Apsara

Apsaras are celestial maidens from Indian mythology.

Overview
The Apsaras are water and cloud spirits with astonishing skills in the performing arts. Much like nymphs in the Greek mythology, apsaras are often consorts of heavenly musicians called Gandharvas.

Apsaras are depicted as youthful, beautiful maidens who possess supernatural powers. They can affect the world of mortals, and in their doing so they have been compared to Greek muses.

There are two distinct groups of Apsaras, the celestial and the mundane. Mundane here means that they dwell closer to Earth, as nature spirits of rivers and clouds. Celestial Apsaras live in the rivers and clouds beyond the Earth.

Role
It is hinted that originally Apsaras were created to please the gods, but their sphere of influence has expanded since. Humans have worshiped the mundane Apsaras to bring fortune and in fertility rites as celestial Apsaras are unlikely to take notice of the mortal affairs.

However, when brave warriors fall in battle they may rise to the heavens carried by the celestial Apsaras, which reminds of Valkyries from Norse mythology.

Their beauty has also been weaponized, such as in the case of Tilottama. When two mighty Asuras, Sunda and Upasunda, grew to become a threat to heavenly peace, Tilottama was created from all things that are beautiful both in the animate and the inanimate world. Her beauty was more than enough to have the two Asuras destroy each other in jealousy; even the gods themselves grew faces in all directions or thousands of eyes to never miss a glimpse of her.

Powers
Apsaras do not grow old, although presumably they have finite lifespan as does every other creature in Hinduism and Buddhism. However, to human perception this finiteness might seem like immortality.

All of Apsaras can fly and alter their physical form, taking any pleasurable shape.

They are also associated with fortunes, especially related to gambling.