A gotra is the lineage or "clan" (although read below) assigned to a Hindu at birth. In most cases, the system is patrilineal and the gotra assigned is that of the person's father. Other terms for it are vansh, vanshaj, bedagu, purvik, purvajan, pitru. An individual may decide to identify his lineage by a different gotra, or combination of gotras.
According to strict Hindu tradition, the term gotra is used only for the lineages of Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya varnas. Brahminical gotra relates directly to the original seven or eight rishis of the Vedas.
The word "Gotra" means "ray." In Brahmin tradition, it is the duty of the Brahmin to keep his particular ray alive by doing daily rituals so that he may transmit the power of that ray to others for the benefit of mankind. When the "ray" is extinguished, so is that particular beneficial magical stream dead to the human race and that power lost to mankind forever. Hence the importance of a Brahmin's daily sandhya (practice). A common mistake is to consider gotra to be synonymous with clan or Kula. A kula is basically a set of people following similar rituals, often worshipping the same God (the Kula-Devata - the God of the clan). Kula has nothing to do with lineage or caste. In fact, it is possible to change one's Kula, based on his faith or Ishta-deva.
It is common practice in Hindu marriage to inquire about the Kula-Gotra meaning Clan-Lineage of the bride and bridegroom before approving the marriage. In almost all Hindu families, marriages within the same gotra are prohibited since people with same gotra/gothra are considered to be siblings. But marriage within the kula is allowed and even preferred (e.g. Bardai Brahmins).
The following tables shows the Gotra and Nav Chinha for Bardai Brahmins
GOTRAS & NAV CHINHA
SURNAME
GAUTRAJ
SHAKHA
PRAVAR
VEDA
DEVI
MAHADEV
GANAPATI
BHAIRAV
KSHETRAPAL
1.
Thanki
Dave
Pandit
Krushnatri
Mandipadini
Krushnatri, Alpvan and Saraswat
Yajurveda
Samudri Ashapura
Kedareshwar
Mahakay
Batuk
Deva
2.i
Joshi
(Mevdariya, Odedariya,
Korkhadiya, Bokhiriya and Bhogayata)
Bhardwaj
Mandipadini
Bhardwaj, Agnirasa and Bruhspati
Yajurveda
Bandhukshni (Shikotri)
Nageshwar
Durdhay
Ishan
Rameshwara
2.ii
Kindarkhediya
Kaushik
Kothmi
Kaushik, Atri, Jamadagni
Saamveda
Jogeshwari
Kashyapeshwar
Mrutyu
Jateel
Lakshmneshwar
2.iii
Bapodra,
Chhelavada
Marichi
Kothmi
Kashyapa,
Avasta and Ashit
Saamveda
Jogeshwari
Kashyapeshwar
Mrutyu
Jateel
Lakshmneshwar
3.
Modha (Jani)
Kaudinya
Mandipadini
Kaudinya, Aashtik, Kaushik
Yajurveda
Mahamaya Balvi
NeelKantha
Vakratund
Batuk
Deva
4
Rajyaguru
Gautam
Mandipadini
Angir, Vashistha and Bruhaspati
Yajurveda
Mayamaya Annapurna
Trambkeshwar
Saadai
Grampalak
Damyita
5.
Santhra
Gautam
Mandipadini
Angir, Vashistha and Bruhaspati
Yajurveda
Mayamaya Annapurna
Trambkeshwar
Saadai
Grampalak
Damyita
6.
Aacharya
Parasar
Mandipadini
Parashar, Shakti and Vashistha
Yajurveda
Batyakshani
Pareshwar
Nank
Siddhidaata
Chitreshwar
7.
Purohit
Maudagal
Mandipadini
Maudagal, Angirasa. Bruhaspati, Gangarya, DhutKaushik, Atharva and Mandavya
