Valentine’s Day 2024: Lord Kamadeva, the Indian Cupid and his five arrows

Valentine’s Day the day of love, is just around the corner. Therefore, let us talk about the God of Love Kamadeva. Who is he and how did he get his name?

In Sanskrit, the word ‘Kama’ means love, desire, sensuality, and longing, and in Hinduism, the Lord who embodies all these four qualities is Kamadeva, the God of Love.

The beauty of love lies in the ways it can bewitch a person’s mind. The feeling of love, desire, and longing can be deceptively beautiful. At one point it can make you feel as if you’re riding the clouds and in the next second, it can cause immense pain.

This invisible yet the most powerful force in the world is what Lord Kamadeva plays with. That is why he is also known as Manmath, the one who churns the heart; Madana, the intoxicating one; and Ananga, the intangible one.

Who is Kamadeva?
According to popular sources, Kamadeva is the son of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. He has two wives- Rati and Priti. While Rati is well-known for her ravishing beauty that can even distract the saints, little is known about Priti who is a personification of affectionate love. The mention of Kamadeva goes back to the ancient Rig Veda. He is one of the few deities who galso ained enough prominence in the Puranic stage.