Nirākāra means FORMLESS and describes the Ultimate Reality known as BRAHMAN - the Ground-of-Being - which is incomprehensible and inexpressible
Sākāra means with-form and describes the iconographical forms and attributes WE GIVE to the Nirākāra forces of the Universe.
So for example, DESIRE is a universal reality experienced by every living being - yet is is formless but very real.
In iconography we embody and concentrate all our knowledge of DESIRE - its origin, effects and consequences in ICONIC form as Kāmadeva.
This is Balinese depiction of Kāmadeva (Smara) and his Shakti - Rati
And this is an Indian version.
Kāma Deva or the God of Desire is most primal drive in the universe and therefore a force which must be reckoned with. In some places he is worshipped at the time of marriage. In the Atharva Veda (9:2:19) Kāma is mentioned as the supreme divinity, the impeller of creation. Kāma Deva is the principle god among the group known as the Viśvedevas or Universal Principles who are invoked in ceremonies pertaining to the ancestors. The other Viśvedevas being:
1. Vasu — Dwelling Place
2. Satya — Truth
3. Kratu — Will, Intelligence, Sacrifice
4. Dakṣa — Ritual Skill
5. Kāla — Time
6. Kāma — Desire
7. Dhṛti — Forbearance
8. Kuru — Action, Ancestor of the Kauravas
9. Purū-ravas — Cry of Abundance
10. Mādrava — Cry of Joy
11. Rocaka — Pleasantness, Beauty
12. Dhvani — Flame
13. Dhuri — Leadership
Kāma is said to be Self-born but in some texts like the Harivamśa he is said to be the son of Lakṣmī. Kāma is the personification of Desire in general, but the most specific and powerful of all desire-forces is the libido or sex-drive.
Kāma has 2 wives:— 1. Rati — the pleasure obtained from intercourse and 2. Prīti — love and affection for another.
He also has a younger brother named Krodha — Anger, a daughter named Tṛṣā — thirst or craving, since desires evolve into attachment and then craving, and a son named Aniruddha — which means “unrestrained” or “uncontrolled”. His best friend and eternal companion is Vasanta — spring, and he is always accompanied by the demons called the Māras— strikers or killers. He is served by the Gandharvas and the Apsaras.
Kāma is the first conscious, all-embracing desire for universal good and loving kindness for all sentient beings. It is the first feeling of infinite tender compassion and mercy that arose in the consciousness of the ABSOLUTE, as soon as the potential for Universal manifestation and expansion became the actual.
Desire in the beginning arose in That, that was the first seed of mind. Sages searching in their hearts with wisdom discovered [Desire] the bond which connects Being with Non-Being. (Rig Veda 10:129:4)
"Desire first arose in IT, which was the primal germ of mind, and which Sages, searching with their intellect, have discovered in their heart to be the bond which connects Entity with non-Entity", or Manas with pure Atma-Buddhi.
The Accoutrements
Kāma Deva is the presiding deity of the mind, the god of beauty and youth. He is usually pictured as a handsome proud adolescent riding a parrot. He carries a bow made of sugarcane with a string comprised of bees. He holds five arrows.
Śuka — the parrot symbolizes Truth for whatever is taught to the parrot is repeated verbatim. The parrot does interpret or process what it hears and learns but only repeats it exactly.
Ikṣu-kodaṇḍā — the sugarcane bow. Sugarcane is sweet at the oldest part signifying that true love comes with age. The leaves of the sugarcane are sharp and capable of cutting one, the powder from the leaves is also a severe irritant, indicating that desire is always accompanied by hurt. This idea is further strengthened by the bees forming the string of the bow. Bees produce honey but they also sting. Honey cannot be gotten without some risk of pain!
Pañca-bāṇa — the five arrows symbolize the five flowers associated with romance as well as the five senses which are all affected by the active libido. Desire is fulfilled through all the senses — sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell.
Vasanta — Kāma deva is most active when accompanied by his mate Spring, all the biological universe is aroused and active in reproduction.
Māras — wherever Kāma goes the Striker follow. All desire is accompanied by suffering in some form — either suffering from the intensity of the love or deprivation of it or its loss. It is well attested that Love so very easily turns into Hate, which is another aspect of the same Love force.
Some of Kāmadeva’s names are:—
Smara — “memory” because all desire is based upon previous memory – one cannot desire a specific thing which one has not previously experienced and has no memory of.
Manmatha — means "churner of hearts" or "agitator of minds," emphasizing his power to arouse desire and attraction.
Madan — "intoxicating," this name reflects his ability to intoxicate the mind and heart with love and desire.
Ananga — This name translates to "the one without a body" or "bodiless," highlighting the idea that love and desire transcend physical form and are all pervading existing in every living thing.
Pushpavan — "the one who carries flowers," this name signifies that Kamadeva is often depicted holding a bow made of sugarcane with string made of honeybees and arrows tipped with flowers -which represent the five senses.
Rati-Kanta — means "beloved of Rati," referring to his consort Rati, the goddess of love.
Manjughosha — This name signifies "sweet-voiced" or "having a melodious sound." It is through sound and speech that we become enamoured of another.
Kandarpa — Meaning "the inflamer of passion," this name underscores his role in igniting passion and love.
Pradyumna — the one who conquers all.
Māra — the one who injures others – since desire and love invariably end in separation, pain and grief
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