(^2) Kaamdeo is said to hold a symbolic arrow consisting of five types of flowers.
The ‘flower’ is however misleading as it implies that this god, who is the patron god
of passion, yearning, lust, emotions and love, uses quiet, polite and subtle methods to
conquer his enemies by secretly hitting them hard at their heart and forcing them to
be subdued with his quality of generating passion, yearning, lust and desire for
sensual gratification.
His arrow is not like the conventional arrow used in a battle-field that produces a
bleeding wound. He uses ‘flowers’ symbolic of softness and pleasing demeanours
that have a malafide intention to trap the victim in a snare, forcing the trapped
creature to obey what Kaamdeo orders. A creature ensnared by Kaamdeo would not
listen to the advice of his or her intellect and wisdom, but would be driven by
emotions and sentiments having their seat in the heart that has already been
conquered by Kaamdeo and injected with the poison of passion, lust, yearning, love
and a desire for sensual gratification.
Refer: Ram Charit Manas, Baal Kand, Chaupai line no. 3 that precedes Doha no.
84 which clearly states that Kaamdeo holds a bow and arrows made of flowers..
Kaamdeo is so powerful and clever in his tactics that he has succeeded to distract
even Lord Shiva who is a renowned god of ascetics and one who has exemplary self-
control over his sense organs. Refer: Ram Charit Manas, Baal Kand, Chaupai line
nos. 1-4 that precede Doha no. 87.
It is another matter that Lord Shiva became so angry at Kaamdeo’s temerity,
impertinence and irreverence that the Lord opened his ‘third eye’ of widom located
on his forehead to burn Kaamdeo to ashes (refer—Ram Charit Manas, Baal Kand,
Chaupai line no. 6 that precedes Doha no. 87). But inspite of this, the fact cannot be
denied that Kaamdeo did succeed in waking Shiva from his transcendental state of
Samadhi and mellowed enough to accept the proposal to marry Parvati (refer—Ram
Charit Manas, Baal Kand, from Chaupai line no. 4 that precedes Doha no. 88—to
Chaupai line no. 6 that precedes Doha no. 89).]
ŒÊ0. ‚È⁄Uã„U ∑§„UË ÁŸ¡ Á’¬Áà ‚’ ‚ÈÁŸ ◊Ÿ ∑§Ëã„U Á’øÊ⁄U–
‚¢÷È Á’⁄UÙœ Ÿ ∑ȧ‚‹ ◊ÙÁ„U Á’„UÁ‚ ∑§„U©U •‚ ◊Ê⁄UH 83H
dōhā.
suranha kahī nija bipati saba suni mana kīnha bicāra.
sambhu birōdha na kusala mōhi bihasi kahē'u asa māra. 83.
The gods told Kaamdeo about their entire problem^1. He thought over the matter in his
Mana (mind and heart) and came to the conclusion that by opposing Lord Shiva, no
good would come to him (and he will have to suffer its consequences).
Therefore, “Maar^2 ” (the one who hurts or kills; Kaamdeo) smiled wryly and
said to the gods, ‘By opposing Lord Shiva I cannot expect any sort of welfare. ---
(Doha no. 83)
[Note—^1 The gods explained how the demon Tarkaasur was tormenting the entire
heaven and that he can be killed only by the son of Shiva. But Shiva was submerged
in deep meditation. It was necessary to distract him and ignite a desire to marry inside
his heart so that he could be married to Parvati, who has already done successful Tapa
to get him as he husband. The son produced as the result of this union would kill the
demon and free the gods from his constant terror.
Kaamdeo was in a dilemma. If he refused it would mean betraying his brother
gods who might declare his an outcaste and force him out of the kingdom of heaven.