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The Five Arrows of Kamadeva

In Hinduism, Kamdev is the god of love. He appeared from the mind of Brahma carrying a bow made of sugarcane and five flowery arrows. As per Hindu scriptures, the five flowery arrows are made of white lotus, red flower, mango blossom, jasmine and blue water lily.



  1. White lotus or Aravinda creates pleasing and desiring feeling (Harshana).
  2. Red Flower (Ashoka) creates attraction or temptation (rochanam)
  3. Mango blossom or Amra creates infatuation or delusion (Mohanam)
  4. Jasmine or Nava Mallika creates weakness or love sickness (Shoshanam)
  5. Blue water lily or nilotpala creates death (maranam)

The five arrows of Kamadeva in Hinduism, each symbolized by a specific flower, encompass a spectrum of emotions and experiences associated with love and desire:

White Lotus (Aravinda) - This arrow invokes the feeling of pleasure and desire, known as "Harshana." It represents the initial spark of attraction that ignites the flames of longing and delight.

Red Flower (Ashoka) - This arrow creates a sense of attraction and temptation, termed as "Rochanam." It symbolizes the allure and magnetism that draw individuals towards each other, fostering a sense of irresistible fascination.

Mango Blossom (Amra) - Infatuation and delusion are evoked by this arrow, known as "Mohanam." It signifies the state of being captivated by someone to the extent of losing sight of reality, swept away by an intense and often fleeting passion.

Jasmine (Nava Mallika) - This arrow induces weakness and love sickness, termed as "Shoshanam." It represents the emotional vulnerability and longing that accompany profound love, sometimes manifesting as a yearning ache in the heart.

Blue Water Lily (Nilotpala) - The final arrow creates the ultimate outcome of love's journey: death, or "Maranam." It symbolizes the transcendence of mortal existence through the consummation of love, where individuals merge into a unified spiritual consciousness beyond the constraints of earthly life.

These arrows represent the multifaceted nature of love and desire, encompassing both the ecstasy and the potential for profound transformation that accompany the human experience of romantic attraction.