Rati

Rati is the Hindu goddess of love, desire, and pleasure, and the eternal consort of Kama, the god of love. Her name derives from the Sanskrit root 'ram,' meaning 'to delight' or 'to enjoy,' and she embodies the erotic and passionate aspect of existence. In Vedic literature, Rati appears in the Rigveda (10.129) as part of the cosmic creation hymn, where desire (kama) is the primal seed of the universe, and Rati is its feminine counterpart. The Puranas elaborate her origin: according to the Skanda Purana, Rati was born from the mind of Brahma as the embodiment of love, while the Shiva Purana describes her as the daughter of Daksha and wife of Kama. Her most famous myth occurs in the Matsya Purana and the Kumara Sambhava of Kalidasa: when Kama was incinerated by Shiva's third eye for disturbing his meditation, Rati performed severe penance and pleaded with the gods for his revival.

Shiva eventually restored Kama, but as an ananga (bodiless) deity, and Rati's devotion ensured their eternal union. Iconographically, Rati is depicted as a beautiful young woman with a lotus in her hand, often seated with Kama. She holds a sugarcane bow and flower arrows, symbolizing the sweetness and allure of love. Her vahana is a parrot, a bird associated with passion and speech. Rati's symbolism extends to fertility and marital harmony; she is invoked in marriage ceremonies and rituals for conjugal bliss.

The Kama Sutra, while not a scripture, acknowledges her as the presiding deity of sexual pleasure. Regional worship includes Vasant Panchami and Holi, festivals celebrating spring and love. In Hindu cosmology, Rati represents the creative force of desire that drives the cycle of birth and rebirth, yet she also teaches that love can transcend physical form, as seen in her unwavering devotion to Kama. Her presence in the Devi Mahatmya (5.23) as a form of the Goddess underscores her role as a cosmic power. Rati's worship is pan-Indian, with temples dedicated to her alongside Kama in places like Kamaakhya and Vrindavan.

Beautiful young woman, often depicted with Kama. Holds lotus or flower arrows.