Atulya Gotra is unique concept considering the aspect of marriage within the individuals of the same kin or lineage mentioned both in Ayurveda and ancient cultural, religious, and philosophical texts. This is in line with the consanguinity that is still prevalent in many regions like the Middle East, Arabic countries, and a few parts of India as well. This article deals with the scientific aspects of gotra, specificity in clans (atulya gotra), and consanguinity mentioned across the literature.
Introduction
Man being a social animal , many social institutions like caste systems and other religious practices have been prevalent as a part of cultural practices. Caste is one such practice peculiar to Indian subcontinent and not only limited to the Hindu religion but also practiced by a large extent by Muslims, Christiana and Sikh traditions. Varna is termed as the word attributed to the four fold division of the society into Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Kshudra. In ancient Indian subcontinent, varna is considered to be major classification of the population, while Jati is termed as subclassification or many a times regional classification of the castes. The caste is determined by birth and many a times in ancient India the caste was also attributed with the occupation and other social norms commonly practiced by the members of the particular clan. The caste groups are considered to be endogamous and hence the marriages betweeb two distinct castes (inter caste marriages) were not favoured in ancient India.[1] This is the reason why the mention of Atulya gotra is commonly mentioned in many texts focusing on Dharmashashtra (social and religious texts), Nitishashtra (political science), Ayurveda etc.
Gotra is term focusing on the famiy organisation in Brahmanical systems. It is the evidence of patrilineal sibship where the descendants trace back to common ancestors. The Gotra were assigned after the Pravara or names of Rishi who were considered to be the first bearers of the systems. The Atulya Gotra is principle of exogamy where a man must marry outside his/her own heriditary group or clan most popular in brahmanical family. The main reason behind this may include many factors like promotion of genetic diversification , extension of cultural and familial traditions.[2]
| Section/Chapter/topic | Concepts/Atulya gotra |
|---|---|
| Authors |
Bhojani M. K. 1 Joglekar Aishwarya2 |
| Reviewers & Editors |
Basisht G.3 Deole Y.S.4 |
| Affiliations |
1 Department of Sharir Kriya, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India 2 Department of Samhita Siddhant, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India 3 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. 4 Department of Kayachikitsa, G. J. Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India |
| Correspondence emails |
meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in carakasamhita@gmail.com |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, and Symbiohealth Foundation, India |
| Date of publication: | April 10, 2024 |
| DOI | 10.47468/CSNE.2024.e01.s09.162 |