Rati is the goddess of love, sensuality, fertility in the pantheon of Hinduism. The word “Rati (रति)” is a Sanskrit term that literally translates to “pleasure, desire, or delight”. Etymologically, it refers to anything that can be enjoyed; but, in the context of hindu mythology, it is always used as connotation to sexual love.
According to hindu beliefs, many mantras dedicated to her are said to offer one with the miraculous ability to make others fall in love with them. As the goddess of sexual desire, love, and beauty, Rati symbolizes the characteristic of an ideal woman who knows how to live in perfect harmony with their partner, and make them happy.
Incomparable Beauty Of Goddess Rati
The goddess Rati is described as being highly attractive and feminine in several ancient books and scriptures. She was the daughter of Prajapati Daksha, and a kshatriya (warrior) queen who enjoyed riding horses.
In some pictures, she is also shown with an indian ringneck parrot as her vehicle and a bow made of sugarcane in her hand. She is well-known for being the divine consort of Kamadeva (the hindu god of love).
Together are the perfect embodiment of a couple in love, harmony, and conjugal bliss. Other names for her include Kama-kala, Kama-priya, Raga-Lata, Reva-kami, and so on.
With names like these, it’s evident that she solely represents the pleasurable aspect of carnal desire and has nothing to do with childbirth or motherhood. Several Puranas describe her as having a fair complexion, plump breasts, and a figure that is equivalent to that of thousands of Apsaras.
The Origin Story Of Goddess Rati
Although Goddess Rati is not mentioned in the Vedas, she does appear in the Puranas as a secondary character in various legends of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Despite this, her origin story is rather contradictory.
However, in the most well-known version mentioned in the Kalika Purana, she is described as the daughter of Prajapati Daksha.
Her Marriage With Kamadeva (God Of Love)
According to the Kalika Purana, Lord Brahma created ten Prajapatis for the purpose of creating nature. They all, however, lacked one critical quality. That is to say, they didn’t have the necessary sexual impulse to reproduce.
Brahma realized this and used the power of his mind to produce a son named “Kama”, who became the god of love and sensual desire. Kamadeva was then given the task of spreading sensual desire to all living elements of nature. With his arrow of desire, all living beings, including the ten Prajapatis, began to produce offspring.
One of the Prajapati, named Dakhsa, was particularly gifted with a stunning, beautiful daughter. This was none other than Rati herself. Later, when she reached her marriageable age, with the recommendation of Lord Brahma, Dakhsa invited Kamadeva to the swayamvar of Rati. In the swayamvar, Rati chose Kama to be her husband.
Rati Mantra For Beauty & Attraction
The Rati Gayatri Mantra is a well-known mantra linked with Goddess Rati, and it is especially popular among ladies who are conscious of their beauty and desire to become more appealing. The mantra is;
|| ॐ क्लीं कामरति च विद्यमहे कामेश्वरी च धीमहि तन्नो रति प्रचोदयात ||
