Kamadeva

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the Hindu deity of love. For the concept of emotions and love, see Kama. For others, see Kama (disambiguation).
"Manmadhan" redirects here. For other uses, see Manmadhan (disambiguation).
"Madana" redirects here. For the place, see Madana, Nepal. For the film, see Madana (film).
Kamadeva
God of Love, Desire, Pleasure and Beauty
Harivamsha, Puranas
GenderMale
Personal information
ParentsBrahma (father)[a]
ConsortRati[b]
ChildrenHarsha and Yasha (sons)
Equivalents
Greek equivalentEros[6]
Roman equivalentCupid[5]

Kama (

Hindu god of erotic love, desire, pleasure and beauty, often portrayed alongside his consort and female counterpart, Rati. He is depicted as a handsome young man decked with ornaments and flowers, armed with a bow of sugarcane and shooting arrows of flowers.[7]

The

manasaputra (mind-born son) of the creator god Brahma in the Puranas, Kamadeva's most popular myth is his incineration by Shiva's third eye while the latter was meditating, and later embodied on earth as the eldest son of Krishna and his chief consort Rukmini, Pradyumna.[9]

Etymology and other names

The name Kama-deva (

Rigveda (RV 9, 113. 11).[10] Kamadeva is a name of Vishnu in the Vishnu Purana and the Bhagavata Purana (SB 5.18.15). It is also a name of the deities Krishna and Shiva. Kama is also a name used for Agni (Atharva Veda 6.36.3).[11]

Other names prominently used about Kamadeva are:

  • Kama (काम) - desire; longing.[2]
  • Manmatha (मन्मथ) - one who agitates mind.[2][5]
  • Madana (मदन) - one who intoxicates with love.[2][5][10][12]
  • Mara (मार) - he who wounds.[2][5]
  • Ananga (अनंग) - he who is without a body.[2][5]
  • Kushumeshara (कुसुमशर) he whose arrows are flowers.[2][5]
  • Pradyumna (प्रद्युम्न) - he who conquers all. It is also the named of Kama's reincarnation.[2][5]
  • Kandarpa (कन्दर्प) or Darpaka (दर्पक) - the inflamer. Brahma gave him this name.[2][13]
  • Manasija (मनसिज) , Manoja (मनोज) and Bhavaja (भवज) - he who is born of mind.[13][2]
  • Ratikanta (रतिकांत) or Ratipati (रतिपति)- husband of Rati.[2]
  • Abhirupa (अभिरूप) - the beautiful one. Also a name for both Vishnu and Shiva.[14]

Iconography

Kāmadeva is represented as a young, handsome man who wields a

Mango tree flowers, Jasmine flowers, and blue lotus flowers. The names of these flowers in Sanskrit in order are Aravinda, Ashoka, Choota, Navamallika, and Neelotpala. A terracotta murti of Kamadeva of great antiquity is housed in the Mathura Museum, UP, India.[17]

Some of the attributes of Kamadeva are: his companions are a cuckoo, a parrot, humming bees, the season of spring, and the gentle breeze.[5] All these are symbols of the spring season when his festival is celebrated as Holi, Holika, or Vasanta.[citation needed]

Textual sources

Images and stories about the Hindu god Kamadeva are traced to the verses of the

Puranas.[15]

Kamadeva is also mentioned in the 12th-century Javanese poem Smaradahana, a rendering of the myth of Kamadeva's burning by Shiva and fall from heaven to earth. Kama and his consort Rati are referenced as Kamajaya and Kamarati in Kakawin poetry and later Wayang narratives.[citation needed]

Legends

Birth

A Thai depiction of Kamadeva riding a parrot, 1959

The story of the birth of Kamadeva has several variants in different Hindu scriptures.[18]

In the

Dharma, the god of righteousness, and a prajapati (agent of creation).[19][2] His mother is mentioned to be Dharma's wife Shraddha in Taittiriya Brahmana,[20] while the appendix of the Mahabharata, Harivamsa, states his mother to be Lakshmi, another wife of Dharma.[c][20][3][21]

According to

mind-born sons of the creator god Brahma.[22][23][13][4][24] In the most common narrative, after Brahma creates all the prajapatis (agents of creation) and a maiden named Sandhya, an extremely handsome and youthful man emerges from his mind and enquires Brahma about the purpose of his birth. Brahma names him Kama and orders him to spread love in the world by shooting his flower arrows. Kama decides to first use his arrows against Brahma and shoots him with his floral arrows.[d] He becomes attracted to Sandhya and desires for her. The prajapati Dharma becomes worried by this and calls the god Shiva, who watches them and laughs at both Brahma and Kama.[e] Brahma regains consciousness and curses Kama to be burnt to ashes by Shiva in the future. However, on Kama's pleading, Brahma assures him that he will be reborn.[24][2][25][13][f] A later version of the myth is found in the Skanda Purana, according to which, Brahma creates Kama from his mind to ignite passion in the prajapatis (agents of creation) after they refused to procreate.[13][g]

In some traditions, Kama is considered a son of the goddess of wealth Lakshmi, and the preserver god Vishnu due to his birth as Pradyumna to Rukmini and Krishna, the incarnations of Lakshmi and Vishnu respectively.[5][26][4] According to Matsya Purana, Visnu-Krishna and Kamadeva have a historical relationship.[16]

Family and assistants

Both the epics and the

Brahmavaivarta Purana gives Rati another origin, according to which Sandhya died after Brahma desired her but was revived as Rati by Vishnu who presented her to Kama.[27][28] Priti ("affection") is mentioned as Kamadeva's second spouse in the Skanda Purana, while in other texts, 'Priti' is just an epithet of Rati.[4]

In most scriptures, Kama and Rati have two children, Harsha ("Joy") and Yashas ("Grace"). However, the Vishnu Purana mentions that they only have one son – Harsha.[3]

Besides Rati, Kama's main assistant is Vasanta, the god of spring season, who was created by Brahma. Kama is served by a group of violent

apsaras, and they are often sent by Indra—the king of heaven—to disturb the penance of sages to prevent them from achieving divine powers.[30]

Incineration by Shiva

Painting of the Madana-bhasma (Shiva turns Kamadeva to ashes)

One of the principal myths regarding Kama is the legend of his incineration by Shiva, called the Madana-bhasma, also rendered the Kama dahana. It occurs in its most developed form in the Matsya Purana (verses 227–255), [31] but is also repeated with variants in the Shiva Purana and other Puranas.[32]

In the narrative,

Nandi
, by taking the form of the fragrant southern breeze, and enters Shiva's abode.

After he awakens Shiva with a flower arrow, Shiva, furious, opens his third eye, which incinerates Kamadeva instantaneously, turning him into ash. Shiva observes Parvati before him. Impressed by her ascetic practice, he allows her to choose a boon of her choice. She enjoins him to restore Kamadeva to life. Shiva agrees to let Kamadeva live, but in a disembodied form, travelling like the wind with his bow and arrow with his consort, Rati. Shiva and Parvati's marriage results in the birth of a son, Kartikeya, who goes on to defeat Taraka.[33]

Incarnations

According to

Sudarshana (the presiding deity of Sudarshana Chakra), and Bharata are all incarnations of Kama.[34]
The myth of Kamadeva's incineration is referenced in the Matsya Purana and Bhagavata Purana to reveal a relationship between Krishna and Kamadeva.[16] In the narrative, Kama is reincarnated in the womb of Krishna's wife Rukmini as Pradyumna, after being burned to ashes by Shiva.

Beliefs and worship

The deity of Kamadeva along with his consort Rati is included in the pantheon of Vedic-Brahmanical deities such as

Hindu traditions for the marriage ceremony itself, the bride's feet are often painted with pictures of Suka, the parrot vahana of Kamadeva.[36]

The religious rituals addressed to him offer a means of purification and re-entry into the community. Devotion to Kamadeva keeps desire within the framework of the religious tradition.[37] Kamadeva appears in many stories and becomes the object of devotional rituals for those seeking health, and physical beauty, husbands, wives, and sons. In one story[where?] Kamadeva himself succumbs to desire, and must then worship his lover to be released from this passion and its curse.

Rituals and festivals

Kama (left) with Rati on a temple wall of Chennakesava Temple, Belur

Holi is a Hindu festival, celebrated in the Indian subcontinent. It is sometimes called Madana-Mahotsava[38] or Kama-Mahotsava.[39][40] This festival is mentioned by Jaimini, in his early writings such as Purvamimamsa-sutra, dated c. 400 BC.[39]

The Ashoka tree is often planted near temples. The tree is said to be a symbol of love and is dedicated to Kamadeva.[41]

In Gaudiya Vaishnavism

In the

vyuha-manifestation called Shamba, but is an individual soul (jiva-tattva) who, owing to his celestial powers, becomes an emanation of Vishnu
's prowess.

The Kamadeva that was incinerated is believed to be a celestial

Vrindavana, the origin of all forms of Kamadeva, yet above mundane love, who is worshiped with the Kama-Gayatri and Kama-Bija mantras.[43][44][45]

When Kamadeva is referenced as smara in Bhāgavata Purāṇa (book 10) in the context of the supramundane love between Krishna and the

Vishvanatha Cakravarti) as follows:[46] "First comes attraction expressed through the eyes, then intense attachment in the mind, then determination, loss of sleep, becoming emaciated, uninterested in external things, shamelessness, madness, becoming stunned, and death. These are the ten stages of Cupid’s effects."[43] The beauty of Krishna's consort, Radha, is without equality in the universe, and her power constantly defeats the god of love, Kamadeva.[47]

Temples

While it is believed that there are no temples to Kamadeva, and no murtis (statues) of Kamadeva are sold for worship on the market,[48] yet there is an ancient temple of Madan Kamdev in Baihata Chariali, Kamrup district in Assam. Madan is the brother of Kamadeva. The ruins of Madan Kamdev are scattered widely in a secluded place, covering 500 meters.

Some other temples dedicated or related to this deva:

In English literature

Wikisource has original text related to this article:

Letitia Elizabeth Landon's descriptive poem Manmadin, the Indian Cupid, floating down the Ganges appeared in The Literary Gazette, 1822 (Fragment in Rhyme VII.)

Notes

  1. Harivamsha, he is the son of the prajapati Dharma and his wife Lakshmi.[3] Some traditions consider Kama (as Pradyumna) as the son of the god Vishnu (as Krishna) and his wife Lakshmi (as Rukmini).[4][5]
  2. ^ In some scriptures, Kama has a second consort named Priti.[4]
  3. ^ Distinct from the consort of Vishnu who has the same name.
  4. ^ In the Kalika Purana, Kama also shoots at the prajapatis, and later from the sweat of Daksha, Rati emerges.[2]
  5. ^ In some versions, the role of Dharma is absent. Instead, Shiva sees them while traveling there.[24]
  6. ^ In some texts like the Matsya Purana and Brahmanda Purana, a different name is used for Sandhya.[24][13][2]
  7. ^ In this version, Kama is cursed by Brahma as he initially ignores his orders.[24]

References

  1. ^ Kāṇe, Pāṇḍuraṅga Vāmana; Institute, Bhandarkar Oriental Research (1958). History of Dharmaśāstra.
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-8120805972
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  3. ^ a b c Hopkins, Edward Washburn (1915). Epic mythology. Robarts - University of Toronto. Strassburg K.J. Trübner.
  4. ^
    ISBN 9788176250399
    – via Google Books.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic: Chapter V. The Incarnations or Avatāras of Vishnu: Kamadeva". www.sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  6. ^ James Lochtefeld (2002), The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Volume 1, Rosen Publishing, New York, ISBN 0-8239-2287-1, page 340
  7. doi:10.1093/jaarel/lfi005
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  8. ISBN 978-1-134-27941-8
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  9. ISBN 978-0-19-536922-9
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  10. ^ a b Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary
  11. ^ "Atharva Veda: Book 6: Hymn 36: In praise of Agni Vaisvānara". www.sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 2022-02-15.
  12. JSTOR 288995
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  13. ^
    ISBN 978-0-691-01930-7
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  14. ^ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 61.
  15. ^ a b "A study of Kamadeva in Indian story literature". Columbia Educational Journal. Archived from the original on January 14, 2009. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  16. ^
    doi:10.1093/jaar/70.1.55
    .
  17. ISBN 81-7017-278-0
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  18. ^ Benton 2006, p. 23
  19. ^ Adi Parva, Chapter 66, Verses 31-33
  20. ^
    ISBN 9788184752779
    . Entry: "Kama"
  21. ISBN 978-81-7755-874-6
    .
  22. ^ Benton 2006, p. 36
  23. ^ Benton 2006, p. 44
  24. ^
    ISBN 978-81-7020-998-0
    .
  25. ^ Benton 2006
  26. ^ The Book of Hindu Imagery: Gods, Manifestations and Their Meaning By Eva Rudy Jansen p. 93
  27. ^ Benton 2006, p. 32
  28. ^ Benton 2006, p. 31
  29. ^ Benton 2006, p. 33
  30. ^ Benton 2006, p. 34
  31. ISBN 978-0-674-78865-7
    ., p.58
  32. ^ Klaus Klostermaier, (2000) Hinduism: A Short History. Oxford: One World Publications.
  33. Wendy Doniger O'Flaherty, (1975) Hindu Myths: A Sourcebook Translated from the Sanskrit. London: Penguin Books, p.157-159 [1]
  34. ISBN 9788120838819
    . Kama, the presiding deity of the disc was born as Sudarsana. Sâmba the son of lord Krsna was also the incarnation of Kāma. Skanda, the son of Rudra (Shiva) was also Kåma. Since he overcame the enemies he is called Skanda. Since he overcame enemies he is called Skanda. Sudarsana, Pradyumna, Bharata, Samba, Sanatkumara, and Skanda these six are the incarnations of Kama.
  35. S2CID 162304052
    . Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  36. ^ Arnold, A.J. (1996). Monsters, Tricksters, and Sacred Cows: Animal Tales and American Identities. University of Virginia Press. p. 186.
  37. ^ Benton 2006, p. 84
  38. ISBN 9789350573587
    .
  39. ^
    ISBN 9781576070895
    .
  40. ISBN 9788170172215
    . Madana Mahotsava or Kama Mahotsava, Vasant Mahotsava are sophisticated forms of some ancient festivals. The 8th century poet ... The colourful festival of Holi has its origin in these festivals, known for their gay abandon. It is an ancient ...
  41. doi:10.3109/13880208109070585
    . Retrieved 2008-07-13.
  42. Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
    . p. Ch. 55: Shaba was Born to Kṛṣṇa and Jambabati.
  43. ^
    ISBN 978-963-03-7649-5
    .
  44. ^ vṛndāvane aprākṛta navīna madana, kāma-gāyatrī kāma-bīje yāṅra upāsana (Caitanya Caritamrita, 2.8.138)
  45. S2CID 161486286
    .
  46. ^ Bhagavata Purana 10.21.3 Tika, “caksu-ragah prathamam cittasangas tata ‘tha sankalpah nidra-cchedas tanuta visaya-nivrittis trapanasah / unmado muriccha mrtir ity etah smara-dasa dasaiva syuh.”
  47. ISBN 978-0-7914-6415-1
    . Radha is without equal in the universe for beauty, and her power constantly defeats the god of love, Kamadeva.
  48. ^ Benton, C. (2005). {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  49. ^ "Braj Mandala Parikrama in Mathura". www.agraindia.org.uk. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
  50. ^ "Temple for Cupid, Thadikombu, Dindigul". Archived from the original on 2015-04-05.
  51. JSTOR 3249750
    . K. Deva suggests it is Kamadeva in the EITA

External links

  • Media related to Kamadeva at Wikimedia Commons
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