{{Short description|Sanskrit and Pali word}} {{Other uses}} {{Distinguish|Ghana|Gaana}} [[File:Gana Dancing Deogarh India.jpg|thumb|upright|A dancing gana, Deogarh]]
In Hinduism, the {{IAST|Gaṇa}}s are attendants of Shiva and live on Mount Kailash. Ganesha was chosen as their leader by Shiva; the deity's title is {{IAST|gaṇeśa}} or {{IAST|gaṇapati}}, meaning, "lord or leader of the {{IAST|ganas}}".<ref>''Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend'' ({{ISBN|0-500-51088-1}}) by Anna L. Dallapiccola</ref> They are referred to as Shivaganas or Rudraganas and Rudraganikas are considered the female equivalents.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2017-10-13 |title=Rudragana, Rudragaṇa, Rudra-gana: 7 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/rudragana |access-date=2026-02-28 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ganas of the Lord Shiva |url=https://www.thespiritual.in/2024/06/ganas-of-lord-shiva.html |access-date=2026-02-28 |website=The Spiritual}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Rolinson |first=Curwen |date=2022-01-01 |title=The Rudragaṇikās - A Radical Revaluation |url=https://www.academia.edu/92411413/The_Rudraga%E1%B9%87ik%C4%81s_A_Radical_Revaluation}}</ref>
thumb|250x250px|Ganesha, the leader of the ganas, surrounded by them
The word '''{{IAST|gaṇa}}''' ({{langx|sa|गण}} {{IPA|sa|ɡɐ.ɳɐ́}}) in Sanskrit and Pali means "flock, troop, multitude, number, tribe, category, series, or clan". It can also be used to refer to a "body of attendants" and can refer to "a company, any assemblage or association of men formed for the attainment of the same aims".
The word "gana" can also refer to councils or assemblies convened to discuss matters of religion or other topics.
== Literature ==
=== Vedas === The term gana is employed in the ''Rigveda'' in reference to the Maruts:<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sarkar |first=Devajyoti |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E1vGEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT491 |title=Rig Veda: A Digital Version of H. H. Wilson's Translation |date=2022-07-27 |publisher=Vamra Vaikhanasa Publishing |isbn=978-4-9912739-0-2 |pages=491 |language=en}}</ref> {{Blockquote|text=''śardhaṃ-śardhaṃ va eṣāṃ vrātaṃ-vrātaṃ gaṇaṃ-gaṇaṃ suśastibhiḥ {{!}}<br>anu krāmema dhītibhiḥ {{!}}{{!}}''|source=Verse 5.53.11}}{{Blockquote|text=Let us wait with sacred praises and holy rites upon your several strength, and separate troop, and individual company.}}
=== Mahabharata === Chapter 108 of the ''Shanti Parva'' of the ''Mahabharata'' describes a discussion between Yudhishthira and Bhishma regarding the strength of the ganas, how they defend themselves from disunion, the subjugation of their enemies, and forging friendships. Bhishma's answers to these questions are recorded in the form of shlokas (verses) from 16 – 32 of the chapter.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Valmiki |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qj9bDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT6647 |title=Delphi Collected Sanskrit Epics (Illustrated) |last2=Vyasa |date=2018-05-19 |publisher=Delphi Classics |isbn=978-1-78656-128-2 |pages=6647 |language=en}}</ref><ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/mbs/mbs12108.htm Mahabharata in Sanskrit, Book-12, Ch. 108]</ref>
=== Shiva Purana === In the ''Shiva Purana'', after Ganesha's life was restored by Shiva, he was crowned as the leader of the ganas by the gods.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Books |first=Kausiki |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ffZLEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT118 |title=Siva Purana: Rudra Samhitha: 4 Kumara Khanda: English Translation only without Slokas |date=2021-10-24 |publisher=Kausiki Books |pages=118 |language=en}}</ref>
=== Cilappatikaram === The ''Cilappatikaram'' of Ilango Adigal, one of the Five Great Epics in Tamil, describes the prescribed offering for eighteen kind of ganas.<ref>{{cite book |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=STbMzFKaxcQC|page=}} |title=Silappadikaram by S. Krishnamoorthy |page=35}}</ref>
=== Buddhaghosa === The ''Buddhaghosa'' mentions the palaces of the ganadeva-puttas ("Ganadevaputtānañ ca vimānāni") among those seen by King Nemi as Mātali led him through the world of the devas. This term seems to be absent in the corresponding jātaka.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ganadevaputtā |url=http://www.palikanon.com/english/pali_names/g/ganadevaputtaa.htm |accessdate=2019-04-27 |website=Buddhist Dictionary of Pali Proper Names}}</ref> It is possible that these deities are associated with the ganas of Hinduism.
== See also == {{commons category|Gana (Indian religions)}} * {{transliteration|sa|Gaṇasaṅgha}} * Ganachakra * ''Ganatantra'' * Ganesha * ''Genos'' * Bhoota
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
== External links == * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080126082404/http://www.philhine.org.uk/writings/tt_gannas.html The Ganas: Hooligans of Heaven]
{{HinduMythology}}
Category:Legendary creatures in Hindu mythology