Ananga is one among the numerous names of Kamdev, Hindu God
of Love. After the death of Sati at Daksha Yajna, Lord Shiva entered into deep
and intense meditation in the Himalayas. He was no longer interested in
the world.
Demons took advantage of the situation and got the boon that
only a son of Shiva would annihilate them.
Devas were in deep trouble because of this. Devas and saints
took refuge at the feet of Brahma who told that the only solution for this
problem was to bring back Lord Shiva to the world and stop his penance.
Brahma asked the gods to take the help of Kamdev to stop the
penance by creating sexual desire and passion in Lord Shiva.
Kamdev arrived in front of Shiva along with Rati Devi, and
shot five arrows of flowers at the heart of Shiva.
Shiva’s Tapas was interrupted. He was terribly angry and from
his third eye, a fierce blazing flame appeared and burned Kamdev into ashes.
Rati Devi was inconsolable at the death of her husband. She
asked Shiva as to what will happen to the world without desire. With the death
of Kamdev there will be no desire or lust on earth. Her lamentations moved
Shiva who realized that total rejection of the world made no sense.
Shiva then consoled Rati that Kamdev will exist without
body. He will be Ananga.