Just like the various stories of Ganesha’s playfulness the
stories of his marriage are also a subject of fascination. While there are
scholars who believe Ganesha to be a brahmachari, there are others who believe
he has two wives – Riddhi (or Buddhi) and Siddhi and also has sons from them –
Shubha and Kshema (or Labha).
In one of the stories that builds the case for his stay at
the Kailasha, Parvati requested Shiva to marry the two sons – Ganesha and
Karthikeya before returning to meditation. Shiva agreed on the condition – one
who goes around the universe three times first shall get married first.
Karthikeya with a slender form and a peacock as his ride immediately went of
the task. Ganesha with his potbelly and a rat as his ride did not flinch. Karthikeya
felt bad for his brother in his thoughts while travelling. Meanwhile, Ganesha
mounted the rat and encircled his parents thrice and explained that to him they
were the universe. Satisfied by Ganesha’s explanation, Shiva agreed that though
young, Ganesha had reached the maturity level to be married. Instead Ganesha
requested to live forever at the Kailasha with his parents.
In another story popular in Bengal, Ganesha was deparate for
a wife. However, no one wanted to marry him given his physical appearance.
Looking at his desperation and sadness, Parvati covered a banana plant in a
saree and presented to Ganesha as his wife. The long leaves of the banana, when
movd under the saree, lokked like a coy newly wedded bride. This form of
Ganesha and the banana plant is popularly known as the Kola Bau. She is
worshipped during the Dussehra time.
Interestingly, in parts of Maharashtra, during Ganesha
Chaturthi, Lord Ganesha is worshipped along with two female idols. Many mistake
them for his wives – Riddhi and Siddhi. However, they represent the two forms
of Gauri – Jyeshtha (Elder) and Kanishtha (Younger). The two dolls are
identical. Per the folk lore, ne is poorer and the other is wealthier – thus
representing Parvati and Lakshmi. However, some also believe they represent
Gaur (Annapoorna) and Bhudevi (The mother nature), thus dressing them in green
representing the new crop. As per the 13th century manuscript –
Haracharitachintamani – one of the dolls is Gauri and the other is her consort
– Malini.
Stories depict the thoughtfulness and the central prevalent
ideas of the society. In almost every story, the society tries to represent the
god in a form that resembles itself. Thus spanning to the pan-indian or
pan-hindu ideology and slowly becoming acceptable by larger societies. Stories
not only convey the idea of the god and his activities, but also tell us a lot
about the time in which they were prevalent. Let’s keep this tradition alive –
may be we can achieve immortality this way.
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