Latest news with #Saptarshis
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Mangaluru varsity study shows shared paternal ancestry among Brahmins across India
Mangaluru: A recent genetic study by the Department of Applied Zoology, Mangalore University, offers fresh insights into the historical origins of the gotra system, revealing that it is far more than a mere indicator of ancestral lineage. The study explains that the gotra concept traces its roots back thousands of years to the ancient Saptarshis. Under this system, marriage within the same gotra is traditionally prohibited, as individuals from the same gotra are considered distant siblings. In addition, the lesser-known term pravara refers to wider, extended kinship groups. Traditionally, Brahmins across India follow 18 major gotras, including Bharadwaja, Gautama, and Vashishtha, which continue to influence marriage practices. Researchers analysed short tandem repeats (STRs), repetitive sections of genomes, from 334 Indian Brahmins and compared them with genetic data from over 1,300 Eurasian males. The results point to a shared paternal ancestry among Brahmins across India, indicating links to early Indo-European migrations. According to the lead researcher Jaison Sequeira, the findings suggest that Indian Brahmins share a common R1a genetic ancestor with western Iranians, Tajiks, and Uzbeks, likely predating the Indo-Iranian split in northern Afghanistan. However, migration and interaction patterns appear to have differed significantly across regions. Northern Brahmins showed closer genetic ties to Afghan groups such as the Pashtuns, suggesting later admixture. On the other hand, Konkani and other southern Brahmin population appear to have diverged earlier, retaining an older genetic signature shared with West Iranian population. While the study does not provide specific migration dates, it points to two separate waves of R1a (Y-chromosome DNA haplogroup) ancestry into the Indian subcontinent, separated by a significant time gap. Sequeira said India's population diversity should be preserved with the same importance as historical artefacts. "Just as we preserve artefacts in museums and archives, we should also generate and document population-specific genetic data for future generations," he said, encouraging youngsters from all communities to take part in such initiatives. Earlier research suggests that the Indo-European component entered the Indian subcontinent about 4,000 years ago. A 2024 preprint by the same research group estimated a gap of about 500-800 years between the common ancestor of Brahmins and Afghanis, with the former constituting the earlier wave. However, more research is required to date the events of the past accurately. Corresponding author Prof MS Mustak said pan-India collaborations are critical. "With Genome India Project data in hand, pan-India collaborations are the only and the best way forward," he said. The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from Karnataka, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, New Delhi, and Switzerland. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Indian Express
10-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Guru Purnima is an opportunity to honour all those who guide and mould us
India's cultural legacy is rich in values, wisdom, and timeless teachings. Its many cosmopolitan festivals are celebrations of cultural consciousness, reflections of our connection with nature's rhythms, backed by scientific insights. Guru Purnima, whose significance spans religions, disciplines, and centuries, is one such occasion, giving us a moment to pause and reflect. It encourages us to ask what has changed — what have we carried forward, and what have we left behind? And who played the most profound role in the journey, holding our hands on the muddy, slippery path of life? A mentor's hand, a divine thought, a mother's care, a teacher's word, a friend's faith — any can become our guiding light. Guru Purnima is a sacred opportunity to honour every element that guides us, moulds us, and walks with us on the path of growth. Guru Purnima, observed on the full moon day of the Ashadha month, marks the day Lord Shiva (Adiguru) imparted the knowledge of yoga to the Saptarshis, the seven sages. It also commemorates the birth anniversary of Maharshi Veda Vyasa. Additionally, it marks the beginning of Chaturmasya, a four-month holy period during the monsoon when sadhus and monks stay in one place and teach their disciples. It's considered an ideal time for deep meditation, chanting, fasting, and connecting with divine energy. The word 'guru' in Sanskrit is a combination of gu (darkness) and ru (removal of darkness), meaning the one who dispels darkness. In ancient Vedic traditions, the guru-shishya parampara (teacher-disciple lineage) was the foundation of learning, which went hand in hand with character building, a continuous process of imparting values through actions. A guru is not just a teacher; their presence is a living force, a feeling, a constant source of strength, direction, and inspiration. The mother, as the first guru, introduces a child to this new world and guides the first steps of life. The guru imparts knowledge to the seeker, while the sadguru nurtures wisdom. The saint Kabir beautifully compares the guru to a kumhar (potter) and the shishya to an unbaked clay pot: Guru kumhar shish kumbh hai, garhi garhi kadhe khot/Antar hath sahar de, bahar mare chot. Just as a potter uses one hand inside the pot to support it gently, and the other hand outside to beat and shape it, a true guru disciplines, corrects, and refines the disciple from outside — through strictness, challenges, and feedback. At the same time, the guru supports and strengthens the disciple internally, with love, compassion, and understanding. The bond between Vishwamitra and Lord Rama, Guru Ravidas and Meera Bai, Ramanand and Kabir, Guru Nanak Dev ji and the successive Sikh gurus — all exemplify the enduring legacy of spiritual and intellectual exchange in Indian civilisation. These sacred relationships offered a moral framework to society, as did the bonds between Samarth Guru Ramdas and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Swami Virajanand Saraswati and Swami Dayanand Saraswati in the modern era. Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa transformed Swami Vivekananda into a spiritual giant who carried Indian philosophy to the West. Similarly, the divine lineage of Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswar and Paramahansa Yogananda continues to inspire seekers worldwide. Guru Purnima is a celebration of learning, wisdom, and gratitude. In an era often overwhelmed by information and competition, the presence of a true teacher — whether spiritual master or coach, educator, parent, or even a digital mentor — becomes more crucial, going beyond religion and rituals. The absence of ethics has shattered the social fabric; the mere shadow of the guru keep one from the path of wrongdoing. As we move further into the digital age, the timeless message of Guru Purnima encourages us to seek knowledge, rediscover inner guidance, honour our mentors, and become sources of light for others — helping to build a value-driven humanity. The writer is Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (I/C) and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs
