Ancestorage and the Niyogi Brahmins
27) Shivalli Brahmins
28) Smarta Brahmins
29) Sthanika Brahmins
30) Tuluva Brahmins: 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. Udupi is the religious center of Tulu nadu. Innumerable smaller towns and villages comprise of a green landscape within the mountainous range of the Western Ghats as well as along the coastal Karnataka with access to Arabian Sea. Here Tulu language, one of the five main Dravidian languages of the South, with its extinct script is spoken. For historical purposes the regions settled by Brahmins are three in number. Haige or Haive (Uttara Kannada), Taulava (Dakshina Kannada) and Kerala.
31) Vaishnava Brahmins
Niyogi
Niyogis are a sect of Brahmins and are predominantly Telugu speakers.
Theories of origin
The origin of Niyogi community is descending from their Bramhin ancestors originally from Northern as well as North Western geographical region of present day India. About six thousand (6000) exceptionally intelligent, extremely capable of administration, management with high degree of skills of warfare were chosen to help Kshatryias in desperate need in defending the country. Hence the origin of the word Aaruvela (Telugu: Aaruvelu = six thousand; Niyogi = a derivative of word ‘Niyogimpabadda’ in Telugu which means appointed). Niyogin in Sanskrit means “employed” or “appointed” and it is quite probable that “Niyogi”s were given this name because they accept secular employment. In the later centuries they migrated to various parts of the country in pursuit of better and Green pastures. They belong to the brahma-kshatriya group who took secular duties like the military and administration.
It is said in Shastras, that one should live near a river, away from relatives but close to place where medical help is available. Thus, they crossed Vindhyas. As they crossed over Vindhyas they came across perennial River Godavari few of them followed flow of River Godavari. A few crossed the river and went farther south and came across another perinial River – Krishna, they followed flow of River Krishna. Some went further down tracing origin of Krishna River and came across the main tributory “Tungabadra” and some other minor tributaries of river Krishna and settled down around hundreds of its tributories. Some who went tracing the tributeries of Tunga and Bhadra went further west and south west, to almost to west coast in Malenadu source of river Kavery. Some groups followed flow of River Kaveri and went to Tanjavur, Madurai etc in present day Tamil Nadu.
Brahmins are known by their paths of belief, like Smartas, Vaishnavas or Madhvas. Most of Bramhins in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu belong to the Smarta Brahmin group. (Though in later years population of Madhvas saw increase in Karnataka where saint ‘Madvacharya’ spread the message of dwaitha philosophy).
Smarthas follow Smritis and they are all followers of Adi Guru, Adi Sankara Acharya. The Smarta Brahmins follow Apastamba Smriti or Apastamba Sutra (not Manu Smriti). Apasthamba sutra dates back to pre (~600 BC) and these Bramhins were the ones who mastered the art of Administration, Medicine and teaching. They are the earliest Law makers of South India who lived on the banks of the Godavari River. Soon, their works and regulations like Boudhayana, Parasara, Yajnvalkya Sutras etc., came into practice and were passed as laws, especially in the courts of Sri Krishna Deva Raya.
The Smarta Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh can be grouped into two major divisions formed about a thousand to 700 years ago (most probably during Kakatiya rule), Niyogi and Vaidiki, besides the smaller group of Bhatt. This classification is based on their inherent ability and Masterity in Administration, Spiritual Practices and cooking respectively.
Traditionally believed to have descended from Lord Parasurama, Niyogi Brahmins are those Brahmins who are into various secular vocations including military activities and gave up religious vocation, especially the priesthood just like Bhumihar Brahmins in north India who largely gave up priesthood. There is a lot of brotherhood between Niyogi Brahmins and Bhumihar Brahmins. The Bhumihar Brahmins, of whom many, though not all, belong to the Saryupareen Brahmin division of Kanyakubja Brahmins. The Bhumihar Brahmins were established when Parashurama destroyed the Kshatriya race, and he set up in their place the descendants of Brahmins, who, after a time, having mostly abandoned their priestly functions (although some still perform), took to land-owning.
The Satavahana Vamsam (dynasty) that is said to have given the name “Andhra” to the present state was from Niyogi clan. Traditionally and even today Niyogi Brahmins depend on as well as emphasise and orient themselves towards modern education. As minor-kings, zamindaars (landlords), ministers in the courts of kings and as feudal Lords (Palegallu) earned a good name for their administrative abilities and progressive attitude (sarva dharma samanatha). Many of them were village heads like munsabs, talukdaars, and accountants, Karanams (Andhra) or Patwaris (Telangana) until recently
Etymology
Niyogin in Sanskrit also means “employed” or “appointed” and it is probable that Niyogis were given this name because they accept secular employment.
Niyogin in Sanskrit also means “employed” or “appointed” and it is probable that Niyogis were given this name because they accept secular employment.
Subdivisions
Over the past millennium the Niyogis have been further divided further into various groups:
Over the past millennium the Niyogis have been further divided further into various groups:
1. Pradhamasakha/Kanveyulu/Yagnavalkyulu (The First Branch)
2. Aruvela (6000) Niyogi
3. Nandavarikulu
4. Golkonda Vyaparulu
5. Karanakamma Vyaparulu
6. Sristikaranalu/Sistukaranalu/Sistakaranalu/Karanalu or Karanam
7. Pakanati
8. Pranganati
2. Aruvela (6000) Niyogi
3. Nandavarikulu
4. Golkonda Vyaparulu
5. Karanakamma Vyaparulu
6. Sristikaranalu/Sistukaranalu/Sistakaranalu/Karanalu or Karanam
7. Pakanati
8. Pranganati
The Pradhamasakha group which belongs to the Shukla Yajurveda School. In Maharashtra too, there is a group of Brahmins called Pradhamasakha. There are Marathas (warrior / land owner community) also known as Pradhamasakhi. Pradhamasakha Brahmins are also called a Yagnavalkyulu and Kanveyulu.
The Aruvela Niyogis are the largest Niyogi group.
Different explanations exist for the coining of the phrase “Aruvela Niyogilu” or 6000 Niyogis.
They, as well as the majority of Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh, belong to the Krishna Yajurveda School. Some part of Krishna Dist, Guntur Dist and the surrounding areas was called as “AAru vela naadu”. As these people belong to that area, they were called so.
Most of the practicing Brahmins adhere to the principles such as acceptance of the Vedas with reverence; recognition of the fact that the means or ways to salvation and realization of the truth are diverse; God is one, but has innumerable names and forms to chant and worship due to our varied perceptions, cultures and languages; that a Brahmin works for the welfare of the entire society and so on. Daily practices of Brahmins include sandhyavandana (prayers to Gayatri and Sun God), prayer to ishtadaiva or ilavelpu (personal God), yoga, non-violence, vegetarianism etc. Everything in the daily life of a Brahmin is a ritual. However, special rituals include marriage, ritual conception and consummation of the wedding, rituals of childbirth, naming ceremony, first feeding ceremony, the child’s first tonsure, upanayana (the sacred-thread ceremony – initiation into Vedic learning and ritual), ritual baths, cremation rituals, shraaddha, etc. All of these rituals are very important for a practicing Brahmin.
The Vedas are the primary source of knowledge for all Brahmin traditions, 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.
Brahmin Sages and Branches (Gotras and Subcastes):
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’.
The gotras are arranged in groups, e.g. there are according to the Âsvalâyana-srautasûtra four subdivisions of the Vasishtha gana, viz. Upamanyu, Parâshara, Kundina and Vasishtha (other than the first three).
Each of these four again has numerous sub-sections, each being called gotra. So the arrangement is first into ganas, then into pakshas, then into individual gotras.
The first has survived in the Bhrigu and Ângirasa gana.
The principal eight gotras were divided into pakshas.
The pravara of Upamanyu is Vasishtha, Bharadvasu and Indrapramada.
The pravara of the Parâshara gotra is Vasishtha, Shâktya and Pârâsharya.
The pravara of the Kundina gotra is Vasishtha, Maitrâvaruna, Kaundinya and the pravara of Vasishthas other than these three is simply Vasishtha.
It is therefore that some define pravara as the group of sages that distinguishes the founder (lit. the starter) of one gotra from another.
There are two kinds of pravaras:
1) Sishya-prasishya-rishi-parampara
2) Putrparampara
1) Sishya-prasishya-rishi-parampara
2) Putrparampara
Gotrapravaras can be ekarsheya, dwarsheya, triarsheya, pancharsheya, saptarsheya, and up to 19 rishis.
Kashyapasa gotra has at least two distinct pravaras in Andhra Pradesh: one with three sages (triarsheya pravara) and the other with seven sages (saptarsheya pravara).
This pravara may be either sishya-prasishya-rishi-parampara or putraparampara.
When it is sishya-prasishya-rishi-parampara marriage is not acceptable if half or more than half of the rishis are same in both bride and bridegroom gotras. If it is putraparampara, marriage is totally unacceptable even if one rishi matches.
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 sub-castes.
The Beginning of Divisions among Brahmins:
Sutra Period: During the sutra period roughly between 1000 BC to 200 BC, Brahmins became divided into various Sakhas or branches, based on the adoption of different Vedas and different readings and interpretations of Vedas. Sects or schools for different denominations of the same Veda were formed, under the leadership of distinguished teachers among Brahmins.
The teachings of these distinguished rishis are called sutras. Every Veda has its own sutras. The sutras that deal with social, moral and legal precepts are called dharma sutras, whereas those sutras that deal with ceremonials are called Srauta sutras and domestic rituals are called gruhya sutras. Sutras are generally written in prose or in mixed prose and verse.
These sutras are based on divine Vedas and are manmade and hence are called Smritis, meaning “recollected or remembered.”
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 these Darmasastas, 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.
Apasthambha: Apasthambha, a native of Andhra, belonged to Krishnayajurveda School. He belonged to fifth century BC. Apasthambha’s teachings are called Apasthambhasutra or Apasthambhasmriti.
Baudhayana: Baudhayana also belonged to Krishnayajurveda School and was an inhabitant of Andhra. Baudhayana’s teachings are called Baudhayanasutra or Baudhayanasmriti.
Brihaspati: Brihaspati was probably the first jurist to make a clear distinction between civil and criminal justice. Yajnavalkya referred to Brihaspati. However, Brihaspati is considered to belong to 200-400 AD. Brihaspatismriti has a lot of similarities with Dhammathats of Myanmar (Burma).
Gautama: Gautama was the most ancient sage of all Brahmin lawgivers. He was quoted by Baudhayana and belonged to Samaveda School. Gautama’s teachings are called Gautamasutra or Gautamasmriti.
Harita: Baudhayana and Vasishta in their Dharmasutras quote Harita. Haritasmriti or Haritasutra is an extensive work.
Katyayana: Yajnavalkya mentions Katyayana. Katyayanasmriti is quoted in several works of Viswarupa, Mitramisra etc. Smriti Chandrika cites 600 verses of Katyayanasutras. He may belong to the same period as Narada and Brihaspati.
Manu: Manu is a mythical personality and is the ancestor of the entire humankind. Manu received the code from Brahma, and communicated it to ten sages and requested Bhrigu rishi to repeat it to the other nine. This code of conduct recited by Bhrigu is called Manusmriti. For convenience, the British took Manusmriti as the paramount law of the Indian Continent. Manudharma is not only revered by Brahmins and Hindus, but also by Buddhists in Java, Siam and Myanamar. Manusmriti was composed around 200 BC, around which time a revival of Brahminism took place under the rule Sungas in the North India.
Narada: Sage Narada was probably a native of Nepal around first century AD. Naradasmriti is the first legal code unhampered by the mass of religious and moral teachings. Some authors think that Narada belonged to Gupta period when there was a distinct revival of Brahminism and Sanskrit literature.
Vasishta: Vasishta belonged to 3rd century BC and a native of North India. Vasishta’s teachings are called Vasishtasutra or Vasishtasmriti.
Vishnu: Vishnu belonged to 1st or 2nd century AD. Vishnu’s teachings are called Vishnusutra or Vishnusmriti.
Yajnavalkya: Yajnavalkya belonged to Suklayajurveda School. He was a native of Mithila City in North Bihar and probably lived anywhere from few centuries before Christ to 200 AD. However, some scholars think he belonged to first or second century AD. Yajnavalkya Dharmasmriti has been subject of numerous commentaries. The most celebrated of all the commentaries of Yajnavlkyasmriti is Mitakshara and is practically the beginning of the Brahmin law and the so-called Hindu law. Passages from Mitakshara have been found practically in every part of the Indian Continent and became an authority. The Yajnavlkyasmriti is concise, more systematic and better arranged than the Manusmriti. From early times, commentators like Viswarupa, Vijnaneswara, Apararka, Sulapani, Mitramisra etc., from every part of India selected the Yajnavalkyasmriti as the basis of their commentaries. Passages from Yajnavalkyasmiriti appeared in Panchatantra.
Other important Brahmins who gave smritis/sutras/laws are: Angirasa, Atri, Daksha, Devala, Laugakshi, Prajapati, Pitamaha, Pulatsya, Yama, Vyasa, Samvarta and Satatapa. Prominent smriti writers of later age include, Devanabhatta or Devanandabhatta of Madras province, who belonged to ~1200 AD and wrote Smritichandrika, and Madhavacharya or Vidyaranya, who was the Prime Minister of Vijayanagara dynasty and pontiff for some time of the celebrated mutth at Sringeri in Mysore province. He wrote Parasaramadhaviya, which is a commentary on Parasarasmriti.
Other important Brahmins who gave smritis/sutras/laws are: Angirasa, Atri, Daksha, Devala, Laugakshi, Prajapati, Pitamaha, Pulatsya, Yama, Vyasa, Samvarta and Satatapa. Prominent smriti writers of later age include, Devanabhatta or Devanandabhatta of Madras province, who belonged to ~1200 AD and wrote Smritichandrika, and Madhavacharya or Vidyaranya, who was the Prime Minister of Vijayanagara dynasty and pontiff for some time of the celebrated mutth at Sringeri in Mysore province. He wrote Parasaramadhaviya, which is a commentary on Parasarasmriti.
Major Brahmin Castes:
Major Brahmin castes in the Indian Continent include Niyogi Brahmins, Chitpavana Brahmins, Daivajna Brahmins, Deshastha Brahmins, Dhima Brahmins, Gouda Saraswat Brahmins, Havyaka Brahmins, Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins, Iyers, Kandavara Brahmins, Karade Brahmins, Karhada Brahmins, Kayastha Brahmins, Khandelwal Brahmins, Kota Brahmins, Konkanastha Brahmins, Koteshwara Brahmins, Nagar Brahmins, Namboothiri Brahmins, Padia Brahmins, Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins, Saklapuri Brahmins, Sanketi Brahmins, Saraswat Brahmins, Shivalli Brahmins, Smarta Brahmins, Sthanika Brahmins, Thenkalai Iyengars, Tuluva Brahmins, Vadagalai Iyengars, Vaidiki Brahmins and Vaishnava Brahmins.
In addition to the above major castes of Brahmins, there are several Brahmin subcastes. The Brahmin subcastes are grouped under various gotras that are patrilineal groups.
According to some Shashtras and popular belief as mentioned in “Hindu Castes and Sects” (by Jogendranath Battacharya), the Brahmins in the Indian Continent are divided into two major groups: Panch Gaur and Panch Dravida.
Panch Gaur (the five classes of Northern India) group constitutes: 1) Saraswata, 2) Kanyakubja, 3) Gaudra, 4) Utkala, and 5) Maithila. In addition, for the purpose of giving an account of Northern Brahmins each of the provinces must be considered separately, such as, North Western Provinces, Gandhar, Punjab, Kashmir, Sindh, Rajputana, Kurukshetra, Oudh, Cetral India, Trihoot, South Bihar, Orissa, Bengal, Assam etc.
Panch Dravida (the five classes of Southern India) group constitutes: 1) Andhra, 2) Dravida (Tamil and Kerala), 3) Karnataka, 4) Maharashtra, 5) Gujarat.
Various Brahmin Communities (Note: The following list does not represent all the Brahmin castes of the Indian Continent)
1. Andhra Brahmins
Niyogi Brahmins
Vaidiki Brahmins
2. Chitpavana Brahmins
3. Daivajna Brahmins
4. Deshastha Brahmins
5. Dhima Brahmins
6. Gaur Brahmins
7. Gouda SaraswatBrahmins
8. Havyaka Brahmins
9. Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins
10. Iyers
11. Kandavara Brahmins
12. Karade Brahmins
13. Karhada Brahmins
14. Kashmiri Saraswat Brahmins
15. Kayastha Brahmins
16. Khandelwal Brahmins
17. Konkanastha Brahmins
18. Kota Brahmins
19. Koteshwara Brahmins
20. Nagar Brahmins
21. Namboothiri Brahmins
22. Padia Brahmins
23. Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins
24. Saklapuri Brahmins
25. Sanketi Brahmins
26. Saraswat Brahmins
a) The Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins
b) Kashmiri Saraswat Brahmins or Kashmiri Pandits
c) Rajapur / Balawalikar Saraswat Brahmins
d) Haryana Saraswat Brahmins
27. Shivalli Brahmins
28. Smarta Brahmins
29. Sthanika Brahmins
30. Tuluva Brahmins
31. Vaishnava Brahmins
Niyogi Brahmins
Vaidiki Brahmins
2. Chitpavana Brahmins
3. Daivajna Brahmins
4. Deshastha Brahmins
5. Dhima Brahmins
6. Gaur Brahmins
7. Gouda SaraswatBrahmins
8. Havyaka Brahmins
9. Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins
10. Iyers
11. Kandavara Brahmins
12. Karade Brahmins
13. Karhada Brahmins
14. Kashmiri Saraswat Brahmins
15. Kayastha Brahmins
16. Khandelwal Brahmins
17. Konkanastha Brahmins
18. Kota Brahmins
19. Koteshwara Brahmins
20. Nagar Brahmins
21. Namboothiri Brahmins
22. Padia Brahmins
23. Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins
24. Saklapuri Brahmins
25. Sanketi Brahmins
26. Saraswat Brahmins
a) The Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins
b) Kashmiri Saraswat Brahmins or Kashmiri Pandits
c) Rajapur / Balawalikar Saraswat Brahmins
d) Haryana Saraswat Brahmins
27. Shivalli Brahmins
28. Smarta Brahmins
29. Sthanika Brahmins
30. Tuluva Brahmins
31. Vaishnava Brahmins
Brahmins of Andhra Pradesh
Brahmins have been migrating from time immemorial. The Brahmin families that migrated made an impact peacefully by example rather than converting people by any means.
The Brahmin migration to the South features in the legends of sage Agastya. The Vindhya mountain range in central India continued to grow higher showing its might and obstructed cloud movement causing draught. Sage Agastya decided to solve the problem and traveled south. The Vindhya mountain bowed to Agastya and the sage requested Vindhya to stay prostrated until he returns. Vindhya complied with this request and sage Agastya never returned to north.
The earliest Brahmins to arrive in Andhra were most probably sage Viswamitra’s students and progeny around 1200 BC. South Indian kings showed respect and patronage for Brahmins and Brahminism since ancient times, e.g., Satavahana dynasty that ruled for five centuries and extended over Andhra and central India, founded by Srimukha (221-198 BC), supported Brahminism and Vedic tradition. One of the most important features of Satavahana dynasty was granting land to Brahmins. Sangam era of Chera, Chola and Pandya kings in Deep South also used to grant lands to Brahmins. Similarly there have been Brahmin migrations back and forth that continue even today. Due to these waves of Brahmin migrations, perhaps, we see today various sub-castes and traditions among Brahmins.
Most of the Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh belong to smaarta Brahmin group, i.e., the followers of smritis and followers of Adi Sankaracharya. The smaarta Brahmins follow Apastambasmriti or Apastambasutra (not Manusmriti). Apasthamba (~600 BC) was one of the earliest lawmakers of south India who lived on the banks of River Godavari. Boudhayana, Parasara, Yajnvalkya sutras and other laws were also important in the past, e.g., in the courts of Srikrishnadevaraya.
Most of the Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh belong to smaarta Brahmin group, i.e., the followers of smritis and followers of Adi Sankaracharya. The smaarta Brahmins follow Apastambasmriti or Apastambasutra (not Manusmriti). Apasthamba (~600 BC) was one of the earliest lawmakers of south India who lived on the banks of River Godavari. Boudhayana, Parasara, Yajnvalkya sutras and other laws were also important in the past, e.g., in the courts of Srikrishnadevaraya.
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