A legend depicts how Goddess Saraswati retrieved ‘Somras’, the elixir of life, from the grips of the Gandharvas, demigods who sprang from the fragrance of flowers.
‘Someras’ derived from ‘Soma’ Plant. It was believed to be an inebriating and invigorating potion kept under the custody of the Devas. A Gandharva named Vishvavasu was entrusted with the charge of guarding the urn of ‘Someras’. His inquisitiveness and avarice about the potion enticed him. He whisked away the urn and kept it in a secret place.
The Gandharvas were on cloud nine for possessing the urn of ‘Someras’. Svan and Bhraji were the two Gandharvas who were in charge of the protecting the urn. When the gods discovered the fact, there was a great pandemonium in the heaven. Though the gods were infuriated with the news, their friendship with the Gandharvas restrained them from going to a war. Then Goddess Saraswati assured them of retrieving the urn of ‘Someras’ without a feud against the Gandharvas.
The Goddess Saraswati equipped with her Veena (lute) reached in a beautiful garden occupied by the Gandharvas. There She started playing her Veena and creating enchanting tunes of ragas and raginis until the air of the garden is engulfed with melodious rendition of music. Captivated by the enchanting music the Gandharvas were drawn to the garden. They entreated the Goddess Saraswati to teach them the divine music. But She agreed to teach them provided they should return the urn of ‘Someras’. The Gandharvas were so captivated by both the refulgent beauty of the goddess and Her melodious music that they agreed to Her proposal. Thus Saraswati recovered the urn of elixir from the Gandharvas’ custody. And the Gandharvas also became maven in music and art enough to perform in the court of heaven in presence of the gods and goddesses.
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