Kama
Kama South and Central AsiaLike Eros, Kama arose at the creation of the universe, first-born of the gods. Desire was the primal germ of the universal mind. Yet the Hindu god of love is no Cupid; instead of the fleshly infant portrayed by Western artists, Kama is a brilliantly adroit youth, the husband of Rati, the goddess of sensual desire. His sugar-cane bow is stretched by a string of bees, and fires arrows tipped with flowers, whose scent announces the sweet, piercing, irresistible attack of love. The mysterious origin of Kama and the general influence of his power have given rise to an interesting variety of titles. He is Dipaka, ‘the inflamer’; Gritsa, ‘the sharp’; Mayi, ‘the deluder’; Mara, ‘the destroyer’; Ragavrinta, ‘the stalk of passion’; and Titha, ‘fire’.
Kama's assay on Shiva cost the deity his beautiful form. Commanded by Indra to fire at the divine yogi, in order to break his perfect meditation and enflame him...
[The entire page is 238 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Oxford University Press Titles
