The Divine Tale of Pradyumna: Incarnation of Kamadeva and Slayer of Shambara

Pradyumna was the son of Shri Krishna and Rukmini. He is considered to be the incarnation of Kamadeva, whom Lord Shiva burned.According to Bhagavad Purana, a demon named Shambara existed. He was destined to be defeated by Pradyumna. When he learns about the impending birth of Pradyumna, he kidnaps the baby when he is only 10 days old.Shambara took Pradyumna and threw him into the sea, which was swallowed by a huge fish. The fish was later caught by a fisherman who sold it to the demon Shambara. It reached the kitchen of the demon and when his cook found the child inside the fish, he presented the baby to a maidservant named Mayavati.Herein, Narada appeared before Mayavati and explained Pradyumna to her. It is also disclosed to Mayavati that she is no other incarnation of Rati, the wife of Kamadeva. She learns that Pradyumna is Kamadeva and thereby, she takes care of him.Pradyumna grows up speedily. He grows up to marry Mayavati who was none other than Rati. Mayavati also provides power to Pradyumna using her mystic powers and hereby, Pradyumna challenges Shambara for a fight.Pradyumna uses the power of Mayavidya, while Shambara uses his mystic powers. He defeats the latter, and Pradyumna cuts off the demon’s head with a sharp sword.After defeating Shambara, for defeating whom Pradyumna had taken birth, he travels back to Dwarka with Mayavati to unite with Shri Krishna and Rukmini.Thus, Pradyumna was Kamadeva's incarnate and son of Shri Krishna and Rukmini.