Читать книгу The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A–Z of Fantastic Beings from Myth and Magic - John Matthews - Страница 377

Chitra-Ratha is the king of the Gandarvas in Hindu mythology, the centaur-like beings who are in charge of the divine soma of the gods. As well as brewing medicines, Chitra-Ratha is also the divine musician who provides music at the banquets of the gods. He is sometimes discovered in woodland clearings making music and dancing with the Apsaras. It was in such a place that the yogi Medhavi was seduced from his ascetic practices by the dancing girl, Manjughosha, as she danced to the divine music of Chitra-Ratha. He is the Hindu equivalent of Cheiron in bringing civilizing arts to humanity.