Gana

The word gaṇa (Sanskrit: गण) in Sanskrit and Pali means "flock, troop, multitude, number, tribe, series or class". 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 "gaṇa" can also refer to councils or assemblies convened to discuss matters of religion or other topics.

In Hinduism, the Gaṇas are attendants of Shiva and live on Mount Kailash. Ganesha was chosen as their leader by Shiva, hence Ganesha's title gaṇeśa or gaṇapati, "lord of the gaṇas".

As Shiva's attendants

In Hinduism, the gana or bhutagana are attendants of Shiva who reside in chthonic and liminal locations such as cemeteries and charnel grounds. The bhutagana also attend Shiva on Mount Kailash. The story of creation of Virabhadra from the Shiva's lock and destruction of Daksha by Virabhadra and his ganas are popular stories from Shiv Mahapuran.

As assemblies

Many books of Sanskrit literature used ganas and sanghas.