Kamadeva (deity)
Kamadeva is a prominent deity in Hindu mythology, revered as the god of love, desire, and attraction. Comparable to the Greek god Eros and the Roman Cupid, Kamadeva embodies the essence of love, a fundamental aspect of human existence. He is often depicted as a fair and handsome figure with fairy wings, accompanied by his wife Rati (representing passion) and his friend Vasanta (symbolizing spring). Kamadeva is known for shooting love arrows made from sugarcane and adorned with flowers, which provoke feelings of affection in both mortals and gods, transcending distinctions of caste and creed.
Various ancient texts like the Rigveda and the Bhagavata Purana narrate his significance and birth, with differing accounts attributing him to various divine lineages, including that of Lord Brahma and Lord Krishna. A key myth involves his interaction with Lord Shiva, where Kamadeva's attempt to disrupt Shiva's meditation results in his temporary death, symbolizing the profound impact of love on the cosmos. He is later resurrected as a mental representation of love rather than mere physical desire. Kamadeva is worshipped across India, especially during festivals such as Holi, where his story is celebrated through songs and rituals. Temples dedicated to him often feature offerings of flowers and fragrant pastes, highlighting his enduring cultural importance.
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Subject Terms
Kamadeva (deity)
Symbol: Sugarcane bow; floral arrow
Country: India
Mother: Goddess Rukmini
Father: Lord Krishna
Kamadeva has been compared to the Greek god Eros and to the Roman god Cupid because Kamadeva is also a god of love and desire. The most important aspect of human life is love, and the Hindu universal god of love is Kamadeva.
Kamadeva is fair, handsome, and has fairy wings. He travels on a parrot and a cuckoo is also always seen along with him. He loves wandering in the springtime woods. Nymphs (apsaras) always surround him.
Kamadeva is accompanied by his wife Rati (passion) and his friend, Vasanta (spring). They help Kamadeva collect flowers for his arrows, which he shoots from a bow made of sugarcane and a bowstring of humming bees. No one, mortal or god, is immune to the shafts of Kamadeva.
Kamadeva shoots his flowery arrows without any distinction between caste, creed, and religion. His arrows bring forth feelings of love and passion in gods and humans alike. A short tantrika mantra directed towards Kamadeva for gaining love in one’s life is "Om Shri Kaamadevaaya Namah."
In Mythology
In ancient history, there are a number of Hindu mythological narratives regarding Kamadeva. The Rigveda states that Kamadeva is worshipped, and he is incomparable with any other god. In Hinduism, Kamadeva is the god of human love. In the Vishnu Purana, Kamadeva is the name of Vishnu. The Bhagavata Purana states that Kamadeva is Krishna and Shiva.
According to the ancient scriptures, Lord Kamadeva was made manifest as the child of Lord Krishna and the goddess Rukmini. The parents named their son Pradyumna. The Taittiriya Brahmana suggests that Dharma and Shraddha were the father and mother of Kamadeva. He is also portrayed as the son of Lakshmi in the Harivamsa.
In the Skanda Purana, Kamadeva is said to be the brother of Prasuti and the child of Shatarupa. Later, the scriptures also mention him as the son of Vishnu. In the Shilpa Shastras, he is depicted as the season of spring. In Hinduism, Kamadeva is said to be the son of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe.
There are a number of stories about the birth of Kamadeva. The legend confirming Kamadeva as the god of love is the story of Shiva burning Kamadeva. One day, Shiva was sitting in the Himalayas in the deep meditation after he lost his wife, Sati. Kamadeva disturbed and distracted Shiva from his meditation when he released a flower shaft. Shiva looked around and on seeing Kamadeva was furious with anger. He opened his third eye and burnt Kamadeva to ashes.
Kamadeva shot his arrow at Shiva at the behest of Parvati, the daughter of the mountains. She wanted to destroy the demon, Taraka, but only a son of Shiva could do this. With Kamadeva’s death, the earth became devoid of love.
Rati and Parvati and the other gods pleaded with Shiva to restore life and resurrect Kamadeva. Shiva relented and brought Kamadeva back to life as a mental image representing emotion and love rather than physical lust. Thus, Kamadeva came back to life like a phoenix from the ashes.
Meanwhile, Shiva and Parvati married, and their son Kartikeya, the god of war, defeated the demon Taraka and saved the world.
Kamadeva married Priti, who also personifies affection. She is his second wife. Kamadeva and Priti were blessed with a girl whom they name Trishna.
Kamadeva remains a vital aspect of the Indian religious tradition. He has a close mythological tradition with Lord Shiva.
Origins and Cults
Kamadeva is the famous Hindu deity who is worshipped as the god of love, desire, and attraction. All across India, through different periods of history, the importance of love is narrated through Kamashastra—Kamasutra, Ratirahasya, Anangaranga, and Nagarasarvasa. Kamasutra is an extremely popular text used by lovers, and thus it has been translated into many languages.
In India, there are many temples devoted to Kamadeva. People of Hindu religion worship him with jasmine, ashoka, mango, blue and white lotus, and sandalwood paste. As a tribute to Kamadeva, a tree is planted near a Hindu temple. In the tenth century, it is said that a princess named Suramañjarĩ prayed to Kamadeva to get the man she desired as her husband.
The people of South India worship Kamadeva on the day of Holi. They believe that he was burnt by Shiva on this day. Songs are sung in this region telling the tales of Rati and Kamadeva. In the Sanskrit and Pli languages, Kama means "desire." Even in Buddhism, Kama refers to desire. In Hinduism, in the name Kamadeva, Kama means "divine" and deva means "desire" or "passion" as stated in the Shiva Puran.
In the early Kashimirian pantheon, Kamadeva was worshipped with other gods and goddesses of Hindu religion. Two sculptured reliefs that were found in the Avantisvania Temple were of Kamadeva seated between his two wives, Rati and Priti. An antique terracotta murti of Kamadeva is housed in the Mathura museum in India.
The different scriptures give a varied account of Kamadeva. Thus, at times, Kamadeva seems to have a mysterious origin. He is endowed with a variety of titles such as Dipaka, "the inflamer;" Maya, "the deluder;" Grista, "the sharp;" Mara, "the destroyer;" Ragavrinta, "the stalk of passion;" and Titha, "fire."
Bibliography
Coomaraswamy, Ananda K., and Nivedita. Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists. New York: Dover, 1967. Print.
Hackin, J., et al. Asiatic Mythology: A Detailed Description and Explanation of the Mythologies of All the Great Nations of Asia. New York: Crescent, 1963. Print.
Keith, A. Berriedale, and Albert J. Carnoy. The Mythology of All Races. Eds. Louis Herbert Gray and George Foot Moore. Vol. 6. Boston: Marshall Jones, 1916. Print.
Mishra, P. K., ed. Studies in Hindu and Buddhist Art. New Delhi: Abhinav, 1999. Print.
Vatsyayana. The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana: The Classic Hindu Treatise on Love and Social Conduct. Trans. Richard F. Burton. New York: Dutton, 1962. Print.