Topic Research: Ganesha's Family

Ganesha and Kartikeya

Story 1 - Ganesha's Birth

The birth of Ganesha was something that I mentioned in my last post about the class project. The story that I used there was lifted from the Wikipedia page on Ganesha. However there is a different telling of the story here¹. In this version his parents Shiva and Parvati are referred to as Siwa and Uma respectively. Additionally the events that lead to Ganesha losing his head are vastly different. In this retelling, the loss of his head was due to the hubris of Uwa refusing to heed the warnings of Sani, rather than a raging Shiva. Alternatively, the Wikipedia article's story is also referenced in this video². Regardless this is story that could be altered and retold to have many different meanings as it seems it has already been done. On the other hand, perhaps a story could be told to unify the two differences.

Story 2 - Ganesha's Brother

For the story revolving around Ganesha's brother, the race described in this video² could be used for the theme of different people having different frames of reference. In the story the two brothers, Ganesha and Kartikeya are asked to race around the world three times, the winner receiving a mango (not really worth the effort in my opinion). Kartikeya immediately jumps on his peacock and starts making laps around the planet. (Here is a picture of his peacock.)

Before he completes his third lap, Ganesha gets up and runs around his parents three times. When asked how this was fair Ganesha argued that he ran around his world. Kartikeya viewed the world as a static object, where Ganesha believed it was a frame of reference revolving around his parents.

Alternatively the "Story of the birth of Kártikeya" can be found here³. And more information can be found on the Wikipedia page⁴.

Story 3 - Ganesha's Parents

For this story I plan to analyze how Shiva and Parvati's ideas about family. Currently the stories I have read are conflicting on whether Shiva desired to have children or not. Particularly, in the birth of Kártikeya is seems that it was primarily because a son was requested, rather than desired by Shiva.
Here is a brief snippet about a perceived relationship between Shiva and Parvati⁵.

Parvati and Shiva are often symbolized by a yoni and a linga respectively. In ancient literature, yoni means womb and place of gestation, the yoni-linga metaphor represents "origin, source or regenerative power". The linga-yoni icon is widespread, found in Shaivite Hindu temples of South Asia and Southeast Asia. Often called Shivalinga, it almost always has both linga and the yoni.[8] The icon represents the interdependence and union of feminine and masculine energies in recreation and regeneration of all life.

Backup Story Sources

Ganesha: The Remover of All Obstacles
Ganesha Goes to Lunch

Bibliography

Ganesha's Birth
Ganesha Family Video
Birth of Kartikeya
Kartikeya, Wikipedia
Kartikeya, Image
Parvati, Wikipedia