It is a popular belief that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati have only three children, but actually, they have about 13 children per the different stories in Hindu books. The names of the daughters of Lord Shiva are Ashokasundari, Mansa Devi, Jyoti, Jaya, Vishhara, Shamliwari, Dotali, and Dev. The names of the sons of Lord Shiva are Kartikeya, Ganesha, Ayyappa, Andhaka, and Jalandhara.
The Names of Children of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati:
1. Kartikeya:
Lord Kartikeya is the eldest son of Lord Shiva. He is the Hindu god of war and is the knight of the army of gods. He is also popular by the names Murugan and Skanda. Lord Kartikeya is also called Shadanana because he has six faces. The vel is his primary weapon. Per some stories, he is celibate, but some stories depict him married to Lord Indra’s daughter, Devasena. In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says “I am Kartikeya among warrior chiefs”. This quote by the Lord is sufficient to describe the bravery of Kartikeya.
2. Lord Ganesha:
Lord Ganesha is the elephant-faced Hindu god. Goddess Parvati created him from the blood/dirt from her body to guard her. But Lord Shiva cut his head off because of some misunderstanding and then fixed the head of an elephant over his trunk. He removes the obstacles and perils from his devotees’ lives. He is also popularly known as Ganapati and Gajanan.
3. Ashoka Sundari:
Ashokasundari, also known as Bala Tripurasundari, is a Hindu goddess of beauty and luxury. She is the mind-born daughter of Goddess Parvati. She married Nahusha who was the Indra at that time, but some sages cursed him because of his misbehavior.
4. Mansa Devi:
Mansa Devi is the mind-born daughter of Lord Shiva. Her worship is mainly popular in the northern part of India. People worship her mainly for the prevention and cure of snakebites. Once, Vasuki was feeling lonely. Therefore, he requested Lord Shiva to create a sister for him. So, Lord Shiva created a baby from his psyche.
5. Ayyappa:
Ayyappa is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Mohini, who is the female incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Ayyappan worship is more popular in the southern part of India. He is the god of growth, knowledge, and dharma. He is a celibate god, and his main temple is in Sabarimala, Kerala.
6. Andhaka:
Andhaka was an Asura who was born from the sweat of Lord Shiva when Goddess Parvati covered his eyes with her palms. He looked ugly and was blind when he was born. At the same time, Asura Aranyaksha was practicing severe austerity for a powerful baby. Lord Shiva gave Andhaka to him as a boon.
He did not know that Goddess Parvati was his mother and lusted for her. He attacked Lord Shiva but got killed in the process.
7. Jalandhar:
Jalandhara was born from the fire coming out of the third eye of Lord Shiva when he opened his third eye to kill Indra. He was raised by Shukracharya and became an enemy of the gods. He conquered the three worlds. Jalandhara tried to approach Goddess Parvati in disguise as Lord Shiva, but Goddess Parvati recognized him and fled away.
She requested Lord Vishnu to avenge her for the deceit. Therefore, Lord Vishnu stayed with Jalandhara’s wife, Vrinda, in his disguise when he was involved in the war against the gods. When she recognized the deceit, she immolated herself after cursing Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva beheaded Jalandhar in the battle.
8. Jyoti:
There are two stories about the birth of Goddess Jyoti. In one story, she is born from a spark from Goddess Parvati’s forehead. In another story, she emerges from Lord Shiva’s halo. Devi Jyoti is the goddess of light and Vel. She is mainly associated with his brother, Skanda.
Five Snake Daughters of Lord Shiva:
Once, some drops of sweat came out of Lord Shiva’s body when he was doing penance in a lake. Those sweat drops took the form of five female snakes. When Goddess Parvati returned, she saw five snakes playing with Lord Shiva. She got furious and started cursing them, but Lord Shiva told her that they were born from his sweat and hence, were their daughters.
He named them Jaya, Vishhara, Shamliwari, Dotali, and Dev.
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