Gananayaka, Gaṇanāyaka: 9 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Jyotisha
2. Purana
Languages
1. Sanskrit
2. Kannada
See also

Introduction:

Gananayaka means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Gaṇanāyaka (गणनायक) refers to “(those who are the) heads of parties”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 15) (“On the nakṣatras—‘asterisms’”), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “Those who are born on the lunar day of Anurādhā will be valiant; heads of parties [i.e., gaṇanāyaka]; fond of the company of Sādhus, keep vehicles and grow every species of crop. Those who are born on the lunar day of Jyeṣṭhā will be valiant, of good descent, wealthy, famous; disposed to cheat others of their property, fond of travelling, rulers of provinces or commanders of armies. [...]”.

context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Gaṇanāyaka (गणनायक) refers to a “leader of Gaṇas”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.40 (“The Marriage Procession of Śiva”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “[...] The lord of Gaṇas, Śaṅkhakarṇa started with a crore of Gaṇas to the city of Himavat along with Śiva. Kekarākṣa took ten crores of Gaṇas with gaiety. Vikṛta, the leader of Gaṇas (gaṇanāyaka), took eight crores of Gaṇas. Viśākha took four crores and Pārijāta took nine crores of Gaṇas. The glorious Sarvāntaka and Vikṛtānana took sixty crores. Dundubha took eight crores. [...]”.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Gaṇanāyaka (गणनायक).—m.

(-kaḥ) A name of Ganesha. f.

(-yikā) A name of Durga. E. gaṇa, and nāyaka a leader; see gaṇeśa.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Gaṇanāyaka (गणनायक).—[masculine] = gaṇeśa.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Gaṇanāyaka (गणनायक):—[=gaṇa-nāyaka] [from gaṇa > gaṇ] m. the leader of the attendants of any god, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa v, 17, 13; Bhaviṣya-purāṇa, khaṇḍa 1 & 2: bhaviṣya-purāṇa & bhaviṣyottara-purāṇa]

2) [v.s. ...] ‘chief of Śiva’s attendants’, Gaṇeśa, [Mahābhārata i, 77; Kathāsaritsāgara c, 41]

3) [v.s. ...] the head of an assemblage or corporation, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā xv, 15]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Gaṇanāyaka (गणनायक):—[gaṇa-nāyaka] (kaḥ) 1. m. Ganesha. yikā 1. f. A name of Durgā.

[Sanskrit to German]

Gananayaka in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Gaṇanāyaka (ಗಣನಾಯಕ):—[noun] = ಗಣನಾಥ [gananatha].

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Relevant text

Search found 8 books and stories containing Gananayaka, Gaṇanāyaka, Gana-nayaka, Gaṇa-nāyaka; (plurals include: Gananayakas, Gaṇanāyakas, nayakas, nāyakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Chapter 3 - Ḍhuṇḍheśvara (ḍhuṇḍha-īśvara-liṅga) < [Section 2 - Caturaśīti-liṅga-māhātmya]

Chapter 214 - Procedure of Gaṇapati Worship < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]

Chapter 142 - Greatness of the Trio of Gaṇapatis < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]

+ 12 more chapters / show preview

Chapter 71 - Mode of worshipping Gaṇeśa (gaṇeśapūjā)

Chapter 318 - The mode of worshipping Gaṇapati, accomplishing all things

Chapter 313 - The mantras relating to the worship of different gods