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Maidens (Apsaras) in Hindu Swarg/Paradise

Written by {ga=mushafiq-sultan} on . Posted in Quick Reference Guide

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वराप्सरः सहस्राणि शूरम आयॊधने हतम

तवरमाणा हि धावन्ति मम भर्ता भवेद इति

"Thousands of handsome Apsaras (maidens) run up in haste to the hero who has been slain in battle (i.e. a martyr), (exclaiming) be my husband" [Mahabharata Shanti Parv (Book 12) section 98; Shloka 46]

SEE SCANNED IMAGE FROM MAHABHARATA CONTAINING THESE VERSES 


According to the Vedas, humans who inherit Paradise will enter it with all their organs. One particular verse is produced here

"If Agni Jātavedas, as he bore you hence to the Fathers' world, had left one single limb of your bodies, here do I restore it. Fathers, rejoice in heaven with all your organs!" [Atharvaveda 16:4:64]

So the private organs will be there in Vedic Paradise. Supporing this view Shatpath Brahman Kaand 10, Adhyay 4, Brahaman 4, Kaandika 4 says,

"Wherefore let him who knows this by all means practise austerities; for, indeed, when he who knows this practises austerities, even to (abstention from) sexual intercourse, every (part) of him will share in the world of heaven"

It is clear from these mantras that sexual powers will be present in Vedic Paradise. Now the question is how and for what will these powers be used in Vedic Paradise. Atharvaved 4:34:2 answers this question as,

"Boneless, pure, cleansed with the wind, brilliant, they go to a brilliant world. The fire does not burn their male organ. In Swarga they get plenty of women." [Atharvaved 4:34:2]

This mantra strikes a death blow to all those so-called Brahmacharis who sweat at the mere mention of women in Paradise, fearing that this will violate their Dharma. Vedas reject such apprehensions. There will not be just one, but numerous women to fulfill the desire of sex. In this mantra, the word Strenam (सत्रैणम) is used which means 'a collection of women'. This is the meaning given by the ancient Indian Grammarian Panini in his book Ashtadhyayi - Adhyay 4; Paad 1; Sootr 87. Lest any Arya Samji tries to do some word gymnastics as they are so renowned for, we have given this source. Also the word Shishan (शिशन) used in this mantra only means 'phallus' according to Nirukt 4:19.

These beautiful women which the people of Vedic Paradise will receive, are called as Apsaras in Vedic terminology. At many places in the Vedas, prayers are made to get these Apsaras. For example, see Atharvaved 2:2:5 that I have already quoted. Vedas also list many types of Apsaras. Six types of Apsaras are spoken of in Rigveda 10:95:6 and Atharvaved 8:10:27,28 and the details about them can be found in many references of the Upanishads. A some places they are called as the Lovers of Devatas. For example in Atharvaved 6:118:3 it is said

"My creditor, the man whose wife I visit, he, Gods! whom I approach with supplication,  Let not these men dominate me in speaking. Mind this, you Apsaras, Gods' Consorts!

The authentic Upanishads also mention about numerous women being given in Paradise. Chandogya Upanishad 8:12:3 says

"Thus does that serene being, arising from this body, appear in its own form, as soon as it has approached the highest light. He is the highest person (uttama purusha). He moves about there laughing, playing, and rejoicing, be it with women, carriages, or relatives, never minding that body into which he was born."

Here also we find a subtle similarity with Rigveda's three forms of enjoyment. Some will laugh with women, some with play with women and others will rejoice (?) with them. This perfectly explains what Mod (मोद), Mud (मुद) and Pramud (प्रमुद) denote. In this Upanishad the ultimate enjoyment is called Rammanah (रममाणः). This word is derived from Ramah which means that pleasure which is generated by the affinity between a man and woman. NIrukt, speaking about this word says that Ramah is a woman only for enjoyment and not for any sacred purpose (Nirukt 12:13).

Katha Upanishad narrates a dialogue between Yama and Nachiketas, the son of Vahasrava. Yama offers Nachiketas three boons. The first two boons are granted by Yama, the third however disturbs Yama, so Yama tries to bargain. Yama says,

"Whatsoever objects of desire are difficult to obtain in the realm of mortals, ask them all as thou desire; these lovely maidens with their chariots and musical instruments, such as are not obtainable by mortals–be served by these whom I give to thee. O Nachiketas, do not ask regarding death."

Here also, like Rigved and Chadogya Upanishad, three classes of women are given.

FOR MORE DETAILS READ THIS ARTICLE: http://www.islamhinduism.com/hinduism/analysis/50-vedic-paradise-the-inside-story