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| A '''Gotra''' indicates lineage in the ] ] community. Each of the gotras is named after a great ancient ], and belonging to a particular gotra generally implies patrilineal descension from the rishi, whom the gotra is named after. It is believed that the custom originated to enable one to identify and honor one's ancestors, and was later extended for use in rituals. Typically, men retain the gotra of their father, and women take the gotra of their husband after their wedding. | |||
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| Present day gotras derive from eight rishis, ] and the ] - ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Over time, the number of gotras have increased and today, by some counts, number between 50 and 100. A sub-division of the gotra is a '''pravara''', which is a set of the greatest rishis who belonged to the gotra. | |||
| Gotram (singular: Gothram/Gotram; plural: Gothra/Gotra) indicates lineage in the ] ] community. Each of the Gothra is named after a great ancient ], to which every ] ] can trace his/her lineage. If a ] belongs to ] x, it means that he has descended through direct male line, from the Rishi x. | |||
| The gotra-pravara classification made ] systems feasible. Even in ancient times, marriages within pravaras, and according to some scriptures, that within gotras, were not permitted. | |||
| When a woman marries, she takes on her husband's ]. Sons possess their father's ] for life. | |||
| The gotra system initially was used within the Brahmin ]. But in modern times, other castes in the Hindu community have adopted the gotra system or variants of it for their customs. | |||
| The Gothrams are common to both the ] and ]. The most common of the Gothra is Bharadhwaja Gothram, to which Drona of the Mahabharatha belonged. | |||
| ==References== | |||
| There are totally seven Gothrams in the south Indian Brahmin community: | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| Bharathwajam, Srivatsam, Naidhruvakashyabam, Athreyam, Koundiliyum, Kausigam, Shadamarshanam | |||
| ] | |||
| Of these, those belonging to the Kausiga Gothram have the most interesting lineage. They have (supposedly) descended from the king, Kausiga who was defeated by the rishi Vasishta was angered that he renounced his kingdom and swore to become a brahmarishi himself. But these details deserve to be in an article of their own. | |||
Revision as of 02:51, 13 March 2005
A Gotra indicates lineage in the Hindu Brahmin community. Each of the gotras is named after a great ancient Rishi, and belonging to a particular gotra generally implies patrilineal descension from the rishi, whom the gotra is named after. It is believed that the custom originated to enable one to identify and honor one's ancestors, and was later extended for use in rituals. Typically, men retain the gotra of their father, and women take the gotra of their husband after their wedding.
Present day gotras derive from eight rishis, Agastya and the Saptarishis - Atri, Bharadwaja, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kasyapa, Vasishta, and Viswamitra. Over time, the number of gotras have increased and today, by some counts, number between 50 and 100. A sub-division of the gotra is a pravara, which is a set of the greatest rishis who belonged to the gotra.
The gotra-pravara classification made exogamous systems feasible. Even in ancient times, marriages within pravaras, and according to some scriptures, that within gotras, were not permitted.
The gotra system initially was used within the Brahmin caste. But in modern times, other castes in the Hindu community have adopted the gotra system or variants of it for their customs.
References