'Gotra' may be defined as a concept of patrilineal classification and identification of various families of a caste.
Gotra could be one of the ancient 'Aryanized' Indian traditions. The gotra classification came into existence probably sometime during the Vedic period. The gotra system might have started originally among Brahmins as a system of classification and identification of various families and indicating common descent from a 'rishi'. Rishi means a sage. The Vedas were revealed to them and the respective hymns stand in their names.
But it seems that during the course of time, many castes in Hindu society have adopted the concept of classification and identification (i.e., gotra) of families among themselves.
So the term 'gotra' is applied to that grouping stemming from a rishi as his descendants, or considering that rishi as a priest (or guru) of a clan. Since the word 'gotra' also connotes the association originating from a rishi as a priest (or guru) of a clan, a few other castes also happen to share some of the gotras of Brahmins.
Gotras
Seven Rishis (saptarshi) are recognized as the mind born sons of the creator BrahmaThe ’Shatapatha Brahmana’ gives their names as:
- Atri
- Bharadwaja
- Gautam
- Jamadagni
- Kashyapa
- Vasishtha
- Vishwamitra
Out of these seven rishis, Viaswamitra was basically a Kshatriya king, who chose and rose to become an ascetic rishi.
Over the years the number of gotras increased due to: (1) Descendants of original rishi also started new family lineage or new gotras, (2) By inter marriage with other sub-groups of the same caste, and (3) Inspired by another rishi whose name they bear as their own Gotra.
PRAVARA is a set of the greatest rishis who belonged to the gotra. Usually these are the founding fathers (and in a few cases, founding mothers) of the gotra. In vedic ritual, the importance of the pravara appears to be in its use by the ritualist for extolling his ancestry and proclaiming, "as a descendant of worthy ancestors, I am a fit and proper person to do the act I am performing."
Some authors claim that the rishi Jamadagni was a descendant of rishi Bhrigu while the rishis Gautam and Bharadwaja were the descendants of rishi Angirasa
The ‘Pravara’ identifies the association of a person with two, three (or sometimes five) of the above-mentioned rishis. It also signifies the ‘Sutras’ contributed to different Vedas by these rishis.
Marriages and gotras
The desire of the ancient Aryans to avoid cosanguineous marriages [marriages between blood relatives] resulted in the establishment of strict rules determining which lineages could or could not intermarry. This thinking is in tune with the modern day genetic paradigms of hybrid vigor. The concept of gotra-pravara made such systems of exogamy [marriage outside of a specific group especially as required by custom or law] eminently feasible. The gotra is therefore frequently used as an exogamous unit to determine marital compatibility. Marriage is not recommended between two individuals of the same major gotra [ i.e. the two individuals should not be able to trace their patrilineal ancestry to one and the same of the 7 primal rishis listed above ]. Furthermore, marriage is prohibited between two persons who share even one pravara rishi.
The significant exceptions to this rule are in the cases of the descendents of Bhrigu and {{Angirasa]]. In the cases of the Bhrigu and angirasas, marriage is prohibited only when a majority of the pravara rishis are common to the two individuals. Thus many of the ganas of the Bhrigus and Angirasas are considered individual exogamous units. Overall, there are 18 exogamous groups within Brahmin community.
The reasoning determining this marital incompatibility might be that marrying within one's gotra would be akin to marrying one's sister and would be akin to incest. However, in south India, this definition of incestuousness took some peculiar forms. In some communities, where the gotras passed from father to children, marriages were allowed between uncle and niece. A much more common characteristic of Daivajna community is a marriage between cross-cousins(between children of brother and sister). Thus, a man may marry his mother's brother's daughter or his father's sister's daughter but could not marry his father's brother's daughter. A father's brother's daughter is treated as a sister. Even this cross-cousin marriage is frowned upon by the rest of the Hindu society.
List of gotras
As described earlier, the word 'gotra' also connotes the association originating from a rishi as a priest (or guru) of a clan, a few other castes also happen to share some of the gotras of Brahmins.
The ten Gotras of the Daivajnas and their respective Pravaras:
| Gotras 1. Bharadwaj 2. Kousika 3. Vatsa 4. Koundinya 5. Kashyapa 6. Vasishta 7. Jamadagni 8. Vishwamithra 9. Gautama 10.Atri | Pravaras : Angirasa, Bhaarhaspathya, Bharadwaaja : Viswaamithra, Akhamarshana, Kousika : Bhaargava, Chyavana, Aapthavaana, Ourva, Jaamadagnya : Vaasishta, Maithraavaruna, Koundinya : Kaasyapa, Aavatsaara, Naidruva : Vaasishta Indrapradama, Aabharaswath : Bhaargava, Chyavana, Aapthavaanam, Ourva, Jaamadagnya : Viswaamithra, Devaraatha, Oudala : Amgirasa, Aayasya, Gouthama : Aathreya, Archanaanasa, Syavaaswa |
The following gotras are also found in Daivajnas
Gotras Pravara
Sanaga Manu,Vishwadeva,Sanaga
Sanatana Sanatana,Vishnu,Vamadeva
Ahabhuna Ahabhuna,Twashta,Vishwarupa
Pratna Shilpi,Vastuka,Ruchidatta,Pratna,Sanabhasa
Suparna Suparna,Sark,Vishwadnya
