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== Definitions of Gotra and Pravara ==

== Definitions of Gotra and Pravara ==

Baudhayana states that though there are innumerable Gotras, the number of their Pravaras is forty-nine only. The Baudhayana srautasutra (Pravaradhyaya) defines that Vishvamitra, Jamadagni, Bharadvaja, Gautama, Atri, Vasishtha, Kashyapa, are the Saptarshis. Saptarshis and Agastya along with their progeny is declared to be Gotra. As mentioned in the Introduction section, Manu also gives a list of eight rshis whose lineages gave rise to Gotras.<ref name=":4">Dr. Rajabali Pandey (2014 4th Edition) ''Hindu Dharma Kosha.'' Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan (Pages 241-242)</ref><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><ref name=":5">Rajavaidya Ravidutta Shastri (2020 Reprint Edition) ''Dharmasindhu with Hindi Commentary.'' Delhi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan. (Pages 345 - 359)</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>[[File:Brahmarshis and Gotrakaras.PNG|right|frameless|537.982x537.982px]]There are thousands, tens of thousands and arbudas of gotras but the pravaras are only 49 in number.  

Baudhayana states that though there are innumerable Gotras, the number of their Pravaras is forty-nine only. The Baudhayana srautasutra (Pravaradhyaya) defines that Vishvamitra, Jamadagni, Bharadvaja, Gautama, Atri, Vasishtha, Kashyapa, are the Saptarshis. Saptarshis and Agastya along with their progeny is declared to be Gotra. As mentioned in the Introduction section, Manu also gives a list of eight rshis whose lineages gave rise to Gotras.<ref name=":4">Dr. Rajabali Pandey (2014 4th Edition) ''Hindu Dharma Kosha.'' Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan (Pages 241-242)</ref><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><ref name=":5">Rajavaidya Ravidutta Shastri (2020 Reprint Edition) ''Dharmasindhu with Hindi Commentary.'' Delhi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan. (Pages 345 - 359)</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>[[File:Brahmarshis and Gotrakaras.PNG|right|frameless]]There are thousands, tens of thousands and arbudas of gotras but the pravaras are only 49 in number.  

The lineages of the eight rshis mentioned above constitute the Gotra. In the Matsya Purana we find an anecdote about the origin of rshis from Brahma after he performs a homa. The names of Brahmarshis are  

The lineages of the eight rshis mentioned above constitute the Gotra. In the Matsya Purana we find an anecdote about the origin of rshis from Brahma after he performs a homa. The names of Brahmarshis are  

# Bhrigu

# Bhrigu

<blockquote>अथमातृगोत्रवर्जननिर्णयः तत्रमातृगोत्रपदेनमातामहगोत्रमेववर्ज्यं तच्चगांधर्वादिविवाहोढापुत्राणांसर्वेषांवर्ज्यं ब्राह्मविवाहोढापुत्राणांतुसर्वेषांमातामहगोत्रंनवर्ज्यं किन्तुमाध्यंदिनानामेव मातृगोत्रंमाध्यंदिनीयानामितिसत्याषाढवचनात् तथैवसर्वत्रशिष्टाचाराच्च ॥ (Dhar. Sind. Page 358)<ref name=":5" /></blockquote>Summary - Here the rules for excluding the mother's gotra are taken up. By mother's gotra it means gotra of the maternal side (the family which the mother belongs to) which is to be excluded. The children of the girl who is married by Gandharva vidhi cannot marry anyone in the maternal family (the gotra of maternal grandfather). But the children of the girl married by Brahma vidhi can marry anyone in the maternal family with one exception. This rule applies to all those belonging to any vedashaka except Madhyandina shaka or Yajurveda.  

<blockquote>अथमातृगोत्रवर्जननिर्णयः तत्रमातृगोत्रपदेनमातामहगोत्रमेववर्ज्यं तच्चगांधर्वादिविवाहोढापुत्राणांसर्वेषांवर्ज्यं ब्राह्मविवाहोढापुत्राणांतुसर्वेषांमातामहगोत्रंनवर्ज्यं किन्तुमाध्यंदिनानामेव मातृगोत्रंमाध्यंदिनीयानामितिसत्याषाढवचनात् तथैवसर्वत्रशिष्टाचाराच्च ॥ (Dhar. Sind. Page 358)<ref name=":5" /></blockquote>Summary - Here the rules for excluding the mother's gotra are taken up. By mother's gotra it means gotra of the maternal side (the family which the mother belongs to) which is to be excluded. The children of the girl who is married by Gandharva vidhi cannot marry anyone in the maternal family (the gotra of maternal grandfather). But the children of the girl married by Brahma vidhi can marry anyone in the maternal family with one exception. This rule applies to all those belonging to any vedashaka except Madhyandina shaka or Yajurveda.  

In the Chandogya Upanishad

In some exceptional situations mother's gotra is also considered. Chandogya Upanishad depicts

==== Kshatriya becoming a Brahman Gotrakara ====

==== Kshatriya becoming a Brahman Gotrakara ====

Dr. Rajabali Pandey refers to Agnipurana (varnasankara-upakhyana) further to state that while the mula-purushas of gotra are brahmanas, through the purohita (who are brahmanas) parampara they (gotras) were passed on to the Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and even Shudras. <blockquote>क्षत्रिय-वैश्य-शूद्राणां गोत्रं च प्रवरादिकम् । तथान्यवर्णसङ्कराणां येषां विप्राश्च याजकाः॥<ref name=":4" /></blockquote>

Dr. Rajabali Pandey refers to Agnipurana (varnasankara-upakhyana) further to state that while the mula-purushas of gotra are brahmanas, through the purohita (who are brahmanas) parampara they (gotras) were passed on to the Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and even Shudras. <blockquote>क्षत्रिय-वैश्य-शूद्राणां गोत्रं च प्रवरादिकम् । तथान्यवर्णसङ्कराणां येषां विप्राश्च याजकाः॥<ref name=":4" /></blockquote>

== Where is gotra and pravara used? ==

== Where are gotra and pravara used? ==

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.

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 importance in marriage ceremonies gotra and pravara are recited in many rituals and practices of Sanatana Dharma. In daily rituals like devata puja and archanas, only the gotra is taken in the sankalpa and pravara is not recited.

 

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 ===