Gandharva
/ɡənˈdɑːr.və/noun
A celestial being in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, especially one associated with music, fragrance, and divine performance.
Did you know?In the Rigveda, the Gandharva appears as a mysterious singular guardian of Soma, while later Hindu tradition transforms Gandharvas into a whole class of celestial musicians and singers.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-Iranian
PII
*gandharwa-
“A reconstructed divine or supernatural being; the precise original sense remains uncertain.”
Vedic Period
Vedic Sanskrit
gandharvá-
“A supernatural guardian associated with Soma, the sacred ritual drink, and with hidden or liminal knowledge.”
Ancient Iran
Avestan
gandarəβa-
“A monstrous or supernatural being in Zoroastrian tradition, showing an early Indo-Iranian cognate.”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
gandharva
“A celestial musician or singer; also a spirit associated with fragrance, love, and the arts.”
Medieval South Asia
Sanskrit
gāndharva
“Relating to Gandharvas; in Dharmaśāstra, gāndharva marriage referred to a union formed by mutual love and consent.”
19th Century
English
Gandharva
“A loanword used in English-language writing on Hinduism, Buddhism, mythology, music, and South Asian religion.”