Gananayaka, Gaṇanāyaka: 9 definitions
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)
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. [...]”.
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)
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. [...]”.
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
Gaṇanāyaka (गणनायक).—m.
(-kaḥ) A name of Ganesha. f.
(-yikā) A name of Durga. E. gaṇa, and nāyaka a leader; see gaṇeśa.
Gaṇanāyaka (गणनायक).—[masculine] = gaṇeśa.
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]
Gaṇanāyaka (गणनायक):—[gaṇa-nāyaka] (kaḥ) 1. m. Ganesha. yikā 1. f. A name of Durgā.
Gaṇanāyaka (गणनायक):—(gaṇa + nāyaka)
1) m. a) der Führer des Gefolges eines Gottes: devapatayaḥ svaiḥ svairgaṇanāyakaiḥ [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 5, 17, 13.] — b) der Führer des Gefolges von Śiva, der Gott Gaṇeśa: lekhako bhāratasyāsya bhava tvaṃ gaṇanāyaka [Mahābhārata 1, 77.] — c) Vorstand einer Versammlung [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka 15, 15.] —
2) f. nāyikā ein Beiname der Durgā [Trikāṇḍaśeṣa 1, 1, 52.] [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 51] (nāyakā).
--- OR ---
Gaṇanāyaka (गणनायक):—
1) a) [Oxforder Handschriften 31,b, Nalopākhyāna 4.] — b) [Kathāsaritsāgara 100, 41.]
Gaṇanāyaka (गणनायक):——
1) m. — a) der Führer des Gefolges eines Gottes. — b) der Gott Gaṇeśa. — c) Vorstand einer Versammlung , — Körperschaft. —
2) *f. nāyikā Beiname der Durgā.
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
Gaṇanāyaka (ಗಣನಾಯಕ):—[noun] = ಗಣನಾಥ [gananatha].
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Nayaka, Gana.
Full-text (+4): Vakratundagananayakaprakarana, Gananayika, Ganani, Dindin, Dindi, Yajvaksha, Yajvasha, Meghamanyu, Cancvasya, Lakulisha, Shatamanyu, Devapriya, Sumantra, Ahiromaka, Romaka, Parijata, Dundubha, Samnadaka, Vararuci, Kapala.
Relevant text
Search found 17 books and stories containing Gananayaka, Gana-nayaka, Gaṇa-nāyaka, Gaṇanāyaka; (plurals include: Gananayakas, nayakas, nāyakas, Gaṇanāyakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Narada Purana (English translation) (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 66 - Daily Prayers and Ritual < [Part 3 - Pūrva-bhāga: Tṛtīya-pāda]
Chapter 68 - Description of Gaṇeśa Mantra < [Part 3 - Pūrva-bhāga: Tṛtīya-pāda]
Chapter 65 - The procedure of repeating the mantras < [Part 3 - Pūrva-bhāga: Tṛtīya-pāda]
Mahabhagavata Purana (translation and study) (by Prabir Kumar Nanda Goswami)
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)