Kamadev with Two Women

Kamadev with Two Women

Pratihara Dynasty, 8th Century AD

         Although Kamadev  (the Hindu god of Love) is depicted often in Indian miniature paintings, in sculpture he is seldom seen. Hence, this sculpture from Madhya  Pradesh is a unique one. Since love and sex was one of the goals of a Hindu life in ancient India,  it is surprising that Kamadev I'd conspicuously missing from ancient sculptures.  In contrast, for the Greeks and the Romans, Cupid (their god of love and sex ) was a popular image. Is this a reflection of hypocracy that although we may have written the first book on sex, the Kama Sutra, but publicly we will not acknowledge Kamadev? 

           Here Kamadev is being offered a glass of Soma, an ancient Indian alcoholic drink. Is the sculptor hinting at the "heady" effect of love? Is he comparing "spiritual Love" to a glass of while, like the sufi mystics do? If Kamadev  had only a single wife, Rati,  then who is the other woman sitting next to him? These perplexing questions tease us. Only to remind us that Love is an intriguing feeling.