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== Number of Gotras and Pravaras ==

== Number of Gotras and Pravaras ==

In the Rigveda, mantra drashta rshis are said to be 403 in number. They are classified into two viz., those who are independent called as Ekaki (Kevala) and others who are supported by their family hence called Parivarika.

In the Rigveda, mantra drashta rshis are said to be 403 in number. They are classified into two viz., those who are independent called as Ekaki (केवल/एकाकी) and others who are supported by other members in the family (lineage) hence called Parivarika (पारिवारिक). Baudhayana says that though there are innumerable Gotras, the number of their Pravaras is forty-nine only. The Saptarshis have a special place as Gotrakaras.

Regarding the number of the Rishis in a Pravara, the Man. S. S. and Apastamba lay down that '''one rshi, or two, or three, or five rshis''' may be included in a Pravara; and Apastamba imposes the restriction that four or more than five Rishis should never be chosen for inclusion in the specific formula to to recited at the yajna. However, the Sankhayana shrautasutra (1,4,10) does not subscribe to this view and prescribes six  Arsheyas (the names of Rishis) for a yajamana belonging to two Gotras, e.g., a man who has gone as adopted son to another Gotra will have the Gotra of his adopted father as well as of his natural father.<ref name=":02" />

 

 

Regarding the number of the Rishis in a Pravara, the Man. S. S. and Apastamba lay down that '''one rshi, or two, or three, or five rshis''' may be included in a Pravara ; and Apastamba imposes the restriction that four or more than five Rishis should never be chosen for inclusion in the specific formula to to recited at the yajna. However, the Sankhayana shrautasutra (1,4,10) does not subscribe to this view and prescribes six  Arsheyas (the names of Rishis) for a yajamana belonging to two Gotras, e.g., a man who has gone as adopted son to another Gotra will have the Gotra of his adopted father as well as of his natural father.<ref name=":02" />

== Where is gotra used? ==

== Where is gotra used? ==

=== Samskaras ===

=== Samskaras ===

# A person has to know his veda, sakha, and sutra according to his gotra. All the samksaras are to be performed according to the sutras (Dharmasutras) and vedas followed for that gotra. For example, if a person's gotra is Kaushika, and his Veda is Yajurveda, he has to follow the rituals as given in the Dharmasutras associated with Yajurveda, such as Baudhayana, Apastamba etc. He cannot perform the rituals according to Ashvalayana Dharmasutras which are sutra granthas of Rigveda.  

# A person has to know his veda, sakha, and sutra according to his gotra. All the samksaras are to be performed according to the sutras (Dharmasutras) and vedas followed for that gotra. For example, if a person's gotra is Kaushika, and his Veda is Yajurveda, he has to follow the rituals as given in the Dharmasutras associated with Yajurveda, such as Baudhayana, Apastamba etc. He cannot perform the rituals according to Ashvalayana Dharmasutras which are sutra granthas of Rigveda.  

# The knots in the yajopaveeta are based on the number of rshis in the pravara. (Brahman Gotravali Page 17)

# The knots in the yajopaveeta are based on the number of rshis in the pravara. (Brah. Gotra. Page 17)<ref>Devalal, Rajendra. ''Brahmana Gotravali, Utpatti, Vamsh, Pravar - Gotra sahit.'' Delhi: Swasthik Publications (Pages 5 - 20)</ref>

<blockquote>समानगोत्रप्रवरां कन्यामुढ्वोपगम्यच। तस्यामुत्पाद्य चाण्डालं ब्राह्मण्यादेव हीयते। (Prav. Darp. Page 188)<ref>Rao, Chenstal. (1900 Second Edition) ''The Principles of Pravara and Gotra.'' Mysore: Government Branch Press. </ref>  </blockquote><blockquote>Meaning - In case of marriage of a girl having same gotras and pravara, the progeny becomes a chandala (they do not belong to Brahmana varna anymore). </blockquote>

* In the Lajaa homa at marriage two offerings were to be made by all except Jaamadagynas, who have to make three offerins (Asva. Grhy. 1.7.8-9)<ref name=":0" />

=== Special Rules in Vivaha Samskara ===

=== Inheritance ===

When alliances are arranged by the elders they check the bride's gotra and pravara; it should not be the same as the groom's gotra and pravara. Apastamba says that <blockquote>समानगोत्रप्रवरां कन्यामुढ्वोपगम्यच। तस्यामुत्पाद्य चाण्डालं ब्राह्मण्यादेव हीयते। (Prav. Darp. Page 188) </blockquote>Meaning - In case of marriage of a girl having same gotras and pravara, the progeny becomes a chandala (they do not belong to Brahmana varna anymore).

* The wealth of a person who dies without issues went to his near sagotras (Gaut. 28.19)<ref name=":0" />

Baudhayana lays down that, if a woman belonging to the same Gotra is taken as a wife without the previous knowledge of her Gotra, she should be maintained like mother ; and that the man should undergo the Krichchhra penance, if she has given birth to a child.<ref name=":02" />

* The brahmanas (bhoktas) invited in Shraddha karmas should not be a sagotra to the person performing the karma. (Apas. Dhar. Sutr. 2.7.17.4)<ref name=":0" />

* In offering water to a preta (a recently dead person for whom the 10-day karma is being performed) his gotra and name were to be repeated (Ashv. Gr. 4.4.10)<ref name=":0" />

== References ==

== References ==

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