Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 45, Shloka 32
विशालानगरीप्रवेशः
Entry toward Viśālā and the Indra–Kṣīrodamathana Legend
अप्सु निर्मथनादेव रसास्तस्माद्वरस्त्रिय:।उत्पेतुर्मनुजश्रेष्ठ तस्मादप्सरसोऽभवन्।।।।
apsu nirmathanād eva rasās tasmād varastriyaḥ |
utpetur manujaśreṣṭha tasmād apsaraso 'bhavan ||
Hỡi bậc tối thượng trong loài người, do sự khuấy đảo biển nước mà tinh túy phát sinh; từ tinh túy ấy hiện ra những nữ nhân tuyệt diệu—bởi vậy họ được gọi là các Apsarā.
O Best among men! excellent women emerged out of the essence produced by churning of waters. Therefore they are known as apsarasas.
FAQs
Dharma values truthful explanation and right understanding: the verse links name and origin to meaning, encouraging clarity in knowledge rather than confusion or hearsay.
Viśvāmitra explains how apsarases emerged from the essence produced by churning the waters and gives the traditional reason for their name.
The teacher’s instructive clarity and the student’s worthiness to receive it (Rāma addressed as ‘best among men’).