This is not a Wikipedia article: This is a workpage, a collection of material and work in progress that may or may not be incorporated into an article. It should not necessarily be considered factual or authoritative. |
One theory of the origin of Ganesha is that he gradually came to prominence in connection with the Vināyakas. [1] The name Vināyaka is a common name for Ganesha both in the Purāṇas and in Buddhist Tantras. [2]
In Hindu mythology the Vināyakas were a group of four troublesome demons who created obstacles and difficulties [3], but who were easily propitiated. [4]
In Puranic literature of a much later period the group of four Vināyakas was merged into one definite god named Vināyaka whom Rudra appointed as the "Leader of the Ganas" (Ganapati). [5] This Vināyaka-Ganapati is associated with a god called Dantin, "the one with the tusk," who is said to possess a twisted trunk (vakratuṇḍa) and who holds a corn-sheaf, a sugar cane, and a club. [6] This description of Dantin is so characteristic of the Puranic Ganapati that "we cannot resist to accept his full identification with this Vedic Dantin." [7]
In the Smrti of Yājñavalkya, written in the 6th century, Vināyaka is definitely mentioned as a demon who had been exhalted to the rank of a deva. [8] He is clearly described as elephant-headed by the 8th century. [9]
The Vināyakas in their original demonic role are mentioned only in a limited number of Brahmanical texts that are essentialy within only one school of the Vedas, the Kṛṣṇa Yajur Veda. [10] They had many characteristics in common with imps, goblins, and gnomes in Western European mythology.
The Vināyakas are first mentioned in the Mānava Gṛhya Sūtras where they appear as four demonic creatures. [11] Dating for the Mānava Gṛhya Sūtra is only tentative, but P. V. Kane assigns it to a period prior to 600-300 BC and considers that they had attained a position of authority in the second century BC. S. Bhattachrji dates them between 600-200 BC. Macdonell dates them between 500-200 BC. [12]
Thapan concludes that the period reflected in the Vināyaka section of the Mānava Gṛhya Sūtra must have been between the end of the third and early second century BC. She based this conclusion in part on the fact that in the Mānava Gṛhya Sūtra the Vināyakas are associated with various other beings, including three of the four Buddhist lokpālas (guardians of the quarters), as well as the deities Mahādeva and Mahāsena. Mahādeva and Mahāsena were popular gods during the Aśokan period, a time when the spread of Buddhism must have posed a challenge to adherents of the Vedic tradition. Thapan says that this association implies that "not only was Buddhism viewed inimically by the brāmaņa authors of this text..., but so were Mahādeva and Mahāsena." [13]
The Vināyakas are also mentioned in the Mahābhārata where their role shows a distinct change in two different age strata of that epic. [14]
Thapan notes that almost all of the references to the Vināyakas, Danti, and their related beings do not appear in the main body of the critical edition of the Mahābhārata, but are only mentioned in the Appendices. This means that the traditions associated with these figures were limited to only a few versions which must have been found in only specific regions.
This is not a Wikipedia article: This is a workpage, a collection of material and work in progress that may or may not be incorporated into an article. It should not necessarily be considered factual or authoritative. |
One theory of the origin of Ganesha is that he gradually came to prominence in connection with the Vināyakas. [1] The name Vināyaka is a common name for Ganesha both in the Purāṇas and in Buddhist Tantras. [2]
In Hindu mythology the Vināyakas were a group of four troublesome demons who created obstacles and difficulties [3], but who were easily propitiated. [4]
In Puranic literature of a much later period the group of four Vināyakas was merged into one definite god named Vināyaka whom Rudra appointed as the "Leader of the Ganas" (Ganapati). [5] This Vināyaka-Ganapati is associated with a god called Dantin, "the one with the tusk," who is said to possess a twisted trunk (vakratuṇḍa) and who holds a corn-sheaf, a sugar cane, and a club. [6] This description of Dantin is so characteristic of the Puranic Ganapati that "we cannot resist to accept his full identification with this Vedic Dantin." [7]
In the Smrti of Yājñavalkya, written in the 6th century, Vināyaka is definitely mentioned as a demon who had been exhalted to the rank of a deva. [8] He is clearly described as elephant-headed by the 8th century. [9]
The Vināyakas in their original demonic role are mentioned only in a limited number of Brahmanical texts that are essentialy within only one school of the Vedas, the Kṛṣṇa Yajur Veda. [10] They had many characteristics in common with imps, goblins, and gnomes in Western European mythology.
The Vināyakas are first mentioned in the Mānava Gṛhya Sūtras where they appear as four demonic creatures. [11] Dating for the Mānava Gṛhya Sūtra is only tentative, but P. V. Kane assigns it to a period prior to 600-300 BC and considers that they had attained a position of authority in the second century BC. S. Bhattachrji dates them between 600-200 BC. Macdonell dates them between 500-200 BC. [12]
Thapan concludes that the period reflected in the Vināyaka section of the Mānava Gṛhya Sūtra must have been between the end of the third and early second century BC. She based this conclusion in part on the fact that in the Mānava Gṛhya Sūtra the Vināyakas are associated with various other beings, including three of the four Buddhist lokpālas (guardians of the quarters), as well as the deities Mahādeva and Mahāsena. Mahādeva and Mahāsena were popular gods during the Aśokan period, a time when the spread of Buddhism must have posed a challenge to adherents of the Vedic tradition. Thapan says that this association implies that "not only was Buddhism viewed inimically by the brāmaņa authors of this text..., but so were Mahādeva and Mahāsena." [13]
The Vināyakas are also mentioned in the Mahābhārata where their role shows a distinct change in two different age strata of that epic. [14]
Thapan notes that almost all of the references to the Vināyakas, Danti, and their related beings do not appear in the main body of the critical edition of the Mahābhārata, but are only mentioned in the Appendices. This means that the traditions associated with these figures were limited to only a few versions which must have been found in only specific regions.