Vedas, the religious text of the Hindus are voluminous.
They are realized Truth, revealed by the Seers, who grasped them from Ether by intuition..
They talk about Reality, suggest and set forth methods to Realize the Self.

These are meant for Humanity and any one can follow them.
Considering the volume, the Rishis have organised them into various branches.
It takes a minimum of 12 years to learn the Vedas!
That too, one Veda among the Four, Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva.
And we have Yajur Veda, which has Shukla and Krishna Yajur.
As to the methods, though in essence the same, there are minor differences in detail so that people of different dispositions may follow.
Hinduism understands that there are as many dispositions as are Human Beings, they have tried to suit the groups these texts to suit the groups which have common dispositions.
Each Veda has four parts.
Samhitas are hymns addressed to Gods.
The Samhitas and the Brahmanas form the Karma–Kanda segment of the Vedas.
They are concerned with the ceremonial rites and rituals.
Aranyakas are concerned more with knowledge ,Gnana and this is mainly for the semi retired from day to day activities.
Upanishads form the concluding portion of the Vedas and they enquire into the nature of Reality.
Aranyakas and Upanishads form the knowledge aspect of the Vedas,Gnana Kanda.
For details please read my articles on Vedas.
Each Veda a sections.branches, called Shakas.
‘A shakha (Sanskrit śākhā, “branch” or “limb”), is a Hindu theological school that specializes in learning certain Vedic texts, or else the traditional texts followed by such a school. An individual follower of a particular school or recension is called a śākhin. The term is also used in Hindu philosophy to refer to an adherent of a particular orthodox system’
Details of Shakas for Each Veda provided towards the close of the article.
These Shakas are explained in the Sutras,Aphorisms, and they have commentaries,Bhashyas on them as well.
Veda | Sutras |
Rigveda | Asvalayana Sutra (§), Sankhayana Sutra (§), Saunaka Sutra (¶) |
Samaveda | Latyayana Sutra (§), Drahyayana Sutra (§), Nidana Sutra (§), Pushpa Sutra (§), Anustotra Sutra (§) |
Yajurveda | Manava Sutra (§), Bharadvaja Sutra (¶), Vadhuna Sutra (¶), Vaikhanasa Sutra (¶), Laugakshi Sutra (¶), Maitra Sutra (¶), Katha Sutra (¶), Varaha Sutra (¶) |
Atharvaveda | Kusika Sutra (§) |
¶: only quotes survive; §: text survives |
Sutras first appear in the Brahmana and Aranyaka layer of Vedic literature. They grow in the Vedangas, such as the Shrauta Sutras and Kalpa Sutras. These were designed so that they can be easily communicated from a teacher to student, memorized by the recipient for discussion or self-study or as reference.
A sutra by itself is condensed shorthand, and the threads of syllable are difficult to decipher or understand, without associated scholarly Bhasya or deciphering commentary that fills in the “woof”.
Now to who should follow which Veda branch and Sutra?
Gotra or lineage is linked to these.
Gotra indicates the Rishi from whom one descended from, the Pravara lists the famous Rishis from the Gotra.
- Under Gotra, some branches may not be found here.for example, there are two lineage for Kasyapa.They are Kaasyapa, Avasthaara, Naitruva and there is Naithruva kassyapa Gotra as well.
- For more details om gotra check Brahmin Gotra List
- Eka Rishi and rare Gotras List
- * Some North Indian Texts do not include Apasthamba Sutra as Apasthamba wrote his Sutra by integrating Vedic texts and Tamil practices.
- Compiling the list is an arduous task as one has t check nline, books and also has to get information from Vedic scholars,for whom the tradition is Oral.
- Suggestions to improve with authentic sources, welcome.
No. | Gothram | Rishis | no.rushaya pravaram | soothram & Sakhai | ending. |
1 | Arthreya | Arthreya Archananasa Chyavaasva |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Arthreya gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
2 | Kasyapa | Kasyapa Aavathsara Saandilya |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Kasyapa gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur
Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
3. | Koundinya | Vaasishta Maithravaruna Koundinya |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Koundinya gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
4. | Kousiga | Vaisvamithra Agamarshana Kousiga |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Kousiga gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
5. | Gargeya | Angirasa Sainya Gargeya |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Gargeya gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
6. | Abhivadhaye | Angirasa Barhaspathya Baratwaja |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Baratwaja gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
7. | Nithruvakasyapa | Kasyapa Aavathsara Nithruva |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Nithruva Kasyapa gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
8. | Vaathula | Bhargava Vaithahavya Saavedhasa |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Vathula gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
9. | Shadamarshana | Angirasa Thrasathasya Pourukuthsa |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Shadamarshana gothraha |
Aapasthamba(Yajur) Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
10. | Haritha | Angirasa Ambarisha Yownachva |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Haritha gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
11. | Viswamithra | Visvamithra Dhevaradha Audhala |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Viswamithra gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
12. | Mouthgalya | Angirasa Baramyasva Mouthgalya |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Mouthgalya gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
13. | Sankruthi | Saathya Gowraveetha Sankruthya |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Sankruthi gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
14. | Kuthsa | Angirasa Mandhathra Kouthsa |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Kuthsa gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
15. | Kanva | Angirasa Ajameeda Kanva |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Kanva gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
16. | Parasara | Vasishta Saakthya Parasarya |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Parasara gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
17. | Badharayana | Angirasa Barshadhasva Raadeethara |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Badharayana gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
18. | Agasthya | Agasthya Thartyachudha Sowmavaha |
thraiyarusheya pravaranvidha Agasthya gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
19. | Srivathsa | Bhargava Chyavana Apnavana Aurva Jamadhaknya |
pancharusheya pravaranvidha Srivathsa gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
20. | Saandilya | Kasyapa Aavathsara Nithruva Repa Raipa Soundilya Saandilya |
saptharusheya pravaranvidha Sandilya gothraha |
Aapasthamba – Yajur Bodayana – Yajur Asvalayana- Rig Dhrahyayana-Samam |
saakha adhyayi …. sarma nama aham asmibhoho |
These are the basics of Gotra, Shaka and Sutra link.
If one finds it difficult,one may trace them if they have any of the three, that is Gotra, Shaka, Sutra.
Rig Veda Shaka.
Śaunaka‘s Caraṇa-vyuha lists five shakhas for the Rig Veda, the Śākala, Bāṣkala, Aśvalāyana, Śaṅkhāyana, and Māṇḍukāyana of which only the Śākala and Bāṣkala and very few of Asvalayana are now extant. The Bashkala recension of the Rigveda has the Khilani which are not present in the Shakala text but is preserved in one Kashmir manuscript (now at Pune). The Shakala has the Aitareya-Brahmana, The Bashkala has the Kausitaki-Brahmana.
Shukla
Shakha | Samhita | Brahmana | Aranyaka | Upanishad |
---|---|---|---|---|
Madhyandina (VSM) | Currently recited by all over North Indian Brahmins and by Deshastha Brahmins | Madhyandina Shatapatha (SBM) | survives as Shatapatha XIV.1-8, with accents. | Brihadaranyaka Upanishad = SBM XIV. 3-8, with accents, Ishavasya Upanishad = VSM 40 |
Kanva (VSK) | Currently recited by Utkala Brahmins, Kannada Brahmins, Karhade Brahmins and few Iyers | Kanva Shatapatha (SBK)(different from madhyandina) | survives as book XVII of SBK | Brihadaranyaka Upanishad=SBK,with accents, Ishavasya Upanishad = VSK 40 |
Katyayana | – | – |
Krishna
Shakha | Samhita | Brahmana | Aranyaka | Upanishad |
---|---|---|---|---|
Taittiriya | TS,Present all over South India and in Konkan | Taittiriya Brahmana (TB) and Vadhula Br. (part of Vadhula Srautrasutra) | Taittiriya Aranyaka (TA) | Taittiriya Upanishad (TU) |
Maitrayani | MS,Recited by few Brahmins in Nasik | – | virtually same as the Upanishad | Maitrayaniya Upanishad |
Caraka-Katha | Katha Aranyaka (almost the entire text from a solitary manuscript) | Kathaka Upanishad, Katha-Shiksha Upanishad | ||
Kapishthala | KapS (fragmentary manuscript, only first sections accented), edited (without accents) by Raghu Vira. | – | – |
Sama Veda
Śaunaka‘s Caraṇa-vyuha lists twelve shakhas for the Sama Veda out of a thousand that are said to have once existed, but that of these only one or perhaps two are still extant. The two Samaveda recensions are the Jaiminiya and Kauthuma.
The Kauthuma shakha has the PB, SadvB, the Jaiminiya shakha has the Jaiminiya Brahmana.
Shakha | Samhita | Brahmana | Aranyaka | Upanishad |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kauthuma | edited,Recited by all over North and in South India | edited (8 Brahmanas in all), no accents | None. The Samhita itself has the ‘Aranyaka’. | Chandogya Upanishad |
Ranayaniya | Manuscripts of Samhita exist.Recited by Gokarna,and Deshastha Brahmins | Same as Kauthuma with minor differences. | None. The Samhita itself has the ‘Aranyaka’. | Same as Kauthuma. |
Jaiminiya/Talavakara | Samhita edited.Recited by Nambudiris and choliyal of Tamil naduTwo distinct styles of Saman recitation, partially recorded and published. | Brahmana published (without accents) – Jaiminiya Brahmana, Arsheya Brahmana | Tamil Nadu version of Talavakara Aranyaka (=Jaiminiya Upanishad Brahmana) published | Kena Upanishad |
Shatyayana | – | – |
Atharva Veda
Only one shakha of an original nine is now extant for the Atharvaveda. The nine sakhas were Paippalada, Tauda, Mauda, Shaunakiya, Jajala, Jalada, Brahmavada, Devadarsa and Chaarana-Vaidya.
The Shaunaka is the only shakha of the Atharvaveda for which both printed texts and an active oral tradition are known to still exist.
For the Atharvaveda, both the Shaunakiya and the Paippalada traditions contain textual corruptions, and the original text of the Atharvaveda may only be approximated from comparison between the two.
References , Citations and acknowledgements.
http://anudinam.org/2012/05/11/abhivadaye/http://anudinam.org/2012/05/11/abhivadaye/
The above is an excellent site with authentic information, especially for Sri Vaishnavas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakha#Rig_Veda
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutra
Shakha | Samhita | Brahmana | Aranyaka | Upanishad |
---|---|---|---|---|
Shaunaka | AVS, edited and recited by all over North India and South India | Fragmentary Gopatha Brahmana (extant and published), no accents. | – | Mundaka Upanishad published. |
Paippalada | AVP; recited by Utkala Brahmins as samhita patha only. otherwise, two manuscripts survive: Kashmiri (mostly edited) and Oriya (partly edited, by Dipak Bhattacharya and others, unaccented) | lost,similar to that of Gopatha Brahmana | – | Prashna Upanishad, Sharabha Upanishad etc. – all edited. |
Can you tell me your family deity name?
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Dear Ramanan ji
Thank you for this article.
Our gothram is Dhanunjaya gothram, we are Kshatriyas, how to find to which sakha we belong to and which veda to follow and learn? our present elders also dont know about this.
I saw below article, it says Dhananjaya gothram follow Sama ved.https://sbdsisaikat.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/the-vedic-gotra-system/
How to confirm this.
Thanks for the info
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Can you send me your Pravara, that is the Rishis associated with your Gotra? I shall be able to search with that information.
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https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsi belong to viswamitra gotra..which veda should i follow for all karma
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How come gowthama is missing from the list?
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Kindly check my article on Brahmin Gotra list.I have mentioned this in my article.Regards.
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Great efforts to share valuable information. May God bless you and give you enough strength to make lokakalyanam. Kudos!!
Regards,
MallelaGBRS – The YouTube vlogger.
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Thanks. Regards.
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How many shakhas are available now.
And in how many typez of recensions
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https://ramanan50.wordpress.com/2014/02/25/vedas-essential-details/
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