God Shiva have 2 sons?

How many sons did Shiva have?: All of us know about 2 sons of Lord Shiva- Ganesha and Kartikeya..However did you know that Shiva had 4 more sons?

1. Legend talk : According to several mythological literatures like the Shiva Purana and Mahabharata, Shiva was blessed with six sons. Here's their story

2. Ayyappa: Ayyappa, also known as Sastav is one of the most powerful Hindu Gods. He is worshipped in Kerela as Lord Ayyappa and as Lord Aiyannar in Tamil Nadu. He was born after Shiva married Mohini, who was the female avatar of Lord Vishnu.

3. A great warrior: It is said that Ayyappa learnt martial arts from Parshurama, hence was a coveted warrior.

4. Andhaka : Andhaka was raised by a demon called Hiranyaksha; Shiva gave the child to him as the latter's desire was to have a child. He was born blind and that is why he was named Andhaka, which means ‘the blind one’.

5. Killed by Shiva: It is said that he was apparently killed by Shiva himself when he tried to molest Parvati.

6. Bhauma: Bhauma was born when the sweat of Lord Shiva fell onto the surface of earth. At that time, Shiva was in deep meditation and therefore, Bhumi Devi raised the kid as her own.

7. Named him: When Shiva realised that Bhumi was raising his son, Shiva was really happy and named his son in honour of Bhumi herself. Bhauma is depicted as the god with red skin and has four hands.

8. Khuja: When these rays struck the earth’s surface, Khuja was born. He is worshipped as the Lord of Iron.

9. Into space: According to mythological tales, when Khuja grew up, he departed from the earth and went into space. People believe him to be at the planet Mars.

10. Ganesha: Also known as ‘Ganapati’, Ganesha is one of the most popular gods. Some believe that Ganesha is a Brahmachari who refused to marry.

11. Marriage and more: However, ‘Padmapurana’ states that Ganesha was married to sisters Riddhi and Siddhi.

12. Writing the Mahabharata: It is said that Ganesha wrote the epic Mahabharata while Veda Vyasa dictated it.

13. Kartikeya: He was born to slay the demon called Tarak and his army. He is a widely popular god worshipped in South India and is known by different names like Murugan, Subramaniam, Senthil, etc.

14. Brave god: He is depicted as a teenager with a spear and mounted on a peacock. Moving on, it is said that Shiva had a daughter too. Let's know who

15. Who was she? :Although her name has been mentioned in many religious scriptures, stories, a direct reference has been found in Shiva Purana where her story can be read.

16. Ashoka Sundari: Ashok Sundari was created from a tree by Parvati to give her freedom from loneliness. She was called Ashoka as she got rid of Parvati’s ‘shok’ or sorrow. And Sundari because she was beautiful.

17. Salt goddess: It is said that she was present when Ganesha was beheaded and she hid behind a sack of salt in fear, angering her mother, who was later pacified by her father. Post that, she came to be associated with Salt.

18. Goddess of light: In Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, one occasionally comes across Jyoti, the goddess of light, who emerges from Shiva’s halo and is the physical manifestation of his grace.

19. Another tale: This apart, in Bengali folk tales, Mansa, the goddess who cures snakebites, sister of Vasuki, king of snakes, was born when Shiva’s semen touched a statue carved by Kadru, mother of snakes.

.......जय श्री कृष्णा......