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| A '''Gotra''' - literally, Cowpen or Cowshed in archaic rigvedic | |||
| A '''Gotra''' indicates lineage in the ] community. Gotra is used as ] in many castes. Each of the gotras is normally 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. | |||
| ] indicates lineage in the ] ] community. Gotra is frequently used as ] among Brahmins. | |||
| Each of the gotras is normally named after a great ancient ] Sage or ], and belonging to a particular gotra generally implies patrilineal descension from the rishi, whom the gotra is named after. | |||
| In ]ical ritual, the notion plays a critical part, | |||
| ⚫ | Present day |
||
| with the ] claiming divine sanction and legitimacy by | |||
| reciting the names of his ancestors, qualified by his gotra. | |||
| ⚫ | 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. | ||
| ⚫ | 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. | ||
| ⚫ | 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. | ||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | In modern times, some non Brahmins in the Hindu community have adopted variants of the gotra system or variants of it for their | ||
| The idea of gotra goes back to the Indo-europeans,where gotra meant cowpen | |||
| customs, but these notions lack legitimacy in ancient tradition. | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 09:33, 31 August 2005
A Gotra - literally, Cowpen or Cowshed in archaic rigvedic Sanskrit indicates lineage in the Hindu Brahmin community. Gotra is frequently used as surname among Brahmins. Each of the gotras is normally named after a great ancient Brahmin Sage or Rishi, and belonging to a particular gotra generally implies patrilineal descension from the rishi, whom the gotra is named after.
In Brahminical ritual, the notion plays a critical part, with the hotri claiming divine sanction and legitimacy by reciting the names of his ancestors, qualified by his gotra.
Present day Brahmin gotras derive from eight rishis, Agastya and the Saptarishis - Atri, Bharadwaja, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kashyapa, 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.
In modern times, some non Brahmins in the Hindu community have adopted variants of the gotra system or variants of it for their customs, but these notions lack legitimacy in ancient tradition.
