Changes

== Definitions of Gotra and Pravara ==

== Definitions of Gotra and Pravara ==

Baudhayana says that though there are innumerable Gotras, the number of their Pravaras is forty-nine only. The Baudhayana srauta sutra defines that Vishvamitra, Jamadagni, Bharadvaja, Gautama, Atri, Vasishtha, Kashyapa, are the Saptarshis. Saptarshis and Agasthya along with their progeny is declared to be Gotra.<ref>Nandi, R. (1970). GOTRA AND SOCIAL MOBILITY IN THE DECCAN. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Vol 32, Pages 118-124. Retrieved August 24, 2021, from <nowiki>http://www.jstor.org/stable/44141057</nowiki></ref><ref>Caland, W (1913) The  ''Baudhayana Srauta Sutra belonging to Taittriya Samhita, Vol 3'' Calcutta: Asiatic Society (Page 467)</ref><blockquote>विश्वामित्रो जमदनिर्भरद्वाजोऽथ गौतमः । अत्रिर्वसिष्ठः कश्यप इत्येते सप्त ऋषयः । तेषां सप्तर्षीणामगस्त्याष्टमानां यदपत्यं तद्गोत्रमुच्यते। (बौ. श्रौ. प्रवराध्याय)</blockquote><blockquote>गोत्राणां तु सहस्राणि प्रयुतान्यर्बुदानि च। ऊनपञ्चाशदेवैषां प्रवरा ऋषिदर्शनात् ।</blockquote>In the Matsya Purana we find an anecdote about the origin of the Saptarshis from Brahma as follows

Baudhayana says that though there are innumerable Gotras, the number of their Pravaras is forty-nine only. The Baudhayana srauta sutra defines that Vishvamitra, Jamadagni, Bharadvaja, Gautama, Atri, Vasishtha, Kashyapa, are the Saptarshis. Saptarshis and Agasthya along with their progeny is declared to be Gotra.<ref name=":3">Nandi, R. (1970). GOTRA AND SOCIAL MOBILITY IN THE DECCAN. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Vol 32, Pages 118-124. Retrieved August 24, 2021, from <nowiki>http://www.jstor.org/stable/44141057</nowiki></ref><ref>Caland, W (1913) The  ''Baudhayana Srauta Sutra belonging to Taittriya Samhita, Vol 3'' Calcutta: Asiatic Society (Page 467)</ref><blockquote>विश्वामित्रो जमदनिर्भरद्वाजोऽथ गौतमः । अत्रिर्वसिष्ठः कश्यप इत्येते सप्त ऋषयः । तेषां सप्तर्षीणामगस्त्याष्टमानां यदपत्यं तद्गोत्रमुच्यते। (बौ. श्रौ. प्रवराध्याय)</blockquote><blockquote>गोत्राणां तु सहस्राणि प्रयुतान्यर्बुदानि च। ऊनपञ्चाशदेवैषां प्रवरा ऋषिदर्शनात् ।</blockquote>There are thousands, tens of thousands and arbudas of gotras but the pravaras are only 49 in number.

महादेवस्य शापेन त्यक्त्वा देहं स्वयं तथा।   

In the Matsya Purana we find an anecdote about the origin of the [[Saptarshis (सप्तर्षयः)|Saptarshis (सप्तर्षयः]]) from Brahma as follows <blockquote>महादेवस्य शापेन त्यक्त्वा देहं स्वयं तथा। ऋषयश्च समुद्भूता हुते शुक्रे महात्मनः ।। १९५.६ </blockquote><blockquote>तज्जुहाव ततो ब्रह्मा ततो जाता हुताशनात्। ततो जातो महातेजा भृगुश्च तपसं निधिः ।। १९५.८ </blockquote><blockquote>अङ्गरेष्वङ्गिरा जातो ह्यर्चिभ्योऽत्रिस्तथैव च। मरीचिभ्यो मरीचिस्तु ततो जातो महातपाः ।। १९५.९ </blockquote><blockquote>केशैस्तु कपिशो जातः पुलस्त्यश्च महातपाः। केशैः प्रलम्बैः पुलहस्ततो जातो महातपाः ।। १९५.१0 </blockquote><blockquote>वसुमध्यात् समुत्पन्नो वसिष्ठस्तु तपोधनः।  १९५.११ (Mats. Pura. 195. 6, 8-10)<ref>Matsya Mahapurana, Gorakhpur: Gita Press (Pages 896-897)</ref></blockquote>Summary - By the curse of Mahadev (Shiva) they (Saptarshis) gave up the bodily existence and by Brahma they arose again from Hutasana (Agni) when he performed homa in the fire with his Shukra (semen). From Agni arose the radiant Bhrugu, Angiras when shukra was deposited on the burning coals (angaras). Marichi rose from the rays, The one born with overspreading hairs was the tapasvi Pulastya, while the one with long hairs was called Pulaha. Born from among the Vasus, self controlled and tapasvi was called Vasishta.

The Pravara rshis belonged to same lineage as the Gotra rshis among their children, grandchildren and students. Among the Pravara rshis, notably we find the mantra-drashtas. Pravara means recalling the lineage of a person and reciting the names of the descendants of the mula-rshi or the founding father along with the ancient rshis of that lineage. Pravara not only includes the father-son relationships in the descendants but also recalls the students of the founding rshi. They are said to be shreshta (well-known) among the lineage.  

Apart from this in the Matsya purana we find elaborate enumerations of the gotras and pravara. Similarly the Vayu purana (Adhyayas 88 and 89 Anandashram series publication) and Skanda purana (3.2) also contain enumerations about gotras and pravaras.

The system of Gotras and Pravaras has been given in the ancient past and cannot be changed in any way. Neither the rshis mentioned in the Pravara nor the sequence in which they are to pronounce their names can never be changed by anyone. Pravara includes the Gotra rshi, either at the beginning, middle or at the end and in some instances may not be included. (Telugu Book)

The Pravara rshis belonged to same lineage as the Gotra rshis among their children, grandchildren and students. Among the Pravara rshis, notably we find the mantra-drashtas. Pravara means recalling the lineage of a person and reciting the names of the descendants of the mula-rshi or the founding father along with the ancient rshis of that lineage. Pravara not only includes the father-son relationships in the descendants but also recalls the students of the founding rshi. They are said to be shreshta (well-known) among the lineage. The system of Gotras and Pravaras has been given in the ancient past and cannot be changed in any way. Neither the rshis mentioned in the Pravara nor the sequence in which they are to pronounce their names can never be changed by anyone. Pravara includes the Gotra rshi, either at the beginning, middle or at the end and in some instances may not be included. (Telugu Book)  

== 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 (केवल/एकाकी) and others who are supported by other members in the family (lineage) hence called Parivarika (पारिवारिक).  

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).

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" />

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" />

== Where is gotra and pravara used? ==

== Where is gotra and pravara used? ==

Gotra and pravara are recited in many rituals and practices of Sanatana Dharma. Shrauta yajnas were conducted by brahmanas based on their gotras. For example, Jaimini establishes that sattras (yagas performed extending over 12 days and more) could be performed by brahmanas other than those having the Bhrugu, Vashista gotras.<ref name=":0" /> In the subsequent texts we find many places where the gotra and pravara based exclusions or inclusion of practices are followed.

Families since ancient times have been patriarchal, in which clan name or gotra was transmitted from the father to the son. Loss of paternal gotra often resulted from a violation of marriage rules and amounted to being cast out of the family status. Thus gotras played an important role in the Indian society. People were identified largely by their gotras be it any varna.<ref name=":3" /> Apart from marriage aspects gotra and pravara are recited in many rituals and practices of Sanatana Dharma. Shrauta yajnas were conducted by brahmanas based on their gotras. For example, Jaimini establishes that sattras (yagas performed extending over 12 days and more) could be performed by brahmanas other than those having the Bhrugu, Vashista gotras.<ref name=":0" /> In the subsequent texts we find many instances where the gotra and pravara based exclusions or inclusion of practices are followed.

=== Nityakarma ===

=== Nityakarma ===