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The origin
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 + 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.
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.
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.
Bharadwaj, Kausika, Vatsa, Kaundinya, Kashyapa, Atri, Vashista, Jamadagni, Gautam and Vishwamitra
(Kamshi)
Importance of Gotras
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.
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source:
http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/cgi-bin/kbase/Gotra
There are 20 Gothras. Each has its own three Rishis, which are referrred to in the Pravaram.I will list the 20
Gothras/Pravaras and illustrate one of the famous Gothras with details .
Among the 20, based on an 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 a re associated.
An analysis of the Rishis associated with the Veda Mantras will give info on the other Rishis associated with the
twenty Gothras and their lineage.
Sage Kanva is the father of Sakutala celebrated by Kaalidasa. Bhargava referes to the lineage of Bhrigu
Maharishi, the foster father of Maha Lakshmi worshipped as Bhargavi. . I will now say afew words about
Shatamarshana Gothram. Natha Muni, Aalavandar(Yaamuna Muni) belong to this Gothram.Bharadwaja appears
in Raamayanam .
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3. Atri---) Dattatreya---) Atreya Gothram---) Atreya Ramanujar and links to Vedanta Desikan 4.Vasishta---)
Sakti, Paraasara,Vyasa.(Paraasara is the author of Vishnu Puranam and Vysaa , the author of Brahma Sutrams
and Puraanas.
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Source:
www.namboothiri.com/articles/gothram.htm
It is believed that every Braahmanan family has descended from one ancestral Maharshi (great seer or sage) or
the other, in whose name his Gothram is attached. There are different versions in the Smrthis as to the number of
Gothrams - 7, 8, 10, and so on, upto 48. "Manusmrthi" quotes 8, while "Dharma Pradeepam" speakes of 48.
The famous "Dasagothrams" (ten Gothrams) are :
1. Bhaaradwaajam,
2. Kausikam,
3. Vaatsam,
4. Kaundinyam, 5. Kaasyapam,
6. Vaasishttham,
7. Jaamadagnyam, 8. Vaiswaamithram,
9. Gauthamam, and
10. Aathreyam.
"Vishnu Bhaagavatham" has reference to the following set of seven sages (Saptharshis) :
1. Mareechi,
2. Athri,
3. Angirass, 4. Pulasthyan,
5. Pulahan, 6. Krathu, and
7. Vasishtthan.
Several among the Saptharshis referred to in "Manusmrthi" as Swayambhuva Manu's progeny and ancestors are
said to be creators of Rigveda Sookthams. The Saptharshis of the present Vaivaswatha Manwantharam are :
1. Vasishtthan,
2. Kaasyapan,
3. Athri, 4. Jamadagni,
5. Gauthaman, 6. Viswaamithran, and
7. Bharadwaajan.
The Chiranjeevis (those who live eternally) who are said to have become eligible to be the next set of Saptharshis
are :
1. Deepthimaan,
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2. Gaalavan,
3. Parasuraman,
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Formal Introduction of Brahmins
Amongst Brahmins, here is a typical introduction of oneself in Sanskrit with the listing
of ancestry (Bending over in obeisance with thumbs behind ears,
I, who belong to the lineage of the three sages Aankirasa, Bhaarhaspatya, Bharadwaja and
of Bharadwaja gotra, a student of the grihastha branch of life, offer my salutations to you.
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