GOTRA SYSTEM IN HINDU SOCIETY

In India from ancient times daily routine life of Hindus was guided by two important science;

1.Ayurved 2.Astrology.Both are still guiding, helping and controlling the life of Hindus.Ayurved is medical science, it Deals with daily diet, healthcare and cure of diseases while Vedic Astrology guide/controlled all sanskars(Rituals) from birth to death. Vedic Astrology classifies human body constitution and nature on the basis of 12 Rashi (Sign) and 27 Nakshatra (Asterism) of zodiac. One may object that Astrology in not a science, but because it has deep rooted importance in Hindu way of life and belief, and is related to Gotra, it may be accepted as a Science. In India this subject is added and being taught as “jyotir Vigyan”(Astrology) in Universities, colleges and other educational Institutions. According to Vedic Astrology Gotra is related to progeny. I am giving reference of Vedic astrological Books. A south Indian Vedic astrologer Kalidas written two books of Vedic astrology in Sanskrit ; 1. POORVKALAMRUT 2.UTTARKALAMRUT. In his book POORVKALAMRUT, chapter 3 (Vivah melapak prakaran) shlok -93, he assigned GOTRA on the basis of Nakshatra of moon (Asterism of moon) in which a person is born). This shlok named SEVEN GOTRA considering 28 Nakshatra (included Abhijeet as a Nakshatra) and divided them in four groups. The table is as; SL. GOTRA NAME OF NAKSHATRA (ASTERISM) 1. MARICHI- ASHWINI, PUSHYA, SWATI, ABHIJEET.

2. BASHIST - BHARANI, ASHLESHA, VISHAKHA, SHRAWAN.

3. ANGIRA- KRUTIKA, MAGHA, ANURADHA, DHANISHTHA.

4. ATRI - ROHINI, POORVAPHALGUNI, JEYSHTHA, SHATBHIKHA.

5. PULSTYA - MRUGSHIRA, UTTARAPHALGUNI, MOOL, POORVABHADRAPAD.

6. PULAH- ARDRA, HASTA POORVASHADHA, UTTARABHADRAPAD.

7 KRATU - PUNARVASU, CHITRA UTTRASHADHA, REVATI.

According to the book ‘POORV KALAMRUT’, for example if a male and female born in ASHWINI, PUSHYA, SWATI, or ABHIJEET Nakshatra(Asterism)(though Abhijeet is not considered as Nakshatra),they will be of Marichi Gotra, and if They marry, it will BE A SAGOTRIYA MARRIAGE (Sagotriya Vivah)( CONSANGUINEOUS MARRIAGE). SUCH MARRIAGE SHOULD BE AVOIDED. Moon Nakshatra (Asterism) taken in consideration in assigning Gotra of child because in “Vedic Jyotish” it is mentioned that every planet contribute in formation of body of child in womb, and contribution of moon is most important.According to this book Nakshatra (Asreism) ASHWINI, PUSHYA ASHLESHA, VISHAKHA, ANURADHA SHATBHIKHA POORVABHADRAPAD. are Brahman, - BHARANI , PUNARVASU , MAGHA, SWATI, JEYSHTHA , DHANISHTHA, UTTARABHADRAPAD are Kshatriya, - KRUTIKA, ARDRA ,CHITRA , POORVAPHALGUNI ,MOOL,SHRAWAN, REVATI are Vaishya, ROHINI, MRUGSHIRA, HASTA ,UTTARAPHALGUNI POORVASHADHA, UTTRASHADHA, are Shudra Nakshatra.This book use word caste for all these four category but this book is rejecting the present caste system which is based on lineage..According to this book one may be Brahman,Kshatriya,Vaishya and Shudra only on the basis of Moon Sign of his Horoscope. In my opinion these four are related to nature and quality of person,,not the caste. Wrong interpretation of these four have created numerous baseless caste and gotra in Hindu society. Astrologer Kalidas in his another book UTTARKALAMRUT, IN Chapter SECOND KAND, Karmkand khand,shlok -2 has mentioned that marriage in seven previous generations(paternal) including himself, and in previous five generations(maternal ) including herself is prohibited. This book give a citation of Shlok of a Sanskrit book Vishnupuran in support of this view. Kalidas further in shlok 5 have mentioned that a child get bone, muscle and bone marrow from father ,and skin, flesh and blood from mother. These remain same up to 7 generations. According to shlok 8 of same chapter if the Sagotriya Vivah (CONSANGUINEOUS MARRIAGE) is carried out and if a child is born, child will become Shudra and he and his parents will face sin. The astrologer has used word SHUDRATVA (in Sanskrit) which literally means “become Shudra”. He has not defined the word “shudra” nor clarified it, but because he has mentioned in that shlok that child get bone, muscle and bone marrow from father, and skin, flesh and blood from mother,naturally an inference may be drawn that “shudratva” is related to mental and physical problem. His mental and physical growth will not be normal. Such child may be mentally retarded, may carry hereditary disease and, or may have more negative qualities in his personality. From above description it is clear that Gotra is originated from astrology and is related to progeny. This Gotra system was instituted for the purpose of identifying one’s ancestor and to prevent them marrying in seven previous generations. An ancient Indian scholar Panini has observed the Gotra as son’ son which also indicates that it is related to progeny. Thus Gotra is; 1. Related to Clan and Lineage in which marriage is prohibited in seven previous generations. 2. Related to Nakshatra (Asterism) according to which if in horoscope of boy and girl, the Moon is in Nakshatra (Asterism) of same Gotra as given in shlok 93 of CHAPTER 3 of book Poorvakalamrut, they should not marry even if they are not of same lineage and clan. Astrologer Kalidas have given the name 1.Marichi 2.Bashisth 3.Angira 4.Atri 5.Pulastya 6. Pulah 7.Kratu as Gotra. In my opinion probably these were great Indian ancient scholars who did research Work on Gotra. Unfortunately their research work is not available. Probably Five other Indian ancient scholars 1.Gautam 2.Kashyap 3.Bhrigu 4.Bhardwaj and 5.Vishwamitra and some other scholars had also contributed in this subject. Name given as Gotra do not reflect the quality and nature (GENETIC) of a Gotra. Principle of Gotra system is hidden in Nakshatra (Asterism) and some other concept of Vedic Astrology. This subject needs a genetic and astrological research to know the principles and fundamentals behind this concept. Medical and genetic science also agrees that CONSANGUINEOUS MARRIAGE may lead to hereditary diseases in progeny. Some people connect the word Gotra as a cow shed or cow protector which does not connect to lineage or ancestors in any way. I am trying to find and collect some more astrological information about Gotra and will add them in future. Narendra pratap narayan singh M.A. Astrology, Lucknow University Uttar Pradesh, India. Website, www.jyotishatnarendra.com According to Vedic Astrology Gotra is related to progeny. I am giving reference of Vedic astrological Books. A south Indian Vedic astrologer Kalidas written two books of Vedic astrology in Sanskrit ; 1. POORVKALAMRUT 2.UTTARKALAMRUT. In his book POORVKALAMRUT, shlok -93, he assigned GOTRA on the basis of Nakshatra of moon (Asterism of moon in which a person is born). This shlok named SEVEN GOTRA considering 28 Nakshatra (included Abhijeet as a Nakshatra) and divided them in four groups. The table is as; SL. GOTRA NAME OF NAKSHATRA (ASTERISM) 1. MARICHI- ASHWINI, PUSHYA, SWATI, ABHIJEET. 2. BASHIST - BHARANI, ASHLESHA, VISHAKHA, SHRAWAN. 3. ANGIRA- KRUTIKA, MAGHA, ANURADHA, DHANISHTHA. 4. ATRI - ROHINI, POORVAPHALGUNI, JEYSHTHA, SHATBHIKHA. 5. PULSTYA - MRUGSHIRA, UTTARAPHALGUNI, MOOL, POORVABHADRAPAD. 6. PULAH- ARDRA, HASTA POORVASHADHA, UTTARABHADRAPAD. 7 KRATU - PUNARVASU, CHITRA UTTRASHADHA, REVATI. According to the book ‘POORV KALAMRUT’, for example if a male and female born in ASHWINI, PUSHYA, SWATI, or ABHIJEET Nakshatra(Asterism),they will be of Marichi Gotra, and if They marry, it will BE A SAGOTRIYA MARRIAGE (Sagotriya Vivah)( CONSANGUINEOUS MARRIAGE). SUCH MARRIAGE SHOULD BE AVOIDED. Moon Nakshatra (Asterism) taken in consideration in assigning Gotra of child because in “Vedic Jyotish” it is mentioned that every planet contribute in formation of body of child in womb,and contribution of moon is most important. Asterism(Nakshatra) ASHWINI, PUSHYA ASHLESHA, VISHAKHA, ANURADHA SHATBHIKHA POORVABHADRAPAD. are Brahman,- BHARANI , PUNARVASU ,MAGHA, SWATI, JEYSHTHA , DHANISHTHA, UTTARABHADRAPAD are Kshatriya, - KRUTIKA, ARDRA ,CHITRA, POORVAPHALGUNI ,MOOL,SHRAWAN, REVATI are Vaishya, ROHINI, MRUGSHIRA, HASTA ,UTTARAPHALGUNI POORVASHADHA, UTTRASHADHA, are Shudra Nakshatra (Asterism). ( In my opinion these four are related to nature and quality of person,,not the present caste system in Hindu society. Wrong interpretation of these four have created numerous caste and Gotra in Hindu society) Astrologer Kalidas in his another book UTTARKALAMRUT, IN Chapter SECOND KAND, Karmkand khand,shlok -2 have mention that marriage in seven previous generations(paternal) including himself, and in previous five generations(maternal) including herself is prohibited. This book give a citation of Shlok of a Sanskrit book “Vishnupuran” in support of this view. Kalidas further in shlok 5 have mentioned that a child get bone, muscle and bone marrow from father ,and skin, flesh and blood from mother. These remain same up to 7 generations. According to shlok 8 of same chapter if the Sagotriya Vivah (CONSANGUINEOUS MARRIAGE) is carried out and if a child is born, child will become Shudra and he and his parents will face sin. The astrologer has used word SHUDRATVA (in Sanskrit) which literally means “become Shudra”. He has not defined the word “shudra” nor clarified it, but because he has mentioned in that shlok that child get bone, muscle and bone marrow from father, and skin, flesh and blood from mother,naturally an inference may be drawn that “shudratva” is related to mental and physical disease and problem in personality development. From above description it is clear that Gotra is originated from astrology and is related to progeny. This Gotra system was instituted for the purpose of identifying one’s ancestor and to prevent them marrying in seven previous generations. An ancient Indian scholar Panini has observed the Gotra as son’ son which also indicates that it is related to progeny. Thus Gotra is; 1. Related to Clan and Lineage in which marriage is prohibited in seven previous generations. 2. Related to Nakshatra (Asterism) in which if in horoscope of boy and girl, the Moon is in Nakshatra (Asterism) of same Gotra as given in shlok 93 of book Poorvakalamrut,they should not marry even if they are not of same lineage and clan. Astrologer Kalidas have given the name 1.Marichi 2.Bashisth 3.Angira 4.Atri 5.Pulastya 6. Pulah 7.Kratu as Gotra. In my opinion probably these were great Indian ancient scholars who did research Work on Gotra. Unfortunately their research work is not available. Probably Five other Indian ancient scholars 1.Gautam 2.Kashyap 3.Bhrigu 4.Bhardwaj and 5.Vishwamitra and some other had also contributed in this subject. Name given as Gotra do not reflect the quality and nature (GENETIC) of a Gotra. Principle of Gotra system is hidden in Nakshatra (Asterism) and some other concept of Vedic Astrology. This subject needs a genetic and astrological research to know the principle and fundamentals behind this concept. Medical and genetic science also agrees that CONSANGUINEOUS MARRIAGE may lead to hereditary diseases in progeny. Some people connect the word Gotra as a cow shed or cow protector which does not connect to lineage or ancestors in any way. I am trying to find and collect some more astrological information about Gotra and will add them in future. Narendra pratap narayan singh, M.A. Astrology, Lucknow University Uttar Pradesh, India. Website, www.jyotishatnarendra.com