The word gotra literally means “that which protects cows”, and in general refers to a stable that protects a herd of cows from the weather and from wild animals. Likewise the family lineages of rishis and forefathers are also metaphorically called as “gotras”, as they are “protective stables” that guide and watch over humanity, which is likened to a herd of cows.
A gotra preserves the knowledge of one’s ancient forefathers and provides a personal link to various great sages and personalities. One should never forget the forefathers or be unthankful to them, nor neglect them in the normal course of life. Every human being is born with five inherent debts which they must repay throughout their life, two of which (debt to the forefathers and debt to the sages), are specifically related to one’s gotra.
Those who have lost knowledge of their link to the Vedic sages and personalities can resort to identifying with their original father, the Supreme Lord Achyuta, (Achyuta Gotra). Others who are fortunate to still possess the knowledge of their forefathers should worship, serve and respect their ancient forefathers through the authorized Vedic system of gotra. Your link to the Vedic sages is in fact your true wealth and should never be given up for frivolous reasons.
In the Srimad Bhagavatam we find the following statement regarding the origin of gotras:
yan-nāmāmaṅgala-ghnaṁ śrutam atha gaditaṁ yat-kṛto gotra-dharmaḥ
“Lord Krishna’s name destroys all inauspiciousness when heard or chanted. He alone has set forth the religious principles of the various disciplic successions of sages [gotra dharma].” (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.90.47)
The word “gotra” also means a hill, or a herd of cows. The Srimad Bhagavatam is making a poetic play of words here, describing the lila of Lord Krishna having lifted Govardhana hill to protect his devotees, and having established the worship of Govardhana hill along with the cows (gotra dharma), while simultaneously telling us that Lord Krishna is the origin of the religious principles of the sages and family lineages (gotra dharma).
One should neither give up gotra dharma (worship of the cows and Govardhana), nor should one give up gotra dharma (worship of the sages and forefathers), for both have been established personally by Lord Krishna. The worship of the cows, sages and forefathers are the fundamental foundations of sanatana dharma and the basis for progression in human life.
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My father told me that his father told him during his janew sanskar that he belongs to Shandilya gotra. So my gotra is Shandilya. Our janam bhumi is Trinidad. Here apart from a few bhrahmins, most hindus do not know their gotra. How does this affect their ability to fufill their duty to the ancestors?
Sri Persad, I am not an expert on anything. However, I feel that recalling at least three sets of forefathers and their wives on the father’s side (father& mother, father’s parents, and father’s grand parents and and three sets starting from mother’s mother (mother’s father, mother’s grand father and mother’s great grand father) and offering black sesame and water at least on new moon day (amavasya) will be a first step. As far as rishis are concerned, you have no problem as you belong to Shandlyla gotra. May be you can recite the names of Sapta rishis every day during morning and evening sandhya pooja. Sandhya pooja can be performed by all, not just brahmins alone.
Sometimes the gotras are changed from the original ones. Is there a reason and how can I find one?
For example my gotra is Ashri and I am told it is not Atri, but particularly Ashri. Now I don’t understand why. How can I find out?
Sri Presadji:
So heartening to note that you are preserving your obligations to Sanatana.
I visit the sometimes the website of one Sri Narasimha Rao (now in US).
Please see this page:
https://www.vedicastrologer.org/tarpana/index.htm
There are many things to explore and learn in this free site, for a Laukikas.
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT HAVE ANY CONTACT OR ASSOCIATION WITH SRI RAO (AN ENGINEER ASTROLOGER-SPIRITUAL TEACHER) OR HIS SITE, BEYOND HIS VIDEOS OF PREDICTIONS.
ALTHOUGH THE PERFECT/ STRICT PROCEDURE FOR TARPANA IS GIVEN AT THE LINK ABOVE; I FOLLOW THE ONE TAUGHT IN MY FAMILY. SAATRAS ALSO CLARIFY THAT WHEN IN DOUBT, FOLLOW WHAT HAS BEEN TAUGHT TO YOU AS PER FAMILY TRADITION.
True, but, does gotra pravara will have any value if we do not follow varnashrama dharma. Because each varna will different set of practices?.