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Though the word Gotra is used in the Rigveda to express many meanings according to the context, such as a cow-stall, a cloud, a fort, and a mountain range, yet ‘enclosure’ appears to be the main idea associated with Gotra. Later on the word Gotra came to signify a group of persons living together within the same walls. In the Srauta, Grihya and Dharmasutras, the term Gotra denotes a group of persons who are distinguished by the same family name (i.e. surname) and who are believed to have descended from the same ancestor.<ref name=":02" /> Here are a few instances<ref name=":0" />

Though the word Gotra is used in the Rigveda to express many meanings according to the context, such as a cow-stall, a cloud, a fort, and a mountain range, yet ‘enclosure’ appears to be the main idea associated with Gotra. Later on the word Gotra came to signify a group of persons living together within the same walls. In the Srauta, Grihya and Dharmasutras, the term Gotra denotes a group of persons who are distinguished by the same family name (i.e. surname) and who are believed to have descended from the same ancestor.<ref name=":02" /> Here are a few instances<ref name=":0" />

* In the Rigveda (1.5.113, 1.17.1, 3.39.4, 3.4337, 9.86.23, 10.48.2, 10.12018), '''gotra means "cowstable" or "cowshed"or "herd of cows"'''. By a natural metaphor, the 'Gotra' represents '''a cloud''' (in which waters are held just as cows in a cow-shed) or [[Vrtrasura (वृत्रासुरः)|Vrtra]] (the cloud-asura) and also to a mountain range or peak which conceals water-yielding clouds.

* In the Rigveda (1.5.113, 1.17.1, 3.39.4, 3.4337, 9.86.23, 10.48.2, 10.12018), '''gotra means "cowstable" or "cowshed"or "herd of cows"'''. By a natural metaphor, the 'Gotra' represents '''a cloud''' (in which waters are held just as cows in a cow-shed) or [[Vrtrasura (वृत्रासुरः)|Vrtra]] (the cloud-asura) and also to a mountain range or peak which conceals water-yielding clouds.

* In Rigveda (2.23.3) (where Brihaspati's chariot is said to be Gotrabhid) Taittriya samhita (4.3.4.1), Atharva veda (5.2.8) etc, the term Gotra has been used in the sense of '''"Durg or Fort"'''.  

* In Rigveda (2.23.3) (where Brihaspati's chariot is said to be Gotrabhid) Taittriya samhita (4.3.4.1), Atharva veda (5.2.8) etc, the term Gotra has been used in the sense of '''"Durg or Fort"'''.

* In Rigveda (2.23.18) and (6.65.5) gotra is used in the sense of '''"samuha" or assemblage'''.  

* In Rigveda (2.23.18) and (6.65.5) gotra is used in the sense of '''"samuha" or assemblage'''.

* In the Atharvaveda (5.21.3) the compound "Vishvagotrayaha" is used, and the word Gotra here clearly means '''<nowiki/>'a group of persons connected together by blood''''.

* In the Atharvaveda (5.21.3) the compound "Vishvagotrayaha" is used, and the word Gotra here clearly means '''<nowiki/>'a group of persons connected together by blood''''.  

* In the Kaushika sutra (4.2) quotes a mantra in which gotra undoubtedly means '''"a group of persons"'''.  

* The Kaushika sutra (4.2) quotes a mantra in which gotra undoubtedly means '''"a group of persons"'''.  

* Several passages in the Taittriya samhita show that '''descendants of great rshis''' were often called after the names of those rshis. In Tait. Samh (1.8.18) it is said 'hota is a Bhaargava". Bhaargava is the descendant of Bhrgu maharshi.  

* Severa'''<nowiki/>'''l passages in the Taittriya samhita show that '''descendants of great rshis''' were often called after the names of those rshis. In Tait. Samh (1.8.18) it is said 'hota is a Bhaargava". Bhaargava is the descendant of Bhrgu maharshi.

* It is possible that in those times '''descent was traced through teacher and student as well as father and son'''. In numerous mantras of the Rigveda the descendants of well-known rshis are denoted by the plural form of the names of those rshis. In Rigveda (6.35.5) the Bharadvaajas are referred to as Aangirasas. Sunahsepa is said to have been an Aangirasa by birth (Aitr. Brah. 33.5). This illustrates that gotra relationship was by birth (and not from teacher to pupil). However, in the Upanishads, the rshis when expounding the knowledge of [[Brahman (ब्रह्मन्)|Brahman]] addressed their students by the gotra names. e.g. Vaiyaaghrapada and Gautama in Chandogya Upanishad (5.14.1 and 5.16.1) Gautama and Bharadvaaja, Vishvamitra and Jamadagni, Vasishta and Kashyapa in Brhdaranyaka Upanishad (2.2.4)  

* It is possible that in those times '''descent was traced through teacher and student as well as father and son'''. In numerous mantras of the Rigveda the descendants of well-known rshis are denoted by the plural form of the names of those rshis. In Rigveda (6.35.5) the Bharadvaajas are referred to as Aangirasas. Sunahsepa is said to have been an Aangirasa by birth (Aitr. Brah. 33.5). This illustrates that gotra relationship was by birth (and not from teacher to pupil). However, in the Upanishads, the rshis when expounding the knowledge of [[Brahman (ब्रह्मन्)|Brahman]] addressed their students by the gotra names. e.g. Vaiyaaghrapada and Gautama in Chandogya Upanishad (5.14.1 and 5.16.1) Gautama and Bharadvaaja, Vishvamitra and Jamadagni, Vasishta and Kashyapa in Brhdaranyaka Upanishad (2.2.4)

* In the [[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmana]] literature families of purohitas differing in details of worship, grouped together based on their similarity in worship. Such '''groups were named after their founding rshis'''.<ref name=":0" /> For example,  Taittriya Brahmana (1.1.4) prescribes that aadhana (consecration) of the agnis was to be performed by one mantra by the families of Bhrgus or Aangirases, while other families use a different mantra in the same context.  

* In the [[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmana]] literature families of purohitas differing in details of worship, grouped together based on their similarity in worship. Such '''groups were named after their founding rshis'''.<ref name=":0" /> For example,  Taittriya Brahmana (1.1.4) prescribes that aadhana (consecration) of the agnis was to be performed by one mantra by the families of Bhrgus or Aangirasas, while other gotra families use a different mantra in the same context.

In this context it shows that reference to gotras in the Brahmanas and [[Upanishads (उपनिषदः)|Upanishads]] were given in connection with performing yajnas and imparting brahmajna. There are no distinct references to these gotras and sagotra in relation to marriage. In the Latyayana srautasutra (8.2.8 and 10) in the discussion about Visvajit yajna there is a reference to marriage with 'samana-jana' (used in the sense of sagotra). This proves that long before this srautasutra, marriage with a sagotra had been forbidden.<ref name=":0" />

In this context it shows that reference to gotras in the Brahmanas and [[Upanishads (उपनिषदः)|Upanishads]] were given in connection with performing yajnas and imparting brahmajnana. There are no distinct references to these gotras and sagotra in relation to marriage. In the Latyayana srautasutra (8.2.8 and 10) in the discussion about Visvajit yajna there is a reference to marriage with 'samana-jana' (used in the sense of sagotra). This proves that long before this srautasutra, marriage with a sagotra had been forbidden.<ref name=":0" />

== 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 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=":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.  

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.

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.

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.

Panini grammatically defines gotra as अपत्यं पौत्रप्रभृति गोत्रम् । ४.१.१६२  (Asht. 4.1.162)<ref>Ashtadhyayi by Panini Maharshi ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%80_%E0%A5%AA#%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97_%E0%A5%AA.%E0%A5%A7 Adhyaya 4])</ref> which means 'the word gotra denotes the progeny (of a rshi) beginning with the son's son (i.e., grandson of a person). For example, the son of गर्गः (Garga maharshi) would be called गार्गि (Gārgi), but the grandson would be called गार्ग्यः (Gārgyaḥ) and the plural गर्गाः (Gargāḥ) would denote all descendants of Garga (downwards from Garga's grandson). It should be noted that this scheme was meant in a technical sense and uses the word gotra as comprehending all descendants if a common male ancestor.

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)  

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. <blockquote>एकं वृणीते । द्वौ वृणीते । त्रीन्वृणीते । न चतुरो वृणीते । न पञ्चातिवृणीत इति विज्ञायते ७ (Apas. Shrau. Sutr. 24.6.7)</blockquote>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? ==