Page:Hindu Feasts Fasts and Ceremonies.djvu/64

48 tremely favourable to him. He fixed the arrow of love to his bow and was taking his aim at Siva. The ever-holy mind of Siva wavered a bit and he cast his looks on Parvati, who appeared all the more beautiful that day decorated from top to toe with all the flowers that Spring had brought into existence in that hermitage. Then Siva suddenly regaining his balance of mind, laughed at his own weakness and looked round to see the cause of it. He saw Cupid at a distance. The celestials who were watching from above noticed the rage of Siva. "Please subdue your anger and save poor Cupid,” begged they. But before that noise reached the ears of Siva, a small spark of fire got unloosened from the third eye in his forehead and left Cupid an image of ashes. This event is believed to have occurred on the full-moon day of Phalguna. It is the death of Cupid in this unhappy manner that is celebrated as Kaman-pandikai in South India. A flag called the flag of Cupid is left planted for four or five days before the full-moon day, in a prominent place in every street, is worshipped with love songs and other frolics and is burnt on the full-moon day.