Kandarpa is one among the numerous names of Kamdev, the god of love in Hinduism. Here is the story which explains why Kamadeva is also known as Kandarpa. It is found in the Kalika Purana.
Legend has it that Brahma created ten Prajapatis to help in creation. Brahma also created a woman named Sandhya.
Sandhya was divinely beautiful and her beauty aroused strong sexual desire in men. For a split second, Brahma too was enamored by the beauty of Sandhya.
Suddenly a very handsome young man emerged from the right chest of Brahma with a floral bow in his hands.
He was named Kandarpa because he is said to have asked Lord Brahma: “whom should I make proud?” – kam tarpayami.
The name is used by Rishi Vishwamitra while narrating the story of Shiva burning down Kamdev to Bhagavan Sri Rama and Lakshmana in the Balakanda (Chapter 1 (22)) of Ramayana
Another Story
Story of Chandesa – an ardent devotee of Shiva who became a Gana
Another Story
Story of Chandesa – an ardent devotee of Shiva who became a Gana