Vinayakas

The IAST|Vināyakas were a group of four troublesome demons who created obstacles and difficulties in Hindu mythology ["Aitareya Brāhmana", I, 21.] , but who were easily propitiated. [Bhandarkar. Vaisnavism, Saivism and other Minor Sects. pp. 147-48.] One theory of the origin of Ganesha is that he gradually came to prominence in connection with the IAST|Vināyakas. [Thapan, op. cit., passim.]

In Puranic literature of a much later period the group of four Vināyakas was merged into one definite god named Vināyaka whom Rudra appointed as the "Leader of the Ganas" (Ganapati). [Heras, op. cit., p. 28] This Vināyaka-Ganapati is associated with another god called Dantin, "the one with the tusk," who is said to possess a twisted trunk (IAST|vakratuṇḍa) and who holds a corn-sheaf, a sugar cane, and a club. [Taittiriya Aranyaka, X, 1, 5.] This description of Dantin is so characteristic of the Puranic Ganapati that Heras says "we cannot resist to accept his full identification with this Vedic Dantin." [Heras, p. 28.] The name Vināyaka is a common name for Ganesha both in the IAST|Purāṇas and in Buddhist Tantras. [Thapan, op. cit., p. 20.]

In the Smrti of Yājñavalkya, written in the 6th century, Vināyaka is definitely mentioned as a demon who had been exalted to the rank of a deva. [Bhandarkar, op. cit., p. 148; citation by Heras, op. cit., p. 28.] He is clearly described as elephant-headed by the 8th century. [Heras, p. 29.]

The Mānava-Gṛhyasūtra

The Vināyakas in their original demonic role are mentioned only in a limited number of Brahmanical texts that are essentially within only one school of the Vedas, the Kṛṣṇa Yajur Veda. [Thapan, op. cit., p. 18] They had many characteristics in common with imps, goblins, and gnomes in Western European mythology.

The Vināyakas are first mentioned in the "Mānava-Gṛhyasūtras" where they appear as four demonic creatures. [Thapan, op. cit., p. 26.] Dating for the "Mānava-Gṛhyasūtra" is only tentative, but P. V. Kane assigns it to a period prior to 600-300 BCE and considers that they had attained a position of authority in the second century BCE. S. Bhattachrji dates them between 600-200 BCE. Macdonell dates them between 500-200 BCE. [Thapan, op. cit., p. 27. Chapter III of Thapan's book on the development of Ganesha is based on the "Mānava-Gṛhyasūtra". Citations to P. V. Kane, Sukumari Bhattacharji, and Arthur A. Macdonell are given in Thapan.]

Thapan concludes that the period reflected in the Vināyaka section of the "Mānava-Gṛhyasūtra" must have been between the end of the third and early second century BCE. She based this conclusion in part on the fact that in the "Mānava-Gṛhyasūtra" the Vināyakas are associated with various other beings, including three of the four Buddhist "lokpālas" (guardians of the quarters), as well as the deities Mahādeva and Mahāsena. Mahādeva and Mahāsena were popular gods during the Aśokan period, a time when the spread of Buddhism must have posed a challenge to adherents of the Vedic tradition. Thapan says that this association implies that "not only was Buddhism viewed inimically by the "brāmaņa" authors of this text..., but so were Mahādeva and Mahāsena." [Thapan, op. cit., pp. 26-7.]

The Mahābhārata

The Vināyakas are also mentioned in the "Mahābhārata" where their role shows a distinct change in two different age strata of that epic. [Thapan, op. cit., pp. 27-8]

*In the Śānti Parva they are depicted as evil beings and are mentioned along with "bhūtas" and "piśācas". These passages may date shortly after the composition of the "IAST|Mānava Gṛhya Sūtras".

*In the Anuśāsana Parva they lose their evil characterization and are worshipped as the IAST|Gaṇeśvara-Vināyakas, part of the IAST|Rudragaṇa contingent. These passages are certainly dated as belonging to the first one or two centuries CE. A passage in the Sabhā Parva which mentions a being named Danti belongs to the same period. Danti appears to be synonymous with the Mahākāya (One having a huge body) who is named along with the IAST|Gaṇeśvara-Vināyakas as part of Śiva's entourage in the Anuśāsana Parva.

Thapan notes that almost all of the references to the Vināyakas, Danti, and their related beings do not appear in the main body of the critical edition of the Mahābhārata, but are only mentioned in the Appendices. This means that the traditions associated with these figures were limited to only a few versions which must have been found in only specific regions.

Notes

References

* Brown, Robert L. "Ganesh: Studies of an Asian God" (State University of New York: Albany 1991). ISBN 0-7914-0657-1.
* Heras, H. "The Problem of Ganapati". (Indological Book House: Delhi, 1972).
* Martin-Dubost, Paul. "Gaņeśa: The Enchanter of the Three Worlds". (Project for Indian Cultural Studies: Mumbai, 1997). ISBN 81-900184-3-4.
* Nagar, Shanti Lal. "The Cult of Vinayaka". (Intellectual Publishing House: New Delhi, 1992). ISBN 81-7076-043-9.
* Thapan, Anita Raina. "Understanding Gaņapati: Insights into the Dynamics of a Cult". (Manohar Publishers: New Delhi, 1997). ISBN 81-7304-195-4.