Abhaswaras

Abhaswaras or Abhasvaras is a term used in Buddhism for a heaven and in Hinduism as a class of deities.

In Buddhism

In Buddhism Abhaswaras or Abhasvaras is the name of a heaven. The words roots are Sanskrit (from "a" near to, towards + the verbal root "bhas" to shine upon, illuminate).

In Hinduism

In Hinduism, Abhaswaras is a class of deities. They are sixty-four in number and their nature is not well known. They are described as "demigods representing a certain cycle of manifestation and the active phase of the evolutionary process set in motion by an act of will of Brahman, who remains transcendent while emanating forth the world". These inferior deities are attendant upon Shiva, and under the command of Ganesa. They dwell on Gana-parvata, i.e., Kailasa.

While Dawson in his Hindu Encyclopaedia does not offer more information, it is known that they are one of the nine Gana deities: Adityas, Viswas or Viswe-devas, Vasus, Tushitas, Abhaswaras, Anilas, Maharajikas, Sadhyas, and Rudras.

However, Guru Granth Sahib gives the following information:

"The Ganas, Gandharvas, Siddhas and saints [...] are engaged in uttering the infinite Praises of the Unapproachable and Unfathomabable'"[1]

The Ganas and Gandharvas were emancipated through the remembrance of the Name of the Lord.....[2]

Ganas or Gana-Devatas are the troops of deities. Nine classes of Ganas are Adityas, Viswe-devas, Vasus, Tushitas, Abhaswaras, Anilas, Maharajikas, Sadhyas and Rudras. These are inferior deities and are attendant upon god Shiva. The Lord of these Ganas is Ganesha (or Gana-pati), who, according to one legend, sprang from the scurf of the body of Parvati; and who is the god of wisdom and remover of obstacles.[3]

References
  1. https://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianCivilization/msearch?query=abhisvara&submit=Search&charset=UTF-8 IndianCivilization : Search Results : abhisvarad. (Devgandhari M. 5, p. 535)
  2. (Malar M. 3, p. 1259)
  3. 1. Kohli, Surindar SINGH (ed), Dictionary of Mythological References in GURU GRANTH Sahib, 1993"
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