Apasmāra

 Apsaras are celestial nymphs, the dancers in the court of Indra, the king of the Devas. All of them are extremely beautiful and skilled in both dance and music. They are many in number, and the most famous are Rambha, Menaka, Urvashi, Tilottama and Ghritachi. Other nymphs who are mentioned in the Puranas are: Mishrakesi, Vapu, Viprachitti, Purvachitti, Sahajanya, Karnika, Punjikasthala, Viswachi, Rithisthala, Umlocha, Pramlocha, Swayamprabha,Janapadi , and Adrika . Believed to have sprung forth from the ocean-of-milk when it was churned by the Devas and Asuras. They are closely associated with the Gandharvas, who are the celestial musicians. Some of the Apsaras are paired with a Gandharva , such as Tumburu with Rambha, and Menaka with Vishvavasu. But the relationship is temporary and is not a marriage tie. In addition to entertaining at Indra's court, they are often sent by him to disrupt the penance of sages, for Indra lives in perpetual fear that his position would be...