Definition

Noun: 1. Hindu god of love and erotic desire: In Hindu mythology, Kama is the deity who personifies love, desire, and sensual pleasure. He is often depicted as a youthful, handsome man wielding a bow made of sugarcane and arrows tipped with flowers. He is considered the opposite of Mara, who represents death, obstruction, or temptation in Buddhist contexts.

Usage

• The term Kama is used as a proper noun to refer specifically to this divine figure.
• It is primarily used in discussions of Hindu theology, mythology, comparative religion, and Indian literature and arts.

Examples

• In the ancient text, Kama is described as stirring the hearts of both gods and humans.
• The festival celebrates the power of Kama, the god of love.
• Artists often depict Kama with his bow, ready to shoot an arrow of desire.

Advanced Usage

• Kama is a central figure in the narrative of the god Shiva, where he is burned to ashes by Shiva's third eye for disturbing his meditation.
• The concept of kama (with a lowercase 'k') can also refer more broadly to the principle of desire or pleasure as one of the four proper goals of human life (Purusharthas) in Hindu philosophy, which includes (duty), (prosperity), kama (pleasure/desire), and (liberation).

Variants and Related Words

• Kamadeva: Another name for the god Kama, meaning "god of desire."
• kama (lowercase): The general concept of desire, pleasure, or love, especially as a goal of life.

Synonyms

• Cupid: The Roman god of love, often used as a comparative figure.
• Eros: The Greek god of love and desire.
• God of love: A descriptive synonym.

Related Concepts

• Mara: In Buddhist tradition, the tempter or personification of death and obstacles to spiritual enlightenment, often cited as the conceptual opposite of Kama in this specific mythological context.
• Rati: The goddess of love and pleasure, who is the consort and female counterpart of Kama.

Noun

1. Hindu god of love and erotic desire; opposite of Mara