Kashyap gotra is one of the most widely prevalent paternal lineages in the Hindu social structure, tracing its origins back to the revered Vedic sage Rishi Kashyap. In Sanskrit the name Kashyap is etymologically linked to the word for 'tortoise' (Kashyapa), symbolizing stability, longevity and the foundation of creation. Because of his legendary role as a progenitor of diverse living beings, this gotra is uniquely widespread across numerous Indian communities.
Maharishi Kashyap, one of the foundational Saptarishis (Seven Sages) in Vedic literature, regarded as a cosmic progenitor or 'Prajapati'.
Pravar (lineup of ancestral sages) of Kashyap gotra: Kashyap, Avatsara, Naidhruva. Rishi group (gana): Kashyapa. Associated Veda: Associated primarily with the Rigveda and the Krishna Yajurveda (Taittiriya shakha), though it varies by branch..
Kashyap gotra is found across these communities: Brahmin, Rajput, Jat, Kashyap Rajput / Kashyap, Bania / Vaishya, Maratha, Kayastha.
Common surnames associated with Kashyap gotra include: Kashyap, Sharma, Joshi, Mishra, Singh, Pandey, Tiwari, Bhatt, Sen, Das.
According to traditional Hindu exogamy rules, individuals belonging to the same gotra (Sagotra) share a common paternal ancestor and are considered spiritual siblings. Consequently, marriage between two individuals of the Kashyap gotra is traditionally prohibited. Depending on regional customs, marriages may also avoid the maternal grandfather's gotra (Matula gotra) to prevent close consanguinity and maintain genetic diversity.
Kashyap gotra is a Hindu lineage system named after Maharishi Kashyap, one of the prominent Saptarishis. It represents a continuous line of paternal descent and is shared by a vast number of diverse communities across India.
Traditionally, no. Two individuals sharing the same gotra are considered 'Sagotra' (of the same lineage) and are viewed as brother and sister. This rule is designed to prevent inbreeding.
Kashyap gotra is highly unique because it is found across Brahmins, Rajputs, Jats, Vaishyas, Kayasthas and the specific Kashyap/Kashyap Rajput community. In some cases it was historically adopted as a default gotra for those whose specific ancestral lineages were unrecorded.
Your gotra is found by consulting family elders, ancestral records, or your family's traditional priest (purohit). A gotra is strictly inherited paternally from father to child; it cannot be calculated using a person's date of birth, time of birth, or astrological birth chart.
The standard and most widely accepted pravar for Kashyap consists of three rishis: Kashyap, Avatsara and Naidhruva.