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Brahmin, Brahmana, Caste, Tribe, Gotra, Rishi, Ritual, India, Hindu, Religion, Mana Sanskriti (Our Culture), Issue 69
Brahmin, Brahmana, Caste, Tribe, Gotra, Rishi, Ritual, India, Hindu, Religion, Mana Sanskriti (Our Culture), Issue 69
Brahmin, Brahmana, Caste, Tribe, Gotra, Rishi, Ritual, India, Hindu, Religion, Mana Sanskriti (Our Culture), Issue 69
Management BRAHMINS
AJIN
Brahmin Motto:
TSJ || Lokaha Samastaha Sukhino Bhavanthu ||
(May the whole world be happy)
MS || Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavanthu || (May all
people be happy)
Vegetarian || Sarva Jeeva Janthu Sukhino Bhavanthu ||
Links (May all beings be happy)
Disclaimer
"The wisdom of the ancients has been
Soliciataion taught by the philosophers of Greece, but
also by people called Jews in Syria, and by
Contact Brahmins in India."
-Megasthenes, Greek Ambassador to Gupta
VPC Empire of India (now Afghanistan, Pakistan
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Vedah
Introduction
Brahmin Population
Geographical Location
Meaning of “Brahmin”
Brahmin Sages and Branches
Major Brahmin Castes
Various Brahmin Communities
Brahmins of Andhra Pradesh
Notes and References
Introduction
In the ancient world and even in the modern society people usually form
cohesive groups based on their language, culture and geographical
location. These groups have a common ancestry and are led by chiefs of
the families around which they gathered. Such communities are called
tribes1. There are innumerable tribes in this world. The Indian continent is
not different from the rest of the world1b as far as tribes and the rivalries
between them are concerned.
It seems there are two kinds of tribes in the Indian continent, the tribes and
castes2. The tribes are still in the forests and hills and not really part of the
modern society. Castes have been living in the villages and cities since
ancient times and are civilized. In the Indian Continent, a caste means a
modern civilized tribe or clan or group of people that have marital
relationship among them. Some castes are further divided into subcastes.
Matrimonial relationship among subcastes is not acceptable due to
differences in religious and cultural practices. It is important to note that
the caste or tribe is blood-related and genetic, and hence hereditary. So,
one has to be born into a caste or tribe to belong to that tribe or caste.
Again, this is not unique to India. These ancient tribal traditions are slowly
disappearing in this modern age3. One among such communities in the
Indian continent is the Brahmin caste. For consistency in this article,
Brahmins are referred to as a caste.
Brahmin Population4
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During the Islamic conquests in India, it was a typical policy to single out
the Brahmins for slaughter, after the Hindu warriors had been bled to death
on the battlefield. Even the Portuguese in Malabar and Goa followed this
policy in the 16th century, as can be deduced from Hindu-Portuguese treaty
clauses prohibiting the Portuguese from killing Brahmins.
(http://sarvadharma.org/Museum/Articles/islamicgenocide.htm)
Geographical Location
Brahmins are Vedik people. The Vedas describe the landscape of northern
India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Over and over the Vedas mention a mighty
river called the Sarasvati where Brahmin communities flourished, where
the Indus Valley civilization flourished and dispersed when the Saraswati
river dried up around 1900 BCE. Long before, during the Ramayana
period Brahmins migrated to Dandakaranya (Dandaka Forest) in the south
with Viswamitra, the author of several hymns in Rigveda including Gayatri
mantra, and practiced Vedik religon performing yajnas under the protection
of Lord Rama and Lakshmana. Long before Rama went south, Agastya, a
prominent Brahmin sage and writer of several hymns of Rigveda, crossed
Vindhyas and established Vedik religion in south India. Sage Agastya
appeared to Rama when he was despondent at the impending war with
Ravana and instructed him in the use of Aditya Hridayam, a hymn praising
the Sun God. Brahmins have been migrating to various regions within the
Indian Continent since time immemorial and recently to other continents as
well.
Meaning of “Brahmin”
The word Brahmin means many things to many people resulting in
confusion. One of the reasons for this confusion is Sanskrit language5.
Many words in Sanskrit have many meanings6. Depending upon the
context one has to take the meaning of the word. The word Brahmana
(hereinafter "Brahmin") means the God, one who knows God, one who has
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The Vedas are the primary source of knowledge for all Brahmin traditions,
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both orthodox & heterodox. All religions of Brahmins and all traditions, in
one way or other, take inspiration from the Vedas. Traditional Brahmin
accepts Vedas as apaurusheyam (not man-made), but revealed truths and of
eternal validity or relevance and hence the Vedas are considered Srutis that
which have been heard and are the paramount source of Brahmin traditions
and is believed to be divine. These Srutis include not only the four Vedas
(the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda and the Atharvaveda), but also
their respective Brahmanas. Brahmins also give tremendous importance to
purity of body and mind and hence attach importance to ritual baths and
cleanliness.
In general, gotra denotes all persons who trace descent in an unbroken male
line from a common male ancestor. Panini defines 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 Kashypasa-gotra' he means that he traces his
descent from the ancient sage Kashyapa by unbroken male descent.
According to the Baudhâyanas'rauta-sûtra Vishvâmitra, Jamadagni,
Bharadvâja, Gautama, Atri, Vasishtha, Kashyapa and Agastya are 8 sages;
the progeny of these eight sages is declared to be gotras. This enumeration
of eight primary gotras seems to have been known to PâNini. The offspring
(apatya) of these eight are gotras and others than these are called '
gotrâvayava '.
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Due to the diversity in religious and cultural traditions and practices, and
the Vedic schools which they belong to, Brahmins are further divided into
various subcastes.
There are several Brahmin law givers such as Angirasa, Apasthambha, Atri,
Brihaspati, Boudhayana, Daksha, Gautama, Harita, Katyayana, Likhita,
Manu, Parasara, Samvarta, Sankha, Satatapa, Usanasa, Vasishta, Vishnu,
Vyasa, Yajnavalkya and Yama. These twenty-one rishis were the
propounders of Dharma Sastras. There is a lot of contradiction among
theseDarmasastas, even within one Smriti. These differences in the rules
and rituals resulted in the rigid stratification of subcastes among Brahmins.
None of these smritis is supreme and universally applicable throughout the
Indian Continent. The oldest among these Dharma Sutras are
Apasthambha, Baudhayana, Gautama and Vasishta Sutras.
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Sherring has also listed some chief gotras according to the Veda each one
observes. Thus the Bhargaus, Sankritas, Gargs (Chandras), Bhrigus and
Saunaks follow the Rig. The Kasyaps, Kaasyaps, Vatsas, Sandilas and
Dhananjays follow the Sama. The Bharadwajs, Bhaaradwajs, Angirahs,
Gautams and Upamanyus observe the Yajur; and the Kaushikas,
Gritakaushikas, Mudhgalas, Galawas and Vashishts follow the Atharva. All
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others follow the Yajur. The Brahmin subcastes are broadly categorized into
two great geographical divisions-the north and the south. The dividing line
is the Narmada River. The gaur (white) subcastes, according to Sherring,
inhabit the region north of the Narmada and the draviDa subcastes, the
south. The chief gaur subcastes are Kanakubja, Saraswat, Gaur, Maithila
and Utkala and the chief draviDa subcastes are Maharashtra, Tailanga,
Dravida, Karnata and Gurjar. Then there are supplementary subcastes like
Mathur (from Mathura), Magadh, Malwa, Kurmachali, Naipali (from
Nepal), Kashmiri, Sapt-Shati, Shenevi, Palashe, Sengardaro, Sankahar,
Thatiya, Ahwasi (Haiwasi), Byas, Bilwar, Lrikhishwar, Agachi, Bagaria
(Parchuniya), Unwariya, Golapurab, Lyariya, Nade, Myale, Dasadwipi,
Dehra-dun, the names largely indicating their habitat. Today, many
Brahmins don't know and don't care about these distinctions, which are
now of historical importance only. Intermarriages are becoming very
common among these groups, nowadays. As a matter of fact, Brahmins
have been marrying non-Brahmins also.
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Parasara, Yajnvalkya sutras and other laws were also important in the past,
e.g., in the courts of Srikrishnadevaraya.16d Pradhamasakha Niyogi
Brahmins (see below) follow Yajnavalkya sutras and Kanva sutras. The
smaarta Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh can be grouped into two major
divisions formed about a thousand to about 700 years ago (most probably
during Kakatiya rule), Niyogi and Vaidiki. However, in addition to
smaarta Brahmins, there are other Brahmin groups such as Sri Vaishnavas,
Madhavas and Aradhyas. I have grouped them in Vaidiki Brahmin group
below for convenience only. Today, many Brahmins don't know and don't
care about these distinctions. Intermarriages have been very common
among theses groups. As a matter of fact, Brahmins have been marrying
non-Brahmins also. The following is only of historical importance.
They were very rich and influential. Legendary Rayamantri belongs to this
group. Niyogi Brahmins include eminent personalities like Veeresalingam
Kandukuri, Radhakrishnan Sarvepalli, Venkatgiri Varahagiri, KL Rao,
Prakasam Tanguturi, Venkatanarasimharao Pamulaparti (PV), General K. V.
Krishnarao etc. PV was the only Brahmin Chief Minister (1971-72) of
Andhra Pradesh and also the only Telugu Brahmin Prime Minister (1991-
1996) from South India who ruled the modern Indian Union. Over the past
millennium the Niyogi Brahmins are divided further into various groups:
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b) Aruvela Niyogi: Aruvela Niyogi group is the largest Niyogi group.
They belong to Krishna Yajurveda School. According to some, the word
"Aruvela" is derived from 6000 (Aruvelu) villages in velanadu area of
Andhra Pradesh. Some believe that Arvelanadu is an alternate name for
Velandu and hence the Niyogi Brahmins of that region are Arvela Niyogis.
Aruvela Nioyogi Brahmins are political, worldly-wise, and business
minded. They were ministers in the courts of kings and feudatories, and
clerks and accountants (Karanalu). Pamulaparti family belongs to Aruvela
Niyogi Brahmins.
c) Nandavarika Niyogi
d) Karanakamma Niyogi
e) Velanati Niyogi
f) Telaganya Niyogi
g) Dravida Niyogi
h) Karanalu
i) Sristikaranalu or Sistukaranalu or Sistakaranalu: These are teachers,
officials, village accountants (karanam). They are mostly located in
Ganjam and Visakha districts. Famous poet Krishnamurthy Sistu belongs
to this group of Brahmins.
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dead bodies, cremating the dead, etc. Many of these rituals are very
important and limited to Brahmins, except a few ceremonies like marriage.
They also take up even begging as ascetics. This ascetic life of Brahmins
was the inspiration for the Buddhist ascetics.
The Brahmin has to wake up at four in the morning and bathe in cold
water, rain or shine, warm or cold. Then, without a break, he has to
perform one rite after another: sandhyavandana, Brahmayajna, aupasana,
puja, vaisvadeva and one of the 21 sacrifices. If you sit before sacrificial
fire for four days you will realise how difficult it is with all the heat and
smoke. How many are the vows and the fasts the Brahmin has to keep and
how many are the ritual baths....
If daytime is divided into eight parts, the Brahmin may have his food only
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in the fifth or sixth part after performing all his rites. Before that he has
neither any breakfast nor any snacks. And what does he eat? Not any rich
food, no sweets like almonds crushed in sweetened milk. "Sakam pacati" -
the Brahmin eats leafy vegetables growing on the banks of rivers, such
areas being no one's property. Why is he asked to live by the river side? It
is for his frequent baths and for the leafy vegetables growing free there and
for which he does not have to beg. He should not borrow money: that is the
meaning of the word "anrni", because if he developed the habit of
borrowing he would be tempted to lead a life of luxury. Poverty and non-
acquisitiveness (aparigraha) are his ideals. A Brahmin ought not to keep
even a blade of grass in excess of his needs. ...
The Brahmin must be conversant with the fourteen branches of the Vedic
lore. He must be proficient even in Gandharva-veda or music and must be
acquainted with agricultural science, construction of houses, etc. At the
same time he must give instructions in these subjects to pupils from the
appropriate castes. His own vocation is the study of the Vedas and he must
have no other source of income. ...
If the Brahmin is asked, "Do you know to wield a knife? " he must be able
to answer, "Yes, I know". If he is asked, "Do you know to draw and paint"
again he must (be able to) say, "Yes". But he cannot wield a knife or
become an artist to earn his livelihood. All he can do is to learn these arts
and teach others the same according to their caste. He is permitted to
receive a daksina to maintain himself and he must be contented with it
however small the sum may be. The Brahmin's specialty is his true vocation
is Vedic learning.
... The goal of Vedic works is the happiness of all mankind, indeed the
happiness of all the worlds ("Lokah samastah sukino bhavanthu"). The
sound of the Vedas creates universal well-being, so too Vedic sacrifices. …
Brahmins would be committing a sin if they gave up Vedic rituals and
earned money by doing other types of work.
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Pradesh: http://www.vepachedu.org/brahmana-tribe.html.
l) Vaishnava
m) Draavidulu
n) Madhvulu
o) Velanati Vaidikulu
p) Telaganyulu or Telaganadu Vaidikis
q) Venginati Vaidikulu
r) Kasalnati Vaidikulu
s) Muraknati Vaidikulu
u) Adisaivulu
v) Saivulu
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saw to it that there was no more exclusivism of caste groups inside the
community. All the same it appears they made sure that the brightest were
selected as iyengars, evangelizers of vaishnavism, without any regard to
their former caste or other origins. It is however true, after some centuries
this reformist movement became just another caste, not quite sure about its
place in the hierarchy.
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3) Daivajna Brahmins
4) Deshastha Brahmins
5) Dhima Brahmins
The Brahmins of Haryana14 are divided into four main groups: Gaurs,
Saraswats, Khandelwals and Dhima. The Khandelwals and Dhima came
into this region after Saraswats and Gaurs, most probably from neighboring
Rajasthan. The Brahmins themselves had a ranking system between them
with the Gaurs being on the top followed by the Saraswats, the
Khandelwals and the Dhima. The Gaurs used to consider themselves to be
superior to the other Brahmins and neither ate, drank nor intermarried with
them.
6) Gaur Brahmins
The Gaurs of Haryana claim that they come to Haryana originally from
Bengal. It is believed they came as Purohitas along with various immigrant
farming tribes. The Brahmins themselves had a ranking system between
them with the Gaurs being on the top followed by the Saraswats, the
Khandelwals and the Dhima. The Gaurs used to consider themselves to be
superior to the other Brahmins and neither ate, drank nor intermarried with
them.
8) The Havyakas18
It is believed that the Kadamba kingdom had many Kshatriyas and
Havyakas were brought in to perform the royal rituals and the related
functions of the empirical government. Thus the first few families were
settled in Banavasi, the beautiful capital of the Kadambas and the place so
adored by Pampa. Since the very purpose of bringing these Brahmin
families was to perform Havana (Havya) and Homa (Gavya), they were
aptly named as Havyaga or Haveega, which has transcended to the present
day "Havika" or "Havyaka." This functionality of naming even extended to
the specific role played by families in the whole gamut of rituals. Thus
originated the seven family names given by Raja Mayooravarma. The
Havyakas are the only Brahmins who derive their surnames from the job
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they perform rather than by their origin (e.g., Kota, Shivalli) or by the
preacher (e.g., Madhva) or by God worship (e.g., Shivite, Vaishnavite).
Thus came the names "Hegade (Hegde)" for the head of the village who
sponsors the ritualistic activities, "Dixit" for one who is the head of the
Yajna, "Bhat", who actually performs the rituals and so on.
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Main Refugee Camp Sites in Jammu: Muthi Camp, Transport Nagar,
Purkhoo Camp, Stadium Camp, Jhiri Camp, Nagrota Camp, Mishriwala
Camp, and Battalbalian Camp, Udhampur
Main Camp Sites in Delhi: Nandnagri, Sultanpuri, Kailash Colony,
Maviya Nagar, South Extension, Palika Dham, Lajpat Nagar, Aliganj, Bapu
Dham, Amar Colony, Mangol Puri, Patel Nagar, Sultanpuri, Moti Nagar and
Begampura.
(See also: http://www.kashmir-
information.com/Atrocities/index.html)
30) Tuluva Brahmins23: The ancient Tulu nadu extended from Gokarna in
the north, all along coastal Karnataka up to Kasargod in the south. This
included both coastal Uttara Kannada district as well as all of Dakshina
Kannada district. Over many centuries the principal language of Tulu nadu
was Tulu. Today Tulu is spoken only south of River Kalyanpur in Udupi
and Dakshina Kannada districts of Karnataka. This is the heartland of Tulu
nadu today. While Udupi is the religious center of Tulu nadu, Mangalore is
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31)Vaishnava Brahmins
(This page is under development and will be updated as and when more
information is available. If you have any suggestions or information please
email it to the editor)
1b Japan: Our Japanese friend tells that there are 4 castes (sections) in
Japanese society. It is called Shi - Nou - Kou - Chou system.
1. Byshi (Samurai) = Kings and Soldiers
2. Noumin = Farmers etc. (large section)
3. Kou = Artisans and Workers
4. Choumin = Merchants
A Japanese Male can never change his caste. But, a woman can climb up by
marrying a man of upper caste. But, she can be only a 2nd wife of upper
caste. May be her children are considered as upper caste, but some
difference in minds will be there.
Those who work in Temples are not included in any of these. They are
called Bouzu. The bouzus can not marry. They adopt people from other
castes (not Samurai in general) and train as Bouzus.
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Caste (Fr, Pg, Sp, race, breed, lineage, chaste, stock etc.) is a closed
group whose members preferred a particular occupation and a degree of
social participation. Marriage outside the caste is prohibited. A specialized
labor group may operate as a caste within a society otherwise free of such
distinctions (e.g., the ironsmiths in parts of Africa).
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There is no universal system of caste throughout India. The belief that the
Vedic varnashrama dharma was the “caste system in embryo,” is flawed. If
not, the tribes of Afghanistan should also be considered originated from this
class system, because Afghanistan was Hindu/Buddhist and didn't know
Islam until 700 AD. For that matter, the Hutus and Tutsis of Burundi
should also be a result of Vedic hypothetical class system. The caste system
is different from the ideal vedik varna class system. Varna is hypothetical
and is a class, whereas caste is real and plays a major role. Varna (the class)
allows movement of people from one class to the other, while tribe or caste
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"Giving a human form to the society, we may say priests and teachers are
its expressive face, rulers and warriors its protective arms, traders and
farmers its supporting thighs and servants and labourers its transporting
feet. To conceive of the world in the image of man, we may say the sun and
moo are its eyes and mind, water and fire its mouth, air its breath, sky its
head, earth its feet, and the ethereal space its body. This world is itself a
continuing sacrifice, in which we see all matter and energy evolving into
new forms by consuming whatever existed before." Purusha Sukta: (The
Hymn of God); Rigveda.
Anybody can become a Brahmin varna (intellectual group), but one has to
be born into Brahmin caste to be a Brahmin caste. If there is a confusion, it
is because the word Brahmin has several meanings including the ultimate
God, earthly God, intellectual, teacher, priest, Brahmin tribe/caste.
The castes in Andhra Pradesh can be divided into two distinct categories.
Brahmin, Komati, Reddy, Kamma, Velama, Kapu, Nayudu, Relli, Mala,
Madiga, Yeraka, Yanadi etc., castes are based on their tribal, cultural and
religious differences, while the castes like Chakali (washerman), Kummari
(potter), Kammari (smith), Kamsali (goldsmith), Mangali (barber) etc are
based on their duties in addition to the above differences. With a few
exceptions like the Brahmin caste, all these castes are uniquely localized in
Andhra Pradesh. Each caste has a deity and distinct social formalities. The
interaction between various castes is difficult because of these religious,
cultural and tribal considerations. (Visit for more on caste:
http://www.vepachedu.org/caste.htm).
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and consider their customs superior to any other customs and caste
practices.
In the past, however, through rigorous courses and tests some non-
Brahmins became Rishis, e.g., Kings like Viswamitra, Vishnuvardhana,
Radheerga, Veerahavya etc. became Rishis and established their own Vedik
schools and new Brahmin branches. (Reference: "Andhra Viprula
Gotramulu, Indla Perlu, Sakhalu," by Emmesroy Sastri, Gollapudi
Veeraswami Son, Sri Seetarama Book Depot, Rajamandri).
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Brahmins have embraced the local religions wherever they migrated and
yet maintained their identity and basic Vedic culture.
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government in the world would not impose such an absurd decision, except
in India and that too with regard to Brahmins only.
11Mayne’s Treatise on Hindu Law and Usage, 14th Edition, 14th edition,
pp. 1-45.
Pandurang Vaman Kane, History of Dharmasastra (ancient and
mediæval religious and civil law in India) -- 2d ed. -- Poona : Bhandarkar
Oriental Research Institute. -- (Government oriental series. Class B ; no.
6.). -- Vol II, Part I. -- 1974. -- S. 483 -486.
Yajnavalkya went to the Sun God and requested the Sun to teach him
Yajurveda. The Sun God agreed to teach and asked him to follow him in the
form a horse during his continuous travel across the skies and learn. Thus
Yajnavlakya became a Vajasaneya, one who learned as a horse and a branch
formed called Vajasaneya sakha. This Yajurveda learned by Yajnavlkya as a
horse from the Sun God is called SuklaYajurveda and the earlier one that
was learned from Vaismpayana was Krishna Yajurveda.
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and so on!
14http://www.haryana-online.com/People/brahmins.htm
15http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/people/brahmins/list.htm
16d History and Culture of Andhra Pradesh, Rao PR, pp.viii and 8-22
16f
The Pradhamasakha Niyogi Brahmins: Some family names that belong
to Pradhamasakha Niyogi are: Adaalatu, Adukuri, Ainaparti, Ainamprolu,
Akhandam, Alapattu, Aleti, Alladi, Ambadasu , Ambarukhana,
Anantavarapu, Andukuru, Anipeddi, Annavarpu, Anumarlapudi, Attota,
Ayinambrolu, Ayinpurapu, Challa, Chittem, Edlapalli, Eedupalli,
Errapatruni, , Gangaravula, Gampa, Gatraju, Gaddapalli, Ganapatiraju,
Gajulapalli, Gadicharla, Gorijavolu, Kanchikacharala,
Kanchugantala,Kathari, Kanakabhattula, Kavulu, Kavuluri, Kakarlapudi,
Kakarlamudi, Kamaraju, Karinapati, Kuppila, Khandaladinne, Regadamilli,
Srikaram, Sridhara, Sandepudi, Sampatam, Sambaraju, Sattenapalli,
Satram, Sannikandlapadu, Samudram, Saripalli, Savidi, Somaasi,
Sthaanam, Tammera, Udayagiri, Ullaganti, Uppala, Urakaranam, Uta,
Uttaralingamakuntla, Vaddiraju, Vadduri, Vadlamudi, Vaduri, Vahi,
Vallambhatla, Valluri, Vanam, Vangipurapu, Vankeswarapu, Varagani,
Varahagiri, Vareswaram, Varkhola, Vasa, Velagapudi, Vepachedu,
Vissamraju, Vonkamamidi etc. Most of these families belong to "Kanva"
or "Kanveeya" branch of Pradhamasakha. Many of these family names are
unique to Pradhamasakha, and you may not find the same names in any
other Brahmin caste, but some family names are found in various other
Brahmin groups as well. Also, some of these family names may be found
in non-Brahmin castes due to the fact that many of the family names are
derived from the village names and/or due to inter-caste-mixing.
17http://www.kokanastha.com/index.htm
18http://www.chembio.niu.edu/hosmane/roots.html
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19http://www.chennaionline.com/columns/DownMemoryLane/diary169.asp
20http://culture.konkani.com/Historical/15_Chitrapur_Saraswa.htm
21http://www.hindunet.org/srh_home/1996_9/msg00393.html
22http://www.rsbnet.com/new/history.html
23http://www.boloji.com/places/0019.htm
http://www.brahminworld.com/bw1.htm
http://www.gosai.com/dvaita/madhvacarya/Brahmana-Vaisnava.html
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Vepachedu Educational Foundation, Inc
Copyright Vepachedu Educational Foundation Inc., 2003. All rights reserved. All
information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for
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or starting a new fitness regimen. Please read disclaimer.
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