Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c12.36

c12.36

§ 27. A Jaina text in explaining gaṇa says that with reference to human society gaṇa is a group with the main characteristic of 'possessing a mind,' of being conscious. According to the text there is also an abuse of the term. The examples given of its right use are: 'the gaṇa of the Mallas (a known republican community, as we shall presently see¹) and 'the gaṇa of the Pura,' *i.e.*, the Pura assembly (see below, ch. xxviii, on the Paura). As an example of its abuse, the gaṇa of Vasus (Vasu gods) is given by the commentator. Its non-social use is pointed out in music (*bhāva-gaṇa*). Non-constitutional gaṇas, according to the commentary, lack mentality or purpose [in making up the group],² *e.g.*, 'Vasugaṇa' (the Vasu gods).² In other words, the application of the word to a non-constitutional body is distinguished. The constitutional *gaṇa* is the real *gaṇa*, and in the eye of the Jaina authority, it has a mind: it is an organised conscious body of men like the political assembly of the Mallas or the assembly of the corporate Paura. It is a corporate assembly, as opposed to a mere multitude or chance collection.