The role of desire，"Kama"，in Indian philosophy and myth is examined. Patterns are discerned which testify to the kind of power which Hindu thought accords to desire. In the Vedas desire is seen as a creative force，creative even of mind，while in Yoga, Samkhya, Vedanta and Buddhism，it is perceived as a gateway to hell. Hindu myth, philosophy and devotional literature，however，show that desire appears as a fact，a power，which can be used both for enjoyment and liberation.
