Lord Ganesha and His Family



Lord Ganesha with his consorts

Although, no one has the proper evidence whether lord Ganesha is married or bachelor, yet different-different scholars comment on it differently, and also the scriptures have not the common consensus on it. The description of lord Ganesha and his family is basis on the mythological allegories, and the central objective of the mythological allegories to convey the truth and explanation of the Vedic texts through the allegories and symbolism. It is quite possible that different scholars and authors have tried differently to demystify the Vedic text through different examples. Hence, it would never be a judicious work to indulge in unyielding discussion of the versions of the allegories, rather let us imbibe the messages and mysteries getting disclosed to us to open our eyes towards the life, nature and life after.

    

According to the legends, lord Ganesha wanted to get married with the girl who would be more beautiful than his mother, Parvati. No girl could be found who was more beautiful than Parvati, so he did not marry with any girl and remained bachelor. Some says that no girl wanted to marry Ganesha as he had elephant head. In this scenario, his mother made Ganesha to get married with a banana tree. We can see in West Bengal during the Durga Puja, Ganesha is associated with plantain (banana) tree, the “Kala Bo”. The Kala Bo is draped with a red-bordered white sari and vermilion is smeared on its leaves. The new sari indicates her role as a new bride; people see it as symbolizing the wife of Ganesha. In Bengal, Durga is the mother of Ganesha, Sarsavati and Laxmi.Another pattern of legends says that Ganesh is the owner of Buddhi or Riddhi and Siddhi; these qualities are sometimes personified as goddesses, said to be Ganesha's wives. Ganesh had two sons Ksema or Shubh and Labh from these wives.

    

We can see at many worship places written “Om Sri Ganeshav Namah, Riddhi Siddhi Shubh Labh”. It means we invite lord Ganesha along with his family in our worship. If we invite only lord Ganesha in our worship, then he will stay for a short time and leave for his family. When we invite and worship him with his family, he stays with us to bestow his blessings forever.Lord Ganesha is god of wisdom and intellectuals. The combination of Ganesha (wisdom) and Riddhi (Method or intelligence) yields Shubh (auspiciousness). The combination of Ganesha (wisdom) and Siddhi (Spiritual power or perfection) yields Labh (Profit).

    

Intelligence or knowledge is neutral; its auspiciousness and inauspiciousness depends upon its use. The intelligence or knowledge can be used alike for both constructive and destructive work. It has no power to make any distinction in negativity and positivity. The Ganesha (wisdom) should be there to ensure Shubh (auspiciousness) of Riddhi (Method or Intelligence or Knowledge). Similarly, for the profitable (Labh) use of Siddhi (Spiritual power or perfection), the wisdom (Ganesha) is requisite. The 1975 Hindi film Jai Santoshi Maa shows Ganesha married to Riddhi and Siddhi and having a daughter named Santoshi Ma, the goddess of satisfaction. However, this story has no Puranic evidence. It indicates that the proper satisfaction comes in our life by proper following the sequence of the family of lord Ganesha, “Om Sri Ganeshav Namah, Riddhi Siddhi Shubh Labh”. This sequence of lord Ganesha`s family gives us both material and spiritual benefit in our life and family.

  

This mythological allegory resembles a beautiful verse of Bhagavad Gita chapter 2 verse 66:-

“One who is not in transcendental consciousness (wisdom) can have neither a controlled mind nor steady intelligence, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace?”