Lord Ganesha’s Family

Hindus worship Lord Ganesha before starting a new venture or journey as they believe that his blessings will bring them success. Ganesha has the power to remove obstacles that can hinder our success. The elephant-headed deity is also the first to be worshipped during auspicious ceremonies. In this blog, we shall explore the story of Ganesha and his family. Many people know that Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati and the brother of Lord Muruga. They also believe that Ganesha is a celibate. However, scriptures like the Ganesha Purana and the Mudgala Purana refer to his wives, Siddhi and Buddhi/Riddhi. Siddhi denotes spiritual strength, while Buddhi denotes intellect. As Ganesha is the God of wisdom and spiritual knowledge, his consorts reflect these traits. As per the Ganesha Purana, Brahma offered prayers to Ganesha while performing a rite to honor him. Two of the offerings were Siddhi and Buddhi, who were daughters born from his intellect. Ganesha took them as his wives. Family Members of Ganesha His parents are Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Mythology says that Ganesha was created by Goddess Parvati from the dirt on her body. His brothers are Kartikeya (the most well-known of his siblings), Sukesh, Jalandhar, Aiyappa, and Bhuma. Ashok Sundari is his sister. Other sisters include Jaya, Vishhar, Shamilbari, Dev, and Dotli, who were Naag kanya children of Shiva. Shiva had many other daughters, too. Ashok Sundari’s husband is Nahusha. Apart from Riddhi and Siddhi, Ganesha has other wives like Tushti, Pushti, and Shri. Ganesha’s sons are Shubh and Labh. Amod and Pramod are his grandsons. When chanting the Ganesha Chaturthi Mantra, one invites Ganesha, his wives Riddhi and Siddhi, and also his sons, Shubh and Labh. The Mantra asks Ganesha and his entire family to bestow their blessings - Om Sri Ganesha Namah, Riddhi Siddhi Shubh Labh. Devotees feel that if Ganesha comes alone, he is not likely to stay long in their home and will return soon to his family. All beings are Ganapatis as their bodies are made of the five elements or Pancha-mahabhuta, and they are the owners or masters. So, Ganesha reveals how to achieve intellectual wealth to lead a rewarding life.

Ganesha’s Sons

Ganesha’s two sons find mention in the Shiva Purana. Some temples have idols of  Ganesha with his family members, like his wives and two sons. Brahma performed Ganesha’s marriage with Siddhi and Riddhi/Buddhi. Shubh and Labh were born to them later.

Sons of Ganesha

Shubh and Labh are Ganesha’s sons. Shubh is the deity of prosperity, and Labh is the God of profit. Labh bestows the biggest profit, and Shubh is the one who protects that bounty. Ganesha embodies knowledge, Siddhi signifies spiritual well-being, and Labh embodies profit.  Ganesha also signifies wisdom, Riddhi intellect, and Shubh auspiciousness. Intelligence needs to be used with wisdom. Only then does one benefit from it. Therefore, people describe Ganesha as a deity who has the qualities of his wife and sons.

Ganesha’s Daughter

Ganesha’s daughter, Santoshi Maa, is a well-known goddess. She is the goddess of satisfaction. However, no scripture refers to her. Shiva Purana mentions the birth of Ganesha’s son. The origin story of Santoshi Maa begins with Manasa (Ganesha’s sister) joining him to celebrate a festival. His sons ask Ganesha for a sibling. Ganesha created Santoshi Maa with two flames that appear from the breasts of his wives, Riddhi and Siddhi. But, at first, he refuses to accede to the persistent requests of his sons, Riddhi and Siddhi, sister, and even Sage Narada. Narada ordered that Ganesha’s daughter, born from the mind, should always grant everyone’s desires. Hence, she is known as Santoshi Maa/Mata, the goddess of satisfaction. Iconography of Ganesha Ganesha is depicted with an elephant’s head and four hands. He holds a goad and a noose in his upper hands. In one of his lower hands is a bowl of modaks. Another lower hand shows Abhaya Mudra. His mount is a mouse. Ganesha Chaturthi is the festival that celebrates Ganesha’s birth. Incarnations of Ganesha The Mudugal Purana identifies eight incarnations of Lord Ganesha, with the most notable being known as Ashta Vinayaka. Also revered are 32 various incarnations of Lord Ganesha. Interesting Facts about Ganesha

• Ganesha is the Hindu God of water. He likes durva grass, red flowers, duub (a kind of grass), and Shami leaves.
• His main weapons are Paash and Ankush. The lion was Ganesha’s carrier during Satyug. His vehicle during the Treta Yuga was a peacock. In Dwapar Yuga, it was a mouse. In Kali Yuga, he rides a horse.
• Ganesha’s Jap Mantra is “Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha. ”.
• Ganesha loves Modaks and besan ladoos.
• His worship includes Ganesh Stuti, Ganesh Chalisa, Ganesh Arti, and Shri Ganesh Sahastranamavali.
• Ganesha has 12 primary names - Gajanana, Lambodar, Vikat, Vighnavinashak, Vinayaka, Dhumtaketu, Ganadhyaksha, Ekanth, Kapil, Gajkarnak, and Vikat.