Ramanisblog

Tag: Gotra

  • Eleven Vedic Brahmin Law Makers Of Gotra Smritis

    I have been receiving quite a few mails as to which  procedure to follow in the case of Brahmin Rituals.

    And which Veda is the Authority on these issues?

    Lineage Hinduism
    Gotra, Lineage Hinduism

    The answer is Vedas do not speak of these codes.

    Vedas are the Fundamental truths expressed by the Seers as they grasped them intuitively..

    Vedas have two aspects.

    Gnana Kanda, which talks about The Knowledge of Reality .and the ways of attaining the Reality.

    Karma Kanda deals with the duties relating to various stages of life, that of,

    Brahmacharya,The Celibate,

    Gruhstha, The married,

    Vanaprastha, Retired and meditating Life and

    Sanyasa, relinquishing of everything mundane.

    These stages are called Asramas, Stages of Life……

    All in  pursuit of Reality,Brahman

    But Varna, which is incorrectly translated as Caste, is based on Dispositions.

    They are four.

    Brahmana,

    Kshatriya,

    Vaisya and

    Sudra.

    Smritis, which came later to Vedas codified the Karma Kanda  in conjunction with the Gnana Kanda.

    Relevant portions of the Vedic Duties which would suit the individual’s disposition and also a group with the same disposition were organised and presented as Smritis.

    There are quite a few number of Smritis to be followed .

    Though all the Smritis state from the Vedas, and each one of them is an authority for all the Varnas, it is traditional for some groups to follow a specific Smriti.

    Kashtriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras are to follow Manu Smriti.

    Though Brahmins  are expected to follow Manu Smriti, it is traditional to follow eleven Smritis, including Manu Smriti.

    However in case of a conflict between Manu Smriti and the other Ten Smritis, it is traditional to follow any one of them overlooking the Manu Smriti.

    The reason is that Manu Smriti addresses mostly the issues of the duties of  king and other Varnas,though Brahminical Duties are also detailed.,it does not deal exhaustively with the procedures of Karmas as in the other Smritis.

    The Eleven Smritis Brahmins are expected to Follow are,

    Apasthambha: Apasthambha, a native of Andhra Country, belonged to Krishnayajurveda School. He belonged to fifth century BC. Apasthambha’s teachings are called Apasthambhasutra orApasthambhasmriti.

    ( *  Apasthamba came from the Lineage of Viswamitra and codified the Smriti by taking some practices from Tamil Culture and incorporated in his Smriti, Like Thalli or Mangal Sutra which is not found in the Vedas and Thaali is a Unique concept of the Tamils)
         Baudhayana: Baudhayana also belonged to Krishnayajurveda School and was an inhabitant of Andhra Country. Baudhayana’s teachings are called Baudhayanasutra or Baudhayanasmriti.
         Brihaspati: Brihaspati was probably the first jurist to make a clear distinction between civil and criminal justice. Yajnavalkya referred to Brihaspati.  However, Brihaspati is considered to belong to 200-400 AD.  Brihaspatismriti has a lot of similarities with Dhammathats of Myanmar (Burma).
       Gautama: Gautama was the most ancient sage of all Brahmin lawgivers. He was quoted by Baudhayana and belonged to Samaveda School.  Gautama’s teachings are called Gautamasutra orGautamasmriti.
        Harita: Baudhayana and Vasishta in their Dharmasutras quote Harita.  Haritasmriti or Haritasutra is an extensive work.
       Katyayana: Yajnavalkya mentions Katyayana. Katyayanasmriti is quoted in several works of Viswarupa, Mitramisra etc.  Smriti Chandrika cites 600 verses of Katyayanasutras. He may belong to the same period as Narada and Brihaspati.
        Manu: Manu is a mythical personality and is the ancestor of the entire humankind.  Manu received the code from Brahma, and communicated it to ten sages and requested Bhrigu rishi to repeat it to the other nine.  This code of conduct recited by Bhrigu is called Manusmriti.  For convenience, the British took Manusmriti as the paramount law of the Indian Continent.Manudharma is not only revered by Brahmins and Hindus, but also by Buddhists in Java, Siam and Myanamar.  Manusmriti was composed around 200 BC, around which time a revival of Brahminism took place under the rule Sungas in the North India.
       Narada: Sage Narada was probably a native of Nepal around first century AD.  Naradasmriti is the first legal code unhampered by the mass of religious and moral teachings. Some authors think that Narada belonged to Gupta period when there was a distinct revival of Brahminism and Sanskrit literature.
        Vasishta: Vasishta belonged to 3rd century BC and a native of North India. Vasishta’s teachings are called Vasishtasutra or Vasishtasmriti.
        Vishnu: Vishnu belonged to 1st or 2nd century AD. Vishnu’s teachings are called Vishnusutra or Vishnusmriti.
       Yajnavalkya: Yajnavalkya belonged to Suklayajurveda School.  He was a native of Mithila City in North Bihar and probably lived anywhere from few centuries before Christ to 200 AD.  However, some scholars think he belonged to first or second century AD.  Yajnavalkya Dharmasmriti has been subject of numerous commentaries. The most celebrated of all the commentaries ofYajnavlkyasmriti is Mitakshara and is practically the beginning of the Brahmin law and the so-called Hindu law.  Passages from Mitakshara have been found practically in every part of the Indian Continent and became an authority.  The Yajnavlkyasmriti is concise, more systematic and better arranged than the Manusmriti. From early times, commentators like Viswarupa, Vijnaneswara, Apararka, Sulapani, Mitramisra etc., from every part of India selected the Yajnavalkyasmriti as the basis of their commentaries.  Passages from Yajnavalkyasmiriti appeared in Panchatantra. ‘

    Even among these ten, one has to follow what one’s family has been following as our ancestors had taken into account the Brnch of the Vedas, Pravaras into consideration and followed a specific Smriti.”

    • Gotras are after the Saptha Rishis, The Seven Seers.

    Please read my article on Rishis, Gotras.

    Reference and Citation.

    http://www.vedah.net/manasanskriti/Brahmins.html

     

     

     

     

  • Eka Rishi And Rare Gotras Pravara List

    I have written on Brahmin Gotras and I indicated that compiling the list  was difficult as Brahmins  have scattered and been living in different regions.

    Brahmin Gotra List

    Those ho have migrated have adopted the language of their region as their mother tongue and adapted themselves to the region to which they have migrated.

    Lineage Hinduism
    Gotra, Lineage Hinduism

     

    Image credit. vinayakbhat.com.

    And over a period of years Brahmins have started using their professions as their surnames ,as against the Hindu practice of using Sharma as their surname and for indentification their Pravara/Abhivadan Mantra.

    So when one has a surname like Upadhyaya it merely denotes the profession and not a caste.

    To find it one has to check the Pravara.

    These factors made it difficult for me to update on Brahmin Gotras.

    One point to remember is that the primary Rishi of a Gotra is the founder of the Clan while  the Pravara lists the famous Rishis of the lineage.

    The Gotra may have two origins for classification.

    Putra Parampara, lineage through  sons and

    through Disciples, Guru Sishya Parampara.

    The number of Rishis mentioned in Abhivadna Mantra may be from one to 19.

    And there are sub-sects.

    This is due to a Rishi with more than one wife.

    Please check my article on this Pravara  Why  three  five Rishis

    Eka Rishi Gotra is  rare to come by.

    There are two in this category.

    They are,

    Vasishta Vaasishta – Ekarsheya

    Haritha Vaasishta – Ekarsheya

    Agasthya Agasthya – Ekarisheya, pravaranvitha:( sub lineage Rishis)
    Idhmavaaha Agasthya – Ekarisheya, Pravaranvitha:( sub lineage Rishis)

    My surmise is that this Eka rishaya Gotra belongs to classification based on Guru Sishya Parampara and as such Eka Rishi is mentioned.

    Details of the progeny of Agastya and Vasishta are not found in detail and also their contribution to Sanatana dharma.

    Clarification welcome.

    Some Gotras which might have been left in My Gotra List.

    Likely that there are repetitions.

    ‘Pravaram to be pronounced with Names
    01 Jamadagni Bhargava, Syavana, Aabnavaana – Thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha:
    02 Jaabaali Bhargava, Vaithahavya, Raivasa – Thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha:
    03 Jaamadagnya Bhargava, Aurva, jamadagnya – Thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha:
    04. Jaimini Bhargava, Vaithahavya, Raivasa – Thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha:
    05 Bhaulathsya Bhargava, Aurva, jamadagnya – Thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha:
    06 Maandookeya Bhargava, Aurva, jamadagnya – Thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha:
    07 Maunabhargava Bhargava, Vaithahavya, Saavethasa – Thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha:
    08 Vathoola Bhargava, Vaithahavya, Saavethasa – Thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha:
    09 Srivathsa Bhargava, Syavana, Aapnavana, Aurva, Jamadagya – Pancharisheya, pravaranvitha:
    10 Garthsamatha Bhargava, Garthsamatha – Dvayarisheya, pravaranvitha:
    11 Kanaka Bhargava, Garthsamatha – Dvayarisheya, pravaranvitha:
    12 Yagnjapathi Bhargava, Garthsamatha – Dvayarisheya, pravaranvitha:
    13 Avada Bhargava, Aurva, Jamadagnya – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    14 AartishENa Bhargava, AarttisheNa, AnUpa – Thrayarsheya pravaranvitha:
    15 Aaswalaayana Bhargava, Vaadhyaksha, Daivadaasa – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    16 Kasyapi Bhargava, Vaidahvya, Saavethasa – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    17 Kaathyaayana Bhargava, AartishENa, AnUpa – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    18 Kaargya Bhargava, Vaithahavya, Revasa – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    19 Kruthsamatha Bhargava, Saunahothra, Gaarthsamatha – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    20 Nairruthi Bhargava, AartishENa, AnUpa – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

    Aangirasa (with 27 sub lineage Rishis)
    01 Uthasatha (Uthathya) Aangirasa, Audathya, Gauthama – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    02 Kamyaangirasa Aangirasa, Aamahaavya, Aurushaaya – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    03 GaargEya Aangirasa, Gaargya, Chaithya – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    04 GaargEya

    Aangirasa, Bhaarhaspathya, Bharatheevaja, Sainya, Gargya – Pancharsheya pravaranvitha:
    05 Gauthama Aangirasa, Aayarsaya, Gauthama – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    06 Paurukuthsa Aangirasa, Paurukuthsa, Thraasathasya – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    07 PaatharaayaNa Aangirasa, Paurukuthsa, Thraasathasya – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    08 Mauthgalya Aangirasa, Ambarisha, Mauthgalya – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    09 Bharatwaja Aangirasa, Bhaarhaspathya, Bharatwaja – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    10 Mauthgalya Aangirasa, Bhargyasva, Mauthgalya – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    11 Ratheethara Aangirasa, Vairoopa, Raatheethara – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    12 Vishnuvruththa Aangirasa, Pauruguthsa, Thraasathasya – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    13 ShatamarshNa Aangirasa, Thraasathasya, Pauruguthsa – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    14 Sankruthi Saathya, Saankruthya, Gauriveetha – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    15 Sankruthi Aangirasa, Saaskruthya, Gauriveetha – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    16 Haritha Aangirasa, Ambarisha, Yauvanaachva – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    17 Aabasthamba Aangirasa, Bharhaspathya, Bharatwaja – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    18 Aayaasya Aangirassa, Aayaasya, Gauthama – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    19 KaNva Aangirasa, Ajameeta, KaaNva – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    20 KaNva Aangirasa, Aamaheeyava, Aurukshyasa – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    21 Kabila Aangirasa, Aamaheeyava, Aurukshyasa – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    22 Garga Aangirasa, Chainya, Gargaya (Garka) – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    23 Kuthsa Aangirasa, Ambareesha, Yauvanaachva – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    24 Kuthsa Aangirasa, Maandathra, Kauthsa – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    25 Kaundinya Aangirasa, Bharhaspathya, Bharatwaja – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    26 Paurukuthsa Aangirasa, Paurukuthsa, Aasathasya – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    27 Lohitha Aangirasa, Vaichvamitra, Lohitha – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

    Aathri ( 13 sub lineage Rishis)
    01 Aathreya Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, syaavaachva – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    02 Mauthgalya Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, Baurvaathitha – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    03 Athri Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, syaavaachva – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    04 Uthaalaka Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, syaavaachva – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    05 Muthkala Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, Baurvaathitha – thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    06 Gauriveetha Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, Baurvaathitha – thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    07 Dattathreya Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, syaavaachva – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    08 Dhananjaya Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, Kaavishtira – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    09 Dhaksha ( Dakshi) Aathreya, Kaavishtira, Bhaurvathitha – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    10 Bhaaleya Aathreya, Vaamarathya, Bauthrika – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    11 Pathanjala Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, syaavaachva – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    12 Bheejaavaaba Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, Aadhitha – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:
    13 Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, syaavaachva – Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

    Vishwamitra ( 13 sub lineage Rishis)
    01 Kausika (Kusika) Vaiswamithra, AagamarshaNa, Kausika – Thrayarsheya
    02 Lohitha Vaiswamithra, Ashtaka, Lohitha – Thrayarsheya
    03 Viswamithra Vaiswamithra, Devaraatha, Authala – Thrayarsheya
    04 Saalaavatha Vaiswamithra, Devaraatha, Authala – Thrayarsheya
    05 Kadhaka Vaiswamithra, Kadhaka – Dhwayarsheya
    06 AagamarshaNa Vaiswamithra, AagamarshaNa, Kausika – Thrayarsheya
    07 Gatha Vaiswamithra, Maaduchandasa, Aaja – Thrayarsheya
    08 Kaathyaayana Vaiswamithra, Kathya, Adgeetha – Thrayarsheya
    09 Kamakaayana Vaiswamithra, Devaseevarasa, DaivaTharasa (Rethasa) – Thrayarsheya
    10 Kaalava Vaiswamithra, Devaraatha, Audhala – Thrayarsheya
    11 Kausika Vaiswamithra, Salangayana, Kausika – Thrayarsheya
    12 Jabhala (Jabali) Vaiswamithra, Devaraatha, Audhala – Thrayarsheya
    13 Devaraatha Vaiswamithra, Devaraatha, Aulitha – Thrayarsheya

    Vashishta ( 13 sub lineage Rishis)
    01 Kaundinya Vaasishta, MaithravaruNa, Kaundinya – Thrayarsheya
    02 Parasara Vaasishta, saakthya, Paarasarya – Thrayarsheya
    03 Vaasishta Vaasishta, MaithravaruNa, Kaundinya – Thrayarsheya
    04 Vasishta Vaasishta – Ekarsheya
    05 Haritha Vaasishta – Ekarsheya
    06 Aachvalaayana Vaasishta, Aindrapramatha, Aabarathvasasya – Thrayarsheya
    07 Upamanyu Vaasishta, Aindrapramatha, Aabarathvasasya – Thrayarsheya
    08 KaaNva Vaasishta, Aindrapramatha, Aabarathvasasya – Thrayarsheya
    09 JaadhookarNya Vaasishta, Aindrapramatha, Aabarathvasasya – Thrayarsheya
    10 Bhodayana Vaasishta, Aathreya, JaadhookarNya – Thrayarsheya
    11 MithraavaruNa Vaasishta, MaithravaruNa, Kaundinya – Thrayarsheya
    12 Mauthgala Vaasishta, MaithravaruNa, Kaundinya – Thrayarsheya
    13 Vaasida Vaasishta, Aindrapramatha, Aaabarathvasasya – Thrayarsheya

    Kachyapa/Kasyapa ( 13 sub lineage Rishis)
    01 Naithruva Kasyapa Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Naithruva – Thrayarsheya
    02 Reba Kasyapa Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Rebaa – Thrayarsheya
    03 Saandilya Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Saandilya – Thrayarsheya
    04 Saandilya Kasyapa, Daivala, Asitha – Thrayarsheya
    05 Saandilya Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Naithruva, Reba, Raiba, Sandila, Chandilya – Sapthaarsheya
    06 Kaasyapa Kaasyapa, Aasitha, Daivala – Thrayarsheya
    07 Kachyapa Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Naithruva, Reba, Raiba, Sandila, Chandilya – Sapthaarsheya
    08 Bruku Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Naithrava – Thrayarsheya
    09 Maareesa Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Naithrava – Thrayarsheya
    10 Raibya (Reba) Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Raibya – Thrayarsheya
    11 Baukakshi Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Aasitha – Thrayarsheya
    12 Vaathsya Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Raibya – Thrayarsheya
    13 Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Aasitha – Thrayarsheya

    Agasthya ( 7 sub lineage Rishis)
    01 Agasthya Agasthya – Ekarisheya, pravaranvitha:
    02 Idhmavaaha Agasthya – Ekarisheya, Pravaranvitha:
    03 Aagasthi Agasthya, Maahendra, Maayobhuva – Thryarisheya, pravaranvitha
    04 Agasthi Agasthya, Dhradyavrutha, Aidhmavaaha – Thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha:
    05 Idhmavaaha Agasthya, Vaathyasva, Aidhmavaaha – thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha:
    06 Pulaha Agasthya, Maahendra, Maayobhuva – Thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha:
    07 Maayobhuva Agasthya, Maahendra, Maayobhuva – Thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha’

     

    Reference  and Citations.

    http://jaymohyal.blogspot.in/2010/07/gothra-pattika-gothra-pravaram-gotra.html

  • Gotra Pravara Adi Shankaracharya Krishna Yajur Vedin

    There is a dispute about the date of Adi Shankaracharya.

    There are quite a lot of theories on this.

    Shankaracharya and Kamakshi Amman
    Kamakashi Amman,Shankaracharya

    Some date the Acharya between 688-720 AD, there are also theories that date him around 400 to 500 BC.

    ‘

     

    Shankaracharya‘ Guru Govinda Bhagavadpada, one study claims lived during the period of Vikramaditya as there are two Vikramadityas,one of the

    Maurya and another of the Chalukya dynasty.

     

    The first one lived around 4th Century CE, while the latter in (Vikramaditya II )(733–746 CE)

     

    2.The internal evidence of Shankaracharya’s works do not provide many a clue,exception being the one about Thirugnana Sambhandar, who, it is

    agreed, is addressed by Shankaracharya as ‘Dravida Sisu’ in his Soundayalahari.

     

    His references to Kumarila Bhatta and Mandana Misra are equally confusing to pin point the date.

     

    Kumarilabhatta is dated approximately at  roughly AD 700.

     

    Mandana Misra at 800 AD;he was a student of Mandana Misra.

     

    Thirugnana Sambhandar who is referred by Shankaracharya is dated  7th Century AD

    Date of Shankaracharya

    I received a comment that whether Shankaracharya’s gotra  is Namboodiri and whether his gotra belongs to Viswakarma .

    I replied that Namboodiri is a sect of Brahmins and they have Gotras and though I have written on Namboodiris, I shall write on their Gotras.

    Definitely Shankara did no not belong to Viswakarma as some scholars suggest.

    Now to Shankaracharya’s Gotra.

    Shankracharya is from the Namboodiri community.

    Shankaracharya is from Atri Gotra.

    ‘Acharya’s grandfather is known to be Vidhyadhiraja and his father is Shivaguru. His mother’s name, though accepted as Aryamba by most biographers, is also quoted as Vishishta Devi and Sati Devi. Madhaviya Shankara Vijaya describes the auspicious Muhurta of Acharya’s birth as `lagne shubhe shubhayute suShuve kumAraM’. There is no mention of Samvatsara and other details. As per the tradition of Sringeri Sarada Peetha, it is accepted as Vaishakha Suddha Panchami.

    Acharya’s Gotra was Atri and he was a Krishna Yajurvedi. He is known to be a Nambudari Brahmana by birth.

    Adi Shankaracharya’s Pravar.

    Atri a a.k.a. AatrEya:  AatrEya, Archanaanasa, Syaavaasva.

    References.

    1. Shankara Digvijaya of Madhavacharya

    2. Shankara Vijaya of Anandagiri.

    3. Shankara Vijaya of Chidvilasa Yati.

    4. Shankara Vijaya of Vyasachala

    5. Shankara Vijayasara by Sadananda Vyasa

    6. Acharya Charita by Govindananda Yati

    7. Shankarabhyudaya by Rajachudamani Dikshitar

    8. Brihat Shankara Vijaya by Brahmananda

    9. Keraliya Shankara Vijaya by Govindanatha

    10. Bhagavatpadabhyudaya by Lakshmana Suri.

    http://www.salagram.net/Gotras.html

    http://www.kamakotimandali.com/advaita/truefacts.html

     

  • Which Gotra Is Superior?

    My article Difference ‘Between Viswamitra Kaushika Gotras Why No Bharata’ is being read widely and there have been comments on it, most of them thanking me for clarifying the issue.

    There are some comments which differ from the others.

    I am replying for some relevant ,in my opinion important comments.

    One of them states that I should refrain from writing articles on this subject as the definition and explanation of Brahma Rishis is not clear.

    I quote,

    I belong to KAUSHIKA GOTHRA. I still doubt about the concept of BRAHMARISI. Even Sage Vashista as per Mahabharatha is different from BRAHMARISHI VASHISTA.. It is better not to write articles on this for the following reasons. It is a well known fact the PROGENITOR OF BOTH VISWAMITHRA AND KAUSHIKA GOTHRAS is SAGE KUSHIKA –A MANASA PUTHRA OF BRAHMA. hen how can be descendents of KUSHIKA NOT BE CALLED AS BRAHMARISHIS. Further sage Kaushika is one of the five rishis eligible to givE DEEKSHA IN SIVAGAMAS and ne of the FIVE GOTHRAS NOMINATED FOR ACHARYASTHANA. There are different versions about GADHI–THE BRAHMA RAJAN OF KUSHIKA GOTHRAS. As per DEVI MAHATMAYAM he is son of SAGE KATHA OF KUSHIKA LINEAGE and he is mentioned as KADI BROTHER OF KAUSHIKI WHO BECAME A RIVER. Further GODDESS PARVATHI WAS BORN AS A DAUGHTER TO SGE KATHA AS KATHYAYINI. And there is also anoter sage KATHYAYANA son of KATHA RISHI the famous author of KATHYAYANA SUTRA. It is only from RAMAYANA the story of VISWAMITHRA BEGINS. Here the son of KATHA SAGE is mentioned as GADHI AND NOT KATHI. Further the descendents of SAGE KUSHIKA did not want o become purohits and performed RAJAYA DUTIES. They are not born KSHATRIYAS since they did not belong to five clans of KSHATRIYAS–BRAHMA/NAGA/SURYA/SOMA/AGNI VAMSAS. Hence to consider all descendents of KAUSHIKA is incorrect bu they were only Brahmins performing Rjanya duties. Let us restrict ourselves about VIWAMITHRA’S CONTRIBUTION and need not go about whether he is a KSHATRIYA OR NOT’

    1.I shall continue writing about what I find in the Sruthi and Smriti.

    Saptha Rishis.jpg Saptha Rishis.

    I present facts.

    If some one has a different view they are welcome to post their comments with authentic source/Links.

    If they are authentic, I shall write on the subject with my views, with corrections over my earlier view.

    I am of the opinion that Knowledge , especially in Hinduism , is an open source.

    So long as the information does not run contradictory to Sruthi, It has to be taken as final .

    And this is my view.

    I shall be writing on Brahma Rishis in detail.

    There seems to be some apprehension in some quarters that the origin of the rishis might reflect on the descendants present social standing.

    This is not warranted if one understands that lineage is determined by disposition and Character and not birth as a matter of right.

    This is probably the reason for the proverb in Tamil that states that one should not look deeply into the origin of Rishis and rivers for in both the cases the origins may not be worth to begin with.

    A Sage like Viswamitra was not recognised among the Rishis when he was a powerful King as Kaushika.

    But once he became a Brahma Rishi he was venerated to the extent that his Gayatri Mantra has been the most elevated Status in Hinduism, notwithstanding his origin.

    There was another comment which is connected to this comment, though it may not appear so, is

    ‘Which Gotra is superior?’

    If we take the Puranas as the authority all the Puranas name Kashyapa.

    We can not really say Kasyapa gotra is superior to all the other  Gotras, because,

    Sage Bharatwaja, Atri and Sikleetha were described as the father of Mahalakshmi at different times.

    Then there are the Saptha Rishis.

    They are eternal and their composition changes Manvantara to Manvantara.

    So  they have to be given the utmost respect.

    The message is not to look for the origins of the Rishis and engage oneself in debates as to which Gotra is superior, but to follow the Path given by the Rishi assigned to each Family and adhere to the appropriate Sutras.

     

     

     

  • Difference Between Viswamitra Kaushika Gotras Why No Bharata

    I have noticed that there are two Gotras, Lineage associated with Sage Viswamitra.

     

    Gotras in general, refer to the lineage of a specific Rishi.

    Gayathri . Gayatri Mantra was By Viswamitra.jpg Gayathri . Gayatri Mantra was By Viswamitra.

    ‘

    It is customary for Ancient Indian writers to refer either to parents or their preceptor/s, as they were placed in a Higher Status than parents,.

    Thus we have the parent,Grand parent referred to in Slokas and Stuthis.

    Vyaasam Vasishta Napthaaram, Sakthe Pauthra Kalmasham,

    Parasaraathmajam Vande Sukha Naadham Thapo Nidhim-Vishnu Sahasra Naama.

    Here the author Vyasa introduces himself as,,

    Great Grand son of Vasishta,

    Grand son of Sakthi,

    Son of Parasara, and

    Father of Sukha.

    How logically the terms are arranged.

    Great Grand Father, Grand Father, Father, Self and son!

    In case where the Sages had more than one wife, then the Gotra of the son of each wife is added.

    ”

    It may be noted in the Pravara,three or Five Rishis are mentioned.

    For example, Kasyapa, Apasthara, Naithruva’

    This is different from Kasyapa Gotra.

    There is another Pravara for Kasyapa Gotra as well.

    Kasyapa, Aavatsaara, Daivala.

    The same with the other Rishis.

    Sometimes three Rishis are mentioned and at times Five.

    Why?

    One view is that these references are to the excellent ancestors from the Gotra.

    My view is that , if that be case the first Rishi should always be the founder.

    But , as in Nythruva Kasyapa, Kasyapa does not appear as the First Rishi but it is Naithruva.

    Reason is that many Rishis have more than one wife and many children through each of them.

    Kasyapa had more than one wife.

    The Prajapati Daksha gave his thirteen daughters (Aditi, Diti, Kadru, Danu, Arishta, Surasa, Surabhi, Vinata, Tamra, Krodhavasha,Idā, Vishva and Muni in marriage to Kashyapa.

    Though the Father is one, mother is different.

    To identify and emphasize the differentiate, the three or Five Rishis are mentioned.

    Traditionally the first wife’s son carries the Father’s name as Gotra and the others the son of the Second or third wife and but to make the reference correct the founder is mentioned later in the Pravara’

    Why No Bharata in Viswamitra Gotra?

    In the case of Viswamitra, we have two Pravaras,

    1. Koushika: Vaiswaamitra,Aghamarshana,Koushika.
    2. Viswamitra: Vaiswaamitra,Devaraata, Owtala.

    There seems to be no sons mentioned  other than the fifty sons being banished by Viswamitra to Dravida Desa.

    (Reference History of Tamils by PT Srinivasa Iyengar)

    Their descendant Apasthamba established the Apasthamba Sutra , which is being followed by Brahmins of South India(South of Vindhyas).

    Since the Dravidians and Bengalis were considered by the people  viswamitra do not find a mention in the Gotra,

    Though King Bharata after whom India is named as Bharatavarsha,is the grand son of Viswamitra(through his daughter Shakuntala), Bharata’s name does not appear in the Gotra because Gotras are through the Male Child.

    Why Two Pravaras for Viswamitra?

    Viswamitra was called Kaushika in his early days , before he became a Raja Rishi and was christened as Viswamitra(Friend of the Universe)

    Because he became a Brahma Rishi he was considered as a Brahmin by behaviour and Penanance.

    ( This is yet another example of disposition and character determing The Varna, loosely translated as Caste)

    So the Kaushika Gotra probably indicates the lineage of Viswamitra in his early days and Viswamitra Gotra , after he became a Raja Rishi.

    I am yet to find the name of Viswamitra’s son.

    Readers may contribute.

    Post follows on Viswamitra.

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