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Gotra (Samskrit: गोत्रम्) is of supreme importance in several fundamental matters and practices associated with Sanatana Dharma. Gotra of a family is said to be named after the rishi-ancestor who founded the family in the immemorial past. Gotra came to denote the 'family' or the 'clan'. One of the most important rule laid down in the [[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhyasutras]] and [[Dharmashastras (धर्मशास्त्राणि)|Dharmashastras]] regarding marriage is that no man shall marry a maiden from within his own gotra.

Gotra (Samskrit: गोत्रम्) is of supreme importance in several fundamental matters and practices associated with Sanatana Dharma. Gotra of a family is said to be named after the rshi-ancestor who founded the family in the immemorial past. Gotra came to denote the 'family' or the 'clan'. One of the most important rule laid down in the [[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhyasutras]] and [[Dharmashastras (धर्मशास्त्राणि)|Dharmashastras]] regarding marriage is that no man shall marry a maiden from within his own gotra.

Pravara is another term closely connected with the gotra. Pravara literally means 'invocation' or 'recitation' of the names of famous rishi ancestors during important occasions. While gotra indicates the lineage or ancestry of a person, pravara denotes the important rishis in that ancestry.<ref>Pandharinath H. Valavalkar (1939) ''Hindu Social Institutions with reference to their psychological implications.'' Bombay: Longmans, Green and Co. Ltd </ref>

Pravara is another term closely connected with the gotra. Pravara literally means 'invocation' or 'recitation' of the names of famous rishi ancestors during important occasions. While gotra indicates the lineage or ancestry of a person, pravara denotes the important rishis in that ancestry.<ref>Pandharinath H. Valavalkar (1939) ''Hindu Social Institutions with reference to their psychological implications.'' Bombay: Longmans, Green and Co. Ltd </ref>

As a part of nitya [[Sandhyavandana (सन्ध्यावन्दनम्)|sandhyavandana]], person has to repeat the names of his ancestral rshis (three times a day) to show his lineage and this is known as Pravara. Whenever a person visits Peetha Adhipatis, when he has to perform a [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|yajna]] and homas, prayers to invoke deities, homas and such sacred activities, he has to recite the pravara.  

As a part of nitya [[Sandhyavandana (सन्ध्यावन्दनम्)|sandhyavandana]], a person has to repeat the names of his ancestral rshis (three times a day) to show his lineage and thus  Pravara recitation is often required. Whenever a person visits Peetha Adhipatis, when he has to perform a [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|yajna]], prayers to invoke deities, homas and such sacred activities, he has to recite the pravara.  

== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==

Though the word Gotra is used in the Rigveda to express many meanings according to the context, such as a cow-stall, a cloud, a fort, and a mountain range, yet ‘enclosure’ appears to be tlie main idea associated with Goira}^ Later on the word Gotra came to signify a group of persons living together within the same walls. In tlie Atharvaveda the compound Yisvagotryah is used, and the word Gotra hero means 'a group of persons connected togtdlier by blood In the Srauta, Grihya and Dharmasutras, the term Gotra denotes a group of persons who are distinguished by the same family name (i.e. surname) and who are believed to have descended from the same ancestor.<ref name=":02" />

Though the word Gotra is used in the Rigveda to express many meanings according to the context, such as a cow-stall, a cloud, a fort, and a mountain range, yet ‘enclosure’ appears to be the main idea associated with Gotra. Later on the word Gotra came to signify a group of persons living together within the same walls. In the Srauta, Grihya and Dharmasutras, the term Gotra denotes a group of persons who are distinguished by the same family name (i.e. surname) and who are believed to have descended from the same ancestor.<ref name=":02" /> Here are a few instances<ref name=":0" />

 

* In the Rigveda (1.5.113, 1.17.1, 3.39.4, 3.4337, 9.86.23, 10.48.2, 10.12018), gotra means "cowstable" or "cowshed"or "herd of cows". By a natural metaphor, the 'Gotra' represents a cloud (in which waters are held just as cows in a cow-shed) or [[Vrtrasura (वृत्रासुरः)|Vrtra]] (the cloud-asura) and also to a mountain range or peak which conceals water-yielding clouds.

In the Rigveda (1.5.113, 1.17.1, 3.39.4, 3.4337, 9.86.23, 10.48.2, 10.12018), gotra means "cowstable" or "cowshed"or "herd of cows". By a natural metaphor, the 'Gotra' represents a cloud ( with blocked water or Vritra (the cloud demon) or water.

* In the [[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmana]] literature families of purohitas differing in details of worship, grouped together based on their similarity in worship. Such groups were named after their founding rshis.<ref name=":0" /> For example,  Taittriya Brahmana (1.1.4) prescribes that aadhana (consecration) of the agnis was to be performed by one mantra by the families of Bhrgus or Aangirases, while other families use a different mantra in the same context.  

== References ==

== References ==

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