GANDHARVA, (1) in Vedic Hindu mythology a celestial spirit of the highest sky, though in the Avesta he was a dragon-like monster, Gandarewa, dwelling in the sea, the abode of the white Haoma (see SOMA). But he was soon multiplied into a class of minor deities with various collective functions. Gandharva's union with the Apsaras (q.v.) typifies marriage, and they are parents of the first men (see YAMA). He is also a herbalist. Later, the Gandharvas preside over battles ; the most popular being Tumburu, the "tambour" who leads them to watch those of men. They have their own breed of horses, their own land, lo cated on both sides of the Indus, suggesting Gandhara, while Takshila and Pushkalavata were in Gandharva-desa and Gan dhara-desa respectively. But Gandharva-nagara,—"town" is some times spoken of as a real city or as only a mirage. (2) In Hindu law a gandharva marriage is informal, based on mutual consent. See A. A. Macdonell, Vedic Mythology, and E. W. Hopkins, Epic Mythology, Strasbourg, 1897 and 1915.