Gana

The word "gana" can also refer to councils or assemblies convened to discuss matters of religion or other topics.

[1] The term gana is employed in the Rigveda in reference to the Maruts:[2] śardhaṃ-śardhaṃ va eṣāṃ vrātaṃ-vrātaṃ gaṇaṃ-gaṇaṃ suśastibhiḥ |anu krāmema dhītibhiḥ ||Let us wait with sacred praises and holy rites upon your several strength, and separate troop, and individual company.Chapter 108 of the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata describes a discussion between Yudhishthira and Bhishma regarding the strength of the ganas, how they defend themselves from disunion, the subjugation of their enemies, and forging friendships.

Bhishma's answers to these questions are recorded in the form of shlokas (verses) from 16 – 32 of the chapter.

[5] The Cilappatikaram of Ilango Adigal, one of the Five Great Epics in Tamil, describes the prescribed offering for eighteen kind of ganas.

[6] The Buddhaghosa mentions the palaces of the ganadeva-puttas ("Ganadevaputtānañ ca vimānāni") among those seen by King Nemi as Mātali led him through the world of the devas.