Kshema and Lābha

Kshema and Lābha are the two sons of Gaṇeśa. They were born from his unions with his two wives, Siddhi and Buddhi. Kshema was born from Siddhi, and Lābha was born from Buddhi.

Birth

Gaṇeśa married Siddhi and Buddhi, the daughters of Viśvarūpa Prajāpati. After the marriage, two sons were born:

• Kshema was born from Gaṇeśa’s union with Siddhi (accomplishment, success).
• Lābha was born from Gaṇeśa’s union with Buddhi (wisdom, discernment).

The Śiva Purāṇa tells this in the Rudra Saṃhitā, Kumāra Khaṇḍa, Chapter 20.

What the names mean

Kshema means wellbeing, safety, security and auspicious peace. It is the state in which all is well and one is protected from harm. Lābha means gain, attainment and benefit. It is the getting of what is good and sought after.

The tradition sees these two names as a teaching placed inside the family line. When a devotee does pūjā (worship) to Gaṇeśa, two things follow. One is kshema, the security and wellbeing that come when obstacles are removed. The other is lābha, the attainment and gain that become possible when the path is clear. The sons of the one who removes obstacles are themselves the fruits of an obstacle-free path.

Sources

• Śiva Purāṇa, Rudra Saṃhitā, Kumāra Khaṇḍa, Chapter 20