Rati

Rati is a term with multiple meanings in Indian languages and culture. In Sanskrit, rati denotes pleasure, joy, or romantic love. The word is commonly used as a female given name in parts of India and Nepal, reflecting its associations with affection and beauty.

In Hindu mythology, Rati is the goddess of love and desire, and the consort of Kamadeva, the god of desire. She embodies passion and attraction and appears in various legends related to Kamadeva’s efforts to awaken love among beings. The couple is often depicted together, and their narratives intersect with stories such as Shiva’s destruction of Kamadeva and the subsequent revival of desire in the cosmic order.

As a given name, Rati is widely used for women in the Indian subcontinent. Notable people with the name include the Indian actress Rati Agnihotri (born 1954), who gained prominence in the 1970s and 1980s.

Linguistically, rati meaning pleasure is distinct from ratri, which means night in Sanskrit and many Indian languages. The two terms share a common root but refer to different concepts in everyday usage.