kama mara : kamain sanskrit = erotic desire mara = death the character who tempts the buddha in some of the early tales seems to be a devilish construct of at least two legendary deities , but i want the reader to imagine my fictional character , kama mara , as an aryan ( as the nobles or pure ones called themselves in the vedas ) , capable of tracing his lineage back to manus time , a master in the continuous line of disciples of those original seven rishis , a possessor of supernatural powers and profound ideas ; highly initiated , and a chosen recipient of the most ancient lore , persevering in the mission , which was always the guidance and benefit of humanity .