Gotra

The gotra system was a part of the system of classification/ identification of various Brahmin families in ancient times. The gotra classification started probably sometime during the Yajur Veda period, after the Rig Veda period. It is believed that the gotras (now about of 49) started to strengthen around 10-8 Century B.C.The present day gotra classification is created from a core of 8 Sages (The Saptha rishis + Agastya). The Saptarishis are Gautama, Bharadvaja, Vishvamitra, Jamadagni, Vasistha, Kashyapa and Atri. Seven Sages (Saptarshi) are recognized as the mind born sons of the creator Brahma. They desired offspring and received it. All present day Brahmin communities are said to be descendants of these 8 Rishis.

INCREASE IN GOTRA

Over many years the number of gotras increased due to:


  • Descendants of these Sages also started new lineage of family or new gotras


    • Vasishta > Kaundinya
    • Vishvamitra > Kaushika
    • Jamadagni > Vatsa

  • By inter marriage with other Brahmins

  • Inspired by a saint whose name they bear as their own Gotra.

  • New groups like Kshatriyas (who were also makers of hymns) were taken into fold by some Saints.

    • The lines of descent from the major Sages are originally divided into Ganas (Small Community) and each Gana is further divided into families. However, subsequently the term gotra is frequently applied to the ganas and to the families within the ganas interchangeably.


    These Sages belonged to different sects like Shakti ,Shaivites and Vishnavites and had different deities for worship. Such deities came to be known as the Kuladevatas.

    GOTRAS OF GOWDA SARASWAT BRAHMINS

    The gotras of GSBs is believed to be originated from the ten Rishis.

    • Atri
    • Bharadvaja
    • Gautama
    • Jamadagni
    • Kashyapa
    • Vasishta
    • Vishvamitra (Kamshi)
    • Kaundinya
    • Kausika
    • Vatsa

    THE IMPORTANCE OF GOTRA

    The gotra system was instituted for the purposes of identifying one's ancestors and pay respects during various invocations and other rituals to honour their fathers, fore-fathers and so on, up to their respective Sages. This was later extended to other aspects of the Brahmin life, such as in Marriages and temple worships. Today, the marriages are not allowed within the same gotra in order to aviod impure matrimony.

    LINK BETWEEN GOTRAS, SURNAMES AND KULADEVATAS

    The gotra is also interlinked with the Surnames and the Kuladevatas. Through the Table given below you can know the link between them.

    Kuladevatha Gotra and Surnames

    MAHALASA NARAYANI
    • Bharadwaja Gothra - Pai
    • Athri Gothra - Pai
    • Kaushika Gothra - Pai
    • Gargya Gothra - Shenoy
    • Gargya Gothra - Kamath
    • Gargya Gothra - Bhat
    • Athri Gothra - Bhat
    • Kaushika Gothra - Bhaktha

    RAMANATH SHANTHERI KAMAKSHI
    • Vatsa Gothra - Shenoy
    • Vatsa Gothra - Baliga
    • Vatsa Gothra - Bhat
    • Koundinya Gothra - Shenoy
    • Koundinya Gothram -Nayak
    • Koundinya Gothra - Pai
    • Koundinya Gothra - Bhat
    • Koundinya Gothra - Kini

    DAMODAR MAHALAKSMI & DAMODAR ARYADURGA
    • Kaushika Gothra - Prabhu
    • Kaushika Gothra - Kamath
    • Kashyap Gothra - Hegde
    • Kashyap Gothra - Baliga

    NAGESH MAHALAKSHMI
    • Bharadwaja Gothra - Prabhu
    • Vatsa Gothra - Mallya
    • Koushika Gothra - Nayak

    KARTHYAYANI BANESHWAR
    • Koushika Gothram - Shenoy

    DEVAKI KRISHNA RAVALNATH
    • Athri Gothram - Prabhu
    • Kashyapa Gothram - Prabhu

    NARASIMHA SHANTHADURGA VIJAYA DURGA

    • Shankha Pingala Kounsa Gothram - Nayak
    • Shankha Pingala Kounsa Gothra - Padiyar
    • Shankha Pingala Kounsa Gothra - Bhandarakar

    MAHAMAYA
    • Kondinaya Gothram - Kamath