The difference between theOIdisha Bengali Brahmins is very thin.

However, Odisha Brahmins have a distinct identity and Rituals.

But the original Character of the Brahmins throughout the World remains the
same.

he Utkala Kingdom was located in the eastern portion of the modern-day

Indian state of Orissa. This kingdom was mentioned in the epic Mahabharata,
with the names Utkala , Utpala , Odra Desha, Oddyana and Okkali. The name of
Utkal is mentioned in the Puranas, Epics and different religious text book.
According to Skanda Purana, the land of Utkala is the holy land in Bharata
Varsha where Purusottama Kshetra is situated. It is mentioned in India’s
national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. The Utkala Kingdom was also known
as Kalinga, Kangoda, Odra Desha, Odra Vishaya, Oddiyana, Mahakantara,
Attabhika, Matsa Desa, Dakhina Koshala, Dandabhukti, Odabadi, Yajanagar,
Uddisa Subah etc. in different time period of. The boundary of Utkala region
was from mouth of river Ganges in the north to river Godavari in the south
and Amarkantak hills in the west to Bay of Bengal in the east. Suryavanshi
emperor of Orissa Gajapti Kapilendra Dev renamed his kingdom from Utkala to
Orissa Rastra.

Utkala Brahmins, branch of Pancha-Gauda Brahmins are the farthest branch of

the Panch-Gauda in the east, south of Maithils. Panch-Gauda and Panch-
Dravida are two chief divisions of Brahmins, as per the śloka from Rājatarangini
of Kalhaṇa / Kalhana:

कर्णाटकाश्च तै लङ्गा द्राविडा महाराष्ट् रकाः ।

गु र्जराश्चे ति पञ्चै व द्राविडा विन्ध्यदक्षिणे ॥
सारस्वताः कान्यकुब्जा गौडा उत्कलमै थिलाः ।
पञ्चगौडा इति ख्याता विन्ध्स्योत्तरवासिनः ॥

Translation: The Karnātakas, Tailangas, Dravidas, Mahārāshtrakās and

Gurjaras; these five types who live south of Vindhya mountains are called “five
Dravidas” Brahmins.

The Sarasvatas, Kanyakubjas, Gaudas, Utkalas, and Maithils, who live north of

Vindhya mountains are known as “five Gaudas” Brahmins.[1] And a
medieval Upapurana named Kapila Puranasays

वर्षाणां भारत श्रेष्ठ दे शानां उत्कल स्मृ तः

उत्कलस्य समदे शोः दे शोः नास्ति महीतले ॥
-कपिल पु राण[2]
Keshari dynasty established massive Brahmin Bhatta-
Agrahara and Bhatta-Grama around Jajpur and Vaitarani
River tributary. Huen Tsang also wrote about massive Yajnas and the
holy smoke coming from villages nearby Vaitarani River, when he visited
the monasteries in Kalinga. Following 8th century many Brahmins
( Dikshit (Dixit), , Mishra, , Chaturvedi, Tripathy, , Dwivedi, Trivedi,
Upadhyaya, , sharma, along with some Mahant now mahanty.
(belonging to Kashyapa: gotra),
 )from Hastigrama, Takari of Magadha and upper gangetic plain also
migrated to coastal districts. Finally the Eastern Ganga dynasty brought
more number of Brahmins from all over North India,
esp Kannauj, Ujjain and Ahichatra. As Orissa or then Utkala grew to a
effluent kingdom, many Brahmins of Godavari delta region also migrated
to settle in Mahanadi basin. Still the Paippalada
shakhins of Atharvaveda claim to belong to
upper Mahanadi and Narmada basin, and migrated to Orissa during late
11th century.

Origin of Utkala Brahmins[edit]

In the phylogenetic tree, the Orissa Brahmins showed close affinity to

populations of North India. They occupy 9% of the total Oriya speaking
population of Orissa[3]

The Sanskrit textBrāhmaṇotpatti-Mārtaṇḍa by Pt. Harikrishna Śāstri

mentions according to which a king named Utkala invited Brahmins from
Gangetic Valley for performing a yajna in Jagannath–Puri; when
the yajna ended the invited Brahmins laid the foundation of the
Lord Jagannath there and settled there for serving the Lord.[4]

Another Sanskrit text mentions ślokas which say a king named

Sudyumna was born of King Ila in the Ikṣvāku dynasty ; Sudyumna had
three sons who founded independent kingdoms : one son Utkala
founded the state Utkala with capital at Puri, another son Gaya founded
Gayā in Bihar and third son Haritāśca went to south.[5] The King Utkala
Deva invited Brahmins from Gangetic velly and settlled them in his
kingdom.

Brahminism seems to have flourished in Orissa under the Mathara rulers

between the 4th and 5th century AD. The Sailodbhava rulers made
arrangements for the study of Vedic wisdom and
anAshwamedha sacrifice was performed by King Madhav Varman in 7th
century. In the time of Keshari rulers, Shaivism gained importance. In 9th
century Utkalaadhipati Yajati Keshari, to preserve the sancity & purity of
Brahminism, brought 10,000 Brahmins from gangetic valley
and Kannauj and settled them in his capital Yajati Nagar or Yajna
pura(modern day Jajpur). The Jajpur area was once famous for
organising Somayajna, Shrauta karma. Its a famous site for the
performance of ancestral rites, known as Nabhi Gaya.

Utkala Brahmins are responsible for priestly and related functions at

the Jagannath Temple in Puri (also known as Jagannath Puri) and other
temples in earstwhile Orissa rulers and their feudatories. Puri where
famous Jagannath deity is installed and one of the four holiest religious
place of Hindus. They are responsible for priestly functions of other
religious places of the state of Orissa and of neighbouring states.

In 11th century AD Ganga Vamsi King Chodaganga Dev renovated the

existing Jagannath temple at Puri. He established Brahmin villages
around Puri which are known as “Sashan” and bestowed them with land
and other endowments for living a dignified life and dedicated to
ritualistic responsibility. Six categories of duties were assigned to them—
study, teaching, performing, Yagna and help in organizing Yagna, donate
and to receive the donation (Adhyayana, Adhyapana, Yajna, Yaajana,
Dana and Pratigraha).

Several Brahmin villages established by the Surya Vamsi king of Orissa,

Gajapapati Kapilendra, in the 15th century A. D.. Each village devoted to
a hundred Brahmin families with adequate tax free land.

The Utkala Brahmins are of three classes

 Shrauta/Vaidika (Danua)(:ଶ୍ରୌତ/ବୈଦିକ/ଦାନୁଆ।)
(श्रौत/वै दिक/दानु आ)
 Sevayata/Purohita Brahmin or Sarua(:ସେବାୟତ/ସାରୁଆ।)
(से वायत/सारुआ)
 Halua Brahmin.(:ହଳୁଆ।)(हळु आ)

Again there are sub-classes in these three classes:

1.“Shrotriya Brahmins”:The Brahmins following Shrauta tradition, have

right to read and teach Vedas and hence are known as Vedic Brahmins
or Namaskaraniya. They do Yajna, Yaajana, Adhyayana, Adhyapana,
Daana, Pratigraha. They are also known as Kulina, Vaidika, Danua etc.
They give more importance to Veda, daily upasana and agnihotra. Only
These group of brahmins have right to conduct Yaagas and
teach Vedas along with Daana, Pratigraha.

Sub classes:

a)Kalinga Shrauta Brahmins:The Brahmins who have come from

undivided regions of
previous Dhenkanal, Sambalpur, Cuttack, Puri and Ganjam. They follow
the samanta panjika or SriJagannath panjika. They stay south
of Brahmani River, hence their name.They marry among themselves or
to there relatives.Others brahmins avoid to marry them.They generally
do Bhikhya(Begging) to maintain there livelyhood.

b)Jajpuria Shrauta Brahmins:the sub-class which has come

from Jajpur and north Orissa area. They follow Sri Viraja panjika. They
stay north of Brahmani River. First settled in areas aroundBaitarani
River.

These above two sub-classes are eligible to perform Shrauta rites, they

abstain from doing temple services and they seldom intermarry with
other brahmins.

2.“Sevayata Brahmins” or Saruaa:They are also known as Sevaka, Sarua,

Purohita or Pushpalaka Brahmins, they follow the Karmakanda and
sometimes act as priests for social as well for some temple functions.
They give more importance to temple worship, and priesthood. They
don’t have right to organise Yaaga, or take Daana(alms). They can read
Veda and teach it. Some of them follow Agama also. The
Sevayata(Ashrauta) section of Brahmins are divided into three sub-
classes as follows:

a)Devalaka(Deyulia)Brahmins: Surnames Badapanda, Pujapanda etc.

Their chief occupation is the service of the temple Gods and Goddesses.
Many of them expertise in VedicKarmakanda(rites for marriage,
upanayan etc) as well as Agama(temple worship). Most of the Daitapati
sevayatas of Jagannath Temple, Puri and Lingaraj Temple belong to this
sub class. Most of the temple in Orissa have this sub class of Brahmins as
chief priests..They marry among themselves or to there relatives.Others
brahmins avoid to marry them.They generally do Bhikhya(Begging) to
maintain there livelyhood.

b)Paniyari(Panda)Brahmins: Surnames majorly Panda. They also form

the priestly section, for some rites and some do temple services. some
of them are cooks in temples and even in private houses , and travel all
around India for pilgrims to visit the temples of Jagannāth. Some of
them are engaged in business and trade of Agricultural products. They
have high percentage of population among all Oriya Brahmins.They
populate very fast and spread everywhere.They have right to bhikhya
and dana.

c)Aranyaka(Jhadua)Brahmins:Also known as Panchadesi and

Jhadua.They constitute good population of brahmins in odisha.They are
migrants of north india and calcutta.

3.“Halua Brahmins”:These are similar to Bhumihar in north

India and Niyogis of Andhra Pradesh. They are also known as
Balaramgotri or Mahasthana Brahmins. History says, These are the
village leaders, administrators of brahmin ancestry so they were
included themselves as a brahmin but they have not the brahmin
characteristics. Generally with surname
‘Thakur’,’Naik’,’Grampradhan’,’Choudhury’,’Sahu’,’Samantray’,’Sabat’,
‘Dalbehera’. Once they enjoyed same status as above brahmins but later
they accepted vocational jobs for livelihood and gave up their sacred
duty of Shrauta and Smriti. These are engaged in agriculture or
agriculture related business. Some of them are allowed to
do Shraadh and associate in temples and religious functions. They are
never allowed for any Vedic rites or Yajna. Most of them are business-
oriented, also do cultivation of lands granted during Eastern Ganga
dynasty but have entirely lost their sacerdital rites and living in and
around South Orissa. For the purchase of the land many of them
migrated to other country. There is also a significant migrant population
of Haluas in Mauritius, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and
others.

Russel noted one exceptional feature at Jagannātha Temple of Puri : “All

castes now eat the rice cooked at the temple of Jagannath together
without defilement, and friendships are cemented by eating of little of
this rice together as sacred bond.”.[6]
Shakha of Utkala Brahmins[edit]

The vaidika shakha may vary family to family in all of the

above Shrotriyas and Sevayatas. Majority of them follow Kaanva
Shakha(କାଣ୍ବ ଶାଖା) of Shukla Yajurveda or Kauthuma(କୌଥୁମ ଶାଖା)
shakha of Samaveda. Whereas Brahmins belonging Shakala
shakha of Rigveda and Paippalada shakha of Atharvaveda are less. It is
thought that Rigveda Brahmins exist due to Govardhana matha of Adi
Shankara.

The Paippalada Shakha of Atharvaveda in Orissa should be noted for its

existence till now, although by few scholars. They trace their origin
from Narmada basin, supposed that they migrated during Eastern Ganga
Dynasty. Many Brahmins having surname Upadhyaya and Acharya have
Paippalada shaakha as their family Shakha.

The sutra of different shakha people are

 Rigveda:Ashwalayana Shrauta and Grihya Sutra(Shakal Shakha)

 Shukla Yajurveda:Katyayana Shrauta and Paraskara Grihya(Kaanva
Shakha)
 Samaveda:Drahyayana Shrauta and Gobhilya grihya (Kauthuma
Shakha)
 Atharvaveda: Vaitana Shrauta and Kaushika grihya(Paippalada
Shakha)
 he Utkala or Oriya Brahmin Surnames are Acharya, chaulia, Dikshit
(Dixit), Debta or Devata, Dash or Dash sharma, Mishra,
Dhar, Sharma, Chaturvedi, Nath, Kar, Tripathy, Bhatt-Mishra,
Nanda,Guru, Rajguru, Rayguru, Mahapatra, Bishi, Patra, Panigrahi,
Mohapatra(some of them), Rath & Rath Sharma (belonging
to Atreya gotra), Patri, Satapathy, Sadangi or Sarangi, Bahinipati,
Bastia, Thakur, Chaini (found mostly in Kalahandi and Sambalpur),
Pati, Vedi, Dwivedi, Trivedi, Upadhyaya, Palo (Pala or Pal in
OrissaOrissa), Pattajoshi, Joshi, Nayak, Panda, BadaPanda,Mallia,
Barpanda, Muni, PujaPanda, Praharaj, Padhi, Pani,
Paathi, Purohit, Pujari, Behera (found mostly in Kalahandi and
Sambalpur), Sar, Sabat, Gantayat, Suara, Mahasuara, Garabadu,
Sabata, Choudhury, Sahu, Samantray, Boxi, Boxi-patra, Bakshi,
Nepak, Khadanga, Devasharma, Udgata, Hota, Otta,
Bebarta.According to Pundit Narayana Shiromani,(late 18th
century) the gotra decides the surname. He mentions
 that Gautama gotra have surname
DharaSharma, Bharadwaja gotra have KaraSharma,Kashyapa gotra
people should keep Nanda or AnandaSharma, Atreya gotra people
should keep RathSharma, Kaushika and Vatsa gotra have
DashShrama. These above gotra Brahmins are considered as
topmost among Utkal Brahmins. Rest all are Sharma or
Devasharmas.

In certain areas Utkal Brahmin surnames are unique and are

similar to the surnames of Vaishya, Kshatriya and Shudras. These
surnames were given to the Brahmins either by Gajapati King or
by his fuedotory kings as punishment or reward. In course of time
this title became the surname, and the subsequent generations
inherited it. E. g. Behera (found mostly in Kalahandi and
Sambalpur, their surnames were changed ) from Mishra or Dash
to Behera, Bahinipati, Senapati, Pradhan, Swain, jena, Mohapatra,
Mohanty etc. Some people with ‘Mohapatra’ title are Brahmins
and others are Karanas or belong to lower castes.

UTKAL BRAHMIN IN BENGAL During the reign of Gajapati empire

the Utkal Brahmins were migrated to Bankura Purulia, Midnapore,
& Hoogly districts of West Bengal as representative of the Gajapati
King under leadership of Nakurtanga and Sripati Mahapatra, since
then those areas were under the monarch of Orissa. Their
surnames are Singhababu, Singhamahapatra or Sinhamahapatra,
Mahanty, Pathak, Panda, Pati, Patra, Padhi, Kar, Das, Dandapath
Satapathi, Sannigrahi Hota, Mishra, Goswami Praharaj, Pyne,
Tewary, Pani, Nayek, Layek,Tripathi etc.

 Please read this in conjunction with my post of Bengali Brahmins.

The Utkala Brahmins are of two classes 1) Shrotriya (vaidika) and 2)

Sevaka (doing accessory rites) Brahmin. Again, there are many sub-
classes in these two classes.

1) Shrotriyas are mainly adherents of Vedas, especially:

a) Shakalya shakha of Rigveda b) Kanva shakha of Shukla Yajurveda c)

Ranayana/Kauthuma shakha of Samavedad) Paippalada shakha
of Atharvaveda
 2) Sevakas generally belong to brahmins doing accessory rites like
cooking in temples, helping in procession of temple deity. They generally
follow any of the Veda of their choice for family rites but they cannot
perform Vedic sacrifices.

Utkala or Oriya Brahmin surnames include: Acharya, Mishra,

BhattaMishra, Tripathi, Dash, DashSharma, Dwivedi, Udgata or udgātṛ,
Hota or Hotṛ, Dikshit, Satapathy, Chaturvedi, Debata (Devta), Kar, Bishi,
Suara, Mahasuara, Garabadu, Sharma, Nath, Choudhury, Sahu,
Dyansamantray, Panigrahi, Guru, Rajguru, Rayguru, Mahapatra, Pani,
Mohapatra (some of them), Rath, RathSharma, Sharma, Patra, Sadangi,
Pani, Thakur (found mostly in Kalahandi and Sambalpur), Pati, Bahinipati,
Vedi, Trivedi, Sarangi, Pattajoshi, Joshi, Gantayat, Behera (found mostly
in Kalahandi and Sambalpur), Sar (Found mostly in Hindol, Dhenkanal),
Sabat, Swain (some of them), Shukla, Pandaor Pandit, BadaPanda,
PujaPanda, Sabata, Nanda, Purohit, Pujari, Padhiary, Pathi, Nepak,
Devasharma, Praharaj, Padhi, Otta, Khadenga, and Pradhan (some of
them)senapati.

http://familypedia.wikia.com/wiki/Brahmin?&cb=1907#Odisha.2FOrissa

Source:

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utkala_Brahmin

Gotras and Pravaras

The Gotra indicates the chief clan to which an individual belongs.
Further within a Gotra, there exists many ‘Pravaras’ or ‘sub-lineages’.
Both the Gotra and Pravara are identified with Rishis who were part of
the lineage.

Hari Prasad

Indology | 25-07-2018
Our ancient land of Bharata is the cradle of Sanatana Dharma. This is
the land where humans are born in order to undergo the churning due to
karma – to simultaneously enjoy the blessings of punya and exhaust
paapa through suffering. This is the holy land where Sriman Narayana
undertook numerous avataras to sustain dharma. This is the land where
Rama established his ideal kingdom – Rama Rajya – and also the land
where Krishna taught us how to fight adharma.

In this very land were born numerous great souls – realized souls – who
had direct perception of the Supreme Being – the parabrahman. These
souls had complete knowledge of the truth of the world and were
detached from the material bindings of samsara – the cycle of birth and
death. These souls are what we collectively refer to as ‘Rishis’. Although
the root of the word Rishi indicates ‘gati’ or movement, its primary
meaning is knowledge. It indicates knowledge of the shastras, satya or
truth and tapas or austerity. Therefore, those souls who had great
knowledge, were wedded to truth and always engaged themselves in
austerities came to be known as Rishis.

The Vishnu Purana declares the greatness of Rishis thus

यो वे दनिहितं गु हायां परमे व्योमन् सोश्नु ते सर्वान् कामान् ब्रह्मणा विपश्चिता…..

The Rishis had, in their hearts, that parabrahman who has been
described by the Vedas!

Classification of Rishis
The shastras declare parabrahman as the one who is infinite in an
infinite number of ways. He is ananta in every guNa – auspicious
attribute – that we can think of. Naturally, it is impossible for anyone to
realize – or have full knowledge of – any entity that is infinite. Still,
different souls have varying knowledge of this parabrahman, subject to
the extent of their intrinsic ability – swaroopa. This ability to know
brahman is highest amongst the Rishis.

Within the category of Rishis also, there is a gradation based on their

level of realization. Thus we have Rishis, Rajarshis, Devarshis,
Maharshis and Brahmarshi. In the Bala Kanda of the Valimiki
Ramayana, there is a description of how Sage Vishwamitra performs
repeated cycles of tapas to progressively attain each of these positions
and finally ends up becoming a Brahmarshi.

Based on the area of their excellence or fame, there are again a few
categories into which Rishis are classified. When Chaturmukha Brahma
(the four headed devata – different from parabrahma the Supreme
Being) started his process of creation, ten Rishis emerged from his mind
– the manas – and these ten were naturally endowed with the divine
knowledge of parabrahman. These ten Rishis – Bhrigu, Marichi, Atri,
Angirasa, Pulaha, Kratu, Manu, Daksha, Vasishta and Pulastya – came
to be known as manasa-putras.

As briefly mentioned earlier, those who attain the highest level of

knowledge of parabrahman – amongst the Rishis – are known as
Brahmarshis. Seven of them are very well known – Bhrigu, Angirasa,
Atri, Vishwamitra, Kashyapa, Vasishta and Shandilya.

At the next level, the Rishis are known as Maharshis. Some of the well-
known Maharshis are Shukra, Brihaspati, Upanasha, Utathya,
Vamadeva, Apojya, Ishija, Kardama, Vishravassu, Shakti, Valikhilya and
Dhara. These became Maharshis due to their jnana or knowledge.

There is another category of Rishis who attained their exalted position

due to their relentless pursuit, and practice, of truth. They are known as
Satyarshis. Some of the well-known Satyarshis are Vatsara, Nagrahu,
Bharadhwaja, Bruhadutta, Sharadvanta, Vajashravasa, Dadichi and
Vaishravana.

Yet another classification of Rishis is based on their ‘drashtatva’ or

‘realization’ of the mantras of the Vedas. These Rishis are known as
‘mantra-drashtaara-rishi’. Some of the well-known Rishis under this
category are Bhrigu, Kavya, Prachetasa, Grutsamada, Nabha, Angirasa,
Bharadhwaja, Gargya, Kanva, Vamadeva, Kakshivanta, Kashyapa,
Vatsara, Raibhya-Asita, Atri, Valgutaka, Vasishta and Kundina.

Thus we find a variety of parameters based on which the ancient Rishis

were identified and classified.

(Note: The above list of Rishis, under each category, is obviously not
exhaustive)
Origins of the Gotra-pravartaka Rishis
The Rishis are also the pravarkatas – the propagators – of various
vamshas, the lineages. It is believed that all lineages in the Bharata
Bhumi have originally their roots in one of the Rishi paramparas. The
lineages are identified by two main attributes – the Gotra and
the Pravara. The Gotra indicates the chief clan to which an individual
belongs. Further within a Gotra, there exists many ‘Pravaras’ or ‘sub-
lineages’. Both the Gotra and Pravara are identified with Rishis who
were part of the lineage.

The Gotra is always identified by the name of a single Rishi (mostly)

while the Pravara can have a number of Rishis associated with it – up to
even seven. Just to illustrate, the author of this post belongs to the
‘Kashyapa’ Gotra – the clan of the Sage Kashyapa – and further belongs
to a ‘Tryarsheya’ Pravara – or a Pravara containing the names of three
Rishis – the same being Kashyapa-Avatsara-Naidhruvi.

Even today, in many traditional families, the custom of offering

salutations to an elder by distinctly stating ones Gotra and Pravara is
prevalent. This is termed as ‘Gotrabhivandana’.

There are a number of Rishis who are propagators of Gotra – Gotra-

pravartakas. We shall get to the details of these Rishis a little later.
However, there are primarily seven chief Rishis – Saptarshis – who are
considered as the root for even the Gotra-pravartaka Rishis. In other
words, even the Gotra-pravartaka Rishis came from the lineages of
these seven Rishis. The names of these seven – Bhrigu, Angirasa,
Kashyapa, Atri, Vasishta, Agastya and Vishwamitra – are slightly
different from the Saptarshis quoted earlier in the post.

The Matsya Purana provides an interesting insight into the origins of

these seven Rishis and how they became the Gotra-pravartaka Rishis.

The longevity of an individual Brahma is 100 years, after which he

attains Moksha. Each of the 100 years consists of 360 days and nights.
Every single day (and similary every night) in the life of the Chaturmukha
Brahma consists of 14 manvantaras. Each manvantara, as measured
by our time standards, is equal to 306,720,000 human years. Presently,
in the life of the current Chaturmukha Brahma, 6 manvantaras have
already passed, and the seventh manvantara is underway. The name of
the present manvantara is ‘Vaivaswata’ – so named after the ‘Manu’ or
the leader of the current time period. The first of the manvantaras was
similarly named after the then Manu – Swayambhu.

Chaturmukha Brahma had created the various life forms during the
Swayambhuva manvantara. This included the various Rishis – the
Saptarshis being the chief among them. However, it so happened that
Lord Shiva once cursed the Rishis to lose their tapasya. The Rishis were
greatly depressed by this and they sacrificed their lives, choosing to not
live a life without knowledge of the parabrahman.

महादे वस्य शापे न त्व्यक्त्वा दे हं स्वयं तथा |

् त
ऋषयश्च समु दभ ू ाच्यु ते शु क्रे महात्मनः || M.P – 195 – 6 ||

In the Vaivasvata manvantara, Chaturmukha Brahma decided that it was

time to bring back the various Rishis to ensure the propagation of jnana
and dharma happened without any hindrance. To facilitate this, he
underwent a ‘retas-skhalana’. The veerya thus produced by Brahma was
offered, by himself, into a great sacrifice! From the sacrifice, numerous
Rishis took birth one after the other.

From the base of the sacrifice, Rishi Bhrigu made his appearance. From
the heated coals, Rishi Angirasa was born. Rishi Atri was born from the
flames of the fire. From the rays of the fire emerged the resplendent
Rishi Marichi. From the hair of Brahma, Rishi Kapisha and Pulastya
were born. From his long locks, Rishi Pulaha was born. Right from the
middle of the sacrificial fire, Rishi Vasishta appeared. Rishi Kashyapa
and Agastya also came out of the sacrificial fire like the others.
Numerous other Rishis were also given birth by Brahma in this fashion.

These Rishis got married and subsequently gave rise to numerous other
Maharshis. Thus the various lineages started to grow at the onset of
Vaivasvata manvantara.

The seven primary Gotra-pravartakas

 All the Gotra-pravartaka Rishis are categorized under seven primary
Rishis. These seven – Bhrigu, Angirasa, Atri, Kashyapa, Vasishta,
Agastya and Vishwamitra – were all Brahmarshis occupying the highest
echelons amongst the hierarchy of the Rishis.

From these seven Rishis, there arose 18 chief groups – gaNas – to

which all the Gotra causing Rishis belonged. In other words, every Rishi
who has propagated a Gotra belongs to one of these 18 gaNas.

The classification of the 7 Brahmarshi families into 18 gaNas is as

follows.
 Rishi Bhrigu heads five gaNas.

 The Rishis who are the head of these five gaNas are Jamadagni, Vitahavya, Grutsamada,
Vadhrashwa and Vainya

 Rishi Angirasa accounts for eight gaNas.

 The Rishis who are the head of these eight gaNas are Gautama, Bharadhwaja, Kapi, Kanva,
Mudgala, Virupa, Harita, Vishnuvruddha

 The other 5 Brahmarshis – Kashyapa, Atri, Vasishta, Agastya and Vishwamitra – head one
gaNa each.

Thus the 18 Rishi gaNas are Jamadagni, Vitahavya, Grutsamada,

Vadhrashwa, Vainya, Gautama, Bharadhwaja, Kapi, Kanva,
Mudgala, Virupa, Harita, Vishnuvruddha, Kashyapa, Atri, Vasishta,
Agastya and Vishwamitra.

Brahmarshis and the Gotra Ganas

 Ganas and Gotra Rishis
Each of the 18 gaNas listed above have under them a number of ‘Gotra
Rishis’. Thus, from 18, we get many tens of Gotras, the descendants of
whom are amongst us even today. Further under each Gotra, numerous
Rishis and Rishi-kumaras were born. Based on the tradition in the
particular Gotra, a number of ‘Pravaras’ or sub-lineages became
prevalent.

Thus, each gaNa has several Gotras, each of which further has one or
more Pravaras. The Pravaras are classified based on the number of
Rishis who are remembered in the lineage.
 Ekarsheya – Pravara has the name of only one Rishi

 Dvarsheya – names of two Rishis used

 Tryarsheya – three Rishi names are used

 Pancharsheya – five Rishis are remembered as part of the Pravara

 Saptarsheya – seven Rishis comprise the Pravara

 The documentation of all the Gotra names under each gaNa and the list
of all Pravaras under each of those Gotras will be a very exhaustive
work, beyond the scope of this post. However, in order to illustrate the
richness of the classification, the names of few Gotras under each gaNa
and a few Pravaras will be given below.

1. Bhrigu – Jamadagni Gana

Some of the well-known Gotras under this gaNa are Jamadagni, Vatsa,
Chyavana, Mandavya, Mandukeya, Manduka, Vitashayana, Vairohitya,
Valmiki, Markandeya, Panini, Rishtishena, Arshtishena, Anupavi, Druda,
Vata, Prachinayogya and Baida.

Some of the Pravaras under this gaNa are

 Bhargava (bhrigu) – Chyavana – Apnuvana – Ourva – Jamadagni. (pancha-rishi-Pravara)

 Bhargava – Chyavana – Apnuvana – Arshtishena – Anupa. (pancha-rishi-Pravara)

 Bhargava – Chyavana – Apnuvana – Ourva. (chatur-rishi-Pravara)

 Bhargava – Chyavana – Apnuvana. (tri-rishi-Pravara)

2. Bhrigu – Vitahavya Gana

The well-known Gotras under this gaNa are Vitahavya, Yaska, Vadhula,
Mauna, Maukasa, Sharkarakshi, Sharshti, Shalankayana,
Daivantyayana, Jabala and Savarni.

Some of the Pravaras under this gaNa are

 Bhargava – Vaitahavya – Savetasa. (tri-rishi-Pravara)

3. Bhrigu – Grutsamada Gana

Grutsamada and Shaunaka are the well-known Gotras under this gaNa.

The Pravara common under this gaNa is

 Bhargava – Grutsamada – Shaunaka (tri-rishi-Pravara)

4. Bhrigu – Vadhrashwa Gana

 Vadhrashwa and Mitrayu are the famous Gotras under this gaNa

The common Pravara belonging to this gaNa is

 Bhargava – Daivodasa – Vadhrashwa (tri-rishi-Pravara)

5. Bhrigu – Vainya Gana

Vainya and Partha are the most famous Gotra Rishis under this Gana.

The Pravara most often found under this gaNa is

 Bhargava – Vainya – Partha

The above are the gaNas coming under Brahmarshi Bhrigu.

6. Angirasa – Gautama Gana

The well-known Gotras under this gaNa are seven in number –

Gautama, Ayasya, Ouchathya, Kakshivanta, Oushija, Bruhaduktha and
Vamadeva.

Some of the Pravaras under this gaNa are

 Angirasa – Ayathya – Gautama (tri-rishi-Pravara)

 Angirasa – Vamadevaya – Barhaduktha (tri-rishi-Pravara)

 Angirasa – Outhathya – Kakshivanta – Gautama – Dairghatamasa (pancha-rishi-Pravara)

7. Angirasa – Bharadhwaja Gana

The well-known Gotras under this Gana are Bharadhwaja, Kusha,

Agniveshya, Urja, Yama, Kata, Shaishira, Ksheerashrunga, Vandana,
Bruhaspati, Sarvastamba, Kapi, Matavachasa, Gargya and Shainaka.

The commonly occurring Pravaras under this gaNa are

 Angirasa – Barhaspatya – Bharadhwaja (tri-rishi-Pravara)

 Angirasa – Barhaspatya – Bharadhwaja – Katya – Aksheela (pancha-rishi-Pravara)

 Angirasa – Barhaspatya – Bharadhwaja – Shainya – Gargya (pancha-rishi-Pravara)

8. Angirasa – Kapi Gana

 Tarasvanta, Shalaka, Bindu, Shalka, Patanjali, Bhuyasi, Danuki and
Jalandhara are the eight chief Gotras under this gaNa.

The main Pravara under this gaNa is

 Angirasa – Mahiyuva – Rikshayyavasa (tri-rishi-Pravara)

9. Angirasa – Kanva Gana

Ajamidha, Ghora and Kanva are the main Gotras under this gaNa.

In this gaNa, the main Pravaras are all consisting of a single rishi –
ekarsheya Pravaras. Angirasa, Ajamidha, Ghora and Kanva are thus the
four main ekarsheya Pravaras.

10. Angirasa – Mudgala Gana

The five main Gotras under this gaNa are Mudgala, Trivedi, Takshya,
Bharmashyva and Moudgalya.

Each of the five Gotras have ekarsheya Pravaras. Hence the Pravaras
are also as the Gotra names above.

11. Angirasa – Virupa Gana

The Rishis under this Gana are Virupa, Prushadashva, Paarshadashvi,

Rathithara, Aangushta and Ashtadamshtra.

The main Pravara under this gaNa is

 Angirasa – Paarshadashva – Vairupa (tri-rishi-Pravara)

12. Angirasa – Harita Gana

The ten main Gotras under this gaNa are Harita, Ambarisha, Mandhata,
Yuvanashva, Kautsa, Painga, Shankha, Dabhra, Hemagava and
Kaumara.

The two main Pravaras under this gaNa are

 Angirasa – Ambarisha – Harita (tri-rishi-Pravara)

 Angirasa – Ambarisha – Yauvanashva (tri-rishi-Pravara)

13. Angirasa – Vishnuvruddha Gana

 Fourteen Rishis are well known as Gotra-pravartakas under this gaNa.
They are Vishnuvruddha, Shata, Mata, Mapana, Dabhrana, Jaalpa,
Oupagavi, Vidabhrana, Badarayana, Nitundi, Kratu, Satyaki and Taluki.

The main Pravaras under this gaNa are

 Angirasa – Vishnuvruddha – Badarayana (tri-rishi-Pravara)

 Angirasa – Paurukutsa – Trasadasya (tri-rishi-Pravara)

Thus the above are the details corresponding to the gaNas coming
under Brahmarshi Angirasa

14. Kashyapa Gana

Brahmarshi Kashyapa has one gaNa under him. There are ten famous
Rishis under this gaNa. They are Kashyapa, Vatsara, Naidhruva,
Sankruti, Putimasha, Raibhya, Shandilya, Shandila, Devala and Asita.

The main Pravaras under this gaNa are

 Kashyapa – Vatsara – Naidhruvi (tri-rishi-Pravara)

 Kashyapa – Vatsara – Raibhya (tri-rishi-Pravara)

 Kashyapa – Shandila – Devala (tri-rishi-Pravara)

15. Atri Gana

The following are the Rishis belonging to the gaNa coming under
Brahmarshi Atri.

Atri, Prathama, Svasti, Krishna, Chandra, Pada, Aadima, Atreya,

Vamarathya, Gavishtira, Rasa, Paurvatithya, Tithi, Bahutaka,
Dhananjaya, Sumangala, Bijavapi and Saumangalya.

The well-known Pravaras under this gaNa are

 Atreya – Archananasa – Shyavashva (tri-rishi-Pravara)

 Atreya – Sumangala – Shyavashva (tri-rishi-Pravara)

16. Vasishta Gana

Under Brahmarshi Vasistha, the Gotras are Vasishta, Vaasishta,

Upamanyu, Gauravita, Putimasha, Dvitiya Upamanyu, Aabharadvasu,
 Indrapramada, Parashara, Paarasharya, Vyasa, Shakti, Kundina, Tandi,
Sankruti, Sankhyayana, Jatukarnya, Dvitiya Kaundinya and
Maitravaruni.

Some of the Pravaras under this gaNa are

 Vasishta (eka-rishi-Pravara)

 Vaashishta – Shakti – Paarasharya (tri-rishi-Pravara)

 Vaahishta – Maitravaruni – Kaundinya (tri-rishi-Pravara)

17. Agastya Gana

The Gotras under Brahmarshi Agastya are Agastya, Aagastya,

Daardyachyuta, Idhmavaha, Somavaha, Saravaha, Yajnavaha,
Himodaka and Panika.

The main Pravaras are

 Aagastya – Daardachyuta – Idhmavaha (tri-rishi-Pravara)

 Aagastya – Daardachyuta – Somavaha (tri-rishi-Pravara)

 Aagastya – Painayaka – Panika (tri-rishi-Pravara)

18. Vishwamitra Gana

Vishwamitra Gana has thirty nine main Rishis. They are Vishwamitra,
Devarata, Manu, Shraumata, Jaulaki, Valuki, Chakita, Ulooka,
Yajnavalkya, Narada, Bruhadagni, Kala, Babha, Shabali, Bahu, Rohina,
Shalankayana, Savarni, Kamakayana, Purana, Shalavata, Agnideva,
Damana, Shaunaka, Ashtaka, Aja, Madhucchandasa, Devashrava,
Dhananjaya, Shunga, Kata, Shaishira, Varidhapa, Aghamarshana,
Sunu, Pana, Dhoomra, Jatara and Ekahavyaka.

Some of the main Pravaras under this gaNa are

 Vishwamitra – Devarata – Oudala (tri-rishi-Pravara)

 Vishwamitra – Devarata – Daivashravasa (tri-rishi-Pravara)

 Vishwamitra – Madhucchandasa – Dhananjaya (tri-rishi-Pravara)

 Vishwamitra – Shalankayana – Kaushika (tri-rishi-Pravara)

 Vishwamitra – Gathina – Vaishvamitra – Raukshaka – Raivana (pancha-rishi-Pravara)

Thus are the details of all the 18 gaNas of Rishis who are the
ancestors of all our lineages.

Gotras and Marriages

Even today, in Sanatana Dharma, the Gotras and Pravaras are an
important factor in deciding whether two families will proceed with a
marriage proposal. Sa-gotra (within the same Gotra) and especially sa-
Pravara (same gotra and also same Pravara) marriages are strictly
avoided by traditional families.

Another measure typically used in determining suitability, or otherwise,

of marriages is the concept of Sapinda relationship. If in the paternal
side of the bride and the paternal side of the groom, there exists any
person who performs “pinda daan” to a common ancestor within 7
generations, then that relationship becomes a sapinda relationship, and
is avoided for marriage.

Markandeya Purana defines this sapinda relationship very succinctly.

पिता पितामहश्चै व तथै व प्रपितामहः |

पिण्डसं बन्धिनो ह्ये ते विज्ञे याः पु रुषास्त्रयः ||

ले पसं बन्धिनश्चान्ये पितामहपितामहात् |

प्रभृ त्यु क्तास्त्रयस्ते षां यजमानस्तु सप्तमः ||

इत्ये षः मु निभिः प्रोक्तः सं बन्धस्साप्तपूरुषः ||

“Father, grandfather and great-grandfather are the three purushas

known as “pinda sambandhi”. The great-great-grandfather, his father
and his grandfather – these three are known as “pinda-lepa sambandhi”.
Including the person who has the right to give pinda, 7 generations thus
get accounted for. So have the great munis decided”

Thus amongst the 7 generations thus described, if there is any common

pinda-pradaatru (pinda-giver) on either side, then the relationship will
end up becoming a sapinda relation.
 Gotras for the unknown
Apart from the above detailed Rishis and Gotras thereof there are many
Gotras which have originated from many Kshatriyas. These are not
covered in this post. One may get to know the same from family sources.

For those who do not know their Gotras, either because the family lost
knowledge of the same, or if a person became an orphan in childhood –
the Gotra and Pravara of the family purohita becomes their Gotra.

आचार्यगोत्रप्रवरानभिज्ञस्तु द्विजः स्वयम् |

दत्त्वात्मानं तु कस्मै चित्तद्गोत्रप्रवरो भवे त् ||

Another solution given in the shastras is to accept the Kashyapa Gotra

since the Shrutis declare Kashyapa as the forefather of all humanity.

गोत्रस्यत्वपरिज्ञाने काश्यपं गोत्रमु च्यते |

यस्मादाह श्रुतिः सर्वाः प्रजाः कश्यपसं भवाः ||

References
 Smruti muktavali – Shodasha Karma Prakarana – By Sri Krishnacharya, Shishya of Sri
Raghavendra Swamiji

 Matsya Purana.

 Markandeya Purana.

 Valmiki Ramayana.

 “Rishigalu” – A book in Kannada by Sri Be. Na. Vijayeendracharya, published by Sri

Harivayu Prakashana, First edition, 2014