कामा
n the vast expanse of Hindu mythology, Kama, the God of Love and Lust, reigns supreme as the embodiment of desire and passion. Also known as Manamatha, Kama is the most handsome of both mortals and gods, and is often compared to the Greek/Roman Cupid. With his bow of sugarcane and flower-tipped arrows, he has the power to ignite the flames of love in the hearts of humans, making them fall deeply in love.
As the husband of Rati, one of the daughters of Daksha, Kama’s story is deeply intertwined with the mythology of the gods. According to the Vishnu Purana, Kama is the son of Dharma (Yama), the god of justice, and Shradha, a daughter of Daksha. However, the Shiva Purana presents a different account, stating that Kama is the wish-born son of Brahma, the creator god. This dichotomy highlights the complexities and nuances of Hindu mythology, where multiple accounts and interpretations often coexist.
When Shiva, the destroyer god, was overcome with grief after the death of his wife Sati, the Devas (gods) were filled with anxiety about the fate of the universe. They knew that unless Shiva found love again and beget children, the world would be plunged into darkness. To prevent this catastrophe, they tasked Kama with the mission of making Shiva fall in love once more. This was a daunting task, as Shiva had renounced the world and was deep in meditation, his heart hardened by sorrow.
Undaunted, Kama set out to accomplish his mission, accompanied by the goddess of spring, who transformed the desolate forest into a beautiful garden, filled with intoxicating fragrances and vibrant colors. To make Shiva fall in love, a suitable woman was required, and Uma, the daughter of Himavan, the king of mountains, was the perfect candidate. As an incarnation of Parvati, Uma was a goddess in her own right, and her devotion to Shiva was unwavering.
However, Shiva’s anger and sorrow were still palpable, and he was barely aware of Uma’s presence. Kama, undeterred, fitted one of his best flower-arrows into his bow of sugarcane and let it fly, striking Shiva’s heart and awakening his love for Uma. But Shiva’s anger soon flared up, and he opened his third-eye, the seed of destruction, and gazed at Kama with blazing fury.
The potent power of Shiva’s gaze was so great that Kama was instantly reduced to ashes, leaving Rati, his wife, to beg for his mercy. Moved by her desperate pleas, Shiva relented and brought Kama back to life, but with a caveat: Kama would be formless from now on, visible only to Rati, his wife. This mythological tale highlights the complex relationships between the gods and the power of love and desire in Hindu mythology.
In this context, Kama’s story is also reminiscent of the myth of the god of love, Madana, who was said to have been born from the tears of the goddess Parvati. Madana’s story is also associated with the mythology of the god Shiva, who was said to have been awakened from his meditation by the god of love’s arrow. These mythological tales highlight the importance of love and desire in Hindu mythology, where the gods and goddesses are often depicted as being driven by their passions and desires.