In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Gotra (गोत्र).—A son of Vasiṣṭha. Vasiṣṭha had of his wife Ūrjjā seven sons named Rajas, Gotra, Ūrddhvabāhu, Savana, Anagha, Sutapas and Śukra. These holy men were saptarṣis in the third Manvantara. (Chapter 1, Viṣṇu Purāṇa).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Gotra (गोत्र).—A son of Ūrjā and Vasiṣṭha.^*

• * Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 10. 13.

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study

1) Gotra (गोत्र) refers to one of the seven sons of Vasiṣṭha and Ūrjā: one of the twenty-four daughters of Dakṣa and Prasūti, according to the Vaṃśa (‘genealogical description’) of the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, Ākūti was married to Ruci and Prasūti to Dakṣa. Dakṣa produced in Prasūti twenty-four daughters. [...] [Ūrjā was given to Vasiṣṭha.] From Vasiṣṭha and Ūrjā, seven sons—Raja, Gotra, Ūrdhvabāhu, Savana, Anagha, Sutapā and Śukla and a daughter Puṇḍarikā were born.

2) Gotra (गोत्र) is the name of one of the seven sages (saptarṣi) in the Uttama-Manvantara: one of the fourteen Manvantaras.—Accordingly, “In the Uttama Manvantara the Sudhāmās are the Gods having twelve groups like Pratardana, Śiva, Satya, Vaśavarti etc. Sudānti was the Indra. Raja, Gotra, Ardhabāhu, Savana, Anagha, Sutapā and Śukra are the Seven sages.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)

Source: Wikisource: A dictionary of Sanskrit grammar

Gotra (गोत्र).—lit. family. The word is used by Panini in the technical sense of a descendant except the son or a daughter; cf. अपत्यं पौत्रप्रभृति गोत्रम् (apatyaṃ pautraprabhṛti gotram) P. IV. 1.162. The word गोत्रापत्य (gotrāpatya) is also used in the same sense. The affix, which is found many times in the sense of gotra, barring the usual अण् (aṇ), is यञ् (yañ) ; cf. गर्गादिभ्यो यञ् (gargādibhyo yañ) P. IV. 1.105.

context information

Vyakarana (व्याकरण, vyākaraṇa) refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Gotra (गोत्र) refers to a “family” (i.e., line of descendants), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 5), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If there should be both lunar and solar eclipses in one month, princes will suffer both from dissensions among their own army and from wars. [...] If the eclipses should fall within lunar month of Māgha, persons noted for filial duty, the descendants of Vasiṣṭha [i.e., vasiṣṭha-gotra], men acting up to the Vedic principles, elephant and horses will suffer distress; the people of Vaṅga of Aṅga, and of Benares will be afflicted with miseries; and there will be rain suited to the wants of the ryots”.

Source: Wikibooks (hi): Sanskrit Technical Terms

Gotra (गोत्र).—Among Brāhmaṇas, a lineage tracing its descent to one of the legendary sages of Hinduism. Note: Gotra is a Sanskrit technical term used in ancient Indian sciences such as Astronomy, Mathematics and Geometry.

context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Ayurveda (science of life)

Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)

Source: Wisdom Library: Raj Nighantu

1) Gotrā (गोत्रा) refers to “earth” and is mentioned in a list of 53 synonyms for dharaṇi (“earth”), according to the second chapter (dharaṇyādi-varga) of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu (an Ayurvedic encyclopedia). The Dharaṇyādi-varga covers the lands, soil [viz., Gotrā], mountains, jungles and vegetation’s relations between trees and plants and substances, with their various kinds.

2) Gotrā (गोत्रा) is also synonymous with Mountain (śaila) as mentioned in a list of 24 such synonyms according to the second chapter (dharaṇyādi-varga) of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu (an Ayurvedic encyclopedia).

context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)

Gotra (गोत्र) refers to “seminal line from the prajāpatis and forefathers”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Gotra (गोत्र) refers to “one’s clan”, according to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “(The true teacher is dedicated to) truthfulness, ritual purity and cleanliness, compassion, and forbearance; he unites with his wife when it is her season, not out of passion, but for a son for the benefit of (his) clan and lineage [i.e., gotra-santati-hetu]. He practices the six magical rites, bathes (regularly) and worships at the three times of day. [...]”.

The term gotra, literally means ‘clan’. Although it is sometimes used in the same broad sense to mean the whole tradition, it more commonly denotes sublineages within the whole tradition (anvaya). Thus belonging to the anvaya implies belonging to a gotra also. One belongs to this gotra by virtue of initiation. In this context, to be ‘born in a gotra’ (gotraja) means to have received initiation, that is, the transmission of the Command. Just as one should pay homage to one’s ancestors, it is essential to know and worship the teachers of own’s gotra.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Gotra (गोत्र) refers to an “initiatory lineage”, according to the Mālinīvijayottaratantra, chapter 18 (“appropriate conduct of the accomplished Yogin”) verses 18.74-81 (as quoted in the Tantrāloka verse 4.213-221ab).—Accordingly, “[...] And as regards the performance or non-performance of vows, etc., and entrance into sacred places, etc. [i.e., kṣetras, pīṭhas, and upapīṭhas], the observance of rules of action, and (those rules associated with) initiatory name, initiatory lineage (gotra), or the like [i.e., according to the lodge and the like of the initiate], whether the form, sectarian marks, and so on be one’s own or another’s—nothing is prescribed here regarding these, nor, contrariwise, prohibited. [...]”.

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

In Hindu society, the term gotra means clan. It broadly refers to people who are descendants in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor or patriline. Gotra can be used as surname but it is different from surname and is strictly maintained because of its importance in marriages among Hindus and especially among high Hindu-castes.

Pāṇini 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 Kashyapa-gotra," he means that he traces his descent from the ancient sage Kashyapa by unbroken male descent.

According to the Brihadaranyaka Upanisad 2.2.6, Gautama and Bharadvāja, Viśvāmitra and Jamadagni, Vashishtha and Kaśhyapa, and Atri are seven sages (also known as Saptarishi); the progeny of these eight sages is declared to be gotras. This enumeration of eight primary gotras seems to have been known to Pāṇini. The offspring (apatya) of these eight are gotras and others than these are called gotrâvayava.

As a Rigvedic term, gotra simply means "cow shelter" and more generally "stable, enclosure". The narrowed meaning "family, lineage kin" (as it were "herd within an enclosure") is younger, first recorded around the mid 1st millennium BCE (e.g., Chandogya Upanishad). These "lineages" as they developed during that time meant patri-lineal descent among Brahmins (the Brahmin gotra system), warriors and administrators in Kshatriyas and ancestral tradesmen in Vaisyas.

There exists another theory about gotra: sons of rishi and disciples of the gurukul would have same gotra. It is believed that they possess similar thought and philosophy. People of same gotra can be found in different castes.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Gotra (गोत्र) or Gotrabhūmi refers to “ground of the spiritual lineage” and represents one of the ten grounds (bhūmi) shared by adepts of the three vehicles according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 52.—Gotra-bhūmi (rigs kyi sa, sing or tchong sing) is one of the ten grounds shared by adepts of the three Vehicles (sādhāraṇabhūmi). The śrāvaka [conquers the four nirvedhabhāgīya kuśalamūla, roots of good leading to penetration of the noble truths], from heat (uṣmagata) up to the supreme worldly dharmas (laukikāgradharma). The Bodhisattva, however, obtains the preparatory conviction (anulomikī kṣānti) [during the shared ground no. 6, Abhimukhī]; he is attached to the true nature of dharmas (dharmāṇāṃ dharmatā), no longer produces any wrong views (mithyādṛṣṭi) and obtains the water of the dhyāna-samāpattis.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 2: the Category of the living

Gotra (गोत्र, “status”) or Gotrakarma refers to one of the eight types of karma, according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 2.1.—What is the meaning of status-determining (gotra) karma? The karmas which determine the status of a living being compared to other living beings in the same realm.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 8: Bondage of karmas

Gotra (गोत्र) or Gotrakarma refers to “status-determining” and represents one of the eight types of Prakṛti-bandha (species bondage): one of the four kinds of bondage (bandha) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra chapter 8.—Accordingly, “what is meant by status determining karma (gotra)? The karmas which determine the high or low status family of the living beings in the same realm is called status determining karma... The karmas rise of which determine’s the birth in a particular family (heredity attribute) in the same realm is called status determining karma”.

There are two types of status determining karmas (gotra):

1. high status (ucca-gotra),
2. low status (nīca-gotra).

Who can have both high and low status? The human beings of the region of labour (Karmabhūmi) can have both high and low status.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

India history and geography

Source: Academia.edu: Eknāth Remembered and Reformed

Gotra (गोत्र) is traditionally understood to connote a brahman family’s affiliation to one or another particular ancient sage (ṛṣi). This is not translatable into a succinct English expression.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Gotra.—(CII 3; IA 19; CITD), a family or clan, a tribe or lineage; a caste. No Hindu can marry a girl of his own gotra or stock, though some forms of ancient Indian marriages did not involve the gotra-antara, i. e. the change of the wife's gotra to that of the husband at the time of marriage (Proc. IHC, Annamalainagar, 1945, pp. 48 ff.). Cf. Gautamī-putra, etc. (EI 33), abbreviation of gotra-śailikā, a memorial pillar raised for the dead members of one's family. Note: gotra is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

Source: academia.edu: Tessitori Collection I (history)

Gotra (गोत्र) (or Gota) refers to the “sub-clans” of the Kāyastha groups from Māthurā, according to the “Samoṣaṇa Kāitha Māthura-rāsa” (dealing with caste history), and is included in the collection of manuscripts at the ‘Vincenzo Joppi’ library, collected by Luigi Pio Tessitori during his visit to Rajasthan between 1914 and 1919.—An important part of the text is devoted to the exposition of the various gotas (Skt. gotra) of the Kāyasthas, of their clan-deities and of their places of origin (kuladevī, 217r and foll.), as recapitulated by the poet at the end. Samoṣaṇa, the protagonist of this historical poem, alias Samokhan (?), has not been traced by me in other sources. The story of his life takes place during the Māṇḍū Mālvā Sultanate of the Khaljī dynasty (1436-1531).

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

gōtra (गोत्र).—n (S) Family, race, lineage, kin. 2 m The founder of a race. gōtra utaraṇēṃ-jamaṇēṃ-yēṇēṃ To be suitable for the formation of affinity;--said of families or a family when intermarriage is contemplated. gōtra miḷaṇēṃ To confederate or combine. 2 To mingle or mix gen. gōtra lāgaṇēṃ in. con. To hold relation unto. gōtrīṃ lāgaṇēṃ To get into a family by adoption. 2 fig. To become addicted to. See nādīṃ lāgaṇēṃ. 3 To fall within the province or sphere of--a business. Some compounds are gōtravadha, gōtrahatyā, gōtra- sambandha, gōtravicāra, gōtraghaṭita.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

gotra (गोत्र).—n Family, race, lineage, kin. gōtra jamaṇēṃ To be suitable for the formation of affinity. To confederate or combine. gōtravadha Internecine slaughter. gōtrakuṭhāra A foe to one's own kinsmen. gōtrapurūṣa- -bandhu m A kinsman, cognate, kin.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Gotra (गोत्र).—[gāṃ bhūmiṃ trāyate trai-ka]

1) a cow-pen.

2) a stable in general.

3) a family, race, lineage; गोत्रेण माठरोऽस्मि (gotreṇa māṭharo'smi) Sk.; so कौशिकगोत्राः, वसिष्ठगोत्राः (kauśikagotrāḥ, vasiṣṭhagotrāḥ) &c.; Manusmṛti 3.19,9.141.

4) a name, appellation; जगाद गोत्र- स्खलिते च का न तम् (jagāda gotra- skhalite ca kā na tam) N.1.3; Ś.6.5; see °स्खलित (skhalita) below; मद्गोत्राङ्कं विरचितपदं गेयमुद्गातुकामा (madgotrāṅkaṃ viracitapadaṃ geyamudgātukāmā) Meghadūta 88.

5) a multitude.

6) increase.

7) a forest.

8) a field.

9) a road.

1) possessions, wealth.

11) an umbrella, a parasol.

12) knowledge of futurity.

13) a genus, class, species.

14) a caste, tribe, caste according to families.

-traḥ a mountain; 'गोत्रं नाम्नि कुलेऽप्यद्रौ (gotraṃ nāmni kule'pyadrau)' इति यादवः (iti yādavaḥ); Śiśupālavadha 9.8. Hence गोत्रोद्दलनः (gotroddalanaḥ) means Indra; cf. इन्द्रे तु गोत्रोद्दलनः कुलघ्ने गिरिदारणे (indre tu gotroddalanaḥ kulaghne giridāraṇe) Nm. (-trā) 1 a multitude of cows.

Derivable forms: gotram (गोत्रम्).

Gotra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms go and tra (त्र).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Gotra (गोत्र).—m. and nt. (in Sanskrit only nt., and not in these mgs.; Pali Dictt. also fail to record these mgs. except in [compound] gotrabhū, q.v.; but Pali gotta seems clearly used in meaning 1, below, in Vism. i.138.4—5, in definition of gotrabhū: tam parittagottābhibhavanato mahaggatagottabhāvanato ca gotrabhū ti pi vuccati; note how Pali here associates the Sktized gotra-bhū with the MIndic gotta! contrast Lévi's note on Asaṅga (Mahāyāna-sūtrālaṃkāra) iii.1), (1) lit. family, but in special technical sense of religious group or communion: pañca- gotrāḥ Mahāvyutpatti 1260, listed 1261—5 śrāvaka-yānābhisamaya- gotraḥ, pratyekabuddha-yānā°, tathāgata-yānā°, aniyata- gotraḥ, a-gotraḥ; same five, with -gotraṃ, nt., Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra 63.2—5 (pañcābhisamaya-gotrāṇi); for the fourth, aniya- taikatara-gotram, 63.4; in the sequel Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra explains at length the first three; aniyata-, le gotra qui n'est pas définitif, Lévi, Asaṅga (Mahāyāna-sūtrālaṃkāra) iii.1, note, is briefly treated in Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra 65.2 f., aniyata-gotrakaḥ punar…triṣv apy eteṣu deśya- māneṣu yatrānunīyate tatrānuyojyaḥ syāt; apparently this is the class of people who may be drawn to whichever of the three yānas happens to be presented. The a-gotra is not explained but evidently means people outside of any Buddhist communion; in this sense understand gotrāgotraṃ kathaṃ Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra 25.2, (religious) family and lack of it (dvandva [compound]). Only the first three gotras are listed Abhidharmakośa LaV-P. vi.175; similarly Bodhisattvabhūmi 223.5—6 contrasts śrāvaka-pratyekabuddha-gotrāṃ (acc. pl.) with tathāgata-gotrān. In Kāśyapa Parivarta 102.9; 103.1, 8 āryāṇāṃ gotraṃ is described as a state in which all normal conditions and activities are at an end, and in 104.1—2 (continuation of the same) it is said, anulomaṃ tad gotraṃ nirvāṇasya. The relation of this to the three or five gotras is not quite clear. In the question, kena pravartitā gotrāḥ suvarṇa- maṇimuktajāḥ Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra 26.3, gotra is probably used in this same sense, but the adj., sprung from gold, gems, and pearls, is obscure in application; one is tempted to see an allusion (metaphorically) to the next meaning, compare especially suvarṇa- gotra-vat Asaṅga (Mahāyāna-sūtrālaṃkāra) iii.9 and suratna-gotra-vat 10, with Lévi's note; but producing gold etc., which one would expect, seems philologically impossible; (2) mine, of gems or ores: Asaṅga (Mahāyāna-sūtrālaṃkāra) iii.9, 10, above; sarvaratnasaṃbhavotpatti- gotrākaramūlyajñāneṣu Gaṇḍavyūha 451.2; dhātu-gotrāṇi, mines of ores (metals), °ṇi yaṃ paktvā suvarṇa-rūpya-vaiḍūryāṇy (°vaid°) abhinivartante Divyāvadāna 111.20, and (°ūrya-sphaṭi- kāny°) 111.28—29, 112.12—13; catvāro dhātu-gotrāḥ pradarśitāḥ Mūla-Sarvāstivāda-Vinaya i.106.16; (3) like Sanskrit ākara, also origin: nikāyagati-gotrā ye Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra 292.16, paraphrasing nikāyagati saṃbhavāt (labhyante) 292.13; basis, source, cause, seea Bodhisattvabhūmi 2.25 punar etad gotram ādhāra ity ucyate, upastambho hetur niśraya upaniṣat pūrvaṃgamo nilaya ity ucyate… (3.1 gotraṃ dvividhaṃ, prakṛtisthaṃ samudānītaṃ ca, natural and acquired…); 3.6 f. tat punar gotraṃ bījam ity apy ucyate, dhātuḥ prakṛtir ity api (compare gotra = bīja, hetu, Abhidharmakośa LaV—P. vii.49); (4) probably as special development of prec., kind, class, category (like Sanskrit jāti, of similar origin and lit. meaning): nānāratna-gotra-puṣpaprati- maṇḍite Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra 1.7, adorned with flowers (made of) various kinds of jewels; so probably vijñapti-gotra-saṃchannam Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra 269.12, covered by (various) classes of relative (worldly, practical) knowledge (see vijñapti).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Gotra (गोत्र).—n.

(-traṃ) 1. Family, race, lineage, kin. 2. A name, an appellation. 3. A forest. 4. A field. 5. A Ch'hattra, an umbrella or parasol. 6. A road. 7. Knowledge of futurity, inspiration. 8. A genus, a class or species 9. A caste, a tribe or subdivision of it into families, as in that of the Brahman; twenty-four Gotras are reckoned, supposed to be sprung from and named after celebrated teachers, as Sandilya, Kasyapa, Gautama, Bharadwaja, &c. 10. Increase. 11. Wealth. f.

(-trā) 1. The earth. 2. A herd of kine. m.

(-traḥ) A mountain. E. gu to sound, and tra Unadi affix, or go the earth, &c. and tra what preserves, from trai with ka aff. gāṃ bhūmiṃ trāyate traiṅ pālane ka .

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Gotra (गोत्र).—[go-tra] (vb. trā), I. n. 1. A cow-house (ved.). 2. Family, race, [Pañcatantra] 130, 21; [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 9, 149. 3. The family name, Mahābhārata 13, 548. 4. Name, [Śākuntala, (ed. Böhtlingk.)] [distich] 132. Ii. m. A mountain, [Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, (ed. Burnouf.)] 2, 6, 9.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Gotra (गोत्र).—[neuter] cow-stall ([masculine]); race, family; family name, name i.[grammar]; a grandson & cert. further descendants, also a patron suffix ([grammar]).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

Gotra (गोत्र) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—a roll with notes on the Gotras. Report. Iii.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Gotra (गोत्र):—[=go-tra] [from go] a n. (√trai) protection or shelter for cows, cow-pen, cow-shed, stable for cattle, stable (in general), hurdle, enclosure, [Ṛg-veda] (once m., [viii, 50, 10])

2) [v.s. ...] ‘family enclosed by the hurdle’, family, race, lineage, kin, [Chāndogya-upaniṣad; Śāṅkhāyana-śrauta-sūtra; Kauśika-sūtra] etc. (a polysyllabic fem. in ī shortens this vowel before gotra in [compound] e.g. brāhmaṇigotrā, ‘a Brāhman woman only by descent or name’ [Kāśikā-vṛtti] [Pāṇini 6-3, 43 ff.])

3) [v.s. ...] the family name, [Āśvalāyana-gṛhya-sūtra; Mahābhārata xiii, 548; Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]

4) [v.s. ...] name (in general), [Śakuntalā vi, 5; Raghuvaṃśa] etc.

5) [v.s. ...] (in [grammar]) the grandson and his descendants if no older offspring of the same ancestor than this grandson lives (if the son lives the grandson is called yuvan), [Pāṇini 2-4, 63; iv, 1, 89 ff. and 162 ff.; 2, 111 and 3, 80 and 126]

6) [v.s. ...] an affix used for forming a [patronymic] [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

7) [v.s. ...] a tribe, subdivision (in the Brāhman caste 49 Gotras are reckoned and supposed to be sprung from and named after celebrated teachers, as Śāṇḍilya, Kaśyapa, Gautama, Bharad-vāja, etc.), [Horace H. Wilson]

8) [v.s. ...] a genus, class, species, [Horace H. Wilson]

9) [v.s. ...] a multitude, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

10) [v.s. ...] increase, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

11) [v.s. ...] possession, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

12) [v.s. ...] a forest, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

13) [v.s. ...] a field, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

14) [v.s. ...] an umbrella or parasol, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

15) [v.s. ...] knowledge of probabilities, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

16) [=go-tra] [from go] m. a mountain (a meaning probably derived [from] -bhid), [Bhāgavata-purāṇa ii, iii, vi]

17) [v.s. ...] a cloud (cf. -bhid), [Naighaṇṭuka, commented on by Yāska i, 10]

18) [v.s. ...] a road, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

19) Gotrā (गोत्रा):—[=go-trā] [from go-tra > go] f. a herd of kine, [Pāṇini 4-2, 51]

20) [v.s. ...] the earth, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] (cf. gotreśa)

21) Gotra (गोत्र):—[=go-tra] [from go-tama] b etc. See, [ib., [column]3.]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Gotra (गोत्र):—(traṃ) 1. n. Family, race; a name; a forest; a field; a parasol; a road; knowledge; a genus or class; increase. m. A mountain. f. (trā) The earth; kine.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Gotra (गोत्र) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Gutta, Gotta, Goya.

[Sanskrit to German]

Gotra in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Gotra (गोत्र):—(nm) lineage.

context information

...

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Gōtra (ಗೋತ್ರ):—

1) [noun] a number of cattle living or being driven together; a herd.

2) [noun] a building, shed for cattle; a cow-pen.

3) [noun] the earth.

--- OR ---

Gōtra (ಗೋತ್ರ):—

1) [noun] lineal descent from an ancestor; lineage; extraction.

2) [noun] that by which a person, thing, place etc. is known, called or spoken of; an appellation; a name.

3) [noun] a mountain.

4) [noun] a large and indefinite part of the surface of the earth; a district; a region.

5) [noun] a way made for travelling from one place to another; a path, road.

6) [noun] an area of land cleared and prepared for raising crops; a farm land.

7) [noun] the act, fact or state of knowing; acquaintance with facts; knowledge.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Tra, Go.

Starts with (+55): Gotra-antara, Gotra-shailika, Gotrabhaj, Gotrabhid, Gotrabhidhayam, Gotrabhittu, Gotrabhu, Gotrabhumi, Gotrabhunana, Gotradevata, Gotradhara, Gotradhavala, Gotradi, Gotragocara, Gotrahara, Gotraikya, Gotraja, Gotrajakalatra, Gotraka, Gotrakalaha.

Ends with (+32): Agotra, Amnayagotra, Anekagotra, Anyagotra, Asagotra, Atri-gotra, Bhargavagotra, Biragotra, Brahmanigotra, Buddhagotra, Dhumrasagotra, Dvigotra, Evamgotra, Gangotra, Ghatigotra, Kashyapagotra, Kaushikagotra, Kaushikasagotra, Kimgotra, Kulagotra.

Full-text (+803): Sagotra, Gotraja, Gotta, Gotrabhid, Gotresha, Gotrakarin, Gotrariktha, Gotranta, Gotram, Gotrabhumi, Gotrapravaradipa, Gotrapravaranirnaya, Gotrapravaramanjari, Gotravriksha, Gotravardhana, Gotrasthiti, Samanagotra, Gotrakshanti, Gotravrata, Gotravant.

Relevant text

Search found 144 books and stories containing Gotra, Go-tra, Go-trā, Gōtra, Gotrā; (plurals include: Gotras, tras, trās, Gōtras, Gotrās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)

Rig Veda 8.50.10 < [Sukta 50]

Rig Veda 2.17.1 < [Sukta 17]

Rig Veda 1.51.3 < [Sukta 51]

+ 12 more chapters / show preview

The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)

Chapter 39 - Different Families and Groups in Dharmāraṇya < [Section 2 - Dharmāraṇya-khaṇḍa]

Chapter 115 - Gotras of Sages < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]

Chapter 9 - Different Spiritual Lineages and Their Goddesses < [Section 2 - Dharmāraṇya-khaṇḍa]

+ 71 more chapters / show preview

Temples in and around Madurantakam (by B. Mekala)

Gotra (family name) < [Chapter 6 - Social and Economic Activities]

Social life and Communities of the Madurantaka region < [Chapter 6 - Social and Economic Activities]

Economic Activities < [Chapter 6 - Social and Economic Activities]

+ 1 more chapters / show preview

The Great Chariot (by Longchenpa)

Part 2d - How, by awakening the gotras, liberation is attained < [B. The extensive explanation of the nature of karma]

Part 2c - How the cause of liberation is produced < [B. The extensive explanation of the nature of karma]

Part 1b.1a - The support: The explanation of alaya and consciousness < [B. The extensive explanation of the nature of karma]

+ 9 more chapters / show preview

Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)

Verse 3.194 < [Section XI - Origin of the Pitṛs and the Mode of Worshipping them]

Verse 3.5 < [Section III - Marriageable Girls]

Verse 12.108 < [Section XII - Doubtful Points of Law to be decided by the Assembly]

+ 30 more chapters / show preview

Formal Education System in Ancient India (by Sushmita Nath)

Centres of learning in Vedic and Buddhist Period (Introduction) < [Chapter 3 - Centres of Learning in Vedic and Buddhist Period]

Preservation of Culture and Heritage < [Chapter 4 - Aims and objectives of Formal Education]

Eligibility of an Initiate (Upanayana—initiation ceremony) < [Chapter 2 - Rituals of the Education System]

+ 3 more chapters / show preview

 

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