Gandarva

(Gan-DAR-ah)

Variations: Gandarwa, Gandharva, Kundrav

In the Hindu religion there is a vampiric demigod named Gandarva ("ecstatic" or "music"). He preys only on a very specific type of women—those who married for love without the permission of their family or a proper ceremony; and then, he only attacks when they are home alone and asleep. Extremely stealthy, he sneaks into their bedrooms, raping and draining them of their blood.

Legends of Gandarva go back more than 2,000years, making him at least as old as the PISACHA vampire.

Source: Barber, Dictionary of Fabulous Beasts, 64; Greiger, Civilization of the Eastern Iranians, 45­46; Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, 132; Turner, Dictionary of Ancient Deities, 186