Lord Shiva, father of Ganesha and Kartikeya, is the centre of the universe.

 

Lord Shiva, father of Ganesha and Kartikeya, is the centre of the universe. He is the God of the yogis and is considered one the three highest aspects of Brahman and identified with the universal function of destruction. The Puranas have recorded the fact that Brahma is the creator, shri Vishnu is the preserver and Lord Shiva is the destroyer. Once he destroys everything, Brahma creates again. In the negative aspect of change, Shiva brings about death and destruction while in the positive aspect; he destroys the ego and false identification.

Shiva is often shown draped in tiger skin and is depicted in many moods. He is often depicted as yogi or an ascetic , householder ; consort of Parvati (Umapati) and father of Ganesha and Skanda ( Kartikeya). Ganesha and Kartikeya are his divine sons, who also occupy an important place in the Hindu pantheon. Shiva loves his family and children as much as he loves his devotees. He also has an extended family of gods and ganas, who are very fond of him and who love to spend their time in his company. Which means one can learn from Shiva about family values, and the importance of loving and caring relationships.

Ganesha is usually mentioned first when it comes to Shivas sons, although there are versions which say Kartikeya is the eldest. In Shiva Purana and Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Kartikeya is seen as the elder son of Shiva, and Ganesha the younger.

Though, there are many famous tales associated with the birth of Ganesha, the most popular is that in which his mother Parvati prepares a statue from clay and blesses it with life. The chubby, gentle, wise, elephant-headed Ganesh, is the remover of obstacles. Ganesha's name literally means the lord of Gana. He was entrusted by Shiva with the leadership of the Ganas, Shiva's dwarfish, rowdy retinue, in compensation for the loss of his human head. And declared that he will be worshipped first in the beginning of all religious activities for successful outcomes.

Lord Kartikeya is a much revered deity especially in South India. Kartikeya is quintessentially brave, intelligent, and perfection personified because of which he is worshipped as the god of war and victory. He is also the brave leader and was created to destroy demons, symbolising negative tendencies of human beings. Legend says that because Shiva and Parvati would shower Ganesha with more love, Kartikeya decided to leave Kailasa and move to the mountains in South and did not change his mind in spite of being urged by Shiva himself. And this is how he began to be worshipped in South India more than in North.

Om Namah Shivaya ~ Om Parameshwaraya Namah .