GOWD SAARASAWAT BRAHMINS

The Gowd Saraswat Brahmins are those who were settled around Saraswati River from the Vedic times. They were performing Sandhya, Yajna, Yaag, Upasanas near the Holy River Saraswati which was originated from Mount Everest in two flows known as

1. Saraswati and
2. Dwishadwati.

These two rivers were tributories to the Sindhu River flowing via Punjab, Rajastan, Gujarat joining the Arabian sea at Prabhas in Souraashtra. Owing to the natural distaster/calamities, this river lost the superficial (surface flow) state and started flowing as Gupta gamini (under ground flow). Saraswat brahmins are the decendents of Brahma – Bhrigu – Dadhich – Sage Saraswat. Saraswat brahmins are also called as “Bhargavas – linage from Sage Bhrigu. The pre-fix GOWD has several perceptions. The term “Gowd” means “Shresht” (superior). Saraswat brahmins were first to receive the Vedas from Sage Saraswats and thus they became Superior brahmins. After the river Saraswati changed her course of flow, there were daught (no water) and naturally, the people residing on her banks started migrating in search of water for living and to perform their Upasana. They moved to Kashmir (they became Kashmiri Brahmins), further moved to Punjab. Some moved to Utter Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa (UTKAL Brahmins) and Bengal. Those who stayed in Orissa Became Utkal brahmins. Those in Bhihar became Kaanya Kubja brahmins. North Bengal brahmins are called as Maithil brahimns Janakapuri or River Gandaki a higher hilly place called Gowd Desh near Darbhangh called as Gowd Saraswats. Those who came to Rajastaan & Gujarat were called Gaur (shresht) Brahmins and so on. Those who were brought by Lord Parasuram to his newly formed state called as GOMANTAK (Goa) were from Gowd Desh were all addressed as GOWDA SARASWAT BRHAMINS. The third view is that we are all the descendents of GOWDA PAADAACHAARYA. Thus became Gowd Saraswats.

Gomantak State

Lord Parashuram is Lord Vishnu’s avatar to re-establish Dharma on the earth. He made 18 rounds of this country and killed all Kshatryas and won their lands. At the end, he offered the same to his Guru Kashyap and decided to go for tapasya. He did not have his own land to perform his tapasya and negotiated with Lord of Sea (Samudra Raj) and acquired the land by throwing his Axe (Parashu) standing on Meru Parvatha. The area below Meru Parvatha is called as “Parashuram Shristi). Above Meru is called as “Brahma Shristi) The southern states formed by Lord Parshuram is called SAPTA KONKAN (Seven states) –

1. Maharashtra
2. Gomantak (Goa)
3. Karnataki (Karnataka)
4. Telang (Andhra)
5. Kong (Tamil)
6. Karal (Kerala)
7. Gurjar (Gujarat).

Parashuram stayed in GOMANAK state. This was divided into ASHTA GRAAM – 8 districts -

1. Matgaon
2. Lotli
3. Varne
4. Raichuri
5. Banavali
6. Shankhavali
7. Kudheri.

The shape of the Gomantak State is like a Cow’s face. Gomantak is a Holy State (punya bhoomi) consisting of 17 islands. Lord Parashuram called Gowd Saraswat Brahmins from Bengal (Gowdadesh)and made them stay in Gomantak to perform 1. Yajna/ Yaag 2. Pitra Karya (shraadh of elders - those died) 3.Brahman Bhojan Sage Parashuram was performing penance (tapasya) on this holy land. The name KONKAN is from the pet name of his mother KUNKANA DEVI (Renuka Devi) All our Kuladevathas are from our days when we stayedd on the banks of river Saraswati. Whererever we have migrated, we have carried our Kuladevathas along with us. Thus a Kuladevatha is not seperable from the followers known as Kulavis.