to be an emperor...
sacrifice, reached the northern regions where he found the kingdoms of Kimpurushas, Guhakas, Yakshas and Gandharvas
Arjuna is mentioned as conquering a Gandharva Kingdom close to the Kailas range in Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
(2,27)
Crossing the White mountains (some say it is the mountain chains containing the Kailasa
Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash is a peak in the Gangdisê Mountains, which are part of the Himalayas in Tibet...
peak, thought to be the abode of Siva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
. This mountain range is now known as the Kailas Range in Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
), subjugated the country of the Kimpurushas
Kimpurusha Kingdom
Kimpurusha Kingdom refers to the territory of a tribe called Kimpurushas who were one among the Exotic Tribes of Ancient India. These exotic tribes lived in inaccessible regions like the Himalaya mountains and had limited interaction with the Vedic civilization of ancient India...
ruled by Durmaputra (also known as Druma, an ally of the Yaksha
Yaksha Kingdom
Yaksha Kingdom refers to the territory of a tribe called Yakshas who were one of the Exotic Tribes of Ancient India. They had kinship with another similar tribe, the Rakshasas. Yaksha king Vaisravana and Rakshasa king Ravana were both sons of the sage Visrava Paulastya. Kubera is sometimes...
king Kuvera (2,10)), after a collision involving a great slaughter of Kshatriyas, and brought the region under his complete sway. Having reduced that country, Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
reached the country called Harataka, ruled by the Guhakas (a class of Yakshas). Subjugating them by a policy of conciliation, the Kuru prince beheld in that region that excellent of lakes called Manasa (lake Manasa is in Tibet close to Kailas peak) and various other lakes and tanks sacred to the Rishis. Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
having arrived at the lake Manasa conquered the regions ruled by the Gandharvas that lay around the Harataka territories. Here the conqueror took, as tribute from the country, numerous excellent horses called Tittiri, Kalmasha, Manduka. Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
at last reached the country of North Harivarsha and desired to conquer it. Thereupon certain frontier-guards of huge bodies coming to him with gallant hearts, said, ‘O Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
, this country can be never conquered by thee. If thou seekest thy good, return hence. The Uttara Kurus (see also Kuru Kingdom
Kuru Kingdom
Kuru was the name of an ancient kingdom in Vedic India, and later a republican Mahajanapada state. The kingdom was located in the area of modern Haryana, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh in India. They formed the first political center of the of the Vedic India, with its capital at Hastinapur. It...
) live here. There cannot be war here.'
Pandavas visit the region of Yakshas and Gandharvas
Pandvas, guided by the sage Lomasa, visit the region of Yakshas and Gandharvas in the highlands of HimalayasLomasa said, ‘O king Yudhisthira
Yudhisthira
In the great Hindu epic Mahabharata, Yudhisthira , the eldest son of King Pandu and Queen Kunti, was king of Indraprastha and later of Hastinapura. He was the leader of the Pandava side in the Kurukshetra War...
, now hast thou left behind the mountains Usiravija, Mainaka and Sweta, as well as the Kala hills, O son of Kunti, O descendant of Bharata, here flow before thee the seven Gangas. Now wilt thou see the play-ground of the Devas, marked with their footprints, as we have passed the mountain Kala. We shall now ascend that white rock, the mountain Mandara, inhabited by the Yakshas, Manibhadra and Kuvera, king of the Yakshas. O king, at this place eighty thousand fleet Gandharvas, and four times as many Kimpurushas and Yakshas of various shapes and forms, holding various weapons, attend upon Manibhadra, king of the Yakshas. In these regions their power is very great. They can, without doubt, displace even the lord of the Devas (Indra
Indra
' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
) from his seat. Protected by them, and also watched over by the Rakshasas, these mountains have been rendered inaccessible. There are fierce ministers of Kuvera and his Rakshasa kindred. The mountain Kailasa is six yojanas in height. Numberless Devas and Yakshas and Rakshasas and Kinnaras and Nagas and Suparnas and Gandharvas pass this way, in going towards Kuvera’s palace. (3,139)
Pandavas saw hillocks teeming with various minerals, thronged with Vidyadharas, inhabited on all sides by foresters and Kinnaras and Kimpurushas, and Gandharvas (3-144,157)
The Siddhas, the Charanas, the Gandharvas, the Kinnaras and the serpents (Nagas) were prenset in the Saugadhika forest (3,83)
Bhima
Bhima
In the Mahābhārata, Bhima is one of the central characters of Mahabharata and the second of the Pandava brothers...
on his way to Saugadhika forest saw many hills inhabited by Yakshas and Gandharvas (3,145). The wives of the Devas and Gandharvas resort to this place, and the time of their arrival is night.(3,150) Bhimasena saw Saugandhika lake, in the vicinity of the Kailasa cliff. It was a lotus lake, guarded by the Rakshasas. And it sprang from the cascades contiguous to the abode of Kuvera. It situated on the rocky elevation. This lake was the sporting region of the high-souled Kuvera, the king of the Yakshas. It was held in high regard by the Gandharvas the Apsaras and the Devas. It was frequented by the sages of the Deva regions and the Yakshas and the Kimpurushas and the Rakshasas and the Kinnaras; There was a river flowing into it. (3,152)
On the summits of the mountain were seen amorous Kimpurushas with their paramours, mutually attached unto each other; as also many Gandharvas and Apsaras clad in white silk vestments; and lovely-looking Vidyadharas, wearing garlands; and mighty Nagas, and Suparnas, and Uragas, and others. (3,158)
By ascending the Gandhamadana mountain inhabited by Kinnaras, and great Nagas, and sages, and Gandharvas, and Rakshasas, Bhima
Bhima
In the Mahābhārata, Bhima is one of the central characters of Mahabharata and the second of the Pandava brothers...
saw the city of Kuvera (Alaka), adorned with golden crystal palaces surrounded on all sides by golden walls having the splendour of all gems, furnished with gardens all around, higher than a mountain peak, beautiful with ramparts and towers, and adorned with door-ways and gates and rows of pennons.(3,159)
The origin of Gandharvas
In the Krita age, there were neither Devas, nor Asuras, nor Gandharvas, nor Yakshas, nor Rakshasas, nor Nagas. And there was no buying and selling. (3,148).The births of the Devas, the Danavas, the Nagas, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras, men (Aryas), Yakshas and Rakshasas are mentioned at (1,65). Here the names of some of the prominent Gandharvas were also mentioned. The verifiability of this information is very limited.
- Wives of Kasyapa (like Muni, Pradha and Amrita) gave birth to Gandharvas (12,206)
- Chitraratha, son of Muni
- Kali (The originator of Kali age), son of Muni
- Ativahu, son of Pradha or Amrita
- Haha, son of Pradha or Amrita
- Huhu, son of Pradha or Amrita
- Tumvuru, son of Pradha or Amrita
- Daughters of Pradha (Alamvusha, Misrakesi, Vidyutparna, Tilottama, Aruna, Rakshita, Rambha, Manorama, Kesini, Suvahu, Surata, Suraja, and Supria) — were all Apsaras.
- Many Gandarvas and Apsaras were also born of Kapila
Gandharvas and Apsaras
Gandharvas and Apsaras are mentioned as a single group (1-63,64,120), (2-7,8,9,10)(3-24,42,43,147,165,167,230) (5,44) (7,67) (and many more references). This is probably because Apsaras were female Gandharvas.Tumvuru, Bhimasena, Ugrasena, Urnayus, Anagha, Gopati, Dhritarashtra, Suryavarchas, Yugapa, Trinapa, Karshni, Nandi, Chitraratha, Salisirah, Parjanya, Kali, and Narada, Vrihatta, Vrihaka, Karala, Brahmacharin, Vahuguna, Suvarna, Viswavasu, Bhumanyu, Suchandra, Sam and the celebrated tribes of Haha and Huhu were collectively mentioned as Gandharvas (1,123)
Anuchana and Anavadya, Gunamukhya and Gunavara, Adrika and Soma, Misrakesi and Alambusha, Marichi and Suchika, Vidyutparna and Tilottama and Ambika, Lakshmana, Kshema Devi, Rambha, Manorama, Asita, Suvahu, Supriya, Suvapuh, Pundarika, Sugandha, Surasa, Pramathini, Kamya and Saradwati, and Menaka, Sahajanya, Karnika, Punjikasthala, Ritusthala, Ghritachi, Viswachi, Purvachiti, the celebrated Umlocha, Pramlocha and Urvasi were described as Apsaras (1,123)
Viswavasu, the Hahas, the Huhus, the Gandharva Chitrasena with other Gandharvas were mentioned at (12,199)
Cultural exchanges
Ugrasrava Sauti knew the history of men (Aryas), serpants (Uragas) and Gandharvas (1,4). The Yakshas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas, Pisachas, Uragas and Danavas, are possessed of wisdom and intelligence, and acquainted with the history of the Kuru race. Gandharva Angaraparna considered the origin of Kurus to be from Tapati (a river in central India, in MaharashtraMaharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
) (1,172)
Gandharva Kali
KaliKali (Demon)
In Hinduism, Kali is the reigning lord of Kali Yuga and archenemy of Kalki, the 10th and final Avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu...
is mentioned as a Gandharva at (1,123). He is mentioned along with his companion Dwapara] at (3-58), where he said to become envious upon, Nishadha
Nishadha Kingdom
Nishadha was the kingdom of the celebrated king Nala, who loved and married Damayanti the princess of Vidarbha Kingdom. This kingdom is identified with current day Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh...
king Nala
Nala
Nala , a character in Hindu mythology, is the king of Nishadha Kingdom, son of Virasena. Nala is known for his skill with horses and culinary expertise. He marries princess Damayanti, of Vidarbha Kingdom, and their story is told in the Mahabharata. His main weakness is gambling...
(3-59,72,76,78,79). The last two eras among the four, (viz Krita Age (1728000 years), Treta Age (1296000 Years), Dwapara Age (864000 Years) and Kali Age (432000 Years), mentioned in ancient Indian texts, were named after Dwapara and Kali. Other sources consider both Kali and Dwapara as Gandharvas. (At (1,67) Dwapara is equated with Sakuni and Kali with Duryodhana
Duryodhana
In the Hindu epic the Mahābhārata, Duryodhana is the eldest son of the blind king Dhritarashtra by Queen Gandhari, the eldest of the one hundred Kaurava brothers, Emperor of the world at that time which means Emperor of India or Bharatvarsha as it was known at that time, cousin and the chief...
). Bhagavata Purana
Bhagavata purana
The Bhāgavata Purāṇa is one of the "Maha" Puranic texts of Hindu literature, with its primary focus on bhakti to the incarnations of Vishnu, particularly Krishna...
mentions Kali having an encounter with Kuru
Kuru Kingdom
Kuru was the name of an ancient kingdom in Vedic India, and later a republican Mahajanapada state. The kingdom was located in the area of modern Haryana, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh in India. They formed the first political center of the of the Vedic India, with its capital at Hastinapur. It...
king Parikshit.
In the Kalki Purana
Kalki Purana
The Kalki Purana is a prophetic work in Sanskrit that details the life and times of Kalki, the tenth and final Dashavatara of the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu...
, Kali
Kali (Demon)
In Hinduism, Kali is the reigning lord of Kali Yuga and archenemy of Kalki, the 10th and final Avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu...
dies near the end from wounds inflicted by Dharma
Dharma
Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...
and Satya Yuga
Satya Yuga
The Satya Yuga , also called Sat Yuga, Krta Yuga and Krita Yuga in Hinduism, is the "Yuga of Truth", when mankind is governed by gods, and every manifestation or work is close to the purest ideal and mankind will allow intrinsic goodness to rule supreme...
personified.
Gandharva King Viswavasu
This Gandharva king seems to be the oldest among the Gandhravas. (Refer Angaraparna) (1,172). (12,282). Gandharva king Viswavasu beget a daughter in the Apsara lady Menaka. This daughter was raised by sage Sthulakesha. Her name was Pramadwara.(1,8). He also was mentioned as an attendant in the palace of Yaksha king Kuvera (2,10). Raghava Rama encounter Gandharva, Viswavasu in the form of a Rakshasa in Dandaka forest (3,277). The Gandharva Viswavasu was well-conversant with the Vedanta scriptures (12,318)Gandharva King Chitrangada and the Kuru king Chitrangada
KuruKuru Kingdom
Kuru was the name of an ancient kingdom in Vedic India, and later a republican Mahajanapada state. The kingdom was located in the area of modern Haryana, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh in India. They formed the first political center of the of the Vedic India, with its capital at Hastinapur. It...
prince Chitrangada, son of Santanu
Santanu
Shantanu was a Kuru king of Hastinapura, who is mentioned in the great epic of the Mahābhārata. He was a descendant of the Bharata race, of the lunar dynasty and the ancestor of the Pandavas and the Kauravas. The Rigveda mentions Shantanu. He was the youngest son of King Pratipa of Hastinapura...
, was slain by a Gandharva king (1,95). This history is detailed again at (1,101): Bhishma installed his stepbrother Chitrangada, on the throne of Kuru Kingdom
Kuru Kingdom
Kuru was the name of an ancient kingdom in Vedic India, and later a republican Mahajanapada state. The kingdom was located in the area of modern Haryana, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh in India. They formed the first political center of the of the Vedic India, with its capital at Hastinapur. It...
. Chitrangada the powerful king of the Gandharvas, approached the Kuru King Chitrangada for an encounter. Between that Gandharva king and the Kuru king there occurred on the field of Kurukshetra
Kurukshetra
Kurukshetra is a land of historical and religious importance. Historically the land belonged to Punjab now a district in Haryana state of India. It is a holy place and is also known as Dharmakshetra . According to the Puranas, Kurukshetra is named after King Kuru, the ancestor of Kauravas and...
a fierce combat which lasted full three years on the banks of the Saraswati River
Sarasvati River
The Sarasvati River is one of the chief Rigvedic rivers mentioned in ancient Hindu texts. The Nadistuti hymn in the Rigveda mentions the Sarasvati between the Yamuna in the east and the Sutlej in the west, and later Vedic texts like Tandya and Jaiminiya Brahmanas as well as the Mahabharata...
.
Gandharva Chitrasena
Tumvuru, and the Gandharva Chitrasena were mentioned as friends of ArjunaArjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
(2-4,5). In the palcace of Deva king Indra
Indra
' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
, Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
learned music and dance from Chitrasena. Chitrasena taught the music that was the latest hit, among the Devas during that time. Arjuna lived happily in peace with Chitrasena. And Chitrasena instructed Arjuna all the while in music; vocal and instrumental and in dancing. When however, his friendship with Chitrasena had ripened fully, he at times learned the unrivalled dance and music practised among the Gandharvas.(3-44,45,46)
The art of music and dance itself was called the Gandharva Veda (the knowledge of the Gandharvas) (3,91). Arjuna learned this knowledge from Chitrasena. Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
dwelt in Indra
Indra
' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
’s sacred abode with the children of the Gandharvas (3,173). The Gandharvas and the Apsaras were highly skilled in music (13,14)
Chitrasena attacked Duryodhana at Dwaita lake
The soldiers of Duryodhana
Duryodhana
In the Hindu epic the Mahābhārata, Duryodhana is the eldest son of the blind king Dhritarashtra by Queen Gandhari, the eldest of the one hundred Kaurava brothers, Emperor of the world at that time which means Emperor of India or Bharatvarsha as it was known at that time, cousin and the chief...
, having reached the region of the Dwaita lake, were about to enter the gates of the wood, a number of Gandharvas appeared and forbade them to enter. The king of the Gandharvas accompanied by his followers, had come thither beforehand, from the abode of Kuvera. The king of the Gandharvas, Chitrasena had also been accompanied by the several tribes of Apsaras, as also by the sons of the Devas. Intent upon sport, he had come to that place for merriment, and occupying it, had closed it against all comers. (3-238). Duryodhana attacked the Gandharvas. The angry Chitrasena, their king, resolved to exterminate the Kuru army.(3-239). Gandharvas took Duryodhana and allies captive (3,240). Commanded by Yudhisthira
Yudhisthira
In the great Hindu epic Mahabharata, Yudhisthira , the eldest son of King Pandu and Queen Kunti, was king of Indraprastha and later of Hastinapura. He was the leader of the Pandava side in the Kurukshetra War...
, Arjuna fought with the Gandravas. Seeing that their king was Chitrasena, his old friend, Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
stopped fighting. Gandharvas then released Duryodhana
Duryodhana
In the Hindu epic the Mahābhārata, Duryodhana is the eldest son of the blind king Dhritarashtra by Queen Gandhari, the eldest of the one hundred Kaurava brothers, Emperor of the world at that time which means Emperor of India or Bharatvarsha as it was known at that time, cousin and the chief...
. (3-241,242,243,244). This incident is mentioned again at (3-245,246,247,251) (4-44,49,63) (5-49,54,56,138,159) (7-125,155) (8-9,37,41
Gandharva Tumburu
TumburuTumburu
In Hindu mythology, Tumburu , also spelt Tumbaru and Tumbara is the best among Gandharvas or celestial musician and is sometimes described as the best of singers. He is described to perform in the courts of gods Kubera and Indra as well as sing praises of god Vishnu...
, and the Gandharva Chitrasena were mentioned as friends of Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
(2-4,5). The Gandharva Tumburu gladly gave a hundred horses to Yudhisthira
Yudhisthira
In the great Hindu epic Mahabharata, Yudhisthira , the eldest son of King Pandu and Queen Kunti, was king of Indraprastha and later of Hastinapura. He was the leader of the Pandava side in the Kurukshetra War...
as tribute for Rajasuya. (2,51). The friend of Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
, Tumburu, and the Gandharva Chitrasena with his ministers, and many other Gandharvas and Apsaras, well-skilled in vocal and instrumental music and in cadence and Kinnaras also well-versed in musical measures and motions singing celestial tunes in proper and charming voices, waited upon Pandava
Pandava
In the Hindu epic Mahābhārata, the Pandava are the five acknowledged sons of Pandu , by his two wives Kunti and Madri. Their names are Yudhisthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. Although, Karna is told by Lord Krishna that according to the laws and ethics he is the first son of Kunti making...
king Yudhisthira
Yudhisthira
In the great Hindu epic Mahabharata, Yudhisthira , the eldest son of King Pandu and Queen Kunti, was king of Indraprastha and later of Hastinapura. He was the leader of the Pandava side in the Kurukshetra War...
(2-4,5)
Gandharva King Chitraratha
Chitraratha (1,75), the king of Gandharvas, the friend of IndraIndra
' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
, gave four hundred horses gifted with the speed of the wind to Yudhisthira
Yudhisthira
In the great Hindu epic Mahabharata, Yudhisthira , the eldest son of King Pandu and Queen Kunti, was king of Indraprastha and later of Hastinapura. He was the leader of the Pandava side in the Kurukshetra War...
as tribute for Rajasuya
Rajasuya
Rajasuya was a sacrifice, described in detail in the Mahabharata, performed by the ancient kings of India who considered themselves powerful enough to be an emperor...
. And the Gandharva Tumvuru gladly gave a hundred horses. (2,51), (3,80). The steeds of the Tittiri, Kalmasha, and Gandharva breeds, decked with ornaments, where given by Chitraratha, having been vanquished in battle, unto Arjuna. (2,60). Chitraratha among the Gandharvas is the foremost (6,34)
Gandharva Angaraparna and Arjuna
Gandharva king Angaraparna attacked ArjunaArjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
while crossing river Ganges, who ruled over a forest by the name Angaraparna on the banks of the Ganges. This place was close to the Panchala Kingdom
Panchala Kingdom
This article is about the kingdom of Panchala during the epic-ages. For the historical kingdom, see Panchala.Panchala Kingdom extended from Himalayas in the north to river Charmanwati in the south during the period of Mahabharata. It had Kuru, Surasena and Matsya kingdoms to the west and the forest...
. (1,172). Arjuna calls him a ranger of the skies. He possessed a chariot. The name Angaraparna means the blazing vehicle. He had this name since he possessed this blazing chariot
Chariot
The chariot is a type of horse carriage used in both peace and war as the chief vehicle of many ancient peoples. Ox carts, proto-chariots, were built by the Proto-Indo-Europeans and also built in Mesopotamia as early as 3000 BC. The original horse chariot was a fast, light, open, two wheeled...
. He tells to Arjuna that it is due to the science of producing illusions called Chakshushi that Gandharvas are superior to kings of Aryavarta. He also gave to each of the five Pandavas, a hundred steeds born in the country of the Gandharvas. He seemed to know a great deal about horses. In exchange of this, Angaramparna took from Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
, his excellent weapon of fire, using which he destroyed the chariot of Angaraparna (1,172). (Some argue that Angaraparna and Chitraratha are same person, siting the reference (2,60))
War skills of Gandharvas
Many military configurations used in warfare were based on Gandharva form of battle-arrays.Dhrishtadyumna, who is acquainted with human, Deva, Gandharva and Asura arrays of battle, leadeth that host. (5,54). Bhishma
Bhishma
Bhishma or Bheeshma or Devavrata or 'Bhishma Pitamah' was the eighth son of Kuru King Shantanu who was blessed with wish-long life and had sworn to serve the ruling Kuru king. He was one of the most prominent characters of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata. He was the grand uncle of both the...
is acquainted with all the methods of military array prevalent amongst the Devas, Gandharvas, and human kings. (5,166), (6,19). Kaurava
Kaurava
The term Kaurava is a Sanskrit term, that means the descendants of Kuru, a legendary king who is the ancestor of many of the characters of the Mahābhārata.The term is used in the Mahābhārata with two meanings:...
generalissimo Bhishma
Bhishma
Bhishma or Bheeshma or Devavrata or 'Bhishma Pitamah' was the eighth son of Kuru King Shantanu who was blessed with wish-long life and had sworn to serve the ruling Kuru king. He was one of the most prominent characters of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata. He was the grand uncle of both the...
, as each day dawned, sometimes disposed the troops in the human army, sometimes in the Deva, sometimes in the Gandharva, and sometimes in the Asura. (6,20). Abhimanyu
Abhimanyu
Abhimanyu is a tragic hero in the Hindu epic, the Mahābhārata. He is the son of Arjuna and Subhadra, who is the half-sister of Lord Krishna...
the son of Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
, then, applied the Gandharva weapon and the illusion consequent to it. Practising ascetic penances, Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
had obtained that weapon from the Gandharva Tumvuru and others. With that weapon, Abhimanyu now confounded his foes. (7,43)
Gandhrarva custom of Marriage
Marriage without the consent of parents, between two lovers is considered as a marriage based on the custome of Gandharvas. There are, in all, eight kinds of marriages. These are Brahma, Daiva, Arsha, Prajapatya, Asura, Gandharva, Rakshasa, and Paisacha, the eighth. (1,73)When the father of the girl, disregarding his own wishes, bestows his daughter upon a person whom the daughter likes and who reciprocates the girl’s sentiments, the form of marriage, is called Gandharva by those that are conversant with the Vedas. (13,44)
Gandharvis, the female Gandharvas
List of female Gandharvas mentioned in MahabharataMahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
:
- A Gandharvi (female Gandharva) is linked with horses (1,65)
- A Gandharvi, by name Dundubhi is mentioned at (3,274) (She took birth as Manthara, the servant of KaikeyiKaikeyiKaikeyi , in the Hindu epic Rāmāyaṇa, was the second of King Daśaratha's three wives and a queen of Ayodhyā. She was the mother of Bharata...
the wife of DasarathaDasarathaDasharatha was a king of Ayodhya of the Ikshvaku dynasty whose life story is narrated principally in the Hindu epic Ramayana...
(3,274) - Numerous Gandharvi girls are seen in Deva regions (12,98)
- Kichaka asked DraupadiDraupadiIn the epic Mahābhārata, Draupadi, also known as ' is the "emerged" daughter of King Drupada of Panchāla and the wife of the five Pandavas. When Yudhisthira becomes the king of Hastinapura at the end of the war, Draupadi becomes the queen of Indraprastha...
if she is a Gandharvi (4,9) - Angaraparna’s wife was mentioned as a Gandharvi (1,172)
- Female Gandharvas were some times called as Gandharvis and some times as Apsaras. Urvasi was an Apsara. Apsaras were free and unconfined in their choice of mate. (3,45)
- Kadru (mother of the Nagas) is mentioned as the mother of the Gandharvas (3,229)
Signs of Gandharva worship
Gandharva spirit is mentioned at (3,229). They were also described as singers in Deva region. *Gandharvas chant psalms, stealing away both the heart and the intellect. (5,109). One possessed of wisdom should offer garlands of aquatic flowers, such as the lotus and the like, unto the Gandharvas and Nagas and Yakshas. (13,98). Gandharvas are found close to water tanks (13,58).Incarnation myths
The five highly blessed Gandharvas were the sons of Draupadi (18,4). Dhritarashtra, the king of the Gandharvas was the Dhritarashtra the father of DuryodhanaDuryodhana
In the Hindu epic the Mahābhārata, Duryodhana is the eldest son of the blind king Dhritarashtra by Queen Gandhari, the eldest of the one hundred Kaurava brothers, Emperor of the world at that time which means Emperor of India or Bharatvarsha as it was known at that time, cousin and the chief...
(18,4). Gandharvi Dundhubhi was born as Manthara (3,274).
Varied references
Gandharvas, of bodies blazing like the sun were seen ArjunaArjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
who was about to travel to the territory of Devas (3,42)
Mystification of Gandharvas
Draupadi spread the rumour that she had five Gandharva husbands at the court of Virata in order to feel safe. (This is an example of the mistification of the Gandharva tribe) (4-12,14,16,21,22,23,24,25,30,71). Virata’s son Uttara also took the same stratey (4-43,45)
Gandharvas are said to visit wars. E.g., the war between Matsyas, Trigatas and Kurus for stealing cattle (4-56,58) and also the Kurukshetra War
Kurukshetra war
According to the Indian epic poem Mahābhārata, a dynastic succession struggle between two groups of cousins of an Indo-Aryan kingdom called Kuru, the Kauravas and Pandavas, for the throne of Hastinapura resulted in the Kurukshetra War in which a number of ancient kingdoms participated as allies of...
((6,35), many other references) and important events in the epic Mahabharata and Ramayana. These seems to be purely dramatic and mythological.
Gandharva and Kurukshetra War
The Asuras and the Daityas with the Danavas will be vanquished, and the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras will be victorious. Indeed, the Devas, and Asuras, and human beings, and Gandharvas, and Snakes, and Rakshasas, will in rage slaughter one another in Kurukshetra War
Kurukshetra war
According to the Indian epic poem Mahābhārata, a dynastic succession struggle between two groups of cousins of an Indo-Aryan kingdom called Kuru, the Kauravas and Pandavas, for the throne of Hastinapura resulted in the Kurukshetra War in which a number of ancient kingdoms participated as allies of...
(5,128). Arjuna’s bow Gandiva was well known even to the Devas and Gandhravas (1,227) (4,43)
Gandharvas and Siva
The Rishis, the gods, the Gandharvas, and Apsaras, always worship Siva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
and his emblem (7,199). Siva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
sometimes assume the form of a Gandharva (13-14,17). Siva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
was also surrounded by Kinnaras and Yakshas and Gandharvas and Rakshasas (13-140,146)
Gandharvas and Gold
Churning the entire universe, a mass of energy was found. That energy is gold. It is for this reason that the Devas and Gandharvas and Uragas and Rakshasas and humans and Pisachas hold it with care. All these beings shine in splendour, with the aid of gold, after converting it into crowns and armlets and diverse kinds of ornaments. (13,83)
The Science of Gandharvas
The science of reasoning, as also the science of words, the science of the Gandharvas, and the four and sixty branches of knowledge known by the name of Kala, the Puranas and the Itihasas were mentioned at (13,104)
See also
- Kingdoms of Ancient IndiaKingdoms of Ancient IndiaEpic India is the geography of Greater India traditionally around early 10th century BC and later on from the Sanskrit epics, viz. the Mahabharata and the Ramayana as well as Puranic literature ....
- Exotic Tribes of Ancient IndiaExotic tribes of ancient IndiaThe classic Indian epics such as the Mahabharata, the Ramayana and the Puranas refer to many exotic tribes, describing them as superhuman or subhuman. Narrations about these tribes are often mixed with mythology and fiction...
- Gandharvas
- Gandhara KingdomGandhara KingdomGandhara is a kingdom grouped among the western kingdoms in the epic Mahabharata. The epic Ramayana also mentions it as a western kingdom. Gandhara prince Sakuni was the root of all the conspiracies of Duryodhana against the Pandavas, which finally resulted in the Kurukshetra War. Sakuni's sister...
- Kali (Demon)Kali (Demon)In Hinduism, Kali is the reigning lord of Kali Yuga and archenemy of Kalki, the 10th and final Avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu...
- Kalki PuranaKalki PuranaThe Kalki Purana is a prophetic work in Sanskrit that details the life and times of Kalki, the tenth and final Dashavatara of the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu...
- KalkiKalkiIn Hinduism, Kalki is the tenth and final Maha Avatar of Vishnu who will come to end the present age of darkness and destruction known as Kali Yuga. The name Kalki is often a metaphor for eternity or time...
- Koka and VikokaKoka and VikokaAccording to the Kalki Purana, the twin brothers Koka and Vikoka serve as generals under the demon Kali, overlord of Kali Yuga. In their battle with Kalki, the 10th and final avatar of Lord Vishnu, the brothers display their mastery over the dark arts by raising themselves from the dead faster than...