Why The Fuss Over Gotra

Instead of simply relying on gotras, effort should be made to trace consanguinity while fixing marriages, says Anurakshat GuptaAll castes ban the marriage of two individuals with the same gotra. Several cases of honour killings, mostly in rural areas, have been because of family displeasure at those who went ahead without parental approval. Is the argument against same-gotra marriages a valid one? Setting aside barabaric punishment meted out b the Khaps and societal sanction of the same, it is time to understand the origin of the gotra system and the practice of shunning same-gotra matrimonial union. According to Hindu mythology, the seven rishis – Vishwamitra, Jamagdini, Gautam, Bhardwaj, Kashyap, Vashisht and Agastya -- are descendents of Lord Brahma who then went onto establish seven different ashrams or gotras looked afgter by their lineage. It is therefore believed that all Hindus come from seven forefathers, the seven rishis. Marriages within the same ashram were disallowed and from there arose the concept of not marrying within the same gotra. The word gotra literally means ‘cowshed’ implying people sharing the same cowshed, in today’s parlance, a bigger village. This rule applied even to the cows, and they were mated with bulls from a different ashram, to prevent inbreeding. This Brahminical tradition was soon followed by other castes, and marriages within the same gotra became taboo. In Vedic tradition, ame-gotra marriages were not approved by society. Interestingly, the word gotra does not appear anywhere in the Vedas. In the Rig Veda, a chapter narrates a conversation between Yama and his twin sister Yami. When Yami expresses a desire to bear Yama’s son, Yama tells her, “Salakshama Yad Vishu Roopa Bhawati – A child born to siblings will be exposed to grave harm. It is said, “Sapindata Tu Purushe Saptame Vinivartate” or consanguinity ends after a separation of seven generations. However, there is another aspect to tracing common ancestry. “Samanodakam Bhaawastu Janmanaamnorwedan” -- Tracing of consanguinity is lost due to lack of closeness in large, growing families. That is, if a boy and girl have no common ancestor going back seven generations, they can bear children without fear of complication. The disadvantages of an alliance between close blood relatives are clearly stated in traditional belief systems. According to modern genetic scientists, in simplest form, inbreeding multiplier of genetic disorders arising as a result of consanguinity is calculated using the formula (0.5) N X 100, where N = generation of separation. Hence, in first generation separation, the disorder rate will be 50 while by the sixth generation; it will go down to 1.58. However, it is only when N=7, does the figure reach 0.78 ie, below one. At this stage chance of transmission of genetic disorders between related partners reaches the benign level of any other union. It appears that the seven generation- separation advocated under the gotra diktat is mathematically corroborated by science. In Chinese and Korean cultures too prohibit marriages of this kind. In some Muslim communities of India, the records of their families prior to conversion have been preserved by elders in order to avoid sapind unions. The harmful effects of consanguinity are well documented. That there is greater incidence of mental and physical disorders and lower immunity to disease among children of same-bloodline unions have been recorded globally, whether in Finland, the Parsis of India or the Pakistani community in Birmingham. With the increase in population figures, it is likely that even if two people are from the same gotra, they might not be consanguineous – that is, they might not be sapind. But it is also true that with migration and displacement, it is not easy to keep track of consanguinous connections. It would be incorrect to focus exclusively on the gotra when a marriage is being contemplated. This is the reason why the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 does not ban marriages within the same gotra. However, it does give certain directions and reasons for avoiding consanguineous marriages. Over time, gotras have been replaced with family surnames, native place names and professional names. However, it may not be correct to treat all such surnames with the distinct connotation of gotra. While there is adequate evidence in both modern and traditional knowledge that consanguinity could lead to medical disorders, avoiding marriage simply on account of same names or gotra needs a more mature and careful consideration. It would be useful if it were possible to trace consanguinity rather than go by name and gotra alone.