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Lord Ganesha Family: Story of Hindu God Ganesha

Lord Ganesha is the most worshipped deity in Hinduism and is known by many names including Ganapati, Vinayaka, Bappa, Siddhivinayak, Gajanana and many more. He’s considered the God of wisdom, peace and prosperity and it is believed that he removes obstacles from devotees’ lives who worship him with full devotion. This blog outlines everything you need to know about Lord Ganesha. From his significance in Hinduism to his birth, his family etc. are covered in this blog.

The Birth of Lord Ganesha: A Story of Devotion and Wisdom

There are many stories in Hindu epics that are associated with the birth of Lord Ganesha. The most popular story states that once Goddess Parvati was getting ready to take a bath and needed someone to guard her. She created a beautiful boy by taking sandalwood from her body. Other stories mention that she created this boy out of clay. Then she sprinkled holy Ganges water on the boy and asked him to guard and not let anyone in.

After some time, Lord Shiva returned to Mount Kailasa and wanted to meet his wife, Goddess Parvati but the boy, being unaware that Lord Shiva is his father, blocked him stating that no one is allowed to enter the chamber as ordered by Goddess Parvati. Lord Ganesha and Shiva got into a fight and enraged Shiva, unaware of his identity beheaded the boy.

When Goddes Parvati came and saw her son lying dead, she was overwhelmed with sorrow and anger and asked Lord Shiva to bring her son back to life or she’ll destroy the whole universe. Lord Shiva asked Lord Brahma to bring the first creature they saw which was not with his mother. They came back with the head of an elephant and Lord Shiva placed the elephant's head on the boy’s body brought him back to life and named him Ganesh, the one with the elephant’s head. To further please Goddess Parvati, he blessed Ganesha that he’d be worshipped before all other gods.

You can always experience that whenever any ritual is conducted, Lord Ganesha is always worshipped first and foremost. Every Hindu temple has an idol of Lord Ganesha.

Also Read: Which Days Are for Which Hindu Gods?

Goddess Parvati: The Loving Mother of Lord Ganesha

Goddess Parvati also known as Adishakti, is the wife of Lord Shiva and mother of Lord Ganesha. Goddess Parvati is highly worshipped as the divine mother and played an important role in the lives of her children including Lord Kartikeya and Lord Ganesh.

She shared a loving relationship with her son Ganesha. According to Hindu mythologies and as mentioned above, Goddess Parvati created Lord Ganesha out of Sandalwood from her body and ordered him to guard the chamber while she was bathing.
Lord Ganesha obeyed her orders and did not let even his father Lord Shiva enter the chamber which led to a fight and Lord Shiva beheaded him. When Goddess Parvati saw her child lying dead on the floor, she became furious and vowed to destroy the whole universe if Lord Shiva did not revive her child and Lord Shiva ultimately brought him to life.

This story not only tells how Lord Ganesha was born but also depicts how powerful the love of a mother is.

Lord Shiva: The Father and Mentor of Ganesha

Lord Shiva is believed to share a profound and loving relationship with his son Lord Ganesha. He mentored Lord Ganesha and imparted spiritual guidance, wisdom and intellect to him.

There are multiple stories in our Hindu epics that depict the loving bond Lord Ganesha and Shiva shared. As per one of the stories, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati asked both their sons Lord Kartikeya and Lord Ganesha to take a full circle around the world and return. Getting the challenge, Lord Kartikeya sat on his peacock and began his journey white Lord Ganesha took an unexpected step. He perceived his parents, Shiva and Parvati as his universe and guided by his wisdom, he took a circle around them and won. This story symbolises that intellect wins over physical powers and showcases Lord Shiva’s guiding role in Lord Ganesha’s life.

Also Read : Santhana Gopala Mantra & Puja for Child Conception

Lord Ganesha’s Sibling: Lord Kartikeya and Their Unique Bond

According to Hindu Mythology, Lord Kartikeya, also known as Murugan and Skanda, is the elder son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and the big brother of Lord Ganesha. He’s considered the God of war while Lord Ganesha is known as the provider of wisdom and intellect. They are believed to have contrasting personalities.

There’s a story that once there was a race to win the fruit of knowledge and the one who circled the universe first would be the winner and eligible to get the fruit. Lord Kartikeya embarked on his ride, the peacock and started going around the universe while Lord Ganesha encircled his parents considering them as his universe. Impressed by his wisdom, Lord Shiva gave the fruit of knowledge to Lord Ganesha.

Riddhi and Siddhi: Ganesha’s Wives and the Symbol of Prosperity

According to Hindu mythologies and popular legends, Lord Ganesha was having trouble finding a spouse due to his elephant head and started creating problems in the wedding ceremonies of other Gods. The Gods then asked Lord Brahma for help who in turn asked Lord Ganesha to marry his twin daughters Riddhi and Siddhi.

His consorts, Riddhi and Siddhi also represent two essential aspects of Lord Ganesha’s life. While Riddhi symbolises prosperity and material development and Siddhi symbolises intellectual fulfilment and spiritual growth.

One interesting point here is that in the Southern part of India, it is believed that Lord Ganesha never married and practised celibacy as a commitment to spiritual growth.

The Children of Lord Ganesha: Shubh and Labh

According to the Hindu epic Shiva Purana, Lord Ganesha has two sons namely Shubh and Labh. Shubh is a son of Lord Ganesha from Siddhi and Labh from Riddhi. It is also believed that Lord Ganesha has a daughter named Santoshi. Shubh is known as the God of prosperity and Labh is the God of profit.

Symbolism and Lessons from Lord Ganesha’s Family

Lord Ganesha’s family is the symbol and provider of wisdom, intellect, prosperity and wealth. According to some legends, Lord Ganesha has a daughter named Santoshi, popularly known as Maa Santoshi is the goddess of satisfaction. It is believed that devotees who worship Lord Ganesha, his consorts Riddhi and Siddhi and his sons Shubh and Labh with full devotion are blessed with wisdom and prosperity.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Lord Ganesha and His Family

Lord Ganesha holds immense importance in our Hindu culture. As blessed by his father Lord Shiva, he’s always worshipped first. It is believed that worshipping the Lord Ganesha brings peace, happiness, wisdom and prosperity in life. With ePuja, you can conduct special pujas in popular temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha. These rituals help attract wisdom, peace and prosperity in the devotee’s life.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Ques: What is the real story of Ganesha?

Ans: According to the Hindu epics, Goddess Parvati created a boy (her son) from clay to protect her. Lord Shiva, unaware of his identity, beheaded the boy when he stopped Lord Shiva from meeting Goddess Paravati. At her request, Lord Shiva attached the head of an elephant to the boy’s body and hence, he was named Lord Ganesha.

Ques: What is the story related to Lord Ganesha?

Ans: According to the most popular stories, Goddess Parvati created a boy (her son) from clay to protect her. Lord Shiva, unaware of his identity, beheaded the boy when he stopped Lord Shiva from meeting Goddess Paravati. At her request, Lord Shiva attached the head of an elephant to the boy’s body and hence, he was named Lord Ganesha.

Ques: Who is the family of Lord Ganesha?

Ans: Lord Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is the younger brother of Lord Kartikaeya. He has two wives- Riddhi and Siddhi and three children. Shubh is a son of Lord Ganesha from Siddhi and Labh from Riddhi. It is also believed that Lord Ganesha has a daughter named Santoshi.

Ques: Who is Ganesha's wife?

Ans: Lord Ganesha has two wives named Riddhi and Siddhi- the twin daughters of Lord Brahma.

Ques: Who is Ganesha's daughter?

Ans: It is believed that Maa Santoshi, the goddess of satisfaction is Lord Ganesha’s daughter.

Ques: Why was Ganesha killed?

Ans: According to the Hindu epics, Lord Ganesha and Shiva got engaged in a fight when Lord Ganesha did not let Lord Shiva meet Goddess Parvati. Unaware of his identity, Lord Shiva beheaded Lord Ganesha.

Ques: How was Ganpati born?

Ans: Goddess Parvati created a boy out of sandalwood on her body and asked him to guard her when she went for a bath. When Lord Shiva reached there and wanted to meet Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha stopped him. Unaware of his identity, Lord Shiva beheaded him. Goddess Parvati got angered and at her request, Lord Shiva attached the head of an elephant to the boy’s body and hence, he was named Lord Ganesha.

Ques: Who is Ganesha's sister?

Ans: As stated in Padma Purana, Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya have a sister named Ashok Sundari. There are other Naag Kanya children of Lord Shiva including Vishhar, Jaya, Shamilbari, Dotli, and Dev.

Ques: Who are the 4 wives of Ganesha?

Ans: Lord Ganesha is said to have had two wives Riddhi and Siddhi while some epics also state that he had a third wife also named Buddhi.

Ques: Why did Ganesha marry Riddhi Siddhi?

Ans: According to mythologies, Lord Ganesha was having trouble finding a spouse due to his elephant head and started creating problems in the wedding ceremonies of other Gods. The Gods then asked Lord Brahma for help who in turn asked Lord Ganesha to marry his twin daughters Riddhi and Siddhi.

Ques: Are Riddhi Siddhi twins?

Ans: Yes. It is believed that Riddhi and Siddhi are twin daughters of Lord Brahma.

Ques: Why didn't Ganesh marry?

Ans: In southern India, it is believed that Lord Ganesha practised celibacy while according to many legends, Lord Ganesha was married to Riddhi and Siddhi, the twin daughters of Lord Brahma.

Ques: Is Laxmi the wife of Ganesh?

Ans: No. Goddess Laxmi is the consort of Lord Vishnu. Lord Ganesha has two wives Riddhi and Siddhi.

Ques: Who is Ganesh's first wife?

Ans: Lord Ganesha has two wives Riddhi and Siddhi.

Ques: Who is the real wife of Ganesha?

Ans: According to Hindu epics and culture, Lord Ganesha got married to Riddhi and Siddhi, the twin daughters of Lord Brahma.

Ques: Who is Ganesha's son?

Ans: Lord Ganesha’s sons include Shubh and Labh, the Gods of profit and auspiciousness.