Vanshavali-

  Gotra-

1. Definations of Gotra and Parivar :
   

   Suryavansh, Chandravansh, Sheshvansh alias Nagavansh and Brahmavansh alias Yaduvansh alias Harivansh are the four Kshatriya Sages and visionaries and composers of Vedaas, who are deemed to be the forefathers of the kshatryias and from their names the Gotra system was started. Gotrarishi means the founding father of a Kula.

   
   Pravarrishi can be said as the father of the Gotrarishis. Hence we can see that though there are many Gotrarishis, Pravarrishis are very less. Generally four-five Gotrarishis come under a Pravarrishi.Gandhata, Ambarish, Yuvanashwa are some of the names of the Pravarishis which are the names of famous Suryavanshi Kshatriya kings, similarly Sunahitra, Ajmil are famous Chandravanshi Kings. Bhrugu and Angaris, are from Gan pravar and are mostly Kshatriya kings.

2. Importance of Gotra Pravar :
   

   For the Vedic Hindu followers they need to know their Gotra and Pravar in various religious ceremonies like, wedding, post death ceremonies like Shradhha, Paksha, Uttarkriya. The reason is that when a person does a religious ceremony at that time he remembers this forefather and ancestors and it this Gotra and Pravar which tell the family tree. This is a 5000 year old tradition. This is well documented on various stone carvings and copper plates. The gotras of Brahmins and Marathas are many times similar, the reason being in ancient times Brahmins were as a result of knowledge and achievement of a person and not by birth. Mostly all Gotrarishi are Kshatriyas.

3. Kshatriya Gotras :
   

   The Brahmins have been telling that, the Kshatriyas, Vaishya and Sudras did not have independent gotra and pravars and hence they used to take on the gotra and pravars of their family preists, but unfortunately this is not true. In fact, research has shown that it is in fact the opposite. The brahmins have donned the gotras and pravars of the kshatriyas.
   Brahmins consider themselves the decendents of the seven main sages, Angiras, Bhrugu, Vishwamitra, Kashyap, Vasishtha, Atri and Agasti. Of these sages Vishwamitra was Kshatriya, Kaushik gotra is also of Kshatriyas. Certain text Vishwamitra has been refered as Kaushik. The Bhrugu gotra families consider good fortune to get a girl from this family. Jamdagni's mother Satyavati was Vishwamitras sister, and his wife Renuka was also a Kshatriya. Hence it can be seen that the Gotras of Kshatriyas have a very solid foundation.
   
   Suryavanshi are not forbidden to intermarry. Udaipurs Guhilod and Jaipurs Kachwahas though belong to Suryavanshi families are related my intermarriages. Lord Ram and Sita were also both from Suryavanshi families. Arjun and Draupadi were from Chandravanshi families.

4. Gotras of Glorious Ancient Rulers :
   

   The ancient rulers were so glorious that the heavenly bodies were named after them. The below given rulers with their gotras is as per recorded in the Purnas. "Skand Purna" written by Shri Vyas Rishi, in the volume named "Sahyadri khand" under the chapter "Shannabati":

   1. Surya, King of Kalinga whose gotra was Kashyap.
   2. Soma, King of area near Yamuna river whose gotra was Atreya.
   3. Mangal, King of Avanti whose gotra was Atri.
   4. Budha, King of Magadh whose gotra was Angiras.
   5. Guru, King of Sindhu whose gotra was Bhargav.
   6. Shukra, King of Bhojkot whose gotra was Kashyap.
   7. Shani, King of Saurashtra whose gotra was Kashyap.
   8. Rahu, King of Babar whose gotra was Maitrenis.
   9. Ketu, King of Kalinga whose gotra was Jaimini.

LADKSHATRIYA AND LAADVANJARI