Abhasvaras

Abhasvaras (Sanskrit: आभास्वर, romanized: Ābhāsvara) is a term used in Buddhism to refer to a heaven and in Hinduism to refer to a class of deities.

Buddhism

In Buddhism, 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).^{[citation needed]}

Hinduism

In Hinduism, abhasvaras refers to a class of deities featured in the Puranas. They are 64 in number,^[1] and described to be personifications of mental qualities, serving as the sovereigns of all varieties of spiritual and physical enlightenment.^[2] The twelve primary abhasvaras are:^[3]

• Ātmā
• Jñātā
• Dama
• Dānta
• Śānti
• Jñāna
• Sama
• Tapas
• Kāma
• Krodha
• Mada
• Moha

The abhasvaras are referred to as one of the nine gana deities: adityas, visvedevas, vasus, tushitas, abhasvaras, anilas, maharajikas, sadhyas, and the rudras. They are stated to be the attendants of deities such as Shiva, Ganesha, and Vayu, dwelling on Gaṇaparvata, located on Kailasha.^[4]