Indra called Kamdev, the god of love, and asked him to arouse love for Parvati in the heart of Mahadev. In the spring, Kamadev with his spouse Rati departed for Mahadevs abode. Mahadev was sitting in virasan with his eyes closed in meditation. When he opened his eyes he saw Parvati and his heart was moved by her bewitching beauty. However, he controlled himself and pondered over the cause of his passion. When he raised his eyes, he noticed Kamdev standing there. This enraged him and he opened his third eye.
क्रोधं प्रभो संहर संहरेति यावद्गिरः खे मरुतां चरन्ति । तावत्स वह्निर्भवनेत्रजन्मा भस्मावशेषं मदनं चकार ॥ ३।७२॥
While the words “oh Lord quell your anger” were travelling through the wind in the sky,(even before it reached the earth) the fire from the eye of Siva reduced Manmatha to ashes.
There and then Kamdev was incinerated. Mahadev left that place. Parvati came back to her home. When Rati saw Kamadev burning to ashes, she fainted.
