Manmatha

Manmatha is a deity in Hindu mythology associated with desire, love, and passion. Often depicted as the god of erotic love, Manmatha plays a significant role in various Hindu texts, including the Puranas and the Mahabharata. His name is derived from Sanskrit, where "Manas" means mind and "Matha" means to excite or arouse, symbolizing his influence over romantic and sensual pursuits.

In iconography, Manmatha is typically portrayed as a handsome young man armed with a bow and arrows, often made of flowers or bees, which represent the power to stimulate desire. He is frequently depicted riding a parrot or surrounded by celestial beings, emphasizing his divine nature.

A well-known myth related to Manmatha involves his attempt to disrupt Lord Shiva's meditation to instigate love. He shoots his flower arrows at Shiva, which causes the deity to lose concentration and become amorous. However, Shiva, enraged, opens his third eye and reduces Manmatha to ashes. Later, Manmatha is reborn as Kamadeva, the god of love, symbolizing the cycle of desire and renewal.

Manmatha's influence extends beyond individual passion, symbolizing the vital force driving creation and procreation in the universe. Though sometimes viewed as a mischievous or impulsive figure, he embodies the universal concept of love's power in human life and spiritual growth.

The worship of Manmatha is primarily linked to the celebration of love and fertility festivals, and his symbolism has permeated various art forms, including temple sculpture and literary works across South Asia.