Ganesha's Marriage

Brahma said

Meanwhile Prajapati Vishvarupa learned of their preparations, reflected on it and was pleased and happy. Vishvarupa, lord of subjects, had two divine-looking daughters, Siddhi and Buddhi, auspicious and beautiful in all their limbs. Glad, the lord Shankara and Girija arranged their marriages with Ganesha, with great festivities. All the gods were satisfied and came to the wedding, since it was the wish of Shiva and Girija. Vishvakarma made the arrangements. The rishis and gods were filled with great happiness. Sage, with the two of them Ganesha gained unthinkable happiness, beyond description. After some time great-souled Ganesha had two divine sons by his two wives. Siddhi, Ganesha's wife, had a son named Kshema, and Buddhi an extremely handsome son, Labha. So Ganeshvara enjoyed unthinkable happiness.

Meanwhile the second son came back from circling the earth. Narada went and met the great-souled one in his house.

Narada said

I tell you the truth; this is no falsehood, nor is it from deceit or jealousy. What your parents Shivaa and Shankara have done to you is something no one else in the world would do. I tell you the truth. They wanted to see you set out on this wicked task of circling the earth, and meanwhile they arranged the supreme, very beautiful marriage of Ganesha. Ganesha has married and is happy with two wives, great and excellent jewels among maidens, the daughters of Vishvarupa, lord of subjects. Through his auspicious-limbed wives he has two sons, Kshema born of Siddhi and Labha of Buddhi. Everything has brought him happiness. That was your mother and father's view, that he should enjoy unbroken happiness. You have circled the earth with its oceans and forests. Son, that is the result of not knowing about their deception. Think about it, son. If parents begin to deceive, especially if one's own lords do, what will others do? What your parents have done to you is an improper deed. Think about it. In my view it has not been a kind act. If a mother feeds her son poison, if a father sells his son, if a king steals all possessions, what can one say, and to whom? Son, a wise person who wants peace should not look at the face of one who has done such a very harmful thing. This is stated in all the sacred texts, those of good policy, the smritis and shrutis. I have reported it to you now. Do as you wish.

Brahma said

Following the wishes in Maheshvara's mind, Narada, you spoke thus to Kumara and fell silent.

Burning with anger, Skanda bowed to his father and, though his parents tried to hold him back, went off to Mount Krouncha. They asked why he left when they were restraining him; he refused and said that since he had been deceived and they had not treated him lovingly, he would not stay another moment. So, sage, he went there, and he is there still, destroying the sins of all who see him. Ever since, devarshi, Shiva's son has stood established as a bachelor, famous under that name in the three worlds, a bringer of good to them, holy, a destroyer of sin and a giver of the highest state of brahmacharya. In the month of Kartika the gods, rishis, lords among sages and the tirthas themselves go there to see Kumara, and a person who sees the lord then, when the moon is joined with Krittika, has all his sins burned away and gains what he wants. Uma, parted from Skanda, was overwhelmed with grief and said sadly to her husband, "Lord, come there with me." To please her Shambhu went to that mountain in one of his portions and became the jyotirlingam called Mallikarjuna, which brings happiness. Even today Shiva is seen there with Shivaa, granting all his devotees' wishes, the goal of the virtuous. When Kumara learned that Shiva and Shivaa had come, he lost all interest and wanted to go elsewhere, but the gods and sages begged him, and so Kartika moved three yojanas away and remains there. Narada, on every parva day, overcome by love for their son, Shiva and Shivaa go there to see Kumara: Shambhu himself on amavasya, Parvati without fail on purnima.