Kamadeva, also known as Madana or Kanderpa, is the Hindu god of carnal love and he has the powers to stimulate physical sexual desire. He is an important Vedic deity but was burned to ashes by Lord Shiva – this was his great sacrifice. Kamadevan rose from the heart of Lord Brahma. The consorts of Kamadeva are Rati and Priti. He is encircled by Apsaras, Gandharvas and Kinnaras and God Vasanta or spring season.
Kamadeva is generally depicted as a young handsome male with green or red skin. He is handsomely dressed and is adorned with ornaments and flowers. His weapon is a bow of sugar-cane, strung with a line of honeybees and arrows are tipped with flowers. His vehicle or Vahana is a parrot.
Kamadeva was chosen to kindle the feeling of love in Lord Shiva who had entered into a deep meditation after the death of Goddess Sati. Kamadev knew that Lord Shiva was endowed with a fiery sight and disturbing him from his meditation is inviting death. But he performed the act so that the world that had gone lopsided with Shiva entering into intense meditation would be restored.
What was feared happened and Lord Shiva burned Kamadev into ashes for disturbing Him. But Rati, Kamadeva’s wife, sought forgiveness and Shiva granted him the boon that although he will be no more physically visible but will live through the feeling of love. Shiva also said that Lord Krishna will have a son in Dwapar Yuga named Pradyumna and in his body Kamadeva will find his body.
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