Who are Ganas in the name Ganapati or Ganesh?

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By Indsamachar bureau, 20 September : Since childhood we must have been hearing the word Ganapati- our beloved lord of Ganas. I always used to wonder while singing our national anthem “Jana Gana Mana”, what must be the relationship of this national anthem Ganas and Ganapati?

Let’s explore who and what all is comprised in this word “Gana”.

Shiva is considered as father of Ganesha and Parvati being mother of Ganesha. It is boon given by Shiva that his son became the leader (pati) or his Ganas.

Shiva is the most inclusive god in Indian Philosophy. He is worshiped by many faiths. These faiths are seen in all living beings.

In scriptures the list of Ganas goes as देवगण,  दैत्य, दानव, विद्याधर, यक्ष, रक्ष, गंधर्व, अप्सरा, किन्नर, सिद्ध, निशाचर, चारण, वीर, वानर, रीझ, भल्ल, किरात, गुह्यक, कुलदेव, स्थानदेव, ग्राम देवता, पितर, भूत, प्रेत, पिशाच, कूष्मांडा, ब्रह्मराक्षस, वैताल और क्षेत्रपाल

Gods, Gandhara (Musicians of gods), Yaksh (natural spirits), Kinnar (trans genders), Nag (snake), Nayak (actors), Bhairava (cremation yard concierge), Pishacha and Dakini (non civilized or like spirits), Vaidik (followers of Vedas), Kapalik ( a sect of tantriks), Rakshasa (demons), Pashu (animals), Shwapad (wild), Sur (pople), Asura (Doesn’t hold human qualities),  demigods etc.

All these followers of Shiva are called as Sivaganas. Gana means people; so they are Shiva’s people.

When such a long list of followers is there, definitely the leader of all of these diversities should be one who should have leadership qualities to keep them bound and motivate them to perform. Thus the Vi-Nayaka becomes there leader.

Vi means “to” and nayaka means lead so one who leads the Ganas is Vi-Nayak. Which is considered as prime name of Ganesha. He is Pati or leader of these Ganas, hence Ganapati. He is Isha means lord of these Ganas hence Ganesh.

Since Ganesha is the lord of all types of creatures of the world i.e. ganas , hence he gets the privilege to get worshiped or welcomed before any one. Since he is lord and protector of human, also Ganesha is based at the base energy chakra (Muladhar) in all living creatures, hence he is the one who is to be remembered first in any human progress or journey.

We find Gana mentioned in Vedic, Puaranic, Buddhist, Jain scriptures.

Many books of Sanskrit literature used ganas and sanghas. Pāṇini in his Sanskrit grammar used gana as: संघोद्घौ गण प्रशंसयो  meaning Gana’s are appreciated in a Sangha (group). The Nāradasmṛti in Sanskrit mentions about Gana- Tantra means techniques of ruling Ganas. It shows that the ganatantra (republic) system of rule was prevalent in India since ancient times.

Rig veda says व्रातंव्रातं गणम् गणम् meaning one who is disciplined or non-disciplined are ganas some people say it as the clan which assembles is Gana. Ganesha is also called as Vratpati means the lord of assembly or Lord or disciplined one.

In later part of Indian subcontinent development Gana got restricted to be called for people who are disciplined, or people who show urban or ciovilised nature.

In India’s national anthem it is mentioned as Jana- Gana- Mana where Jana means people, and Jana- Gana- Mana Adhinayak means the one who rules on the mind of all Gana and Jana.  

In true sense Ganesha is one who accepts anyone as his Gana and leads him to the path of success may it be a man, women, Trans, animal, spirit, civilized, uncivilized or anyone who is living or no- living creature.

ॐ गणानां त्वा गणपतिं हवामहे कविंकवीनामुपमश्रवस्तमम् । as said in Brahmanaspati Sukta of Veda, Oh Ganapati, To You Who are the Lord of the Ganas (Celestial Attendants or Followers), we Offer our Sacrificial Oblations.  You are the Wisdom of the Wise and the Uppermost in Glory,

May the lord grant wisdom and lead us to the path of motivation and action and salvation.

Attached : Vajrayan Buddhism Ganesha

Shri Ganesharpanmastu श्री गणेशार्पणमस्तु

 

Compiled by : Dr Sandeep Sadanand Chaugule

You can follow the author on Twitter @sandipchaugulle