Gothra system
Gothra system started during Yajurveda period
A-20. There is a thinking like that .The gotra system is part of a system
of classification or identification of various Brahmin families in ancient
times. *The gotra classification took form probably sometime during the
Yajur Veda period, after the Rig Veda period.* It is believed that the
gotras (now account to a total of 49) started to consolidate some around
10-8 Century B.C. The present day gotra classification is created from a
core of 8 rishis (The Saptha rishis + Aga Agastya). The Seven rishis are
Gautama, Bhardwaja, Vishwamitra, Jamadagni, Vasistha, Kashyapa and Atri.
Seven Rishis (Saptarshi) are recognized as the mind born sons of the
creator Brahma. They desired offspring and received it. All present day
Brahmin communities are said to be descendants of these 8 Rishis. Over the
years the number of gotras incresed due to: Descendents of these Rishis
also started new family lineage or new gotras (Kaundinya was a descendent
of Vasihta, Vishwamitra was a descendent of Kaushika and Vatsa was a
descendent of Jamadagni). Inspired by a saint whose name they bear as their
own Gotra. The lines of descent from the major rishis are originally
divided into Ganas [sub divisions] and each Gana is further divided into
families. However, subsequently the term gotra is frequently applied to the
ganas and to the families within the ganas interchangeably.
Kula devata principle originated.
These Rishis belonged to different sects like Shakti, Shavites and
Vishnavites and had different deities for worship. Such deities came to be
known as the Kuladevatas.
The purpose of Gothra origination?
The gotras of GSBs is believed to be originated from the ten Rishis.
Bharadwaj, Kausika, Vatsa, Kaundinya, Kashyapa, Atri, Vashista, Jamadagni,
Gautam and Vishwamitra (Kamshi) The gotra system was instituted for the
purposes of identifying one's ancestors and pay respects during various
invocations and other rituals to honor their fathers, fore-fathers and so
on, up to their respective Rishis. This was later extended to other aspects
of the Brahmin life, such as Marriage and temple worship. In present days,
marriage will not be allowed within the same gotra in order to avoid impure
matrimony. This thinking is in tune with the modern day genetic paradigms
of hybrid vigor.
Many famous gothrams
There are more than 120 Gothras known amongst the Brahmins. Under the
Sapta-Rishi grouping, each Rishi's lineage has its own sublineage or
grouping with Single, three, five or Seven Rishis, which are referrred to
in the Pravaram. You can get the Rishis group, sub-lineage of the
Sapthra-Rishis and the Gothra Pravaram from this page.
The speciality of Angirasa, Kanva and Bhargava
Among the Gothra analysis of Pravaras, one can see the Aankirasa
Rishi appears 12 times including multiple versions. Aankirasa is the Rishi
with whom more than half of the Atharva Veda samhitas are associated. An
analysis of the Rishis associated with the Veda Mantras will give info on
the other Rishis associated with the Gothras and their lineage. Sage Kanva
is the foster father of Sakuntala celebrated by Kaalidasa. Bhargava referes
to the lineage of Bhrigu Maharishi, the foster father of Maha Lakshmi
worshipped as Bhargavi.
According to Panini and Baudhayana what is the explanation of
gothrams? {G simply wrote without any data so added here}
In general, gotra denotes all persons who trace descent in an
unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. Panini defines gotra for
grammatical purposes as *' apatyam pautra prabhrti gotram' (IV. 1. 162),* which
means 'the word gotra denotes the progeny (of a sage) beginning with the
son's son. When a person says ' I am Kashypasagotra' he means that he
traces his descent from the ancient sage Kashyapa by unbroken male descent.
According to the Baudhâyanas'rauta-sûtra Vishvâmitra, Jamadagni,
Bharadvâja, Gautama, Atri, Vasishtha, Kashyapa and Agastya are 8 sages; the
progeny of these eight sages is declared to be gotras. The offspring
(apatya) of these eight are gotras and others than these are called *'
gotrâ vayava* '. The gotras are arranged in groups, e. g. there are
according to the Âsvalâyana-srautasûtra, four subdivisions of the *Vasishtha
gana, viz. Upamanyu, Parasara, Kundina and Vasishtha* (other than the first
three).
{{{ Parasara (Parāśara): A famous Maharshi, grandson of Vasishta and son of
Shakti. He is well-known as the father of Sage Vyasa and for composing the
Parashara Smriti. He is often described as a Rishi who could break the web
of sins.
Upamanyu: A revered Rishi associated with intense devotion to Shiva (Siva
Panchakshari and Shiva Sahasranama). He is often described as a disciple of
Sage Ayoda-Dhaumya and is mentioned in the Shiva Purana as the son of
Vyaghrapada. He is also considered a Rishi of the Rig-Veda.
Kundina (Kaundinya): A Rishi associated with the lineage of Maitravarun
(also known as Agastya). The descendants in this lineage are called Kundin
or Kaundinya, with many settled in South India.
These three are grouped under the Vasishta Gana (or Vasishta Vamsha), one
of the main lineages in the brahminical system of Gotra and Pravara.}}}
[[[Gothra and Pravara- 6. Vasishta-2
(Sakthi Cont.,) He was the rishi for 7:32:26. It is said that he was
forcibly thrown into fire by Vishwamitra and his followers and he recited
half of this mantra before dying and the remaining half was completed by
Vasishta, his father. Another version was that he was killed by
Kalmashapada, while he was suffering the curse of becoming a demon and on
the direction of Vishwamitra.
Gopayana, Bharadvaja, Apasthamba, and Arnodara were his disciples.
Parasara: At the time of the death of Sakthi Son of Vasishta, Adrusyanthi
wife of Sakthi was pregnant. She wanted to commit suicide on hearing the
death of her husband. Vasishta foresaw that a brilliant boy was in her
womb, and his son Veda Vyasa was likely to be born in future, consoled his
daughter-in-law and sought a promise that she would not take such drastic
action. One-day Vasishta heard distinct sounds of chanting Vedas.
Adrusyanthi said that the child of Sakthi in her womb is chanting Vedic
sounds.
Another version was that Vasishta wanted to commit suicide on hearing that
all his 100 sons were killed. But failed in his attempts. He dropped his
idea of committing suicide on hearing that his daughter in law ‘s carrying.
This child was named as Parasara because he consoled his grandfather
Vasishtha even when he was in the womb. Parasara means a rishi who can
break the web of vices and sins by his presence and look. Parasara was
found proficient in Vedas and sasthras even as a still born child.
According to Parasara Smriti, He was born when his mother was just 12 years
old, and his father was killed by a demon.
Niruktha says that he was the son of Vasishta himself.
Since his father was killed by Rakshasas, he had animosity against them. He
started a Yaga which resulted in the killing of thousands of Rakshasas.
Vasishta and Pulasthya told him that the death of a person is natural, and
Rakshasas were instrumental. They asked him to shun his violent anger which
would speak against the greatness of a person. They also advised Parasara
to stop killing innocent rakshasas. He stopped the Yaga on their advice.
He was the disciple of Kapila. He learned Vishnu Purana from Pulasthya and
taught it to Maitreya a friend of Vyasa.
According to Matsya Purana, the following belong to Parasara’s clan.
1. Kandasaya, Vahanapa, Jaithapa, Bhaumatapana, and Gopaali are
Fair-complexioned.
2. Prapohaya, Vahmaya, Khyateya, Kautujaati, and Haryasvi are Blue.
3. Krishnaayan, Kapimukha, Kakeyastha, Japati and Pushkar are black.
4. Sravisthayana, Baaleya, Swatashta Upaya and Ishikahasta are white.
5. Vatika, Badari, Stambha, Krodhanayana and Kshaimi are Syama Parasaras.
Other sutras mention that the Parasara Gothra was divided into 11 sub
gothras depending on the complexion of persons belonging to each
subdivision. They are Krishna, Gaura, Aruna, Neela, Sveta, Syama, Kshama,
Dhumra, Rakta, Sukla, Aukshana. Each subdivision consists 5 gothras
totaling 55 gothras.
Veda Vyasa was the son of Parasara through Sathyavathi from a fisherman’s
family.
He was the rishi for the sukthas 1:65-73 of Rig-Veda. He had also written a
Smriti having the religious codes to be followed in Kaliyuga (Kalou
Parasara Smriti)
Parasarya: He was a sage and was the disciple of Indrapramathi. He was a
member of the courts of Indra and Yudhishthira. Sri Krishna visited him
once while going from Dwarka to Hastinapura
Painga: He was Disciple of Jathukarnya and learned Rigveda. Painga had
written Niruktha a book on grammar.
16. Kavyayana,
Pravara: 1. Vasishta, Sakthya, Parasara Thrayarsheya
2. Vasishta, Sakthya, Parasara, Painga chathvarsheya
Kavyayana: He was the son of Rukshaya. His clan became brahmins.
17. Bhaumathapayana, 18. Bymathayana
Pravara: 1. Vasishta, Sakthya, Parasara Thrayarsheya
Bhaumathapayana: He belongs to Parasara’s family.
Information could not be found in respect of - Bymathayana,
19. Mythravaruna
Pravara; 1. Bhrigurdhava, Vardheyasva, Mythravaruna thrayarsheya
2. Vaasishta, Mythravaruna, Koundinya Thrayarsheya
Bhrigurdhava: He was the son of Varuna. He approached his father and asked
the way to have knowledge about Brahma. Varuna said that Anna, Prana,
Chakshu, and Ananda were the Brahma.
Vardheyasva: Information could not be found.
20 Bodhayana, 21. Hiranyakshayana
Pravara: Vaasishta, Mythravaruna, Kowndinya thrayarsheya
Bodhayana: He was the Disciple of Indrapramathi. He has written Kalpa
sutras. Sulbha sutras. He was also attributed of having written Dharma
sastra (rules of law)
Hiranyakshayana: One of the sons of Vishwamitra and a brahmavettha
22. Vasishta
Pravara:1. Vasishta Ekarsheya
Note: - with this Vasishta gothras are complete]]]
(((Based on traditional Vedic and Puranic literature, Rishi
Vasishta and Kundin (Koundinya Rishi) are related, with Kundin often
described as a descendant of Vasishta or associated with the Vasishta
lineage. According to the Vayu Purana (70.90), Koundinya Rishi (Kundin) is
mentioned in the context of the Vasishta lineage.The Vasishta Gotra is
derived from Sage Vasishta. Koundinya is recognized as a separate rishi but
is often linked directly or as a descendant of Vasishta. In many Brahmin
lineages, the Gotra is referred to as "Vashishta-Koundinya," indicating a
close connection where Koundinya is a progenitor of a branch within or
directly connected to the Vasishta line.
Sage Vasishta and Sage Upamanyu are closely related in Hindu
tradition, with Upamanyu often considered a disciple or a
descendant/relative belonging to the Vasishta gotra (lineage). Some
accounts describe Upamanyu as a nephew to Vasishta, and in certain
narratives, Upamanyu receives spiritual guidance or benefits from
Vasishta's ashram. Family Relation: In some traditional accounts, Upamanyu
is described as the son of Vasishta's sister. Parasara is also a direct
relation SO GANA)))
Each of these four again has numerous subsections, each being
called gotra. So the arrangement is first into ganas, then into pakshas,
then into individual gotras. The first has survived in the Bhrigu and
Ângirasa gana. According to Baud, the principal eight gotras were divided
into pakshas.
*Pravaras*
The pravara of Upamanyu is Vasishtha, Bharadvasu, Indrapramada; the
pravara of the Parâshara gotra is Vasishtha, Shâktya, Pârâsharya; the
pravara of the Kundina gotra is Vasishtha, Maitrâvaruna, Kaundinya and the
pravara of Vasishthas other than these three is simply Vasishtha. It is
therefore that some define pravara as the group of sages that distinguishes
the founder (lit. the starter) of one gotra from another. There are two
kinds of pravaras, 1) sishya-prasishya-rishiparampara, and 2)
putr-parampara. *Gotra-pravaras can be ekarsheya, dwarsheya, triarsheya,
pancharsheya, saptarsheya, and up to 19 rishis* . Kashyapasa gotra has at
least two distinct pravaras in Andhra Pradesh: one with three sages
(triarsheya pravara) and the other with seven sages (saptarsheya pravara).
* Some argument is there that in gothra were different sishya
pravaras are there marriage is permissible with in the gothra.* How far it
is correct? This pravara may be either sishya-prasishya-rishi-parampara or
putra parampara. When it is sishya-prasishya-rishi-parampara marriage *is
not acceptable if half or more than half of the rishis are same in both
bride and bridegroom gotras.* *If it is putra parampara, marriage is
totally unacceptable even if one rishi matches*.
K Rajaram IRS 13326
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