Apsaras in Hinduism – Houri in Hindu Scriptures
📖Mahabharata Mahabharata Santi Parva Chapter 98:3 Foremost of Apsaras, numbering by thousands, go out with great speed (for receiving the spirit of the slain hero) coveting him for their lord.
- In this passage, it is said that thousands of Apsaras (celestial nymphs) are eager to receive the spirit of the slain hero, and they move with great speed to do so. This is because the hero is considered a great and noble being, and the Apsaras desire to be with him and serve him as their lord in the afterlife.
📖Devi Bhagavatam 3.15.5-13
Some warriors on being slain in the battle instantly arose in a celestial car to the heavens and was seen addressing the celestial nymph, who came already within his embrace, thus “O one of beautiful thighs. Behold! how my beautiful body is lying on the earth below!” Another warrrior thus slain got up in the heavens on a celestial car, came in possession of a celestial nymph and when he was sitting with her in the car, his former wife in the earth made herself a sati and burnt herself up in the funeral pyre, thus got a celestial body, came up to the heavens; and that chaste virtuous woman drew away perforce her own husband away from that celestial nymph. Two warriors, went up, slew each other and lay down dead at the same time. They went up in the heavens at the same time and there began quarrel with each other and fight with their weapons for one and the same celestial nymph. Some hero got in the heavens a nymph more lovely and beautiful than himself and he thus became very much attached and devoted her. He began to describe his own heroic qualities and also to copy dotedly the qualities of his lover so that she might remain faithfully attached to him.
📖Mahabharata 13.106.53-55
That man who, unafflicted by disease and free from every malady, observes a fast, verily acquires, at every step the merits that attach to Sacrifices. Such a man ascends to Heaven on a car drawn by swans. Endued with puissance, he enjoys every kind of happiness in heaven for a hundred years. A hundred Apsaras of the most beautiful features wait upon and sport with him.
📖Mahabharata 13.79.27
That man who habitually makes gifts of kine comes to be regarded as the foremost of his species. When thus proceeding to Heaven, he is received by a thousand celestial damsels of beautiful hips and adorned with handsome robes and ornaments. These girls wait upon him there and minister to his delight. He sleeps there in peace and is awakened by the musical laughter of those gazelle-eyed damsels, the sweet notes of their Vinas, the soft strains of their Vallakis, and the melodious tinkle of their Nupuras.
📖Brahma purana 59:7-9
For the period of a hundred Manvantaras or more he will enjoy excellent pleasures and carry on dalliance with the celestial damsels. He will be devoid of old age and death. When his merit dwindles he returns to the world and is born in a family endowed with noble qualities. He will be handsome, fortunate, glorious truthful and celibate. He conquers his sense-organs. He is born as a brahmin conversant with the meaning of the Vedic and scriptural passages. He will be one who performs sacrifices. He will be a devotee of Viṣṇu. After performing the Yoga pertaining to Viṣṇu he will attain salvation thereby.
📖Agni Purana 292:13-14
One who mutters the gomatī vidyā (a sacred formula) would reach the excellent world of cows. Therein he will enjoy music, dance and the company of nymphs in the celestial car.
- Nymphs are generally regarded as personifications of nature, are typically tied to a specific place or landform, and are usually depicted as beautiful maidens young girl. They were not necessarily immortal, but lived much longer than humans.
Releted : Niyog Pratha – Halala in Hinduism
📖Skanda Purana 3.1.2.77
If one takes the holy bath for the sake of sexual pleasure with celestial damsels in heaven, he attains the same.
📖Skanda Purana Book 6 Chapter 232 Verse 26 Any one always makes arrangement for dance and music programmes in the abode (shrine) of Viṣṇu, the celestial damsels will dance before him when he goes to heaven.
📖Shiva Purana, Umasamhita 7.45-46 Yama tells them -‘You are noble souls duly blessed, since you have performed what is ordained in the Vedas. Good deeds that are conducive to divine happiness have been performed by you. Ascend the celestial aerial chariot and go to heaven to enjoy the pleasures in the company of celestial damsels and fulfil your cherished desires.
📖Shiva Purana, Vidyeshwara Samhita 1, Chapter 24.Verses 66-70
He who wears Tripundra raises a thousand predecessors and a thousand successors in his family. In this life he will enjoy all wordly pleasures, He will assume then a divine auspicious body endowed with eight accomplishments. He will travel by a divine aerial chariot attended by celestial gods, finally reach Brahma’s region where he will sport with a hundred virgins.
Mahabharata Anushasna Parva Chapter 106:3 There is no doubt in this. Such a man earns the merit that attaches to the performance of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. Endued with merit and freed from every kind of stain, he attains to the region of the Apsaras that echo with the sound of songs and dance, and passes his days in the company of a thousand damsels of great beauty. He rides on a car of the complexion of melted gold and receives high honours in the region of Brahma.
📖Devi Bhagavata Purana Book 4 Chapter 6 Verse 56-58
The Apsarās said :– Of the five senses; sound, etc., the pleasures attained through the sensation of touch are excellent, and are reckoned as the source of Bliss; no other pleasures stand equal to it. Therefore do then fulfill our words, and enjoy incessantly this highest bliss and roam freely in this Gandhamādan mountain, If you like to go to Heaven, be pleased to know that there is no Superior Heaven to Gandhamādan (the mountain like intoxicating happiness of the senses). Dost thou enjoy the highest bliss, the pleasant sexual intercourse with us, the heavenly damsels in this very beautiful and lovely place.
- Every follower of Sanatana Dharma who adheres to this teaching is promised a reward of one thousand virgins, known as Houri, in heaven.
- Reference Mahabharata Santi Parva Chapter 98:3
- Reference Devi Bhagavatam 3.15.5-13
- Reference Mahabharata 13.106.53-55
- Reference Mahabharata 13.79.27
- Reference Brahma purana 59:7-9
- Reference Agni Purana 292:13-14
- Reference Skanda Purana 3.1.2.77
- Reference. : Skanda Purana Book 6 Chapter 232 Verse 26
- Reference : Shiva Purana, Umasamhita 7.45-46
- Reference : Shiva Purana, Vidyeshwara Samhita 1, Chapter 24.Verses 66-70
- Reference Mahabharata Anushasna Parva Chapter 106:3
- Reference Devi Bhagavata Purana Book 4 Chapter 6 Verse 56-58
If you want to know more details about Apsaras then read this full chapter
