Pitu Gotra Part 15 How many brahmins 3 KR IRS 15524 16524 (contd)
The Madhvaas date from the recent reform activities of
Madhvacharya (somewhere in the 12th century) also of the Vaishnava
sampradaya , and they were prominent in the last days of Vijayanagar
(1500's) . A famous guru of the line was Raghavendra swami. (They are found
all over Karnataka, south Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu as well as Andhra). Their
roots include a strong Marathi one, and a north Indian connection as well.
2 m) Draavidulu: Draavids, who seem to be north Indian Brahmins
who arrived in coastal Andhra. Dravidas are further divided into subcastes
like Aaraama-dravidulu, Peruru-dravidulu, Rayali-Draavidulu, Divili
Brahmins, Peruru-dravidulu, Tummagunta Brahmins etc based on the locations
they settled. Some of these Dravida Brahmins belong to Rigveda school and
some belong to Krishna-Yajurveda school. The Telangana Vaidiki Brahmin
caste to which Goutamiputra- Satakarni belonged to is a Dravida Brahmin
caste (?). This group belongs to Rigveda school. {Recently a Telugu film
was also released on Gudami Putra Satakarni}
( And Dravida belonged to south whereas some TN political are
displaying a tamil meaning graphing them only as Dravida; Adi Shankar in
Soundarya lahari addressed himself as :DRAVIDA SISU meaning from Keral;
that was tarnished by sone TN illiterates as denoting Gnana sambandar born
in TN, is being spoken by Adi Shankara as Dravida sisu; hence Adi Shankara
should have existed only after Gnana sambandar ; and thus with the help of
so many Officials relating to the particular Mutt following Adi Shankara
[which by certain documents was not one established by Adi Shankara] fixed
the period of Adi Shankara in 700 AD; with the facts changed wrt Adi
Shankara against many evidences lying across as exited around 750 BCE to
450 BCE, pulled down the curtains; in this process, in the web sites, there
were heated debate , trying to project the real one established by Shankara
as NON-EXISTENT one; British nailed the period of buddha from not less than
1000 BCE born, to 500 BCE against the Sikkim monastery records and history
of Dharma krithi; our own people twisted to do away from the truth; thus
our real history was pushed down by 2000 years minimum.] [However, Dravida
became Tamil was rendered by some as, the root word DRAVIDA, became
DRAMILA, and then TAMILA @TAMIL])}
Dravida Brahmins of Andhra
3 There are two major divisions among Brahmins of Andhra Pradesh: Niyogi
and Vaidiki, and the Vaidiki Brahmin division is further divided into
several groups, one of which is Dravida Brahmin group that arrived in
Andhra via Tamil or Dravida (draaviDa) country.
4 A group of Brahmins migrated approximately 600 years ago (~1300-1400
AD) from Saurashtra towards south of Vindhyas and settled on the banks of
River Kaveri in Tamil Nadu and adopted Tamil language. These Brahmins are
related to the Ayyars of Tamil Nadu. Later, some of these Brahmins
migrated northward towards coastal Andhra to the River Godavari basin and
henceforth are called Dravida Brahmins. It is possible that Dravida
Brahmins migrated to Andhra around 400 years ago from Tamil Nadu. The
Dravida Brahmin group continued the migration deep into north coastal
Andhra, settling at various places of their convenience and based on the
locations they settled in, further divided into:
Aaraama-dravidas
Divili Brahmins
Dravidas or suddha dravidas
Peruru-dravidas
Puduru-dravidas
Rayali-dravidas
Tummagunta Brahmins
5 Aaraama-dravidas are those Brahmins who settled and lived in gardens
(aaraamas) initially. They are also called thota aravalu (thota = garden,
aravulu = Tamils or Draavids). Some Dravida Brahmins settled in the
villages and are identified by the area or the name of the village in which
they settled down. For example, the Brahmins who settled in the town Peruru
near Amalarpuram came to be known as Peruru-Draavidulu. Similarly, the
Brahmins settled in the towns of Ryali, Divili, Puduru and Tummagunta came
to be known as Ryali Draavidulu, Divili Brahmins, Puduru Draavidulu,
Tummagunta Brahmins, respectively.
6 The Dravida Brahmins included 6 jaatis@ divisions (clans, tribes), 6
vamshams (stock or clan), 18 pakshams (parts) and 18 gotrams (lineage) and
several family names. Due to their expertise and learning, the rulers of
Coastal Andhra gave not only refuge, but also gifts and rewards of lands
and Agraharas (villages) to the migrated Brahmins. Dravida Brahmins
continued their migrations in search of opportunities and are found in
several states in the Indian Union, especially in the cosmopolitan cities
like Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore etc., and also in the New World.
7 Dravida brahmins such as perurudaravidas, dhimiladaravidas, Dravidas
etc. are very much into Vedic rituals like yajnas and yagas.
Aaraama-dravidas are not big on perfoming yajna and yaagas like others
Dravida Brahmins, but excelled in Vedic studies, poetry and literature,
medicine, music, astrology etc. As the Indian society has changed from Islamic
rule to Christian rule to independence and democracy, Brahmins have lost,
to a large extent, their traditional life style and religious vocations,
and are left with secular vocations in competition with rich, powerful
forward castes and privileged SC, ST and BC communities everywhere in India.
(Book,” The Mouths that Recited Vedas are Grieving” – Though totally
appeared to be connective, yet the records vbought into that book speaks
the movements of the brahmins all over India, from Pillar to the post for
survival; and survival in the last 500 years of brahmins are reflected in
many volumes written in North India)
8 Notes:
1) "aaraamadraavida vamsacharitra," written (1935) by Anamtapadmanaabham
Dvivedula (1888-1947), published by his son Venkataramarao Dvivedula,
Samkhavaram, Andhra Pradesh - 533446. To obtain a copy of the original text
write to Venkataramarao Dvivedula or to:Sankararao A, 6-2011, East Point
Colony, Chinna Waltair, Visakhapatnam 530023 Venkatarao D, 8-2-1 purohit,
Peda Waltair, Visakhapatnam, 530017 Kameswararao Nagabhatla, SVVSS
Devasthanam purohith, Annavaram 533406 or Dhanvantari CVSNLN, No 10 TTD
Grade I purohit, Purohita Samgham, Tirumala Hills, 517504. Also, Dr.
Rajgopal Duddu .
9) Brahmins have been migrating from time immemorial. The Brahmin families
that migrated made an impact peacefully by example rather than converting
people by any means. The Brahmin migration to the South features in legends
of the sage Agastya. The Vindhya Mountain range in central India continued
to grow higher showing its might and obstructed cloud movement causing
draught. Sage Agastya decided to solve the problem and travelled south. The
Vindhya Mountain bowed to Agastya and the sage requested Vindhya to stay
prostrated until he returns. Vindhya complied with this request and sage
Agastya never returned to north.
10 The earliest Brahmins to arrive in Andhra were most probably sage
Viswamitra's students and progeny around 1200 BC. (again period is recorded
from the british records only). South Indian kings showed respect and
patronage for Brahmins and Brahminism since ancient times, e.g., Satavahana
dynasty that ruled for five centuries and extended over Andhra and central
India, founded by Srimukha (221-198 BC), supported Brahminism and Vedic
tradition (History and Culture of Andhra Pradesh, Rao PR, pp.viii and
8-22). One of the most important features of Satavahana dynasty was
granting land to Brahmins. (History of India, Herman Kulke and Dietmar
Rothermund, p. 102). Sangam era of Chera, Chola and Pandya kings in Deep
South also used to grant lands to Brahmins (History of India, Herman Kulke
and Dietmar Rothermund, p. 104). Similarly, there have been Brahmin
migrations back and forth that continue even today. Due to these waves of
Brahmin migrations, we see today various sub-castes and traditions among
Brahmins.
11 One of those Brahmin migrations pertinent to Dravida Brahmins was
from Saurashtra { THERE IS ON THE MADURAI SIDE A SOURASTRA BRAHMIN AND NON
BRAHMIN COMMUNITY SEEN) to the south to River Kaveri. It is not clear why
this particular group of Brahmins migrated to Tamil country in 13th and
14th centuries. However, the period in which the Dravida Brahmins migrated
was full of strife and destruction due to Islamic incursions in the
Northwestern Indian Continent (current Afghanistan, Pakistan and present
Western India), including Gujarat. Saurashtra forms part of the area where
the ancient Saraswati River existed. Saurashtra is also known as Soruth
and Sorath, a former state in the Indian continent, located on the
Kathiawar peninsula of western India, which is now part of the Indian State
of Gujarat. The Rig-Veda refers to the River Saraswati as a mighty river
flowing from the mountains to the sea and was adored as the nurturing
mother of a civilization, which drew its life sustenance on the banks of
the river. It is not clear if the southward-migrated Brahmins are related
to Saraswat Brahmins of this region who migrated to other parts of the
Indian continent.
12 From the River Kaveri region, they migrated to various other parts
of Tamil Nadu and up north into Andhra Pradesh somewhere between 600 to 300
years ago. (NOT SURE OF THE PERIODS) Some of the Aaraamadravida Brahmin
families have migrated from Kumbhakonam, an ancient temple town in Tamil
Nadu on the banks of river Kaveri, 194 miles away by train from Chennai.
Kumbhakonam has mythical connections - visit Kanchi Kamakoti peetham site.
(and history shows Kanchi mutt shifts between Kanchi to Kumbakonam back to
Kanchi and back to Kumbakonam and back to Kanchi; when The Kanchi mutt was
at Kumbakonam, Trichy akilaandeswari was given a maragadha- set so
valuable; which was contested by another Mutt because of which Adi Shankara
date was altered; in the British days , after an ordeal the Kanchi Mutt won
the case; in that dictum, the original value of Kanchi Mutt is found and
incorporated as that of Adi Shankara as another evidence; however that is
being denied by the other groups also)
13) Although it is not clear when Dravida Brahmins migrated to
Andhra, according to Anamtapadmanaabham Dvivedula (ref 1), about 300 years
ago they adopted Telugu language and integrated with Telugu speaking
people. If we consider the studies on language adoption in the US, the
immigrants (first generation of immigrants) and their offspring (second
generation immigrants) continue to speak their native tongue as well as the
language of the land. The third generation of immigrants forget their
ancestral language or only a small minority in that group maintains
bilingualism. Speaking only English is the predominant pattern by the third
generation in the US. Thus, by extrapolation, we may assume Dravida
Brahmins began migrating to Andhra around 400 years ago, which is, of
course, an assumption. It could be 600 years to 2500 years ago!
14) Some of the aaraamadravida family names (see ref 1):
Allamaraaju,/ addamki,/ addamki bhaagavatulua,/ ayilaavajhala,/
abbaavajhala,/ akkapamtula, /annapamtula,/ anamtapamtula, /avadhaanula,/
akkabhaagavatula, /anamtavjhala, /ayitta, / anivilla, /aakomdi,/ aayupilla,
/upamaaka, /oarigamti, /oaleti,/ kamchi, /kaakaraparti,/ kaakara,/
kaakaraala, /kaaraadavajhala, /kaampamtula, /kaamavarapu, /koochibhotla,
/kolloori, /komdaari,/ kolgamti,/ koata, /gamdavarapu,/ goakulaanamdam,
/gummaa, /charla,/ chellapilla, /chakravartula, /chaamarti, /chilakamarti,/
chimtalachervu, /chittapamtula, /tampella,/ taatapoodi, /tirumaamidi,/
toata, /dvivedula, dvivedi, /dvibhaashyam,/ duddu,/ sasiraaju, /naldeegela,
/nrusimhadevara, /narasimhadevara, /pamtula, / pullaapamtula,
/puraanapamda,/ paalamki, /pinnimti, /peddimti,/ podila, /ponnapalli,
/perumaalla,/ paina, /patraayudu,/ ballamoodi, /bulambu,/ boani,
/bhaagavatula,/ brahmayila,/ bheemasoala, /bhairavabhatal,
/madhunaapamtula, /madhuraapamtula,/ maddaal, /madhurakavi,
/mahendravaada,/ maarepalli, /muddu, /munnamgi,/ raavooru, /raamanugula,/
raamavarapu,/ raajulu,/ raaghavabhatlu, /raamabhaktula, /varadaa, /vajhala,
/vedula, /sannidhi,/ saamavedula, /soamayaajula etc./
15 Usually, Telugu Brahmin family names are based on their vocation,
villages, awards, recognition etc. Family names like Kuchibhatlu,
Nagabhatlu, Bhairavabhatlu, Raghavabhatlu, etc. are names based on
"battir", Tamil word for pundit. Some say that Bhattu is a derivative of
bhata, which means a person who works for hire and as these Brahmins were
hired by kings for various priestly duties, they are called bhat-lu. It is
also said that Brahmins who considered themselves as bhattus (servants) of
their family God (kula-daivam) gave their family name as bhattu or bhatla
of their family God. For example, Nagahatlu means bhattus of Naga or snake
God. Raghavabhatlu means bhattu of Lord Raghava or Rama. Pamtulu,
Madhurapamtulu, etc. based on their recognition as pamtulu, which means
pundit or guru or teacher. Ponnapalli, Marepalli, Kolluru, Addanki, etc
are based on village names. Vedulavaru, Dvi-vedulavaru, etc. based on their
learning in vedas and others like soamayaajula are based on ancestral
achievements, jobs and deeds. ( has this “battir” got to do anything with
“battar”?)
16 It should be noted that some of the above family names of Brahmins
are also found in various other castes and tribes, especially those related
to villages. So, it is not correct to assume that a person with a family
name listed above to be an aaramadravida Brahmin.
17) Around 400 years ago, coastal Andhra was under the rule of Tuluva
dynasty. Srikrishnadevaraya ascended to the throne in 1509 and brought
peace and glory to the Andhra. Telangana was already taken over by Muslim
rule, several centuries ago. Quli Qutub Shah of Golconda (Hyderabad),
Ismail Adilshah of Bijapur and Gajapatis of Orissa waged wars against
Vijayanagara dynasty. The reign of Srikrishnadevaraya was considered to be
the Golden Age of Telugu literature. Soon after Srikrishnadevaraya, Quli
Qutub Shah defeated Vijayanagar dynasty and Andhra came under Muslim rule
for the first time. Later, British took over coastal Andhra and formed
Madras province combining with Tamil land. (See History and Culture of
Andhra Pradesh, Rao PR.pp. 92-153)}
18 n) Madhvulu: Madhvas are the followers of Sri Madhvacharya, (a k.
a. srimad Anandateertha), the 13th century saint-philosopher of Karnataka,
India . They were prominent in the last days of Vijayanagar (1500's).
Raghavendra swami was a famous guru of this caste. They are found all over
Karnataka, south Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra and have very strong
roots in Maharashtra and the north.
19 o) Velanati Vaidikulu: The Velnadus are most numerous class of
Vaidiki Brahmins. Vallabhachari, who in the 15th century attained great
success as prophet, and whose descendants are worshipped almost as gods
still Rajputana, Gujarat and Maharashtra was a member of this caste. The
Velnadus are most numerous in the Godavari and Krishna districts. Colonies
of this caste are found in the erstwhile Mysore State (Karnataka), except
Kadur.
20 p) Telaganyulu or Telaganadu Vaidikis: The Telaganya Vaidikis are as
numerous as the Velnadus and found mostly in Telangana, chiefly in the
Northeastern part of erstwhile Hyderabad Kingdom.
21 q) Venginati Vaidikulu: The Venginadus are chiefly found in the
districts of Godavari and Vizianagaram, formerly known as the Vengi Country.
22 r) Kaasalnati Vaidikulu: The Kasalanadu derive their name from Kosala,
the ancient name of Oude, from where they migrated to Kalinga Country,
where they are found now.
23 s) Muraknati Vaidikulu: Murakanati Vaidikis are found mostly in
the country south of the River Krishna. They are numerous in Karnataka.
24 t) Gouda Brahmins are teachers and priests. They belong to Sukla
Yajurveda and Kanva Madhyandina Sakha and have the family names such as Joshi,
Ojjhulu etc.
25 u) Adisaivulu: They belong to Krishna Yajurveda school. These
Saiva Brahmins are further devided into several castes such as Kanchisaivulu,
Antarvedisaivulu, Balajipetasaivulu, Tiruvalngadusivulu, Sakteya Brahmins
etc.
26 v) Saivulu: The Saivite Brahmins follow the Saiva aagamas. However,
they study Vedas also and belong to Krishna Yajurveda school. One of the
sects of these saivite Brahmins is called Aradhyas.[Mallikaarjuna
Panditaradhyudu (1120-1180) was born into an Araadhya Brahmin family and
lived in ‘Drakshaaraamamu City’ in the district of Godaavari. His teacher
was Kotipalli Araadhyadeva. He was the most powerful among the Shaivite
Brahmins and was famous for his supernatural powers. He defeated Buddhists
in the court of King Velanati Choda of Chandavoalu kingdom and established
Shaivism.
27 "Shivakavi Yuagamu" is an era of Brahmin Shaivite poets in the
history of Telugu literature. This is considered to be the time between Nannaya
and Tikkana (12th century AD). Famous poets of this era are Nannechodudu,
Mallikarjuna Panditaradhryudu, and Palkuriki Somanadhudu. These three poets
are known as Shivakavi Trayamu (trinity of Shaivite poets) and belonged to
Kalamukha Shaivite sect. Veerashaivites believe that Panditaaradhyudu is
the incarnation of ‘Pramadha’ and as powerful as Lord Shiva. He is also
one of the three Shaivite priests known as 'Punditatrayamu’ or "the trinity
of Pundits," who devoted their life to the spread of the religion of Shiva,
‘the Shaivism,’ in Andhra Nation. The remaining two Pundits are Sripati
Punditudu and Manchena Punditudu. Mallikaarjuna proved that the Supreme
Lord Shiva was the ultimate God and was superior to any other God. He
condemned and prevailed over all half-hearted Shaivites. He successfully
Brahminized the Shaivism and established Araadhya Shaivism, which is
followed by Araadhya Brahmins. He was a Pundit in Andhra, Kannada and
Sanskrit languages. He composed Shiva Tatvasaaramu, Lingodbhavagadyamu,
Rudramahima, Gunasahasramaala, Amareswaraashthakamu, Parvatavarnanamu,
etc., in Telugu, and Basavageetamu, Prabhulingastotramulu in Kannada.
28 Shivatatvasaaramu is a composition containing 489 verses with
‘Kanda’ meter. This is the primary book and standard for Veera Shaivites.
In this poetry he addresses Lord Shiva as Shiva, Ajaa, Rudraa, Maheshaa
etc. Mallikarjuna describes in detail the process of ‘Shivadeeksha’ and
‘Paashupatashaiva’ principles. In this work he condemns the "Advaita"
religion, philosophy and "the Maaya argument" of Advaita religion.
Sirigiri Nundeda Shivasharanu" in Kannada language is the last work of
Mallikarjuna
Panditaradhyudu.References:Andhra Vaangmaya Charitramu, Dr.
Venkataavadhaani DivaakarlaTelugu Saahitya Sameeksha, Dr. Naagayya G.]
29 They generally run Saiva and Shakti shrines, often very large,
and famous ones like Kalesvaram, Vemulavada, Srisailam, Kalahasti, etc.
They have a link to Kashmir Saivism, Varanasi and Jyotirlinga shrines all
over India like Kedarnath. The rituals they follow are different from the
smaartas. Aradhyas are in fact semi converted Lingayats. They following
Basava and attach great importance to Linga worship. However, they adhere
to Brahminism, recite Gayatri prayers and marry Smarta Brahmins. Although
Lingayat Saiva religion attempted to dismantle the tribal differences, the
Lingayats adhere to their original castes naturally. Thus, Aradhyas remain
designated to be Brahmins, just like other castes in Lingayat religion
(followers of Basava).
K RAJARAM IRS 15524//16524 TO BE COTND.
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