Apsara Vapu and the Wrath of Sage Durvasa

Once, the king of the gods, Indra, was joyfully wandering through the divine Nandana Vana, surrounded by his celestial consorts – the Apsaras. At that moment, the great sage Narada arrived in Swarga and, learning that Indra was in the garden, made his way there.

Seeing Narada approach, Indra respectfully rose from his seat and offered sage Narada his own place to sit. The Apsaras, too, offered their salutations with folded hands, humbling themselves before the divine sage.

Narada and Indra engaged in a long, cordial conversation. As time passed, Indra, eager to entertain his guest, said:

“O Devarshi, which Apsara’s dance would you like to witness today? We have among us the finest dancers in creation — Rambha, Urvashi, Menaka, Ghritachi and many more. Please choose the one who would bring joy to your heart.”

Narada replied with a gentle smile,

“True dance is an expression of grace, character, and refinement. Only one who is both beautiful and virtuous can manifest the full spectrum of emotion — through movement, expression, and gaze. Let the one who possesses the highest inner and outer beauty perform.”

Upon hearing this, every Apsara stepped forward, claiming she was the most beautiful and virtuous. Each one argued her case, creating a commotion.

To resolve the dispute, Indra said,

“Why argue among yourselves? Let the sage himself decide who among you is most worthy.”

Narada then said:

“The great sage Durvasa, known for his fierce penance and temper, is currently meditating in the Himalayas. Let the one who can successfully disturb his meditation — let her be known as the most accomplished among you.”

At this, all the Apsaras fell silent. Disturbing Durvasa, famed for his wrath, was a task none dared undertake. All, except one — an Apsara named Vapu, who was full of pride and vanity. She stepped forward and proclaimed:

“Grant me permission. I shall succeed where others fear. I will tame his senses like wild horses. I shall pierce his mind with the arrows of desire. Even Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva have once succumbed to the power of Kama — so why not a sage?”

With Indra’s permission, Vapu descended to the Himalayas.

The Wrath of Durvasa

Near Durvasa’s hermitage, the forest had turned serene under the influence of his penance — even wild beasts had lost their ferocity. Vapu began to sing like a koel bird, her melodious voice intended to disturb the sage’s tapasya.

Durvasa, sensing the distraction, opened his eyes and immediately understood the purpose. He stormed toward the source of the sound and found Vapu standing nearby.

Furious, the sage thundered:

“You foolish woman! You dare interrupt a sage’s meditation? For this sin, you shall fall from Swarga and be born on Earth as a bird. Even though you will bear four children, none shall love you. Only after enduring this curse for sixteen years and facing death by weapon shall you be liberated and return to the heavens!”

Having cursed her, Durvasa ascended toward the celestial Ganga, leaving Vapu shattered.

Despite her repentance, the curse could not be undone. She was soon born on Earth in the form of a bird, her divine past forgotten… but her fate was sealed.

What happened to her next? Who were her children?

What mysterious role did she play in the lives of mortals and devas alike?✨ Find out in the next issue of Dheemahi Magazine ✨