Abhivadaye (Sanskrit: bhivdye) is a religious practice among Hindu men

to introduce themselves to others especially the elders. It is practiced even today

widely among the Brahmins.
The importance of giving respect to elders, in whole means it is an introduction of
self with lineage. It consists of a set of lines which is essentially used to introduce
one's

Pravara
Pravara means the most excellent (-Monier-Williams, cf. reference). Pravara is the
number of the most excellent rishis who belonged to that particular gotra to which
the wearer of sacred thread belongs. Gotra is the name of the founding father (and
in a few exceptional cases, founding mother). In vedic ritual, the importance of the
pravara appears to be in its use by the ritualist for extolling his ancestry and
proclaiming, "as a descendant of worthy ancestors, I am a fit and proper person to
do the act I am performing." Generally, there are either three or five pravaras. The
sacred thread yajnopavitaworn on upanayana has close and essential connection
with the concept of pravaras related to Brahmin gotra system. While tying the
knots of sacred thread, an oath is taken in the name of each one of these three or
five of the most excellent rishis belonging to one's gotra.

The full affiliation of a brhamana consists of (1)gotra, (2)sutra (of Kalpa),

(3)shakha, pravaras .
(Example :) A brahmana named 'Rama' introduces himself as follows : I am 'Rama',
of Shrivatsa gotra, of pastamba sutra, of Taittiriya shkha of Yajurveda, of five
pravaras named Bhrgava, Chyvana, pnavan, Aurva and Jmdagnya (This
example is based upon the example given by Pattbhirm Shastri in the
introduction to Vedrtha-Prijata, cf. ref.).
Gotra
The term gotra means clan. It broadly refers to people who are descendants in an
unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. Pinidefines gotra for
grammatical purposes as apatyam pautraprabhrti gotram (IV. 1. 162), which
means "the word gotra denotes the progeny (of a sage) beginning with the son's
son." When a person says "I am Kashyapa-gotra," he means that he traces his
descent from the ancient sage Kashyapa by unbroken male descent. According to
the Brihadaranyaka Upanisad 2.2.6, Gautama and Bharadvja, Vivmitra and
Jamadagni, Vasiha and Kayapa, and Atri are seven sages (also known as
Saptarishi); the progeny of these eight sages is declared to be gotras. This
enumeration of eight primary gotras seems to have been known to Pini. The
offspring (apatya) of these eight are gotras and others than these are
called gotrvayava
Sutrakaara or the author one has been following
A sutra (Sanskrit:
, Pli: sutta, Ardhamagadhi: sya)

is

an aphorism or

collection of aphorisms in the form of a manual or, more broadly, a text

in Hinduismor Buddhism.

Branch of Veda one is versed

One's own name

Video link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YkfomG4zfM

Gothra Pattika - Gothra Pravaram

List of Rishis, Their known Gotra lineage - The Gothra root is same
irrespective of Sect or Sub-sect in all Brahmins.

Following are the names of Rishis, to whom a specific Gothra person belong to.
While prostrating to elders, one has to give these details at the end, stating his
Rishis group, how many Rishis in his grouping, Soothra, and the Veda culture he
belongs to, (Rg, Yajur, Sama & Atharva Veda), then his Gothra and name in that
order. One need not pronounce this Abhivathanam to a Saint (Sanyasi), Kula
Acharya - (the one who affixes the Shanka Chakra (The Conch & Wheel) Emblem in
your arms and adopts you as His disciple/sishya) or any other women except one's
mother. However, for Bruhaspathi (Vadyar) and other elders, one has to pronounce
the entire abhivathanam, every time one meets them.
I list below the most used and prevailing Gothra names together Rishis' group that
a specific Gotra one belong to and the pravaram one has to say while doing
abhivathanam. If anyone finds a missing Gothra from the table given below, please
let me know with due pravarams so as to include the same in the table. The actual
benefits of prostrating (namaskaram & sashtanga namaskar, Dhandavath) is listed
by a researcher and the same is published in another page of this website.
Please add the respective Rishis name from the given table, and other details in the
blank spaces to complete the Abhivathana.
(1) Abivathaye,
(2) _______ _______ ______ (Names of respective Gothra Rishis, as applicable
as one, two, three, five or seven Rishis from the table given below)
(3) ____________ (Choose one as applicable Eka
Risheya, Dhwayarsheya, Thrayaa Risheya, Pancha Risheya, Saptha
Risheya),
(4) Pravaraanvitha:
(5) _______________ Soothra (Abasthampa Soothra/ Bhodhayana Soothraa),
(6) _______________ (Yaajusha/Samo/Rg) Gaathyaathi
(7) ________________ Gothrasya
(8) ______________________ (your name)
(9) sarmaNa: aham asbibho.

Brugu (Briku) - Twenty sub-lineage Rishis

#

Name of Gothra

Pravaram to be pronounced with Names

01

Jamadagni

Bhargava, Syavana, Aabnavaana - Thrayarisheya,

pravaranvitha:

02

Jaabaali

Bhargava, Vaithahavya, Raivasa - Thrayarisheya,

pravaranvitha:

03

Jaamadagnya

Bhargava, Aurva, jamadagnya - Thrayarisheya,

pravaranvitha:

04.

Jaimini

Bhargava, Vaithahavya, Raivasa - Thrayarisheya,

pravaranvitha:

05

Bhaulathsya

Bhargava, Aurva, jamadagnya - Thrayarisheya,

pravaranvitha:

06

Maandookeya

Bhargava, Aurva, jamadagnya - Thrayarisheya,

pravaranvitha:

07

Maunabhargava

Bhargava, Vaithahavya, Saavethasa Thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha:

08

Vathoola

Bhargava, Vaithahavya, Saavethasa Thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha:

09

Srivathsa

Bhargava, Syavana, Aapnavana, Aurva,

Jamadagya - Pancharisheya, pravaranvitha:

10

Garthsamatha

Bhargava, Garthsamatha - Dvayarisheya,

pravaranvitha:

11

Kanaka

12

Yagnjapathi

Bhargava, Garthsamatha - Dvayarisheya,

pravaranvitha:
Bhargava, Garthsamatha - Dvayarisheya,

pravaranvitha:
13

Avada

Bhargava, Aurva, Jamadagnya - Thrayarsheya,

pravaranvitha:

14

AartishENa

Bhargava, AarttisheNa, AnUpa - Thrayarsheya

pravaranvitha:

15

Aaswalaayana

Bhargava, Vaadhyaksha, Daivadaasa Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

16

Kasyapi

Bhargava, Vaidahvya, Saavethasa Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

17

Kaathyaayana

Bhargava, AartishENa, AnUpa - Thrayarsheya,

pravaranvitha:

18

Kaargya

Bhargava, Vaithahavya, Revasa - Thrayarsheya,

pravaranvitha:

19

Kruthsamatha

Bhargava, Saunahothra, Gaarthsamatha Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

20

Nairruthi

Bhargava, AartishENa, AnUpa - Thrayarsheya,

pravaranvitha:

Aangirasa (with 27 sub lineage Rishis)

01

Uthasatha (Uthathya)

Aangirasa, Audathya, Gauthama - Thrayarsheya,

pravaranvitha:

02

Kamyaangirasa

Aangirasa, Aamahaavya, Aurushaaya Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

03

GaargEya

Aangirasa, Gaargya, Chaithya - Thrayarsheya,

pravaranvitha:

04

GaargEya

Aangirasa, Bhaarhaspathya, Bharatheevaja,

Sainya, Gargya -

Pancharsheya pravaranvitha:

05

Gauthama

Aangirasa, Aayarsaya, Gauthama - Thrayarsheya,

pravaranvitha:

06

Paurukuthsa

Aangirasa, Paurukuthsa, Thraasathasya Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

07

PaatharaayaNa

Aangirasa, Paurukuthsa, Thraasathasya Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

08

Mauthgalya

Aangirasa, Ambarisha, Mauthgalya Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

09

Bharatwaja

Aangirasa, Bhaarhaspathya, Bharatwaja Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

10

Mauthgalya

Aangirasa, Bhargyasva, Mauthgalya Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

11

Ratheethara

Aangirasa, Vairoopa, Raatheethara Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

12

Vishnuvruththa

Aangirasa, Pauruguthsa, Thraasathasya Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

13

ShatamarshNa

Aangirasa, Thraasathasya, Pauruguthsa Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

14

Sankruthi

Saathya, Saankruthya, Gauriveetha Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

15

Sankruthi

Aangirasa, Saaskruthya, Gauriveetha Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

16

Haritha

Aangirasa, Ambarisha, Yauvanaachva Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

17

Aabasthamba

Aangirasa, Bharhaspathya, Bharatwaja Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

18

Aayaasya

Aangirassa, Aayaasya, Gauthama - Thrayarsheya,

pravaranvitha:

19

KaNva

Aangirasa, Ajameeta, KaaNva - Thrayarsheya,

pravaranvitha:

20

KaNva

Aangirasa, Aamaheeyava, Aurukshyasa Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

21

Kabila

Aangirasa, Aamaheeyava, Aurukshyasa Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

22

Garga

Aangirasa, Chainya, Gargaya (Garka) Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

23

Kuthsa

Aangirasa, Ambareesha, Yauvanaachva Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

24

Kuthsa

Aangirasa, Maandathra, Kauthsa - Thrayarsheya,

pravaranvitha:

25

Kaundinya

Aangirasa, Bharhaspathya, Bharatwaja Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

26

Paurukuthsa

Aangirasa, Paurukuthsa, Aasathasya Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

27

Lohitha

Aangirasa, Vaichvamitra, Lohitha - Thrayarsheya,

pravaranvitha:

Aathri ( 13 sub lineage Rishis)

01

Aathreya

Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, syaavaachva Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

02

Mauthgalya

Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, Baurvaathitha Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

03

Athri

Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, syaavaachva Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

04

Uthaalaka

Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, syaavaachva Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

05

Muthkala

Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, Baurvaathitha thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

06

Gauriveetha

Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, Baurvaathitha thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

07

Dattathreya

Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, syaavaachva Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

08

Dhananjaya

Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, Kaavishtira Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

09

Dhaksha ( Dakshi)

Aathreya, Kaavishtira, Bhaurvathitha Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

10

Bhaaleya

Aathreya, Vaamarathya, Bauthrika Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

11

Pathanjala

Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, syaavaachva Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

12

Bheejaavaaba

Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, Aadhitha Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

13

Aathreya, Aarsanaanasa, syaavaachva Thrayarsheya, pravaranvitha:

Vishwamitra ( 13 sub lineage Rishis)

Vaiswamithra, AagamarshaNa, Kausika Thrayarsheya

01

Kausika (Kusika)

02

Lohitha

03

Viswamithra

Vaiswamithra, Devaraatha, Authala Thrayarsheya

04

Saalaavatha

Vaiswamithra, Devaraatha, Authala Thrayarsheya

05

Kadhaka

06

AagamarshaNa

Vaiswamithra, AagamarshaNa, Kausika Thrayarsheya

07

Gatha

Vaiswamithra, Maaduchandasa, Aaja Thrayarsheya

08

Kaathyaayana

09

Kamakaayana

Vaiswamithra, Devaseevarasa, DaivaTharasa

(Rethasa) - Thrayarsheya

10

Kaalava

Vaiswamithra, Devaraatha, Audhala Thrayarsheya

11

Kausika

Vaiswamithra, Salangayana, Kausika Thrayarsheya

12

Jabhala (Jabali)

Vaiswamithra, Devaraatha, Audhala Thrayarsheya

13

Devaraatha

Vaiswamithra, Devaraatha, Aulitha Thrayarsheya

Vaiswamithra, Ashtaka, Lohitha - Thrayarsheya

Vaiswamithra, Kadhaka - Dhwayarsheya

Vaiswamithra, Kathya, Adgeetha - Thrayarsheya

Vashishta ( 13 sub lineage Rishis)

Vaasishta, MaithravaruNa, Kaundinya Thrayarsheya

01

Kaundinya

02

Parasara

03

Vaasishta

04

Vasishta

Vaasishta - Ekarsheya

05

Haritha

Vaasishta - Ekarsheya

06

Aachvalaayana

Vaasishta, Aindrapramatha, Aabarathvasasya Thrayarsheya

07

Upamanyu

Vaasishta, Aindrapramatha, Aabarathvasasya Thrayarsheya

08

KaaNva

Vaasishta, Aindrapramatha, Aabarathvasasya Thrayarsheya

09

JaadhookarNya

Vaasishta, Aindrapramatha, Aabarathvasasya Thrayarsheya

10

Bhodayana

Vaasishta, Aathreya, JaadhookarNya Thrayarsheya

11

MithraavaruNa

Vaasishta, MaithravaruNa, Kaundinya Thrayarsheya

12

Mauthgala

Vaasishta, MaithravaruNa, Kaundinya Thrayarsheya

13

Vaasida

Vaasishta, Aindrapramatha, Aaabarathvasasya Thrayarsheya

Vaasishta, saakthya, Paarasarya - Thrayarsheya

Vaasishta, MaithravaruNa, Kaundinya Thrayarsheya

Kachyapa/Kasyapa ( 13 sub lineage Rishis)

01

Naithruva Kasyapa

Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Naithruva - Thrayarsheya

02

Reba Kasyapa

Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Rebaa - Thrayarsheya

03

Saandilya

Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Saandilya - Thrayarsheya

04

Saandilya

Kasyapa, Daivala, Asitha - Thrayarsheya

05

Saandilya

06

Kaasyapa

07

Kachyapa

08

Bruku

Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Naithrava - Thrayarsheya

09

Maareesa

Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Naithrava - Thrayarsheya

10

Raibya (Reba)

Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Raibya - Thrayarsheya

11

Baukakshi

Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Aasitha - Thrayarsheya

12

Vaathsya

Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Raibya - Thrayarsheya

13

Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Naithruva, Reba, Raiba,

Sandila, Chandilya - Sapthaarsheya
Kaasyapa, Aasitha, Daivala - Thrayarsheya
Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Naithruva, Reba, Raiba,
Sandila, Chandilya - Sapthaarsheya

Kaasyapa, Aavathsaara, Aasitha - Thrayarsheya

Agasthya ( 7 sub lineage Rishis)

01

Agasthya

Agasthya - Ekarisheya, pravaranvitha:

02

Idhmavaaha

Agasthya - Ekarisheya, Pravaranvitha:

03

Aagasthi

Agasthya, Maahendra, Maayobhuva -

Thryarisheya, pravaranvitha
04

Agasthi

Agasthya, Dhradyavrutha, Aidhmavaaha Thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha:

05

Idhmavaaha

Agasthya, Vaathyasva, Aidhmavaaha thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha:

06

Pulaha

Agasthya, Maahendra, Maayobhuva Thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha:

07

Maayobhuva

Agasthya, Maahendra, Maayobhuva Thrayarisheya, pravaranvitha:

Note: In the above chart, some of the Gothra Rishis names are appearing
same as in other Gothra. It is advisable to check the pravaram Rishis
names from your family elders as the Gothra name with different Rishi's
names are mentioned in the same script. The difference is in the Rishis
sub-lineage names that should be checked with elders. For instance,
Saandilya Gothra has three different pravaram with the same Gothra Rishi
but the sub-lineage names of Rishis are different.

What is Gotra?
How did the people thousands of years ago realize that genetically there was
transference of some unique characteristics only from father to son (in the form of
Y-chromosomes) ? In recent past when it was fashionable to condemn all Indian
traditional systems as of no value, non-believers have referred to 'Gothra' as
archaic, unscientific, irrelevant and male chauvinistic! The Scientifically proven
factor DNA type test and assertions are more closer to the Gotra lineage
matters. And to the Vedic line state nothing less than what your researchers &
scientists speaking about!
Modern DNA & genetic research has confirmed male line Y-chromosomal
transference, through 8 generations in case of Thomas Jefferson. 'Gothra' in
essence really stands for Y-chromosomal identity.
In the very recent, US President (& Author of Declaration of Independence of United
States) Thomas Jefferson's paternity of his slave Sally Fleming's children has been

in news. For nearly 200 years, since US president Thomas Jefferson's time, many
traditionalists maintained that Jefferson did not cohabit with Sally. But some
descendants of Sally maintained otherwise and claimed to be progeny of the expresident. This old historical controversy has now been resolved using modern
genetic DNA analysis methods (Source - Founding father by Eric S Lander & Joseph
J Ellis and Foster et al, Nature [ Volume 396 - 5 November 19980] pages 14, 27 &
28).
The genetic DNA study of descendents of Jefferson family and Sally Fleming's
family, has confirmed with very high probability that, US President Thomas
Jefferson was indeed the father of at least one of the sons of Sally Fleming. How
was this genetic work done? Geneticists used a scientific fact, that most of the male
Y-chromosome is passed intact from father to son. Females do not carry the Ychromosome. With modern advances in genetics, this fact has been used to trace
paternal
lineage,
and
resolve
stories
like
Thomas
Jefferson's.
Thomas Jefferson did not have surviving sons from his legal wife. But his paternal
uncle's male lineage is intact to present time.. The genetic Y-chromosome of these
persons (eight generations down from Thomas Jefferson's paternal uncle) living at
present time was used as the reference. This was compared with intact male line
persons from (Five generations down from) Sally Fleming living presently. The
geneticists used polymorph markers so that Y-chromosome can be distinguished by
haplotypes. They found that Sally Fleming's son Eston's male line progeny had
same haplotypes as Field Jefferson who was paternal uncle of Thomas Jefferson.
Using other physical and living proximity factors, the geneticists have concluded
with high probability that Eston Fleming was the son of Thomas Jefferson and Sally
Fleming.
In the western countries, there are lots of research undertaken on the lineage and
genealogy. But in India, there is no basis for equating genetics and race, other than
specifying one's Gothram. And more interestingly, there is no female lineage taken
into account! That is, if you are provided the geno-graphic profile of a random
Indian, you would not be able to say to which caste or tribe that person belongs.
Conversely, if you know the race of a person, you would not be able to say what
genetic lineage that person will have. Race is a social phenomenon. Genetics is a
biological phenomenon.
The Indian patrilineal pool is very diverse and cuts across castes and tribes. The
Indian mitochondria DNA pool (female ancestry) falls into just four types, attesting
to how closely related all Indians are to each other. Researchers suggest, that there
is no link between language (Indo-European, Indo-Arabic and Dravidian) and
genetic lineage.

Most of the genetic differences between people are superficial. However, genographic profiles provide a way for us to understand our own origins and the
migratory path of our ancestors (they may also be useful for understanding
potential susceptibilities to certain diseases among people with different genetic
lineages).
This class of human male lineage research is now very active and is being
conducted in native populations of Wales, England, in Iceland and to establish
uniqueness, paternity, historical lineage, medical issues and intellectual issues of
heredity etc amongst various population groups. Does this not ring a bell amongst
traditional Hindus who believe in 'Gothra' identification carried down from
Sanathana-dharma orthodoxy?. 'Gothra' is an identity carried by male lineage in
India from time immemorial. Most people have Gothra chain names traceable to Rig
Vedic Rishis like 'Gowthama', 'Vasishta' 'Viswamithra' and to first sons of
Vaivaswatha Manu like Angirasa & Bhrigu. Purana such as Vishnu Purana refer to
individual identity through 'Gothra'. Listings of more than 250 Gothra chains have
been explicitly listed. I have heard of instances of even Muslims converted from
Hinduism still keeping track of their 'Gothra'.
In a classic example, I cite that Buddha, named Siddhartha was of 'Gowthama
Gothra'.. It means that his Y-chromosomes were probably from Rig-Vedic Rishi
'Gowthama Rahoogana'.
Nearly 2500 years have passed since death of Lord Buddha, but many 'Gowthama
Gothra' individuals exist even today. They can claim genetic relation to Buddha.
Typically 4 generations occur in 100 years and in 2500 years nearly 100
generations are complete. Other 'Gothra' chains may have run 100-200 generations
from Vedic period if male lineage did continue unbroken. Do Y-chromosomes
remain intact after, say 100 generations of unbroken male issues? Genetic
mutations may or may not have changed some Y-chromosomes. The Gotra lineage
is the one aspect that is very interesting field of research for future to see if
persons of same 'Gothra' in the present generations have common and unique Ychromosomal features. Only deep study with dedicated research could bring about
the truth, that Vedic Era findings are certainly more authentic and scientific one
that our forefathers relied aptly.
In conclusion, considering the above, no doubt, the Gotra lineage and DNA roots,
probably, are one and the same way to find out the Family tree from the roots!
Video link for various abhivathaye:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YkfomG4zfM

Abhivadaye in Android mobile

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.abhivadhaye&hl
=en

Kousikasa Gotra: People belonging to Kaushika (Kaushikasa/Kaushikasa/Ghrit)

Gotra take Rajarshi Kaushika as their progenitor. Kaushika was son of Vishvamitra.
11 out of 96 royal clans of Marathas belong to Kaushika gotra including the
illustrious house of Shivaji and Rashtrakutas. 2 more clans belong to the
Vishvamitra gotra. Kaushika gotra also belongs to Baish clan of Rajputs which
includes in the Suryavanshi Rajput, one of the oldest and biggest Kshatriya/Chattari
clan of Vedic India. Heena Kaushika is one of the most notable descendents of the
Kaushika's empire.
Kousikh/Kaushikasa is a gotra of Brahmins of Rajasthan and Haryana. Brahmins
consider themselves the descendants of the seven main sages, Angiras, Bhrugu,
Vishvamitra, Kashyap, Vasishtha, Atri and Agasti.
Its origin lies in the Rig-Veda; ancient Sanskrit language. Kaushik was the son of
Kushika an Indian legend.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaushik

Compiled by:
K.Raman.