Abhaswaras- contributed by KP on wikipedia

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" Abhasvara (Sanskrit) (from a near to, towards + the verbal root bhas

to shine upon, illuminate). In Buddhism, it is the name of a heaven.

This name is seen in Hinduism as a set of minor deities.

 

Abhaswaras is a class of deities of the Hindu mythology. They are

sixty-four in number and their nature is not well known. It is

described that they are " 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 "

 

This is precisely what is given by Dowson also. However, it is known

that they are one of the nine Gana deities:

 

(1.) Adityas, (2.) Viswas or Viswe-devas; (3.) Vasus; (4.) Tushitas;

(5.) Abhaswaras; (6.) Anilas; (7.) Maharajikas; (8.) Sadhyas; (9.) Rudras.

 

These inferior deities are attendant upon Siva, and under the command

of Ganesa. They dwell on Gana-parvata, i.e., Kailasa.

 

However, Guru Granth Sahib gives the following information:

 

" GANA The Ganas, Gandharvas, Siddhas and saints...are engaged in

uttering the infinite Praises of the Unapproachable and Unfathomab' "

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IndianCivilization : Search Results : abhisvarad. (Devgandhari M. 5,

p. 535) The Ganas and Gandharvas were emancipated through the

remembrance of the Name of the Lord..... (Malar M. 3, p. 1259) 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. 1. Kohli, Surindar SINGH (ed), Dictionary of Mythological

References in GURU GRANTH Sahib, 1993 "

 

http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/content/view/1205 "

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhaswaras