SAGEKRATU-PART2

CONTINUEDFROM PART 1




Sage Kratu appears inVaivaswatha Manvantara also

Rishi Kratu was again born in the Vaivaswata Manvantara because of Lord Shiva's 
boon.

In this Manvantara he had no family. It is reported that he was bornfrom the 
hand of LordBrahma, whereas other Rishis are described as having been born 
fromother parts of the body of Lord Brahma. (Reference –Bhagavat). 




Sage Kratu adopts sageAgasthia’s son Idvaaha

As he has no family and no children in this Manvantara, Kratuadopted Agastya’s 
son, Idhvaaha. 

Kratu is considered as one of the Bhargavas. In Matsya Puranait is said that 
his mother's name was Poulomi. He is also considered as one of the Viswa Devas. 

Since Viswam Deva is sradha samrakshaka, I thought to  get more details from 
Google search

Sage Kratu-A ViswamDeva

Viswadevatha  refers toa collective group of Vedic deities regarded as the 
"universal gods"or "all-gods," holding a position of considerable importance in 
the Rig Veda and in Hinduritualistic observances. They are generally worshipped 
together torepresent the totality of divine forces, ensuring that no specific 
deity isoverlooked. 

Key aspects ofViswadevatha include:

Vedic Significance: In the Rig Veda, fifty-eight independent hymns arededicated 
to them, and they are often connected with time, space,and the maintenance of 
Cosmic Order (Rita). They are often described in theVedas as having a unique, 
high number, sometimes enumerated as 3339.

Puranic Origin: According to the Vishnu Purana andVayu Purana, the Vishvedevas 
were the sons of Vishva (a daughter of DakshaPrajapati) and Dharma.

Shraddha Rituals: They are of primary importance in Shraddha ceremonies 
(rituals for departedancestors). They are considered Shraddha samrakshakas 
(guardians of Shraddha)and are given the first preference in seating and 
offerings before ancestorsare invoked.

Ten Specific Deities: While sometimes representing allgods, they are 
specifically listed in the Puranas as ten: Kratu, Daksha, Vasu, Satya,Kala, 
Kama, Dhrti, Kuru, Shankumatra, and Vamana.

Kratu Gotra 

Kratu Gotra refers to a lineage originating from the ancientVedic Rishi Kratu, 
one of the seven mental sons (Saptarishis) of Lord Brahma.In Vedic astrology, 
this lineage is linked to specific stars—Punarvasu, Chitra,Uttarashadha, and 
Revati—and is used for ancestral identification and marriagecompatibility, 
traditionally deemed improper to marry within the same Gotra. 

Key Details AboutKratu Gotra and Rishi Kratu:

Astrological Linkage: The Indian Knowledge System Academyblog mentions that the 
Gotra of Kratu is associated with the Nakshatras:Punarvasu, Chitra, 
Uttarashadha, and Revati.

Significance: Individuals belonging to the Kratu Gotra are believed to have a 
lineageoriginating from  sage Kratu.

Kratu Gotra individuals typically honour this Vedic rishi totrace their lineage 
back to the progenitor creators.

In Vedic astrology and Hindu tradition, the Pravara of a Gotra refersto the 
specific "most excellent" sages who are ancestors of thatlineage. 

Pravara for KratuGotra

Sage Kratu is unique because, although he is one of theoriginal Saptarishis 
(Seven Great Sages), he is often described as having no human progeny tocarry 
on his specific name as a standalone major Gotra in the same way asKashyapa or 
Vasishta. 

However, in classifications where Kratu is listed as aGotra-pravartaka (lineage 
propagator), he typically falls under the AngirasaGana. 

Associated Gana: Angirasa (specifically the Vishnuvruddhagroup).

Pravara Type: Most lineages associated with this group followa Tryarsheya 
(three-sage)Pravara.

The Sages: While specific regional variations exist, theprimary Pravara for 
those in the Kratu lineage under the Angirasa umbrellatypically includes: 
Angirasa,Vishnuvruddha,Kratu

Marriage Rules: Because Kratu is part of the Angirasa family,individuals in 
this Gotra cannot marry those from other Gotras sharing the samePravara sages 
(like Vishnuvruddha) to avoid Sagotra marriage. 

Spiritual Archetype: He represents the spirit of sacrifice,devotion, and 
righteousness. His lineage is often associated with possessing spiritual 
mastery andacting as an "advisor to the gods".

Symbolic Significance

Relationship with Ketu: Some esoteric interpretations linkthe name "Kratu" to 
an active or enlightened state of the lunar nodeKetu, representing supreme 
spiritual power and the Chaitanya (enlightenedstate) of the soul.

Where do we have KratuGothra brahmins in India

In India, Kratu Gotra Brahmins are primarily found in North India,particularly 
in regions that historically fall under the Pancha-Gaudaclassification (North 
Indian Brahmin groups). While Sage Kratu is one of theoriginal Saptarishis, 
thisGotra is considered rare compared to major lineages like Bharadwaja or 
Kashyapabecause tradition often describes Kratu as having "no human 
progeny"(his children being the 60,000 tiny Valakhilyas). 

Primary Regions &Communities

Uttarakhand &Uttar Pradesh: Manylineages trace back to the Kumaon and Garhwal 
hills. Brahmins in these regionsoften identify with specific Rishis of the 
Saptarishi group, including Kratu.

Rajasthan &Haryana: Some GaurBrahmins in districts like Sikar (Rajasthan) and 
Gurgaon (Haryana) maintainstrict Gotra records that include less common 
lineages.

Gujarat: Communities such as the Audichya orNagar Brahmins occasionally list 
Kratu as an ancestral Rishi in theirexhaustive Gotra-Pravara registries.

South India (AndhraPradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu): Among Telugu and Tamil 
Brahmins, Kratu Gotra is exceptionally rare. 

Most South Indian Brahmins belong to the Pancha-Dravidagroup, where Kratu is 
more often invoked during Sandhyavandanam(daily prayers) as one of the 
Saptarishis rather than as a primary familyGotra. 

Identification &Surnames

Because Gotra is a lineage (not a surname), Brahmins of thisGotra can carry 
various common surnames depending on their region: 

North India: Sharma,Pandey, Tiwari, or Bhatt.

Odisha: Surnames like Panda, Dash, or Rath mayoccasionally belong to this 
lineage within the Utkala Brahmin community. 

Why it is difficultto find

The scarcity of the Kratu Gotra is due to the Vedic myth thatSage Kratu did not 
have regular earthly children, leading many families who might have originated 
fromhis spiritual lineage to eventually merge into broader groups like the 
Angirasaor Vishnuvruddha Ganas over thousands of years. 
 The Valakhilyas- childrenof sage Kratu- Addition

In thePuranas and the Mahabharata, Sage Kratu and his wife (Kriya orSannati) 
are said to have 60,000 children known as the Valakhilyas. Thesecelestial sages 
are famously described as being the size of a thumb (pigmysages), yet they 
possessed immense spiritual power and were as resplendent asthe sun's rays. 

2. Spiritual Lineage vs.Physical Stature

Celestial vs. Human: The Valakhilyas areconsidered celestial beings (guardians 
of the Sun's chariot) and practicedstrict celibacy (Brahmacharya). They are 
notconsidered the biological ancestors of modern humans in a physical sense.

Summary: While the "sons" of Sage Kratu aredescribed as thumb-sized in 
scripture, this is a symbolic or celestialattribute. The humandescendants of 
this Gotra have normal physical statures like any othercommunity.

Adoption & Propagation: According to the Matsya Purana becauseSage Kratu's 
celestial sons did not have earthly progeny, he adopted Idhmavaha(the son of 
Sage Agastya) to continue his lineage in the human world.

The Gotra System: Modern Brahmins belonging to the KratuGotra trace their 
spiritual and patrilineal heritage to Sage Kratu through this adopted lineor 
through the broader Angirasa or Agastya Ganas. 

Idhmavaha- Kratu’sadopted son in Vaivaswatha manvantara- Details .

Idhmavāha also known as Tridasyu or Dṛḍhasyu, is a figure from Hindumythology, 
specifically renowned as the son of the great sage Agastya and his wife 
Lopāmudrā.He is featured in narratives within the Mahābhārata and various 
Puranas. 

Here are the detailed aspects of Idhmavāha:

Birth and Background

Parents: Son of Sage Agastya and Princess Lopāmudrā.

The Choice of Son: Before his birth, Sage Agastya askedLopāmudrā to choose 
between having 1,000 ordinary sons, 100 sons of highability, 10 sons with the 
worth of 100, or a single son with the wisdom andpower of 1,000 sons. Lopāmudrā 
chose the latter—a single, noble, andextraordinary son.

Long Gestation: Tridasyu remained in his mother’s womb for seven years before 
being born.

Birth Accomplishment: He began to recite the Vedas from thevery moment of his 
birth. 

Significance of the Name"Idhmavāha"

Meaning: The name Idhmavāha means "one who carriesfirewood" (Idhma = 
sacrificial fuel/twigs; vāha = carrier/bringer).

Reason: As he grew up, he was tasked with bringing smallpieces of firewood to 
feed the sacred fire for his father’s daily homa(sacrifice). 

Key Characteristics andRole

Drdhasyu: Another name for him is Drdhasyu, and he was knownfor being a 
celebrated poet.

Dedications to Dharma: Idhmavāha is often portrayed as anexample of an obedient 
and knowledgeable son dedicated to the spiritualpursuits of his parents.

Vedic Knowledge: He is highly recognized in the stories as ahighly 
knowledgeable person in the Vedas and Upanishads. 

A natural doubt arise under what condition such a precious child was given by 
sage Agasthyafor adoption by sage Kratu

Google search give thefollowing information

In most major Hindu scriptural traditions, Idhmavaha (Drdhasyu) is recognizedas 
the only son of Sage Agastya and Lopamudra. 

Key Context

The Single Son Tradition: Most sources, including the Rigvedaand major Puranas, 
focus exclusively on Idhmavaha because his birth fulfilled the specific 
spiritual purpose of redeemingAgastya's ancestors from a curse.

The River Kaveri: In South Indian tradition, Lopamudra herself is said to 
havetransformed into the Kaveri River to serve humanity, which is often viewed 
asher "other" lasting legacy beyond her son. 

Conclusion: Agastya did not have other children later in thesense of a 
traditional growing family; his singular focus remained on hisascetic duties 
and the preservation of Vedic knowledge through his one"precious" son given in 
adoption to sage Kratu

I will continue innext posting

 

Posted by RGopalakrishnan compiling information from websites and 
Gopalakrishnan.22-3-2026

 

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