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Hari Prasad(https://indiafacts.org/author/hari-prasad/)
Indology(https://indiafacts.org/category/indology/) | 25-07-2018
O
ur 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
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 b
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 h
great knowledge, were wedded to truth and always engaged themselves in austerities came to be known as Rishis.
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 attr
that we can think of. Naturally, it is impossible for anyone to realize – or have full knowledge of – any entity that is infinite. Still, differe
souls have varying knowledge of this parabrahman, subject to the extent of their intrinsic ability – swaroopa. This ability to know brahm
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, Mah
and Brahmarshi. In the Bala Kanda of the Valimiki Ramayana, there is a description of how Sage Vishwamitra performs repeated cycles o
tapas to progressively attain each of these positions and finally ends up becoming a Brahmarshi.
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Based on the area of their excellence or fame, there are again a few categories into which Rishis are classified. When Chaturmukha Brah
(the four headed devata – different from parabrahma the Supreme Being) started his process of creation, ten Rishis emerged from his m
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 kn
as Satyarshis. Some of the well-known Satyarshis are Vatsara, Nagrahu, Bharadhwaja, Bruhadutta, Sharadvanta, Vajashravasa, Dadichi a
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, Angi
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)
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 – u
even seven. Just to illustrate, the author of this post belongs to the ‘Kashyapa’ Gotra – the clan of the Sage Kashyapa – and further belon
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 ot
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 Ris
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
single day (and similary every night) in the life of the Chaturmukha Brahma consists of 14 manvantaras. Each manvantara, as measured
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 ‘Ma
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
greatly depressed by this and they sacrificed their lives, choosing to not live a life without knowledge of the parabrahman.
In the Vaivasvata manvantara, Chaturmukha Brahma decided that it was time to bring back the various Rishis to ensure the propagation
jnana and dharma happened without any hindrance. To facilitate this, he underwent a ‘retas-skhalana’. The veerya thus produced by Bra
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 fro
flames of the fire. From the rays of the fire emerged the resplendent Rishi Marichi. From the hair of Brahma, Rishi Kapisha and Pulastya
born. From his long locks, Rishi Pulaha was born. Right from the middle of the sacrificial fire, Rishi Vasishta appeared. Rishi Kashyapa an
Agastya also came out of the sacrificial fire like the others. Numerous other Rishis were also given birth by Brahma in this fashion.
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These Rishis got married and subsequently gave rise to numerous other Maharshis. Thus the various lineages started to grow at the ons
Vaivasvata manvantara.
From these seven Rishis, there arose 18 chief groups – gaNas – to which all the Gotra causing Rishis belonged. In other words, every Rish
has propagated a Gotra belongs to one of these 18 gaNas.
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, Mud
Virupa, Harita, Vishnuvruddha, Kashyapa, Atri, Vasishta, Agastya and Vishwamitra.
(https://indiafacts.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Gotra-Pravara.jpg)
Thus, each gaNa has several Gotras, each of which further has one or more Pravaras. The Pravaras are classified based on the number of
who are remembered in the lineage.
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 exhaust
work, beyond the scope of this post. However, in order to illustrate the richness of the classification, the names of few Gotras under each
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and a few Pravaras will be given below.
Some of the well-known Gotras under this gaNa are Jamadagni, Vatsa, Chyavana, Mandavya, Mandukeya, Manduka, Vitashayana, Vairoh
Valmiki, Markandeya, Panini, Rishtishena, Arshtishena, Anupavi, Druda, Vata, Prachinayogya and Baida.
The well-known Gotras under this gaNa are Vitahavya, Yaska, Vadhula, Mauna, Maukasa, Sharkarakshi, Sharshti, Shalankayana,
Daivantyayana, Jabala and Savarni.
Grutsamada and Shaunaka are the well-known Gotras under this gaNa.
Vadhrashwa and Mitrayu are the famous Gotras under this gaNa
Vainya and Partha are the most famous Gotra Rishis under this Gana.
The well-known Gotras under this gaNa are seven in number – Gautama, Ayasya, Ouchathya, Kakshivanta, Oushija, Bruhaduktha and
Vamadeva.
The well-known Gotras under this Gana are Bharadhwaja, Kusha, Agniveshya, Urja, Yama, Kata, Shaishira, Ksheerashrunga, Vandana,
Bruhaspati, Sarvastamba, Kapi, Matavachasa, Gargya and Shainaka.
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Angirasa – Barhaspatya – Bharadhwaja (tri-rishi-Pravara)
Tarasvanta, Shalaka, Bindu, Shalka, Patanjali, Bhuyasi, Danuki and Jalandhara are the eight chief Gotras under this 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 t
four main ekarsheya Pravaras.
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.
The Rishis under this Gana are Virupa, Prushadashva, Paarshadashvi, Rathithara, Aangushta and Ashtadamshtra.
The ten main Gotras under this gaNa are Harita, Ambarisha, Mandhata, Yuvanashva, Kautsa, Painga, Shankha, Dabhra, Hemagava and
Kaumara.
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.
Thus the above are the details corresponding to the gaNas coming under Brahmarshi Angirasa
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.
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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, Dhananjay
Sumangala, Bijavapi and Saumangalya.
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.
Vasishta (eka-rishi-Pravara)
The Gotras under Brahmarshi Agastya are Agastya, Aagastya, Daardyachyuta, Idhmavaha, Somavaha, Saravaha, Yajnavaha, Himodaka an
Panika.
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,
Dhoomra, Jatara and Ekahavyaka.
Thus are the details of all the 18 gaNas of Rishis who are the ancestors of all our lineages.
Another measure typically used in determining suitability, or otherwise, of marriages is the concept of Sapinda relationship. If in the pa
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.
लेपसंबन्धिनश्चान्ये पितामहपितामहात् |
“Father, grandfather and great-grandfather are the three purushas known as “pinda sambandhi”. The great-great-grandfather, his father and
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 relations
will end up becoming a sapinda relation.
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 childh
the Gotra and Pravara of the family purohita becomes their Gotra.
Another solution given in the shastras is to accept the Kashyapa Gotra since the Shrutis declare Kashyapa as the forefather of all human
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
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. IndiaFacts does not as
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article.
Hari Prasad(https://indiafacts.org/author/hari-prasad/)
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