CAN SOURASHTRAS OF TAMIL NADU BE NAGAR(A) BRAHMINS? In Gujarat, Brahmins are classified into eight groups: Anavil Brahmin, Audichya Brahmins, Bardai Brahmins, Girinarayan Brahmins, Khedaval, Nagar Brahmins, Shrimali Brahmins, Sidhra-Rudhra Brahmins and Modh Brahmins. HISTORY OF NAGAR BRAHMINS : (Source: Based on the article on ‘EVOLUTION OF NAGARS (NAGAR NAVLU NAJARANU)’ by Kiritbhai Yadvendrabhai Baxi, Nagar Association of Greater American Regions (NAGAR) ) The earliest written book dealing with the origin of Nagars is the Skand Purana containing some 81,000 Slokas. With a view to prorogate the Brahmin Dharma as against the Buddh belief various writers wrote the Skand Purana from 300 to 770 A.D. sponsored by Skand Gupta and Vallabhi emperors. The elite Brahmins, called Nagars were assigned the task of furthering the Brahmin religions. These Nagars were expert interpreters of religion and were working without salary. Mostly they inhabited around Vadnagar or Anandnagar. The kings therefore gave them land for maintenance. These Nagars traveled far and wide and established the Shiv belief in Egypt, Babylon, Brazil, Kabul, Indo¬china and Cambodia. It is said that after the death of emperor Ashoka (232 B.C.) the Shakas and Yavanas made inclusions. The Nagars advanced the idea of community living in Nagars (specified area) and came out of hermitage to help people. It is suggested that the Nagars came from outside Aryavarta into Kashmir and later spread to Rajasthan, U.P., Malwa and Gujarat. Some historians believe that Nagars came from Greece, Macedonia and Syria and established at Nagarkot (Kangra Himalayas). Nag means a Mountain. These mountain dwellers earned name as highly intellectual administrators. A well known scholar opines that Nagars were comparatively advanced in education, literature, Art and had a great analytical ability as regards Shukla Yajurved….. After coming from North Asia some of the Nagars settled in Nagher - a fertile part of Sorath-(Gujarat). As religious people the Nagars were of sterling character, industrious, loyal and good interpreters of religious concepts, jurisprudence etc., The Vallabhi kings assigned the duty of religious progress to them. The Nagars came to combine religion, state-craft and battle-craft and even fought battles for their belief and states. Nagars are believed to be one of the oldest of the Brahmin groups. Another view asserts Nagars to be of Greek possibly Macedonia, Syria or regions surrounding these places. When Alexander invaded India, he had come with his army through Kashmir. While returning, many Greek soldiers settled in Kashmir. They came into close contact of Pundit community of Kashmir and the progeny that resulted was known as Nagars. Afterwards, Nagars migrated to other parts of the country. Nagars and Greeks are considered similar even today so far as their physical appearance is concerned. Historians claim the origin of Nagars to be purely Aryan, having come to India from Southern Europe and Central Asia. They migrated through the Hindu Kush to either Trivishtapa or Tibet; later through Kashmir and settled around Kurukshetra. Current research speculates the Aryan origin to be Hatak, where the predominant deity is Hatak, Hatkesh or Hatkeshwar. According to the Skandapurana, the land of Hatkeshwar was a gift from Lord Shiva for the Nagars to colonize. This after Lord Shiva created Nagars to celebrate his marriage to Uma. It is also believed that before Nagars first came to Gujarat in 404 A.D., they lived in Sindh. Nagars are a cross-breed of Shaks & Dravids. It is also believed that Nagars have origin outside our country. Nagars from across the borders came first to Kashmir and then they spread out in the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Utter Pradesh, Bengal, Malva, and Gujarat. After migrating from Kurukshetra they had first settled in Anandpur - Vadnagar of today. Legend has it, this land (along with money) was awarded to the Nagars by King Chamatkar of Anarta for having saved his life. According to the story, the King was out on a hunt when he killed a deer suckling her young. The deer placed a curse on the King. As a result of the curse, the King developed leukoderma. In the area, lived a small village of Brahmins, who, with the use of herbs, cured the King of his illness. King Chamatkar was thankful and offered them, as a reward, money and land. The Brahmins were men of high principle and believed in austere living; they refused the Kings offerings. The queen then went to the village and spoke with the wives of the Brahmin. She persuaded 68 of the 72 into accepting the offer. The four who refused, left the village for the Himalayas with their family. Those who remained are called the founders of the Nagar family descendant identity or Gotra. Another version of the legend claims the King of Anarta rebuilt an abandoned city, Chamatkarpur, and consecrated a temple to Hatkeshwar to show his gratitude to the Brahmins. Through the years, and many name changes, the town is currently known as Vadnagar. The inhabitants of the city were known as Nagars. As time passed, the city of Vadnagar was invaded on more than one occasion. Nagars sought refuge in the nearby areas of Saurashtra and Rajasthan. During this time, they did their best to observe and preserve the code, to guard their identity. After King Vishaldev conquered Gujarat (around A.C.E. 1040), the King of Ajmer established the cities of Vishnagar (formerly Vishalnagar), Chitrod (or Chitakutpati), Prashnipur, Krashnor, and Sathod (or Shatpad). He offered these cities to the Brahmins who were descendants or an offshoot of the Nagars from Vadnagar. Points to be clarified before accepting the equation that Saurashtras are Nagara(Nagar Brahmins): 1. “It is also believed that before Nagars first came to Gujarat in 404 A.D.”, According to the prevailing historical records, the Saurashtras are in Gujarat area ever since the days of yore. 2. “It admonishes Nagars to preserve their religion (i.e., the worship of shiv and shakti)”. It is a well known fact that the Sourashtras are basically following Bhaktimarga and in inreligion are basically Vaishnavites. 3. “A Nagar Brahmin traditionally goes through 24 sanskaras (refinements)”. The Sourashtras observe 16 sanskaras and not 24 sanskaras. 4. “A Nagar wedding has for its ideal the union of Shiva and Parvati.” The Sourashtra weddings have for their ideal the union of Rama and Sita. 5 “ Nagar culture is believed to be influenced by Shaiv Culture.” Sourashtra culture is influenced by Vaishanava cultue. 6. Sourashtra –a ‘pattavaya’ is primarily a renowned silk weaver and hence is still known as Palkar. From the above account we learn that Nagar Brahmans came to Gujarat only by the 5th century A.D., whereas according to our account the antiquity of Sourashtras goes back to pre-Christian era c.3000 B.C. Their route of migration suggests their link with the second wave of Aryans whereas Sourashtras belong to the ‘Outer Band’ i.e., the first wave . In religion Sourashtras are VAISHNAVAS to the core, whereas the Nagars happens to be Saivites
Posted on: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 03:28:33 +0000
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