Who is Kamadeva?
In Hinduism, Kamadeva, along with the Kamasutra, Kamashastra, and the four purusharthas, or goals of human life, including kama (desire), are subjects of much discussion. In Khajuraho, there are many sculptures related to the Kamasutra. Now, the question arises: does ‘kama’ simply mean sex? No, ‘kama’ encompasses action, desire, and aspiration. All those activities that make life joyful, fulfilling, auspicious, and beautiful fall under ‘kama’. Dharma (duty), artha (wealth), kama (desire), and moksha (liberation).
You may have heard or read about Kamadeva. In many mythological tales from ancient times, Kamadeva is mentioned. From all the stories where Kamadeva is referenced, one thing becomes clear: his association is with love and desire.
But who is Kamadeva, really? Was he merely a fictional character who tormented gods and sages, or was he also a deity like any other? Let’s delve into the mysteries surrounding Kamadeva.
Family Of Kamadeva
According to mythological stories, Kamadeva is considered to be the son of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. His marriage was to a goddess named Rati, who is regarded as the deity of love and attraction. In some narratives, it is also mentioned that Kamadeva is the son of Lord Brahma, and his connection is also with Lord Shiva. In some instances, his emergence is believed to be with the consort of Dharma, Shradha.
The deity (God) of love:
Just as Cupid is considered the symbol of love in Western countries and Eros in Greek lands, similarly, in Hindu scriptures, Kamadeva is hailed as the deity of love and attraction.
Other names of Kamadeva:
Kamadeva is known by various other names such as ‘Ragavrinta’, ‘Ananga’, ‘Kandarpa’, ‘Manmatha’, ‘Manasija’, ‘Madan’, ‘Ratikanta’, ‘Pushpavat’, and ‘Pushpadhanva’. He is also referred to as ‘Ardhadeva’ or ‘Gandharva’, responsible for arousing desire among the residents of heaven. At times, Kamadeva is also identified with the term ‘Yaksha’.
Appearance of Kamadeva:
Kamadeva is depicted as a handsome youth adorned with golden wings, holding a bow and arrows in his hands. He travels on a chariot drawn by parrots, with a red flag bearing the symbol of a fish (a kind of fish). Sometimes, he is also described as riding an elephant in certain scriptures.
Bow and arrows of Kamadeva:
His bow is made of sugarcane filled with sweetness, with strings made of honey from bees. The arrows of his bow are made of flowers such as fragrant blossoms of the Ashoka tree, white and blue lotus, jasmine, and mango tree flowers. Kamadeva’s quiver mainly contains five types of arrows: 1. Marana (Death), 2. Stambhana (Stunning), 3. Jrimbhana (Exciting), 4. Shoshana (Draining), and 5. Ummadana (Intoxicating).
Madan-Kamadeva Temple:
The Madan-Kamadeva Temple is known as the ‘Khajuraho of Assam’. The erotic sculptures there remind one of the Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. The legend of the god of sex, Kamadeva, and his consort Rati is still vividly alive here. This temple is hidden amidst dense forests. It is said that when Lord Shiva opened his third eye, Kamadeva turned into ashes at this place, only to be reborn and reunited with his wife Rati.
Season of Kamadeva – Spring:
Kamadeva is worshipped on the day of Vasant Panchami. Spring is considered Kamadeva’s friend, hence his bow is made of flowers. The bowstring of this bow is voiceless, meaning when Kamadeva releases arrows from his bow, no sound is produced. Kamadeva is also called ‘Ananga’, meaning bodiless, as he dwells within beings without a physical form. Another name is ‘Mara’, meaning deadly, indicating the lethal nature of his arrows. Spring has always been associated with the season of love, where hearts wounded by the arrows of flowers are filled with love.
Here resides Kamadeva:
yauvanan stree ch pushpaani suvaasani mahaamate:.
ganan madhurashchaiv mrdulaandajashabdak:..
udyaanaani vasantashch suvaasaashchandanaaday:.
sango vishayasuktaanaan naraanaan guhyadarshanam..
vaayurmad: suvaasashch
According to the Mudgala Purana, Kamadeva resides in places characterized by youthfulness, women, beautiful flowers, music, the fragrance or essence of flowers, sweet bird calls, enchanting gardens, the spring season, sandalwood, the company of those engrossed in sensual desires, concealed desires, pleasant and gentle breezes, beautiful dwellings, attractive attire, and adorned bodies with beautiful ornaments. Additionally, Kamadeva dwells within the bodies of women, especially exerting his influence on their eyes, forehead, cheeks, and lips.
Kamadeva and Shiva:
When Goddess Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva, was deeply hurt by her husband’s insult and angered by her father’s behavior during a yajna, she immolated herself in the fire of the sacrificial ritual. Later, Sati reincarnated as Parvati. After Sati’s death, Lord Shiva renounced all worldly ties, forsaking attachment and delusion, and immersed himself in meditation. He kept his eyes closed and remained in deep meditation.
During this time, at the insistence of all the gods, Kamadeva decided to arouse desire within Shiva’s heart for Goddess Parvati. Kamadeva shot his arrow aiming at Shiva to ignite the spark of attraction towards Parvati. When Shiva opened his eyes in anger, Kamadeva was reduced to ashes by his fiery gaze. However, later, Shiva granted Kamadeva the boon of life, albeit without a physical form.
Shri Krishna and Kamadeva:
According to mythological tales, Kamadeva also attempted to influence Lord Shri Krishna. Kamadeva laid a condition before Shri Krishna that he would make him infatuated with the beautiful gopis of heaven like the apsaras. Shri Krishna accepted all the conditions set by Kamadeva and even engaged in the divine dance of love (raas) with the gopis. However, not for a single moment did desire touch his heart.
Rati, the wife of Kamadeva, nurtured him like a son and later arranged his marriage. When Shiva turned Kamadeva into ashes, Rati lamented, and then Shiva revealed to her that Kamadeva would be reborn on earth as Krishna’s son. According to Shiva’s instructions, Lord Shri Krishna and Rukmini had a son named Pradyumna, who was actually the incarnation of Kamadeva.
It is said that due to enmity, the demon Shambharasura kidnapped Pradyumna and threw him into the sea. A fish swallowed the infant, and later, when fishermen caught the fish, it ended up in the kitchen of Shambharasura’s palace. Rati, disguised as a cook named Mayavati, found the fish, cut it open, and raised the child as her own. When the boy grew up, he regained his memories of his past life and was trained in various arts. Pradyumna eventually killed Shambharasura and brought Mayavati back to Dwarka as his wife.
Lord Brahma gave a boon
According to mythological tales, once Brahma was deeply engrossed in the desire for procreation. At that time, from his aspect, a radiant son named Kama was born, who asked what command Brahma had for him. Brahma replied that he had created the Prajapatis for the purpose of procreation, but they were not capable enough for creation. Therefore, he gave Kama the command to carry out this task. Upon hearing this, Kama left the place and disappeared.
Seeing this, Brahma became angry and cursed Kama that he would soon perish because he did not obey his command. Terrified, Kama began to plead for forgiveness before Brahma, joining his palms together. Moved by Kama’s humility, Brahma became pleased and said that he would grant him twelve places to reside: the glances of women, the region of hair, the thigh, the chest, the navel, the root of the thighs, the lips, the cuckoo’s cry, sandalwood, the rainy season, and the months of Chaitra and Vaishakha. Saying this, Brahma gave Kama a bow of flowers and five arrows before bidding him farewell.
With the help of the boon received from Brahma, Kama started wandering in all three worlds, enchanting beings like ghosts, demons, Gandharvas, and Yakshas with his influence. Later, with a fish as his flag, Kama, along with his wife Rati, went on to subjugate all living beings in the world. In this course, they reached Shiva.
At that time, Lord Shiva was absorbed in meditation, and Kama, taking the subtle form of a small creature, entered Shiva’s body through a pore in his ear. Sensing Kama’s presence in his body, Shiva’s mind became restless. He meditated and saw that Kama was residing in his body. In a moment of anger, desire, taking the form of a body, emerged from Shiva’s body, and Kama stood under a mango tree. Then he aimed an arrow called “Mohini” at Shiva, which struck Shiva’s heart. Enraged, Shiva turned Kama into ashes with the flame of his third eye.
Seeing Kama burning, his wife Rati began to lament. Then, a divine voice was heard instructing Rati not to lament but to worship Lord Shiva. Rati prayed fervently to Lord Shiva.
Pleased with Rati’s prayers, Lord Shiva said that Kama had agitated his mind, so he had turned him into ashes. Now, if these ashes, in the form of Ananga, go to Mahakal forest and worship the Shiva Linga, they will be redeemed.
Then Kama went to the Mahakal forest and worshipped the Shiva Linga with complete devotion. As a result of his worship, Lord Shiva, pleased, said that even without a body, Ananga would remain powerful. During the time of the Krishna avatar, he would be born from Rukmini’s womb, and his name would be Pradyumna.
Kamadeva Mantra:
Apart from Kamadeva’s arrows, his ‘Kleem Mantra’ also attracts individuals of the opposite gender. Chanting this mantra daily not only makes your partner physically attracted to you but also makes them prioritize you in their life along with praising you.
It is said that in ancient times, even courtesans and dancers used to chant this mantra because they did not want to lose the attraction of their admirers. It is believed that continuous chanting of this mantra kept their attraction, beauty, and radiance intact.
