In Hindu culture, Lord Ganesha is propitiated for his blessings when starting any new venture. We are all well aware of Lord Ganesha’s powers, knowledge, and significance. However, do you know who was the brother of Lord Ganesha?
This article seeks to find out more about Lord Ganesha's brother and other sibling relations. Let’s get started!
Who is the Brother of Lord Ganesha?
Lord Kartikeya is the elder brother of Lord Ganesha, and the two are the sons of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Kartikeya is the deity of war and has many other names, including Shanmukha, Subrahmanya, Skanda, and Murugan.
Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya’s Relationship
Hindu mythology describes the relationship between Lord Ganesha and his brother, Kartikeya, mainly as differences in their temperament. While Lord Ganesha is worshipped primarily in north India, Lord Kartikeya has a significant influence in southern India. Lord Ganesha is considered a mild person, while his brother Karthikeya is lively and temperamental.
The personality differences are also reflected in their choice of vehicles: the mouse for Ganesha and the peacock for his brother. Once, it so happened that a mango, considered sacred and symbolising divine knowledge, somehow found itself on Mount Kailash. As both Ganesha and Karthikeya wanted it, Lords Shiva and Mata Parvati organised a race competition. The winner of the mango would be the one who finished first circumambulating the world thrice over.
Heeding the call, Kartikeya immediately sped off on his peacock without wasting time. Ganesha did nothing of the sort and, with a calm demeanour, requested his parents to sit close to each other. He then circled Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati three times, bowed at his feet, and retired to his usual place without any obsequious display of affection. When his parents asked the reason for such an unusual act, Lord Ganesha replied that circling one's parents was equivalent to making a round trip of the world.
The answer pleased Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati so much that they immediately decided to award Lord Ganesha with the mango. Meanwhile, when Lord Kartikeya returned and realised he had been beaten once again by his brother's intelligence, he became furious. He left for Mount Krouncha in anger, so it is said that Lord Shiva visits him on the new moon day (Amavasya) while Goddess Parvati does the same on a full moon (Purnima).
However, this incident didn't negatively impact the brotherly bond. Even today, people look up to Lord Ganehsa and Kartikeya's bond as a significant example of brotherhood.
Other Siblings of Lord Ganesha
Brothers: Other than Kartikeya, Lord Ganesha has four more brothers, namely:
- Sukesh
- Jalandhar
- Aiyappa
- Bhuma
Sisters: Ashoka Sundari was the main sister of Lord Ganesha. Other than her, there were several Naag Kanya children of God Shiva, and they include:
- Jaya
- Vishhar
- Shamilbari
- Dev
- Dotli
Conclusion
Lord Ganesha is a revered and the most easily recognised deity of the Hindu pantheon. Though Lord Kartikeya and Mata Ashoka Sundari are said to be the main siblings of Lord Ganesha, different Indian cultures have different beliefs about who the primary siblings are. Lord Ganesha’s family is the first family in Hindu mythology, and people pray to their idols for a happy and prosperous life.
