"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'"
Lor
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianCivilization/msearch?query=abhisvara&subm\
it=Search&charset=UTF-8
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