Gothram

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavathas,

 

This is my aLiL kainkaryam to the subject of Gothram which

most of us remember, even if we forget our grand parents

names!

 

My dad authored a book in Kannada entitled

Sree saTamarSHaN samBhavara aajaanasiddha mahimae

(published by Sri Brahmatantra Parakala Mata, Bangalore in May 1976).

To this book , a brief introduction was provided by

Sri Ranga Priya Swami (Sri Varadadeshikacharya

or HSV, as we referred to him when he was our

Sanskrit teacher in National College, Bangalore).

Here is my earnest attempt at word to word translation

of HSV's introduction (munnuDi).

 

"naaTHopagnam pravrittam",

"pitaamahasyaapi pitaamahaaya.." ,. Sayings such as these

remind us of Srivaishnavas respect & debt to (naadhamini,

aaLavandar, periyathirumalai nambi..) aachaaryas born of the

shaTamarshana lineage.

Even beyond those, there are many others of this lineage

who have contibuted to preserving and propogating the

tradition and philosophy of Srivaishnavism. Thus, the current

undertaking of this book by Sri Krishna Tatachar indeed is as

appropriate as the saying " gurum prakaashayeth dHEmAn".

 

 

MahAtmAs filled with Jnanam, pratibha, pAndityam, sadAchAram

abound in all Gothrams. Because after all Isn't every gOthram

a branch or a sub branch of the tree parabrahma rishi kalpa vriksham as

elaborated in the sayings below?

"ya imAvishwA BhuvanAni juhvadRisHirhOtA"

"muniyE nAmmahanE"

We earnestly hope that the present rendring on the glory of

Sree sHaTamarsHaNa gOthram is a rendering to every other

gOthra Rishis as well.

(translation concludes)

 

It would appear form HSV's brief words that gOthram,

is as universal as the Sruitis, the Sun, the Stars, the Grahams

and the Moon- not just Hindu, Indian, Aryan or Dravidian.

Such is the immensity of the Sanatana Dharmam.

Of course, this would not take away our rights to limit the limitless.

 

In one Puja celebration, I noticed one priest using

Siva gothram or Hari gothram in connection with the

so called agothris (never knew their gothram) or

agnata gothris (forgot their gothram)!

 

About the Rishis associated with gothra rishis, the number

is generally 3 and at times 5. For shaTamarshana gOthram

the three Rishis are: angirasar, paurakutsa and trasadasyu.

Angiras is father of shaTamarshana - all the three Rishis are

found in the Vedas. The other 2 Pravara Rishis also may be part of

the Angirasar lineage.

 

Daasan,

 

K. Sreekrishna Tatachar