Vedas The term gana is employed in the
Rigveda in reference to the
Maruts:
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.
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.
Cilappatikaram The
Cilappatikaram of
Ilango Adigal, one of the
Five Great Epics in
Tamil, describes the prescribed offering for eighteen kind of ganas.
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. It is possible that these deities are associated with the ganas of Hinduism. == See also ==