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Gotra, another unique aspect of Sanatana Dharma, is a fundamental matter to the Indian Society. It has an important role in determining relationships socially. In the [[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmana]] literature there are several indications that priestly families formed into several groups named after their founding rishis and such families differed in details of worship according to the group they belonged to.<ref name=":0">Kane, Pandurang Vaman. (1941) ''History of Dharmasastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law) Vol. 2, Part 1.'' Poona: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. (Page 478-)</ref>

Gotra, another unique aspect of Sanatana Dharma, is a fundamental matter to the Indian Society. It has an important role in determining relationships socially. In the [[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmana]] literature there are several indications that priestly families formed into several groups named after their founding rishis and such families differed in details of worship according to the group they belonged to.<ref name=":0">Kane, Pandurang Vaman. (1941) ''History of Dharmasastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law) Vol. 2, Part 1.'' Poona: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. (Page 478-)</ref>

According to Manu, the following eight (mula-rshis) were the Gotrakara rshis or family founders.<ref>Dr. Rajabali Pandey (2014 4th Edition) ''Hindu Dharma Kosha.'' Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan (Pages 241-242)</ref><blockquote>जमदग्निर्मरद्राजो विश्वामित्रात्रिगौतमाः । वसिष्ठ काश्यपागस्त्या मुनयो गोत्रकारिणः । एतेषां यान्यपत्यानि तानि गोत्राणि मन्यते ॥ </blockquote>Summary: Jamadagni (जमदग्निः), Bharadvaja (भरद्राजः), Vishvamitra (विश्वामित्रः), [[Atri (अत्रिः)]], [[Gautama (गौतमः)|Gautama (गोतमः)]], [[Vasishta (वसिष्ठः)]], [[Kashyapa|Kashyapa (काश्यपः)]], and [[Agasthya (अगस्त्यः)]] are the Gotrakara (rshis). Their children are also considered as gotras.

According to Manu, the following eight (mula-rshis) were the Gotrakara rshis or family founders.<ref name=":4">Dr. Rajabali Pandey (2014 4th Edition) ''Hindu Dharma Kosha.'' Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan (Pages 241-242)</ref><blockquote>जमदग्निर्मरद्राजो विश्वामित्रात्रिगौतमाः । वसिष्ठ काश्यपागस्त्या मुनयो गोत्रकारिणः । एतेषां यान्यपत्यानि तानि गोत्राणि मन्यते ॥ </blockquote>Summary: Jamadagni (जमदग्निः), Bharadvaja (भरद्राजः), Vishvamitra (विश्वामित्रः), [[Atri (अत्रिः)]], [[Gautama (गौतमः)|Gautama (गोतमः)]], [[Vasishta (वसिष्ठः)]], [[Kashyapa|Kashyapa (काश्यपः)]], and [[Agasthya (अगस्त्यः)]] are the Gotrakara (rshis). Their children are also considered as gotras.

Gotra was discussed extensively in the context of marriage rules. Every varna was further divided into a number of exogamous groups. Such groups may be formed by members of the same clan having common gotra and pravara. Marriage between the members belonging to the same exogamous group was prohibited. Gobhila, Apastamba, Hiranyakesin, and Jaimini lay down that a man should not marry a girl belonging to his own Gotra. Gautama, Vasishtha, and Manava. G. S. state that a man should marry a girl who does not have the same Pravara.<ref name=":02">Gopal, Ram. (1959) ''India of Vedic Kalpasutras.'' Delhi : National Publishing House (Pages 209 -)</ref> Further in the Dharmashastra and Grhyasutra texts we find that some rishis forbade marriage with a sagotra (samana or same gotra rshis) girls while some others prohibit it with a sapravara (same pravara rshis) girls. Many seers, and works like Vishnu Dharmasutra (24.9), Yajnavalkya (1.53), Narada Smrti (Stripumsa, 7) have ordained that marriage to a sagotra and sapravara girl is "amanya" or not accepted.<ref name=":0" />

Gotra was discussed extensively in the context of marriage rules. Every varna was further divided into a number of exogamous groups. Such groups may be formed by members of the same clan having common gotra and pravara. Marriage between the members belonging to the same exogamous group was prohibited. Gobhila, Apastamba, Hiranyakesin, and Jaimini lay down that a man should not marry a girl belonging to his own Gotra. Gautama, Vasishtha, and Manava. G. S. state that a man should marry a girl who does not have the same Pravara.<ref name=":02">Gopal, Ram. (1959) ''India of Vedic Kalpasutras.'' Delhi : National Publishing House (Pages 209 -)</ref> Further in the Dharmashastra and Grhyasutra texts we find that some rishis forbade marriage with a sagotra (samana or same gotra rshis) girls while some others prohibit it with a sapravara (same pravara rshis) girls. Many seers, and works like Vishnu Dharmasutra (24.9), Yajnavalkya (1.53), Narada Smrti (Stripumsa, 7) have ordained that marriage to a sagotra and sapravara girl is "amanya" or not accepted.<ref name=":0" />

== 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=":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.  

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" /><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>There are thousands, tens of thousands and arbudas of gotras but the pravaras are only 49 in number.  

 

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 Vasishta.

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 Vasishta.

=== Different aspects about Gotra and Pravara ===

=== Different aspects about Gotra and Pravara ===

==== Two Gotras of Datta putra ====

==== Dvigotra ====

If there exists an agreement stipulating that the son adopted should be the son of the natural father and the adopting father, then under this special situation applicable to both families, the adopted son is called '''Dvyamushyana'''.<ref>Sutherland, J. C. C. (1865) ''The Dattaka Mimansa and Dattaka Chandrika, Two original treatises on the Hindu Law of Adoption.'' Calcutta: Sree Nauth Banarjee and Brothers. (Page 146 )</ref>

The Sankhayana shrautasutra (1.4.10) 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 Sankhayana shrautasutra (1.4.10) 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" />

According to Dattaka Chandrika, lays the rule of having samskaras performed by the adopting father to bring the child into his family.<blockquote>पितुर्गोत्रेर्ण यः पुत्रः संस्कृतः पृथिवीपते । आचूडान्तं न पुत्रः स पुत्रतां याति चान्यतः॥</blockquote><blockquote>चूडाद्या यदि संस्कारा निजगोत्रण वै कृताः। दत्ताद्यास्तनयास्ते स्युरन्यथा दास उच्यते ॥ (Datta</blockquote>Meaning: A son, (if adopted) who has been initiated in samskaras under the family name of his natural father, up to chudasamskrara (tonsure) - that son does not acquire filial relationship to the another (father who adopted him) unless the Chudakarma and the rest of the samskaraas are performed under the gotra of the adopter. If the samskaras are not performed again by the adopter then the status of the son is said to be that of a dasa (servant) and not of a son (putra).  

If there exists an agreement stipulating that the son adopted should be the son of the natural father and the adopting father, then under this special situation applicable to both families, the adopted son is called '''Dvyamushyana'''.<ref>Sutherland, J. C. C. (1865) ''The Dattaka Mimansa and Dattaka Chandrika, Two original treatises on the Hindu Law of Adoption.'' Calcutta:  Sree Nauth Banarjee and Brothers. (Page 146 )</ref>

(Dattaka Chandrika Pg 31)

==== Gotra of Mother (Satyakama) ====

==== Gotra of Mother (Satyakama) ====