What are the gotras of brahmins?

Answer 1

The word "gotra" means "lineage" in the Sanskrit language. Among those of the Brahmin caste, gotras are reckoned patrilineally. Each gotra takes the name of a famous Rishi or sage who was the patrilineal forebearer of that clan.

At the beginning, these gentes identified themselves by the names of various sages (Angirasa, Atri, Gautam, Kashyapa, Bhrigu, Vasistha, Kutsa,and Bharadwaja; the first seven of these are often enumerated as Saptarishis , the seven primordial sages, created along with the universe by Lord Brahma, the creator God of hindus).

Sometimes the descent is clarified by giving the names of two sages. For example, Mitraswamin Kaushikasya (descendant of Mitraswamin in the line of Kaushika). Sometimes 'older' or 'latter' is added to the name of the sage if two have the same name. For example, my gotra is Bhoot Upamanyu (in the line of older Upamanyu).

To mention the Gotra is essential in rituals and in marriage. Same gotra marriage is not preferred. In some communities more than one gotra is to be avoided for marriage.

Apart from lineage, gotra, which literally means an enclosure where cows are tethered. So, same gotra will mean that the forebears of those people tethered their cows in the same enclosure. An adopted son or daughter will have the same gotra as the father.