Consorts of Ganesha

Ganesha with consorts Riddhi (prosperity) and Siddhi (spiritual power), Painting titled "Riddhi Siddhi" by Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906)

The marital status of Ganesha varies widely in mythological stories and the issue has been the subject of considerable scholarly review.^[1] Several patterns of associations with different consorts are identifiable. One pattern of myths identifies Ganesha as an unmarried brahmacārin with no consorts. Another mainstream pattern associates him with the concepts of Buddhi (intellect), Siddhi (spiritual power), and Riddhi (prosperity); these qualities are sometimes personified as goddesses who are considered to be Ganesha's wives.^[2] Another pattern connects Ganesha with the goddess of culture and the arts, Sarasvati. In the Bengal region he is linked with the banana tree, Kala Bo (or Kola Bou).^[3] Usually Ganesha's consort is portrayed as his shakti, a personification of his creative energy.

Some of the differences between these patterns can be understood by looking at regional variations across India, the time periods in which the patterns are found, and the traditions in which the beliefs are held. Some differences pertain to the preferred meditation form used by the devotee, with many different traditional forms ranging from Ganesha as a young boy (Sanskrit: बाल गणपति; bālagāņapati) to Ganesha as a Tantric deity.^[4]^[5]

^ For a review, see: Cohen, Lawrence. "The Wives of Gaṇeśa", in: Brown 1991, pp. 115–140.
^ For a review of associations with Buddhi, Siddhi, Riddhi, and other figures, and the statement "In short the spouses of Gaṇeśa are the personifications of his powers, manifesting his functional features ...", see: Krishan 1999, p. 62.
^ For discussion of the Kala Bo, see: Cohen, Lawrence, "The Wives of Gaṇeśa", in: Brown 1991, pp. 124–125.
^ For pictures of the 32 meditation forms along with the Sanskrit descriptions appearing in the Śrītattvanidhi, see: Chinmayananda 1987, pp. 85–118 and Grimes 1995, pp. 60–61.
^ For descriptions of the 32 meditation forms appearing in the Śrītattvanidhi, see: Martin-Dubost, pp. 120–123.

[1] For a review, see: Cohen, Lawrence. "The Wives of Gaṇeśa", in: Brown 1991, pp. 115–140.

[2] For a review of associations with Buddhi, Siddhi, Riddhi, and other figures, and the statement "In short the spouses of Gaṇeśa are the personifications of his powers, manifesting his functional features ...", see: Krishan 1999, p. 62.

[3] For discussion of the Kala Bo, see: Cohen, Lawrence, "The Wives of Gaṇeśa", in: Brown 1991, pp. 124–125.

[4] For pictures of the 32 meditation forms along with the Sanskrit descriptions appearing in the Śrītattvanidhi, see: Chinmayananda 1987, pp. 85–118 and Grimes 1995, pp. 60–61.

[5] For descriptions of the 32 meditation forms appearing in the Śrītattvanidhi, see: Martin-Dubost, pp. 120–123.

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