All Blogs · Theology Thursday ·TODO

Lord Ganesh's Family Tree

Ganesh's Birth

Goddess Parvati created Ganesh out of turmeric one day so that he could guard the door while she took a bath. Lord Shiva came home and, not knowing Ganesh was his “newborn son,” was furious at him for not letting him in and severed his head. Distraught upon learning his identity, Shiva brought the boy back to life by replacing his head with that of an elephant.

Ganesh's Father

Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism, is known for his ascetic nature and his role as the destroyer within the Hindu trinity. He is often depicted with a blue neck, due to having consumed the poison Halahala during the churning of the ocean. Shiva is revered for his deep meditation and connection to the natural world.

Ganesh's Mother

Parvati and Durga are often considered different aspects of the same divine feminine energy. Parvati is generally depicted as the gentle, loving consort of Lord Shiva, while Durga embodies the fierce, warrior-like form of the goddess, often depicted slaying demons. In some interpretations, Durga is considered an avatar of Parvati, arising when the need for divine intervention against evil arises. Essentially, they represent the diverse facets of the Divine Mother – the nurturing and the powerful, the gentle and the fierce.

Bring the story of Durga Devi to life with our mantra-singing soft toy, Durga Devi, inspired by our Hindu culture. It sings five Durga mantras when you squeeze its belly. Click here to hear it sing.

Mantra-singing Durga Devi, Hindu god soft toy

Bring the story of Lord Ganesh to life with our mantra-singing soft toy, Baby Ganesh, inspired by our Hindu culture. It sings five Ganesh mantras when you squeeze its belly. Click here to hear it sing.

Mantra-singing Baby Ganesh, Hindu god soft toy

Lord Ganesha’s Family

Ganesha's parents are Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The most well-known sibling of Ganesha is his elder brother, Kartikeya, also known as Skanda in Sanskrit or Murugan in Tamil. Kartikeya is the God of War. Less known are Ganesha's other brothers, Sukesh, Jalandhar, Aiyappa, and Bhuma. In some parts of India, Ganesha is also believed to have a sister named Ashok Sundari. South India particularly reveres Ashok Sundari. However, Lord Shiva had several other daughters, Jaya, Vishhar, Shamilbari, Dev and Dotli, who can also be considered Ganesha's sisters.

Kartikeya

You may also be interested in:

Check out this popular children's illustrated book, Shiva's Magic Mantra. The semi-fictional story takes a tender look between father and son, Shiva and Ganesh, as sibling rivalry takes a toll on Ganesh. Explore the relationship between Shiva and his son, Ganesh, with a modern twist.

Riddhi & Siddhi

There are different accounts of Ganesha's romantic life. Some texts believe him to have been celibate, while other texts associate him with two wives, Riddhi (who represents prosperity) and Siddhi (who represents spirituality).

Shubh & Labha

Ganesha had two sons, one with each of his wives. The son he had with Riddhi was named Shubh and is associated with prosperity. In some areas of India, he is also named "Kshema." Shubh's brother -- born to Labha and Ganesh -- was named Labh and is associated with profit.

Santoshi

An interesting story exists about Ganesha's daughter, Santoshi. Her brothers wished for a sister to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with. They witnessed Ganesh performing the ceremony and wished for a sister of their name. And so he created Santoshi from flames.

Lord Ganesha Iconography

Lord Ganesha is easily recognizable by his elephant-headed human body. He typically has four hands and is holding a noose and a goad in his upper hands. Lord Ganesha holds a bowl of modaks in one of his lower hands and shows another lower hand in the Abhay Mudra. Lord Ganesha's mount is a mouse. Ganesha Chaturthi is a holiday commemorating the anniversary of Lord Ganesha's birth.

Some Facts About Lord Ganesha

His primary weapons are Pash and Ankush.
Ganesha's carrier during Satyug was a lion. During the Treta Yuga it was a peacock. His carrier was a mouse during Dwapar. He rides a horse in Kalyug.
Ganesha enjoys Modaks and besan ladoos.
People worship Ganesha in ways that include Ganesh Stuti, Ganesh Chalisa, Ganesh Arti, and Shri Ganesh Sahastranamavali.
Ganesha has 12 primary names. They are Gajanana, Lambodar, Vikat, Vighnavinashak, Vinayaka, Dhumraketu, Ganadhyaksha, Ekanth, Kapil, Gajkarnak, and Vikat.

Lord Ganesha holds a central place in Hindu culture, particularly renowned for his role in initiating new beginnings. While many people know about his significance and powers, fewer know about his family. The richness of Hindu culture is embedded in the stories and symbolism surrounding its deities.

Enjoyed this article?

Modi Toys is a children's brand of toys and books inspired by ancient Hindu culture. We exist to spread joy and to spark curiosity in the next generation through our innovative soft plush toys, illustrated children's books and free learning resources. Our weekly Theology Thursday series covers a wide range of topics rooted in Hinduism to help us better understand the origins of traditions, the symbolic meaning of rituals, and the stories behind Hindu holidays and festivals. The more we can understand "the why" behind this 4,000 year ancient religion, and make sense of it in this modern age, the greater we can appreciate and preserve our rich Hindu culture. While we take great care in thoroughly researching the information presented, we may occasionally get some things wrong. We encourage a healthy and open dialogue so we can learn together. Please leave a comment below or email us directly at support@moditoys.com to address any concerns.