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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|590.99x590.99px]]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|395x395px]]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<ref name=":6" />  

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<ref name=":6" />  

# Bhrigu

# Bhrigu

# Angiras

# [[Angirasa (अङ्गिरसः)|Angiras]]

# Atri

# [[Atri (अत्रिः)|Atri]]

# Marichi

# [[Marichi (मरीचिः)|Marichi]]

# Pulaha (gave birth to Rakshasas)

# [[Pulaha (पुलहः)|Pulaha]] (gave birth to Rakshasas)

# Pulastya (gave birth to Pisachas)

# [[Pulastya (पुलस्त्यः)|Pulastya]] (gave birth to Pisachas)

# Vasishta (died and appeared as descendant of Marichi)

# [[Vasishta (वसिष्ठः)|Vasishta]] (died and appeared as descendant of Marichi)

Thus all existing Brahmans are the descendants of the first four rshis. The [[Saptarshis (सप्तर्षयः)|Saptarshis (सप्तर्षयः]]) have a special place as Gotrakaras. Saptarshis and Agastya are mentioned to be the male founders or ancestors since ancient times. Widely accepted opinion is that the spread of progeny was due to these eight rshis. These eight rshis were all the descendants of the first four rshis namely, Bhrigu, Angiras, Marichi and Atri. Thus a gotra denotes all persons who were descendants in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. When a person says "I am Jamadagni gotra" he means that he traces his descent from the ancient rshi Jamadagni by unbroken male descent.<ref name=":0" /> The descendants of each of the eight Gotrakaras cannot intermarry among themselves; but with those of the other. This shows that restriction for intermarriage between gotrakaras did not exist prior to their days, even though they were descendants of same Brahmarshi. For example, descendants of Bharadvaja and Gautama could intermarry even though both Gotrakaras descended from Angiras (Brahma's son).<ref name=":6" /> [[File:Gargacharya Lineage.png|right|frameless|375x375px]]

Thus all existing Brahmans are the descendants of the first four rshis. The [[Saptarshis (सप्तर्षयः)|Saptarshis (सप्तर्षयः]]) have a special place as Gotrakaras. Saptarshis and Agastya are mentioned to be the male founders or ancestors since ancient times. Widely accepted opinion is that the spread of progeny was due to these eight rshis. These eight rshis were all the descendants of the first four rshis namely, Bhrigu, Angiras, Marichi and Atri. Thus a gotra denotes all persons who were descendants in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. When a person says "I am Jamadagni gotra" he means that he traces his descent from the ancient rshi Jamadagni by unbroken male descent.<ref name=":0" /> The descendants of each of the eight Gotrakaras cannot intermarry among themselves; but with those of the other. This shows that restriction for intermarriage between gotrakaras did not exist prior to their days, even though they were descendants of same Brahmarshi. For example, descendants of Bharadvaja and Gautama could intermarry even though both Gotrakaras descended from Angiras (Brahma's son).<ref name=":6" /> [[File:Gargacharya Lineage.png|right|frameless|375x375px]]

It should be noted that gotras are named not only after their founding rshis, for example, Kashyapa gotra has Kashyapa rshi as the founding father; but also by the name of an earlier ancestor such as in Koushika gotra, where Vishvamitra Maharshi started it in the name of his grandfather Kushika rshi.<ref name=":1" />  

It should be noted that gotras are named not only after their founding rshis, for example, Kashyapa gotra has Kashyapa rshi as the founding father; but also by the name of an earlier ancestor such as in Koushika gotra, where Vishvamitra Maharshi started it in the name of his grandfather Kushika rshi.<ref name=":1" />