Ganesha - Reviving the series - 9

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 13^th 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.