ImportMaster at 08:35, 28 January 2022

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{{Other uses}}
{{distinguish|Ganadhara|Gandarbha}}
{{italic title}}
{{short description|A type of musical celestial beings}}
[[File:Worship of Shiva Linga by Gandharvas - Shunga Period - Bhuteshwar - ACCN 3625 - Government Museum - Mathura 2013-02-24 6098.JPG|thumb|400px|[[Linga]] inside a railing (left), being worshipped by Gandharvas winged creatures. [[Art of Mathura]], circa 100 BCE.<ref name="US435">{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Upinder |title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century |date=2008 |publisher=Pearson Education India |isbn=978-81-317-1120-0 |page=435 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H3lUIIYxWkEC&pg=PA435 |language=en}}</ref>]]

In [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]] and [[Jainism]], '''''Gandharva''''' is a class of celestial beings whose males are divine singers and females are divine dancers from [[Gandhara]] region. It is also a term for skilled singers in [[Indian classical music]].

In Buddhism, this term also refers to a being in the [[Bardo|intermediate state]] (between death and rebirth).

== Vedic period ==
The term Gandharva is present in [[Vedas|Vedic]] sources (including in the [[Rigveda]]). According to Oberlies, "In mandala I, IX and X the Gandharva is presented as a celestial being (dwelling near the sun / in the heavenly waters) which watches over the Soma (apparently) for the benefit of the gods and the sacrificers." The Gandarva also "receives the Soma from the ‘Daughter of the Sun' to put it into the Soma plant (RV 9.113.3), i.e., to bring it to this world."<ref name=":0">Oberlies, Thomas 2005: "Der Gandharva und die Drei Tage Währende 'Quarantäne'", in Indo-Iranian Journal, vol. 48 pp. 97-109.</ref> The Gandarva also brings other things from the beyond, including humans (RV 10.10.4) and the horse (RV 1.163.2).<ref name=":0" /> As such, the function of the Gandharva is "to escort things from ‘outside' into this world thereby divesting them of their (potential) dangerous nature."<ref name=":0" /> Later the figure also came to be associated with fertility and virility.<ref name=":0" />

==Hinduism==
[[File:Tumbara.jpg|thumb|The horse-head [[Tumburu]] or Tumbara is described as best among Gandharvas in Hinduism]]
In [[Hinduism]], the Gandharvas ([[Sanskrit]] and [[Hindi]]: गन्धर्व; [[Marathi language|Marathi]]: गंधर्व;[[Assamese language|Assamese]]: গন্ধৰ্ব্ব, ''gandharbba'', [[Kannada language|Kannada]]: ಗಂಧರ್ವ; [[Odia language|Odia]]: ଗନ୍ଧର୍ବ "gandharva" ; [[Telugu language|Telugu]]: గంధర్వ; [[Tamil language|Tamil]]: கந்தர்வன், "kantharvan"; [[Malayalam]]: ഗന്ധർവ്വൻ, "gandharvan") are male nature spirits and husbands of the [[Apsaras]]. Some are part [[animal]], usually a [[bird]] or [[horse]]. They have exceptional musical skills. They guard the [[Soma (drink)|Soma]] and play beautiful music for the gods in their palaces. Gandharvas are frequently depicted as singers in the court of the gods.

Gandharvas in the historic sense acted as messengers between the gods and humans. In Hindu law, a [[gandharva marriage]] is one contracted by mutual consent and without formal rituals.

Gandharvas are mentioned extensively in the epic [[Mahabharata]] as associated with the [[Deva (Hinduism)|Devas]] (as dancers and singers) and with the [[Yaksha]]s, as formidable warriors. They are mentioned as spread across various [[Gandharva Kingdom|territories]].

Some of the prominent Gandharvas include Visvavasu (who was the father of Pramadvara), Chitrangada (who killed Chitrangada, the son of [[Santanu]] and [[Satyavati]]), Chitrasena (with whom the Kauravas and Pandavas fought in the ''Ghosha-yatra''), Drumila (biological father of [[Kamsa]]), and Candavega (king of Gandharvas who invaded the city of Purañjana).<ref>Bhagavata Purana translation of Motilal Bansaridadss Book 2 Skandha IV Chapter 27</ref>

===Parentage===

Various parentage is given for the gandharvas. They are called the creatures of [[Prajapati]], of [[Brahma]], of [[Kashyap|Kasyapa]], of the Munis, of Arishta, or of [[Vāc]].<ref name="vacdef">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zUezTfym7CAC&pg=PA346 |title=A Sanskrit-English dictionary: etymologically and philologically arranged, by Sir Monier Monier-Williams |isbn=9788120831056 |via=[[Google Books]]|access-date=2012-12-19|last1=Monier-Williams |first1=Sir Monier |last2=Leumann |first2=Ernst |last3=Cappeller |first3=Carl }}</ref>

The Bhagavata Purana mentions that when Brahma during creation, saw the activities of some sexually active Asuras, he laughed. From his laughter were produced the Gandharvas.

==Buddhism==
[[File:Guardian of Phra Meru Mas of Bhumibol Adulyadej - Dhatarattha (left side).jpg|thumb|Dhṛtarāṣṭra, one of the [[Four Heavenly Kings]] and the king of the Gandharvas.]]
A Gandharva ([[Sanskrit]]; [[Pali]]: ''Gandhabba''; {{CJKV|t=乾闼婆|s=乾闼婆|p=Gān tà pó|j=乾闥婆|r=Kendatsuba|k=건달바|rr=Kŏndalba|v=Càn Thát Bà}}) is one of the lowest-ranking [[Deva (Buddhism)|Devas]] in [[Buddhist]] cosmology. They are classed among the [[Cāturmahārājakāyika]] Devas, and are subject to the Great King {{IAST|Dhṛtarāṣṭra}}, Guardian of the East. Beings are reborn among the Gandharvas as a consequence of having practiced the most basic form of [[Śīla|ethics]] (Janavasabha Sutta, DN.18).
Gandharvas can fly through the air, and are known for their skill as musicians. They are connected with trees and flowers, and are described as dwelling in the scents of bark, sap, and blossoms. They are among the beings of the wilderness that might disturb a monk meditating alone.

The terms {{IAST|gandharva}} and [[yaksha|{{IAST|yakṣa}}]] sometimes refer to the same entity. {{IAST|Yakṣa}} in these cases is the more general term, including a variety of lower deities.

===Intermediate Rebirth===
In the ''Mahātaṇhāsankhaya Sutta'' of the ''[[Majjhima Nikāya]]'', the [[Buddha]] explains to the [[bhikkhu]]s that an [[embryo]] develops when three conditions are met: the woman must be in the correct point of her menstrual cycle, the woman and man must have sexual intercourse, and a gandhabba must be present. According to the commentary of this sutta, the use of the word ''gandhabba'' doesn't refer to a celestial Deva, but a being enabled to be born by its [[Karma#In Buddhism|karma]]. It is the state of a sentient being between rebirths.<ref name="MN38" />

===Notable Gandharvas===
Among the notable Gandharvas mentioned (in DN.20 and DN.32) are '''Panāda''', '''Opamañña''', '''Nala''', '''Cittasena''', '''Mātali''', and '''Janesabha'''. The last in this list is thought to be synonymous with '''Janavasabha''', a rebirth of King [[Bimbisara|Bimbisāra]] of [[Magadha]]. Mātali is the charioteer of [[Śakra (Buddhism)|Śakra]].

[[Tumburu|Timbarū]] is a chieftain of the Gandharvas. There is a romantic story told about the love between his daughter Bhaddā Suriyavacchasā ([[Sanskrit]]: {{IAST|Bhadrā Sūryavarcasā}}) and another Gandharva, Pañcasikha ([[Sanskrit]]: {{IAST|Pañcaśikha}}). Pañcasikha fell in love with Suriyavacchasā when he saw her dancing before Śakra, but she was then in love with Mātali's son Sikhandī (or Sikhaddi). Pañcasikha went to Timbarū's home and played a melody on his flute of beluva-wood, with which he had great skill, and sang a love song in which he interwove themes about the Buddha and the [[Arhat]]s.

Śakra petitioned Pañcasikha to intercede with the Buddha so that he might have an audience with him. As a reward for Pañcasikha's services, Śakra was able to get Suriyavacchasā, already pleased with Pañcasikha's display of skill and devotion, to agree to marry Pañcasikha.

Pañcasikha also acts as a messenger for the [[Four Heavenly Kings]], conveying news from them to Mātali, the latter representing Śakra and the [[Trayastrimsa|{{IAST|Trāyastriṃśa}}]] Devas.

==Jainism==
[[File:Apsara Gandharva Dancer Pedestal Tra Kieu.jpg|thumb|Gandharva (right) with an Apsara, 10th century, [[Cham (Asia)|Cham]], Vietnam]]In Jainism, Gandharvas are classed among the eight [[Vyantara]] Devas.

The [[Tiloya Panatti|Tiloyapaṇṇatti]] provides a list of ten Gandharvas:

*Hāhā
*Huhū
*Nārada
*Tumbara
*Vāsava
*Kadamba
*Mahāsvara
*Gītarati
*Gītarasa
*Vajravān

The [[Saṃgrahaṇī Sūtra]] of the [[Śvetāmbara]] sect provides a slightly different list:

*Hāhā
*Huhū
*Tumburu
*Nārada
*Ṛṣivādika
*Bhūtavādika
*Kadamba
*Mahākadamba
*Raivata
*Viśvāvasu
*Gītarati
*Gītayaśas

The [[Digambara]] sect describes the Gandharvas as having a golden complexion while the [[Śvetāmbara]] tradition recognizes them as blackish. The [[Tumbaru]] is their sacred tree.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Shah |first1=Umakant Premanand |title=Jaina-Rūpa-Maṇḍana, Volume 1 |date=1987 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=9788170172086}}</ref>

==In Indian classical music==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2011}}
There are many singers known as gandharvas for their mastery of [[Indian classical music]]. All of them, at one time or another, were theater actors who performed in various musicals. Their style of music is known as ''Kula Sangeet'' in Marathi, literally "hereditary music". They are regarded as masters of Indian classical music by the vast majority of the general population, predominantly in the state of [[Maharashtra]].

==See also==
* [[List of Gandharvas]]
* [[Chitrasena (Mahabharata)|Chitrasena]]
* [[Tumburu]]
* [[Kabandha]]
* [[Gandharva marriage]]
* [[Fairy]]
* [[Sylph]]

==References==
{{reflist|refs=

<ref name="MN38">
{{cite web
|last=Thanissaro Bhikkhu
|title=The Greater Craving-Destruction Discourse (MN 38)
|publisher=Access to Insight (BCBS Edition)
|date=30 November 2013
|url=http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.038.than.html
|access-date=14 October 2017
}}
</ref>

}}

{{Buddhism topics}}
{{HinduMythology}}
{{Fairies}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Buddhist deities]]
[[Category:Non-human races in Hindu mythology]]
[[Category:Gandharvas| ]]
[[Category:Nature spirits]]

Gandharva - Revision history

ImportMaster at 08:35, 28 January 2022