The Sanskrit term Pakṣigaṇa can be transliterated into English as Paksigana or Pakshigana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Skanda-purana

Pakṣigaṇa (पक्षिगण) refers to “flocks of birds”, according to the Skandapurāṇa 2.2.13 (“The Greatness of Kapoteśa and Bilveśvara”).—Accordingly: as Jaimini said to the Sages: “[...] [Dhūrjaṭi (Śiva)] went to the holy spot Kuśasthalī. He performed a very severe penance near Nīla mountain. [...] By the power of his penance that holy spot became one comparable to Vṛndāvana, the forest near Gokula. [...] It was full of different kinds of flocks of birds [i.e., nānā-pakṣigaṇa-ākīrṇa]. It was a comfortable place of resort for all creatures. Since by means of his penance Śiva became (small) like a dove, he came to be called Kapoteśvara at the behest of Murāri (Viṣṇu). It is at his bidding that the Three-eyed Lord always stays here along with Mṛḍānī (Pārvatī)”.

Source: Wisdom Library: Padma-purana

Pakṣigaṇa (पक्षिगण) refers to “flocks of birds”, according to the Padmapurāṇa 5.87 (“Subtle Are the Ways of Dharma”).—Accordingly, as Viṣṇu praises Brahmā:—“[...] This month of Vaiśākha is dear to the great-souled Viṣṇu. Even if one is observed (i.e. even if bath etc. is done in only one Vaiśākha) by people, it gives the entire desired (object). O king, this is my view that a man who is given to bathing (right) from his birth with the holy water of Gaṅgā at the proper time and place, who is void of devotion and yet is a giver, does not become pure. Creatures live at holy places on Gaṅgā etc. and flocks of birds [i.e., pakṣigaṇa] always live in temple(s). (Though) they observe fasts, they, being bereft of devotion, meet with death, and do not get the (highest) position (i.e. salvation)”.

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Pakṣigaṇa (पक्षिगण) refers to “flocks of birds”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 5.23.—Accordingly, as Sanatkumāra said: “O Vyāsa, O highly intelligent sage, listen to the impurity of the body and the greatness of good feelings. I shall explain briefly. [...] Fishes stay in the holy Gaṅgā and other sacred rivers. Flocks of birds [i.e., pakṣigaṇa] stay in the temple. They do not attain any special benefit from the ceremonial ablutions and charitable gifts since they are devoid of holy feelings. It is the purity of the feelings that is the criterion for the sanctity of rites. The wife is embraced with one feeling and the daughter is embraced with another. [...]”.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism

Pakṣigaṇa (पक्षिगण) or Pakṣirāja is the name of a Garuḍa mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Pakṣirāja).

context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Pakṣigaṇa (पक्षिगण) refers to a “group of birds”, according to  the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 43.—Accordingly, “[...] Thus the Kalaviṅka bird, when it is still within the egg, surpasses all other birds (pakṣigaṇa) [sarvapakṣigaṇam abhibhavati] by the melody of its songs. Similarly the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva, even before leaving the shell of ignorance, surpasses the Śrāvakas, Pratyekabuddhas and heretics by the sound of his preaching and his teachings. [...]’”.

Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Pakṣigaṇa (पक्षिगण) refers to “flocks of birds”, according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly, [As the Bhagavān teaches an offering manual]: “[...] All crops, all flowers and fruits will be well protected. [...] All pests will be destroyed. Snakes, mice, mongooses, porcupines, goats, frogs, stinging insects, mosquitos, locusts and so on, flocks of birds (pakṣigaṇa) will perish. All worms will be destroyed. Furthermore, flying insects and so on do not occur. They are never able to destroy. [...]”.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Pakshin, Gana.

Full-text: Pakshin, Samkujita, Pakshiraja, Gana.

Relevant text

No search results for Pakshigana, Pakshin-gana, Pakṣigaṇa, Pakṣin-gaṇa, Paksigana, Paksin-gana, Paksi-gana, Pakṣī-gaṇa; (plurals include: Pakshiganas, ganas, Pakṣigaṇas, gaṇas, Paksiganas) in any book or story.