Daivadnya

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Daivajna

Total population
0.2 million,estimated
Regions with significant populations
Goa, Coastal and western Maharashtra, Coastal and central Karnataka, Kasargod and Cochin in Kerala
Languages
Konkani, Marathi
Religion
Hinduism,Smartha or the Madhwa tradition and Roman Catholicism in some parts of Goa and South Canara [1]
Related ethnic groups
Sakaldwipiya Indo-Iranians Goud Saraswat Brahman Padye Bhatt Prabhu Kudaldeshkar Gaud Brahman Chitpavan

This article contains Indic text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks or boxes, misplaced vowels or missing conjuncts instead of Indic text.

Daivajna (Devanagari:दैवज्ञ, Kannada:ದೈವಜ್ಞ , also spelt Daivadnya,Daivajnya^[2],Daivagna, Daiwadnya and Daivadnea^[3] and pronounced [d̪aivaɡna] in Karnataka , pronounced [d̪əivaʝɲa] in Goa and Maharshtra) is a community that hails from west coast of India, predominantly from Goa, coastal Karnataka, coastal Maharashtra. The community's roots are in Goa^[4][5] (Sanskrit: गोमन्तक, Gomantak,Gomant,or Goparashtra meaning land of the nomads) hence called as Gomantak Daivadnya (गोमंतक दैवज्ञ),many socio-economic reasons compelled them to migrate to different parts of India.

The community members are into jewellery trade, and are commonly known as shett (शेठ or ಶೆಟ್ಟ) in the coastal region.The word Shet is a corrupt form of the word Shreshta or Shreshthin^[6](Sanskrit: श्रेष्ठ or :श्रेष्ठिन्) meaning superior. As the time progressed the word was transformed from “Shreshta” to “Shet”^[7].Most of the older generation from Daivajna community in Goa call themselves as "Shetti Baman" which is a corrupt form of "Shreshthi Brahmin".Portuguese referred these people as "Xette","Xett","Xete" or sometimes "Chattim" (Portuguese appalletaion for trader).Daivajnas are often called as Daivajna Suvarnakar.

Daivajnas are believed to have descended from migrant Magas,hence they are not classified under Gaudadi Panchaka in Kalhana's Rajtarangini^[8].

Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 2.1 Genealogy 2.2 Migrations from the mainland 3 Religion 3.1 Deities 3.1.1 Kuldevatas 3.1.2 Ishta Devatas 3.2 Math tradition and Sampradayas 3.2.1 The Smartha sect 3.2.2 The Vaishnava sect 3.3 Ancestral worship 3.4 Roman Catholicism 4 Social structure 4.1 Subdivisions 4.1.1 The Subdivisions of Gomantak Daivajnas 4.1.2 The Subdivisions of Daivajnas in Canara and Kerala 4.1.3 Diaspora in Maharashtra 4.2 Gotras 4.2.1 Gotravali and Kuldevtas [116][117][118] 4.2.1.1 Other surnames 5 Culture 5.1 Traits of Daivajna people 5.2 Occupation 5.3 The Sanskars and Customs 5.3.1 Festivals and Vratas 5.4 Traditional attire 5.5 Languages 5.5.1 Spoken languages 5.5.2 Code Language 5.6 Food habits 6 Special notes 7 Notable Individuals 8 References and notes 8.1 Further reading and other sources of reference 9 External links

[edit] Etymology

“

दैव जानति इति दैवज्ञ

”

A person who knows about future is a Daivajna, one is well versed in Shilpashastra and can craft an idol of god is called a “Daivajna”^[9]. A person mastering the following eight fields is termed as a Daivajna:Bhugolasthiti,Ganitha Sidhantha,Horashashtra,Shakuna,Samhita,Swarashastra,Saamudrika and Shilpa Shastras.

Although Daivajna literally means astrologer^[10] very few people in this community are actually astrologers,but they are similar to Irani Magas^[11] in many ways^[12].They are referred to as Shett by others and the members of this tribe commonly.The etymology of the term Shett is explained above.Historians say that they were called Shresth because they were very wealthy,excellent traders,excellent artisans,excel in many other fields,have distinct physical features,wheatish fairer skin,and even they called themselves so, because they were proud of being Aryans^[13](Old Portuguese documents mention them as Aria Daivadnea Orgon Somudai (Arya Daivadnya Varga Samuday),transliterated as Aryans belonging to Daivajna Community^[14]).They were not primarily involved in making gold ornaments nor in jewellery trade.Their skill was diversified and they were making gold and silver masks for the temples, were well versed in Shilpa Shastras and in Sanskrit hence received royal patronage^[15].

Sodhe Matha and its pontiffs mention Daivajnas as Mukhamasit Surya Vanshi Brahmins.The 33rd pontiff Shree Vishwadeesha Theertha of Sri Sode Vadiraja Mutt mentions them as Mukhamasit Daivajna Surya Brahmin in his letter to chieftain of Hosakeri village near Gokarna^[16].

[edit] History

[edit] Genealogy

Historians^[17] relate Daivajna community to Bhojaka Brahmins (भोजक ).These Bhojaka Brahmins are believed to have descended from Iranian Sun and Fire worshipper Shakadwipiya Magas (शाकद्वीपीय मग^[18]) and are believed to have settled in Sambapura^[19] and then to Magadha.Daivajnas have many common traits that are found in Bhojakas^[20].The descendency of Daivajna Brahmins from Maga and Bhoja Brahmins is also suggested on the basis of the interest shown by the former in performing arts such as dance and drama.Magas and Bhojas were expert in performing arts.Following Shloka from Bhavishyapuran justifies the above statement:

“

वाद्यनाम् शंखशब्दंश्च नृत्यं नाट्यं मतं मम[21]

”

The doctrinal basis for that assertion is Bhavishya Purana 133, which may be summarized as follows^[22][23]:

Krishna's son Samba was afflicted with leprosy, which was cured after he worshipped Surya.He built a temple for Surya on the banks of the Chandrabhaga river, but no competent Brahmin could be found to take up the role of priest in the temple. So Samba sought help of Gauramukha, the adviser of the yadu chief, Ugrasena. Gauramukha suggested that Samba go to Shakadwipa and invite the priests to worship Surya. Further, Samba asked , "Tell me, oh Brahmin, what are the antecedents of these worshippers of the Sun?".Gauramukha replied,"The first of the Brahmins amidst the Shakas was called 'Sujihva',He had a daughter named Nikshubha(Twashta's daughter,as mentioned in Bhavishya Purana), who enamoured Surya(Martanda as mentioned in Bhavishya Purana) and was impregnated by him. Thus she gave birth to Jarasandha who was the founding father of all the Maga-Acharya. They are distinguished by the sacred girdle called the Avyanga that they wear around their waist." And so Samba requested Krishna to send him Garuda, on whose back he then flew to Shakadwipa. He collected the Maga-Acharya, brought them to Jambudwipa and appointed them priests of the Surya temple^[24]. Of the pious representatives of 18 families Samba invited to resettle in the city of Sambapura, eight were Mandagas, and their descendants became Shudras. The other 10 were Maga Brahmins, who married Bhoja women and so their descendants came to be known as Bhojakas.^[25]

Magas are also mentioned in Vishnupuran^[26] and Mahabharata^[27]

Maga Brahmins called themselves Bhojakas and Brahmins who called themselves Ganakas,Murtikars trace their ancestry to Magas^[28][29]. Daivajnas are descendants of these Magas and Bhojakas ,they migrated to Goa in 4th or 6th century AD during the Bhoj era^[30].Magas in Magadha spoke Magadhi^[31],the dialect and the accent which Daivajnas in Goa speak,their customs can be easily related to the Bhojakas.

Over and over the Vedas mention a mighty river called the Saraswati(सरस्वति) where Aryan civilizations flourished, where the Indus Valley civilization flourished and dispersed when the Saraswati river dried up around 1900 BCE(This is a mystery,another theory says that Saraswati started drying up in the year 2525 B.C.E.and dried up totally in 2075 B.C.E.^[32]) .Saraswati river along with Drsadvati(दृषद्वति) and Apaya river formed a delta called Brahmavarta(ब्रह्मावर्त)^[33].They later migrated to Goa via Saurashtra^[34]. It is believed that Lord Parashurama created Sapt Konkan and 96 Brahmin families belonging to 10 gotras settled in different Agraharas in Goa. Daivajna Bramhins came with Lord Parashurama to the South to assist other Brahmins perform Yajnas(sacrifices) in 2500 BC^[35] and they settled in different Agraharas in Goa with Saraswats (as mentioned in Sahyadri Khand of Skanda Purana).^[36] But some Historians say that this tribe migrated to Goa in 4th to 6th century AD,but period of migration of Saraswats is dated back to 700 BC(?)(and some theories say 2500 BC,which is quite confusing).Sahyadri Khanda even mentions that,a group of artisan Brahmans called as Shaivagayatri Brahmans used to exist in Goa before the advent of Daivajna tribe in Goa^[37].To discern themselves from Shaivagayatris,Narashans^[38][39] and others and to claim superiority,Daivajnas started to refer themselves as Shreshth^[40][41].

Reginald Edward Enthoven,in his book The Tribes and Castes of Bombay,mentions that this clan is related to the semi-divine beings mentioned in the Rigveda and the Atharvaveda like Ribhus,Twashtar^[42].But Daivajnas do not relate themselves with any of the above mentioned deities,nor do they have any blood relations with any community who trace their origin from Twashtar or Ribhus^[43].But notably Magas are related to Twashtar who happens to be Nishkubha's (Surya's wife) father^[44].Twashta known asTechnitês in western mythology(Teukhoin Greek,and Texo in Latin),according to Sanchoniathon,Magus(Magas?),Amynus(Manu?), were grandsons of Technitês^[45].

According to the oral tradition^[46], they believe to have come from Gaud Desh with their Kuldevtas,some of their Kulpurushas have appellations like Gaud Purush or Gaudi purush.There are no written evidences available to support this traditional belief.Surprisingly,few sub-groups of Brahmins from West Bengal and Assam were referred to as Shreshthas and Daivajnas^[47](Now commonly known as 'Graham Vipra' and 'Acharya Brahmin' in West Bengal),and records maintain that these groups migrated from Assam(Kamarupa) and Gaud from beginning of nineth or tenth century^[48].

Studying their features,customs and rituals,Some historian and anthropologists have opined that,this tribe or community is an amalgam or hybrid of two or more tribes,as their traits and traditions cannot be attributed to a single tribe^[49].It is quite possible that they are of mixed origin,texts maintain that Bhojakas entered into matrimonial alliances with the local population^[50] and later mingled into the Angirasa tradition and with non-Brahmins^[51].They were looked down upon by other Brahmins^[52] in the days of yore many be because of these reasons^[53].Goan historian B.D Satoskar remarks that they are very similar to the Saraswats (customs,language,physical appearance,food habits).Their physical features,skin tone,says a lot about their aryan descendency,their liking towards art,drama,literature can be attributed to the Bhojas,they claim to be Brahmins yet its quite contradictory for Brahmins to adopt gold-smithy,which can be associated with the Shaivagayatri artisans.It is very much possible, that Daivajnas of Goa are mixture of the Bhojakas,the Saraswats (in this context,Saraswats does not refer to Goud Saraswat Brahmins only,but it refers to a group of all twice-born people migrated from the banks of the mythological Saraswati river) and the Shaivagayatri artisans.It could be dated back some 2000 yeras back when the caste system was into strong existence and was not rigid like medieval times (The caste system became more rigid since 11^th century CE).This cannot be ascertained unless genetic research is done.

[edit] Migrations from the mainland

• According to historians^[54],their migration to Goa dates back to early 4^th - 6^th century AD,i.e. Bhoja period^[55].
• From 1352 to 1366 AD Goa was ruled by Khilji .In 1472, the Bahamani Muslims attacked and demolished many temples and forced the Hindus to get converted to Islam. To avoid this religious persecution, several Daivajna families fled to the neighbourhood Kingdom of Sonde, Kanara^[56].
• In 1510 Portuguese invaded Goa, King of Portugal Joao III issued a decree threatening expulsion or execution of non-believers of Christianity in 1559 A.D,.Daivajnas refused conversion and had to decamp.Thousands of Daivajna families fled to the interiors of Maharashtra and coastal Karnataka^[57].
• About 12,000 families from the Sasashti region of Goa (ie. from Raia,Cuncolim,Loutolim,Verna and other places), mostly of Saraswats and Daivajna, including Vanis,Kunbis (cultivators), and others departed by ships to the southern ports from Honavar to Kozhikode^[58][59].
• During Portuguese rule,many Goan Daivajna families migrated to cities like Mumbai,Pune^[60].Similarly about 3500 Daivajna Brahmins have migrated to Bangalore city after 1905 from Dakshina Kannada^[61].

[edit] Religion

[edit] Deities

• Daivajnas are predominantly Devi worshipers^[62]. Panchayatana puja (worship of five gods,viz Shiva,Devi,Ganapati,Narayana,Surya),propagated by Adi Shankara is observed till date.Daivajnas follow worship of Devi or Shiva Panchyatana with Devi/Shiva as principle deity.For example: Shantadurga,Mahadev,Lakshminarayan,Ganapati,Narayana in the form of sun.Panchyatana may also include guardian deities like Ravalnath,Bhutnath,Kalbahirav,Kshetrapal and deities like Grama purush etc^[63].
• Most of the Daivajna diaspora follow Vaishnava Sampradaya in the coastal track of Karnataka up to the end of Kerala worship lord Vishnu and Lakshmi as their prime deities and have established many temples of Vishnu in the form of Lakshminarayan,Krishna,Narasimha,Vitthala^[64] even though their Kuldevtas in Goa are Shaivite deities^[65].

[edit] Kuldevatas

The Hindu mythology affirms that Kuladevata is the deity who is the object of hereditary and family worship, and is always one of the leading personages as Shiva, Vishnu, or Durga. No house is supposed to be without its tutelary divinity, but the notion attached to this character is now very far from precise. Each Daivajna family has its own family god or goddess. Kuladevata is derived from two words, Kula and Devata. The word Kul means family or clan, and Devata means divinity.All Daivajnas have their family deity temples in Goa,very few were shifted to neighbouring states of Karnataka and Maharashtra during inquisition period.Daivajna families from all over make a pilgrimage to the Kuladevata temple to attain blessing of the God during festivals and after an auspicious occasion such as a wedding.Unfortunately many of the Daivajna families in Maharashtra have forgotten their roots and Kuldevtas in Goa in the course of time,due to many obliterative socio-cultural reasons,and have started worshipping regional Brahmin and local deities like Khandoba,Ambabai,Ekveera,Jyotiba etc.

Even though they follow Vishnu or Shiva,their tutelary deities are in the form of Mother Goddess and belong to the Shakta cult^[66].

They worship different aspects of Devi such as^[67]:

Shantadurga; Kalika; Mahamaya; Chamundeshwari; Gajantlakshmi; Kamakshi;

Mahalasa; Bhagvati; Mahalakshmi; Santeri; Navdurga;

As well as Shiva in the forms of^[68]:

Nagesh; Ravalnath; Vimaleshwer;

Someshwar; Vetal Rayeshwar

[edit] Ishta Devatas

Ishta deva or Ishta devata (Sanskrit iṣṭa-deva(tā), literally "cherished divinity" from iṣṭa "desired, liked, cheriched" and devatā "godhead, divinity, tutelary deity" or deva "deity") is a term denoting a worshipper's favourite deity^[69].

Ganapati is ishta devata of all the Daivajnas .Ganesh Chaturthi or Siddhi Vinayak Vrata is a major festival of all the Daivajnas.

Kalika ,Kasarpali Goa, is worshipped as Ishta Devata by Gomantak Daivajnas all over the world. This temple is more than 800 years old and is located at a distance of around 14 kilometers from Mapusa at Kasarpal was built by Kadambas and was renovated by a Daivajna Mantri who was serving Sawant Bhonsale kings of Sawantwadi. It has 4 pillars of seven rows and the inner structure as well as the outer one makes it a unique temple among the all temples of Goa. Shri Kalika Temple of Goa also has the arrangement for the distant Mahajans and Bhaktas for the fooding and lodging. There is gigantic gold Kalash on the top of the dome of the Shri Kalika Temple. It also features the unique blend of the architectural designs and elegance. Shri Kalika Temple of Goa is one of the most important temples in the northern part of Goa.Shri Kalika Temple, Goa offers "Agrashalas" for the devotees from all over the country and world as well.The main festivals celebrated in this temple are Shishirotsav, Navratri,Ratha Saptami, Avali Bhojan, Vasant Puja etc^[70][71][72].

Other Ishta Devtas of Daivajnas are Rama (temples at Margao Panjim and many other places in goa and Maharashtra and Karnataka), Dattatreya^[73] (Temples at Mapusa,Chinchinim in Goa), Hanuman^[74], Panduranga, Hayagriva, Mahalakshmi, Radha Krishna, Gayatri, Durga Parameshwari.(temples found in different places in Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala).

[edit] Math tradition and Sampradayas

[edit] The Smartha sect

• Daivajnas in Goa^[75][76], Maharashtra and some parts of Karnataka follow the Smrutis to abide by the religious rules hence called Smartha^[77] ie the followers of the smrutis (and not Shaivites).They were followers of Shringeri Matha^[78] like Dravida Brahmins^[79]. Shri Madhavacharya , promoter of Dvaita philosophy, during his return journey from North India visited Goa in 1294.Most of them refused to get converted^[80],and very few of them adopted Vaishnavism^{[81] [82][83]}.However Vaishnavites, only by tradition they became Bhagwats but continued the worship of Shaivite or Shakta deities^[84],Vaishnavite Daivajnas are not found in Goa now as they had fled to other sates during Inquisition.
• Due to some unavoidable conflicts between the two sects in the community a new math was established in Honnavar,in North Canara district.The Math is called as Jnaneshwari Peeth^[85] and his headed by Shree Shreemad Bharathi Theertha Swamiji's (Shringeri Shree Sharada Peetha) disciple (sheeshya) Shree Shreemad Sacchidananada Jnaneshwar Bharati Mahaswami for spiritual and religious betterment of the community^[86].

[edit] The Vaishnava sect

• The Daivajna diaspora in Udupi,South Canara and Kerala (who had migrated from Goa due to Arab and Portuguese invasions) were influenced by Shree Vadiraja and adopted Vaishnavism.^{[87][88][89][90]} Another story says that a Daivajna was sculpting a Ganesh idol,but it took form of a horse(Hayagriva),since then all the Daivajnas in Udupi,Mangalore became followers of Shreemad Vadiraja Theertha Swami the pontiff of Sodhe math and worshipped Hayagriva^[91][92][93].
• "Gazetteer of the Bombay presidency-Kanara district , 1883, volume 15, part 1" mentions the following about the Vaishnavaite counterpart:

“

....whose original temple is at Madadol ,they also worship the ordinary Brahman and village deities and keep local holidays . They are Vaishnavas and have as their teacher Sri Vadiraj Swami, the head of the Vaishnav Monastry of Udupi in South Kanara. They pay him large sums which are Gurukanike or presents to the teacher, and in return have their breasts and shoulders marked with hot metal seals bearing Vishnus the Shankha or conch, the Chakra or disc, the Gada or mace and Padma or lotus. Their boys are gifted with the sacred thread....[94]

”

• The 36th pontiff in the lineage Vishwavallabha Teertha Swamiji initiated into Sanyasa by Shree Vishvottama Teertha Swamiji is the present Guru of the Mutt and their religious teacher.^[95].

[edit] Ancestral worship

Daivajnas have a unique system of ancestral worship,the Mula purusha or the creater of the clan is worshiped in the form of Shiva Linga.

Kulapurushas of few Daivajna families:

Family name	Ancestral place	Kulpurusha
Karekar	Kaarai on Chudamani island, (present day Caraim/Care/Carpae)	Shree Gramapurusha, Marcela Goa
Chodankar	Chudamani island, (present day Chorao)	Shree Goudapurusha, Marcela Goa
Bandodkar	Nagvhay in Sasashti , (present day Nagoa)	Shree Brahmapurusha, Bandora Goa
Raikar	Ray grama in Sasashti , (present day Raia)	Shree Ramapurusha,Shiroda Goa

[edit] Roman Catholicism

A very small fraction of the community was baptized forcibly to Roman Catholicism by the Portuguese in some parts of North Goa,eg.Aldona,Sangolda,^[96],and are categorised as Bamons^[97][98].A branch of converted Daivajnas is also found in South Canara^[99].

[edit] Social structure

[edit] Subdivisions

Daivajnas were divided into many subdivisions in the past,may be according to the place from where they hailed,the Matha they followed etc.

[edit] The Subdivisions of Gomantak Daivajnas

Three subsects of Daivajnas were in existence some two hundred years ago in Goa,these subdivisions do not exist any more viz:

1. Wadkar
2. Goykar
3. Saundekar^[100]

These sub-sects never intermarried.They did not accept even food from their counterparts ^[101].

[edit] The Subdivisions of Daivajnas in Canara and Kerala

The Shets had migrated from Goa during the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, but the exodus became thicker after the advent of the Portuguese in the 16th century.They fled by ships to the southern ports,most of them settled in these cities,and later disseminated all along the western coast and the interiors of Karnataka. These distinctions were probably derived from the ports where they had landed and settled first.

1. Karwari
2. Bhatkalkar
3. Kocchikar

Some of the families belonging to these subdivisions were vegetarians,and few were pisco-vegetarians,matrimonial relationships between them were not in vogue^[102].

[edit] Diaspora in Maharashtra

There are no prominent distinctions found in Maharastra,but there are mentions of groups of Shets of Goa (especially from Raia and other places in Salcete) landing in places like Kharepatan,Malwan,Kudal etc.^[103].They are sometimes collectively called as Konkanastha Daivajnas(कोंकणस्थ दैवज्ञ)^[104].

Previously Daivajnas from Goa refrained from having matrimonial alliances outside Goa.Today they arrangethem with the Daivajnas of Karnataka and Maharashtra^[105].

[edit] Gotras

Daivajnas follow the Saptarshi Gotra system^[106],and belong to Angiras^[107] linage and adhere to Rigveda^[108][109] and follow Apastamba Dharmasutras.

The Gotras of the Daivajnas and their respective Pravaras^{[110][111][112]} :

The Gotras of the Daivajnas and their respective Pravaras^{[113][114][115]}:

Gotra	Pravara
Bharadwaj	Angirasa, Bhaarhaspathya, Bharadwaaja
Kaushika (Kaunsa)	Viswaamithra, Akhamarshana, Kousika
Vatsa (Vaccha in Konkani)	Bhaargava, Chyavana, Aapthavaana, Ourva, Jaamadagnya
Koundinya	Vaasishta, Maithraavaruna, Koundinya
Kashyapa	Kaasyapa, Aavatsaara, Naidruva
Vasishta	Vaasishta Indrapradama, Aabharaswath
Jamadagni	Bhaargava, Chyavana, Aapthavaana, Ourva, Jaamadagnya
Vishwamitra	Viswaamithra, Devaraatha, Oudala
Gautam	Angirasa,Aayasyasa,Gautama
Atri	Aathreya, Archanaanasa, Syavaaswa
Shandilya	Kasyapa, Aavatsaara,Shandilya
Kutsa	Angirasa,Maandhatra,Kowtsa
Bhargav	Bhaargava, Chyavana, Aapthavaana, Ourva, Jaamadagnya

Apart from these Gotras,few more Gotras also exist amongst Daivajnas,as branches,sub-branches of the Gotras listed above.They are Surya,Savita,Koustubha,Saanaga,Saankhyayaana,Sanjaya,Suparna,Garga,Parashara,Abhavana,Athresha,Vishwagni,Sanaka,Sanatana,Pravaras of some of these gotras are not known.

[edit] Gotravali and Kuldevtas ^{[116][117][118]}

Surnames,Gotras and Kuldevtas

Identifying Village Name or title	Ancestral village	Other surnames used by the clan	Gotra	Kuldevta
Karekar[119]	Karai/Caraim/Care/Carpea in Tiswadi,Goa	Kalghatgi,Kalghatkar,Padgaokar,Kanbaragi,Salelkar	Bharadwaj, Kashyap,Koushik,Shandilya	Shree Gajantlakshmi Ravalnath, Mashel Goa
Chodankar	Chodna in Tiswadi ,Goa	Walke,Kadnekar,Shet,Bhat,Jathar,Mashelkar,Chonkar	Bharadwaj	Shree Lakshmi Ravalnath, Marcela Goa
Verlekar	Verla in Bardes,Goa	Chattim,Chandane	Jamdagni	Shree Shantadurga Verlekarin Panchayatan Mashel, Goa
Revankar	Rivona in Quepem, Goa	Shet,Bhat,Rao	Koushik(Kaunsa), Vatsa ,Vishwamitra,Koundinya	Shree Vimaleshwer, Rivona Goa
Raikar[120]	Ray is Sashti,Goa	Shet,Bhat,Rao,Patankar,Sambrekar,Kannikar,Ghantwal	Koushik,Vasishtha,Vatsa	Shree Kamakshi Rayeshwar, Shiroda Goa
Pednekar	Pedne in North Goa	Chattim	Vasishtha	Shree Ravalnath Bhagvati Pernem Goa
Haldonkar	Haldona in Bardes,Goa	Chattim	Atri,Gautama,Vasishtha	Shree Bhagvati Halodnkarin, Khandola Goa
Lotlikar	Lolti in Sashti,Goa	Shet,Bhat,Rao,Chattim	Koundinya,Koushik	Shree Vetal Ramnath ,Ramnathi Goa
Vernekar	Verna in Sashti,Goa	Shet,Bhat,Rao	Atri,Kashyap,Bharadwaj	Shree Santeri Mahalasa,Mardol/Verna Goa
Nagveker	Nagoa or Nagvhay in Verna village(Sashti),Goa	Shet,Bhat,Rao	Bharadwaj,Vatsa,Kashyap,Vasishtha	Shree Lakshminarayan Nagesh Mahamaya,Ankola Karnataka
Bandodkar[121]	Nagoa or Nagvhay in Verna village(Sashti),Goa and then later Bandora in Ponda,Goa	Mankame,Acharekar,Shett,Halgekar	Vatsa, Atri	Shree Nagesh, Bandivade Goa
Sangodkar[122]	Sangolda in Bardes,Goa	Chattim	Vatsa, Atri	Shree Shantadurga Sangodkarin Panchyata, Sangolda Goa
Shirodkar	Shirvade or Porvorim in Bardes ,Goa	Chattim	Koushik,Kutsa	Shree Vetal, Mulgaon Goa
Kudtarkar	Kudtari in Sashti ,Goa	Shet,Bhat,Rao,Vittalkar,Raikar,Ramamurthy	Vatsa(also Vaccha in Konkani),Kondinya	Shree Shantadurga Chamundeshwari Kudtari Mahamaya Goa
Salkar	Saal in Bardes ,Goa	~	Bharadwaj	Shree Gajantlakshmi, Marcela Goa
Shirodkar	Shiroda in Ponda ,Goa	Shet,Bhat,Rao,Anvekar,Vakalkar,Kagalkar,Gangoli	Kashyap	Shree Ravalnath Shivnath Mahamaya, Shiroda Goa
Khandeparkar	Khandepar in Ponda ,Goa	~	Atri	Shree Shantadurga Khandekarin, Khandepar Goa
Kurdekar	Kurdi in Sanguem,Goa	Shet,Bhat,Rao,Shejekan,Shejwadkar,Baikerikar	Vishwamitra	Shree Someshwar, Rivona Goa /Gokarna Karnataka
Madkaikar	Colva in Sashti then to Madkai in Ponda,Goa	~	Bharadwaj	Shree Navdurga Mahalakshmi Goa
Nasnodkar	Nasnoda in Bardes ,Goa	Kudalkar	Vatsa,Vasishtha,Koundinya	Shree Ravalgahdi Panchayatana,Advalpal,Goa
Kolvekar	Colva in Sashti,Goa	Shet,Bhatt	Koushika,Kashyap	Mahalakshmi Baleshwar,Bandora Goa
Neturlikar	Netravali in Sanguem,Goa	Netalkar,Pauskar,Shet,Daivajna	Bharadwaj	Shree Shanteri, Neturli Goa/ Sunkeri(Karwar)
Palankar	No information availabe	Shet,Bhat,Daivajna	Bharadwaj	Betal(no information availble about the temple)
Nagzarkar	Nagzar in Pernem ,Goa	Shet	Bharadwaj	Shree Mulveer,Pernem
Vaidya	Chindar in Kankavali	Shet	Bharadwaj	Bhagvati Devi, Sateri Devi
Vedak	Talegaon, Maharashtra	Potdar	Koundinya	Shree Kondjai Mata, Tala, Indapur, Maharashtra
Borkar	Benaulim,then Borim in Ponda Taluka	~	Atri	Shree Navadurga,Borim
Kolvalkar	Kolval,Goa	Anvekar	Kashyap	Shree Swayambhu Rameshwar,Anav,Kudal Maharashtra
Dhargalkar	Dhargal ,Pernem Goa	~	Vasishtha	Shree Shantadurga,Dhargal
Pingulkar	Kerim ,Pernem Goa	Kerkar[123]	Kashyap	Shree Ravalnath,Keri
Shigaokar	Shigaon,Goa	~	Koushik	Shree Santeri Devi,Shigaon ,Dabal Goa
Tanksali	Asnora,Goa	~	Bharadwaj,Gautama	Layirai devi,Shiragon Goa
Narvekar	Narve(Naroa),Goa	Narkar	Bhargav,Bharadwaj	Shree Saptakoteshwar,Naroa Goa

[edit] Other surnames

Following surnames are used by Daivajnas found in Canara Daivajnas and Daivajnas in other parts of Karnataka and few families found in Kerala.

Used mostly by the trader class

• Shet
• Rao
• Saraf

Used by the priestly class

• Bhat
• Daivajna
• Sharma
• Vedak
• Vedpathak

Other variations include the village names

Gangolli Honnavara Vittalkar Kone Gokarna Upponi Shiroor Bailur Kasanadi Shejekan Bhadravati

Jannu Kundapura Kolle Kannikar Neelavar Mudakalli Quilon Shirali Himbale Yellan Shiroor

Following surnames are used by Daivajnas in Goa (not very common)

• Taar
• Walke
• Chatti/Chatim (Portuguese appellation for trade)
• Tanksali ( Coin minters or Mint attenders/Supervisors/Designers)
• Chandane
• Ghantwal
• Desai

[edit] Culture

[edit] Traits of Daivajna people

• Gazateer of the Bombay presidency-Kanara district, 1883, volume 15, part 1,records:

“

....stocks.They are middle-sized, fair and delicate, and speak a some what peculiar Konkani, using ‘z’ instead of ‘j’. Both....[124]

”

• Goan historian B.D.Satoskar in his work "Gomantak Prakruti ani Sanskruti",Part-1:

“

....generous.They are appreciating,aesthetic,connoisseur of arts and culture,even poorest of them are very much hospitable,bon vivant....[125]

”

[edit] Occupation

Traditionally Daivajna people are into jewellery trade,few of them even make golden/silver idols for temple use.They were renowned for their skills even in the western world,and were involved in jewellery export and import of Arabic horses^[126] in Portuguese and pre-portuguese era^[127].Texts maintain names of many wealthy traders eg. Virupa Setty of Chorao^[128],Aditya Setty of Shivapur or Shiroda^[129]Vittal Setty etc.King of Portugal had summoned Roulu Chattim to Portugal for designing royal jewellery^[130].Few of them also worked as interpreters in King's and were called as Dubhashi,Gana Chattim from Loutolim village was in Kadamba raja's court.^[131].They assisted the kings in minting the coins,designing the coins etc^[132]

The tradition of jewelery trade still continues,and their business is predominantly spread throughout the western coast of India. Modern day Daivajnas have amongst them scholars,scientists, doctors,judges,lawyers,politicians,executives, and are also very prominent in different white collar jobs,others sort of business etc.^[133].These used to be Shastris,Pandits well versed in Vedas and Shatras in Goa,the tradition of studying Vedas amongst the goan Shets does not exist anymore^[134],but Daivajnas from Gokarna,Honavar and many other places in coastal Karnataka,and Konkan division of Maharashtra have kept this tradition alive.Apart from this many of them are priests who offer religious services to the community(and sometimes other communities too)^[135],very few of them are astrologers and temple priests^[136].

[edit] The Sanskars and Customs

Daivajna people are not so orthodox but they adhere to all the Shodasha Samskaras and other brahminical rituals^[137][138].Certain number of pollution days are observed (according to some rules eg.one day three days,or eleven days) as Ashouch after child birth and death as Suyer and Sutak followed by purification rituals,follow Rigvedic wedding rituals^[139],marriage within the same gotra is prohibited.The custom of dowry in its strict form any more, but Saalankrut Kanyadan with Varadakshina.Cross-cousin marriages are practised but only with mother's brother's daughter.Intercaste marriages are not common in Daivajnas.^[140]Upanayana ceremony is performed at the age of eight^[141].There was no custom of widow remarriage in the past,strict rules were imposed on widows,widows were tonsured^[142][143].Daivajnas never used to eat food from other Brahmins^[144] but showed them much reverence^[145].customs like Shikha,Sandhya Vandana,untouchability were strictly followed until recently(still followed by some orthodox families).

[edit] Festivals and Vratas

Daivadnya's observe the following Festivals and Vratas:

• Samvatsararambh or Samvatsar Padvo(संवसार पाडवो,गुढी पाडवा,ಯುಗಾದಿ)
• Vat Pournima(वडापुनव,ವಟ ಪೌರ್ಣಿಮಿ)
• Sutta Punav or Ruk Shravani(सुता पुनव,ಸುತ್ತಾ ಪುನವ್)
• Nag Panchami(नाग पंचम,ನಾಗರ ಪಂಚಮಿ)
• Gokulashtami(गोकुळाश्टम)
• Aditya pujan or Aaytara Puja(आयतारा पुजा,ಆಯಿತವಾರಾ ಪುಜಾ)
• Haritalika Trutiya or Tayy(तय,ತಯಿ)
• Ganesh Chaturthi or Chavath(चवथ,ಚವಥೀ)
• Navratri(नवरात्र)
• Vijayadashami or Dasaro and Avatanchi puja(दसरो,आवतांची पुजा,ದಸರ)
• Deepavali or Diwali(दिवाळी,ದಿವಾಳೀ)
• Bhaubeej(भावबीज)
• Tulsi Vivah(तुळशी लग्न,ತುಳಶಿ ಪುಜಾ)
• Ekadashis like Ashadhi,Kartiki etc(एकादस,ಏಕಾದಶಿ)
• Malini Pournima(मान्नी पुनव)
• Makar Sankranti(संक्रांत,ಮಕರ ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತೇ)
• Shigmo(शिगमो)
• Holi(होळी)
• Mahashivratri(शिवरात्र)
• Other rituals in specific months ,eg Shraavana,Bhadrapada,Kartika and Margashirsh.

In addition several other temple and Maţha related festivals festivals like Zatra(जात्रा),Paryaya(ಪರ್ಯಾಯ),Chaturmas(चातुर्मास,ಚಾತುರ್ಮಾಸ) are celebrated with great joy.

[edit] Traditional attire

Daivajna men traditionally wear dhotis called as Pudve, Angavastra etc which cover them from waist to foot. These are made of cotton and sometimes silk on special occasions and wore Judi,Sadro etc to cover upper part of their bodies, and a piece of cloth called as Uparne over the shoulders. They wore turbans and Pagdis, Mundaso, a red Turkish style topi was used by the community traders so that they would not be troubled by the Portuguese ^[146]. Men had their ears pierced and wore Bhikbali, sported Shendi and wore Vibhuti or Sandalwood or Gopichandan paste on their foreheads. Men were fond of gold jewellery too^[147].

Traditional Daivajna woman is draped in a nine yard saree, also known as Kappad or Chire in such a way, that the back was fully covered^[148]. Fashion of wearing a blouse became popular in 18^th century.Ghagro and five yards saree was worn by unmarried girls.Women wore myriad types of gold ornaments on different parts of their bodies(eg.Ghont,Patli,Todo,Bajunband,Galesari,Valesar,Kudi^[149]),silver ornaments were worn to decorate feet(eg;Paijann,Salle,Masolli,Vale^[150]).Gold ornaments were not worn below the waist.Gold is considered as a symbol of Agni and is said to keep the evil spirits away.Married women wore Kumkum on their forehead in the shape of a cucumber seed(not in vogue),and wear Mangalsutra,nose ring(a diamond stud,Nath),toe rings,as a symbol of marriage.Wearing hair in plaits was considered demeaning so they always wore their hair in a bun,and decorate it with flowers and gold ornaments.Widows wore red coloured nine yards sarees and covered their heads,and sometimes wore Vibhuti on forehead^[151].

In modern days western clothing has found tremendous acceptance amongst men, nine yard sarees and Dhotis are worn only on special occasions and festivals,traditional gold jewellery is still extremely popular.Women wear five yard sarees,Salwar kameez is extremely popular.

[edit] Languages

[edit] Spoken languages

Daivajnas speak dialects of Konkani (गोमान्तकी^[152] (ISO 639: kok), Goan spoken dialect and other dialects spoken in Maharashtra and Karnataka ) and Marathi.

It is believed that Shourseni dialect of Prakrit was spoken by one of the group of Aryans who descended down south, which was later evolved into present day Konkani when mixed with Kunkna^[153] spoken by the aboriginal people,and was initially influenced by Maharashtri Prakrit^[154] and later by languages like Kannada,Marathi,Arabic and Portuguese.

Historians say that the period of migration of Daivajnas and the Kudaldeshkar Gaud Brahmans from the northern part of India is same,and they settled in Goa in the same period,for this reason members of both the communities speak the same dialect of Konkani in Goa^[155][156].

• Daivajnas in Goa speak standard Konkani^[157],but the dialect and the accent changes from region to region.(Sashtichi Bhas , Bardeschi Bhas)
• Daivajnas in coastal Karnataka speak different dialects of Konkani (eg. Karwari , Mangaluri)
• Most of the Daivajnas in Maharashtra speak Marathi and dialects of Konkani (Kudali, Malwani).

[edit] Code Language

The Daivajnas are mainly jewellery traders. Since days of yore,they dealt with jewellery trade (In ancient and modern Goa and Konkan region),Gopikapattana was the center of this trade.The trade was flourishing during Kadamba,and pre-Portuguese era. Daivajna traders use a unique code language called as Kali Bhasha(कळी भाषा or कळ भास),Daivajnas sometimes refer the trader as Kalo.This code language was used to keep the secrecy of the business by the traders.This code language is still used by the Daivajna traders, even some times at home^{[158][159][160]}.

Few words from "Kali Bhasha":

Kali	Konkani	Meaning
Zalken झळकें	Nuste नुस्तें	Fish
Nevlo नेवलो	~	A non Shett customer
Tigh तीघ	Palay पळय	Look
Tol तोळ	Ghe घे	Take (comes from the Kannada word "tolu" which means take )
Valay वलय	Kankan कांकण	A bangle or any circular object
Kanak कनक	Bhangar, Suvarn भांगर ,सुवर्ण	Gold
Dafaraavani दाफरावणी	Gondal, Diwale,Naagavni गोंदळ,दिवाळे,नागवणी	Confusion, Bankruptcy,Cheating

[edit] Food habits

Daivajna people are pisco-vegetarian^[161]. It is said that when the Saraswati river dried up, and the inhabitants "Sarawati mandal" survived by eating fish. Fish is considered as very auspicious and is offered to Devi by some families during Malini Pournima in Pousha month of Hindu lunar calendar. Fish is euphemistically called Sea Vegetable or झळकें from (जल काय -Jal Kaay).When two Daivajnas in Goa meet they usually talk about fish.They prefer fish from the brackish waters of the sea unlike Bengalis^[162].Their daily diet consists of rice and Humann (हूमण,fish curry ) accompanied by different varieties of vegetable curries , pickles and sweets ; Payasa, Mangane, Kheer,Puran poli,soji,Patoli.They do not eat fish Mondays,and many of them do not eat fish the on days and dedicated to their Kuladevats,and Ishta devatas,on tithis like Chaturthi, Ekadasi, Navami,Amavasya etc. ,and holy months like Shravan and Margashirsha. The Vaishnavite counterpart and Purohits are vegetarian^[163].

[edit] Special notes

• Portuguese had imposed heavy restrictions on all Goan Hindus,but on contrary there were no much such heavy restrictions imposed on Daivajnas,eg:They were permitted to wear horizontal mark Vibhuti on the forehead,and were even exempted from being punished when they committed crimes^[164].
• In 16^th - 17^th century there were conflicts between Daivajnas and Saraswats.The cause of this conflict was use of traditional emblems used by Brahmin and royal Kshatriya families during religious rituals, functions and festivals (like Adbagira,Suryapaan,Chatra,Chamara that symbolised high status in the Hindu society)^[165].
• Another conflict between Daivajnas and Vaishyas,in the year 1348 in Khandepar (ancient name Kharegrama) as mentioned in Khandepar copperplate, this issue was solved in Gananatha temple in Khandepar^[166][167].
• Historical documents mention conflict between Daivajnas and Kasars of Goa,in 15^th century CE,regarding Mahjanship of Kalika Sansthan^[168].
• The Smarth Brahmin’s of Gokarna with a view that the Daivajnya Brahmins would take over the Puja authority at Gokarna ,filed a case against the Daivajnya Brahmins at Kumta court (22.10.1927).The case from Kumta court reached Karwar ,Bombay high court and has proved that Daivajnya Brahmins belong to the Vaishnava Brahmin cult^[169].
• In the early 18^th century,those Daivanjas who migrated from Konkan to palces like Pune were demeaned and tortured by the Peshwas,they did not have any sort of religious freedom,those who performed religious rites and studied the Vedas were punished^[170],to such a brutal extent that their tongues and Shikhas were cut off^[171].
• In the Indian state of Maharashtra most of the Sonars (goldsmiths) claimed to be Daivajna Brahmins,and some of them insisted to be called as Daivajnas and claimed higher status^[172].

[edit] Notable Individuals

• Chandrakala A. Hate (Author, professor, and social worker)
• Jagannath Shankarshet (Philanthropist,Reformer,Architect of modern Mumbai)
• Suresh Haldonkar (Indian Classical Vocalist)
• Pandurang Purushottam Shirodkar (Freedom Fighter,Writer,First Speakar of Goa assembly)
• Pandit Prabhakar Karekar (Indian Classical Vocalist)
• Anuradha Paudwal
• Milind Raykar (Indian Classical Violinist)
• Swapnil Bandodkar (Classical singer)
• Sachin Khedekar(Hindi/Marthi film/TV actor)
• Anjali Vedpathak
• Sawlaram Haldankar (Renowned Painter)
• Pandit Babanrao Haldankar (Renowned Indian Classical Musicologist)
• Gajanan Sawlaram Haldankar ( Renowned Painter )
• Damuanna Malvankar (Marathi Film Actor)
• Savita Malpekar (Hindi/Marathi film/TV/Theatre actress)
• Subodh Kerkar (Installation Artist)
• Bimba Raikar,(Political and Social worker)
• Gangadhar Bhat(MLA, Karwar)
• Arun Paudwal
• Gurudutt Revankar(TV serial producer,see Pehchaan (DD1 TV series))
• Neeta Revankar,Sasken Communication Technologies, Chief Financial Officer and Head, Human Resources
• Shripad T. Revankar,Professor of Nuclear Engineering,Purdue University,School of Nuclear Engineering
• Dr Mohan M. Sangodkar,Registrar,Goa University

[edit] References and notes

[edit] Further reading and other sources of reference

[edit] External links

• Community homepage
• Daivajna Community
• Daivajna Samajonnati Parishat
• Daivajna Shikshan Mandal
• The complete reference to Brahmins. This article incorporates material from that site with due permission from Dr. Vepachedu

v • d • e Topics related to Daivadnya History Sakaldwipiya•History of Goa Spiritual Leader and Mathas Sacchidananda Jnaneshwar Bharati•Jnaneshwari Peeth•Vadirajatirtha•Sodhe Surnames List of Daivajna Surnames • Shett Temples List of Daivajna temples • List of temples in Goa • Goan Temple Institute•Mahamaya Kalika Devasthan Kasarpal Organisations List of Daivajna Organisations Languages Konkani language• Marathi language Other related topics Goan cuisine•Villages and Agraharas in Goa and their ancient names

v • d • e Ethnic groups, Social groups and tribes of Goa and Konkan region Saraswats Goud Saraswat Brahmins  · Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins · Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins Daivajnas Daivajna Karhades Karhade · Padye · Bhatt Prabhu Konkanasthas Chitpavan Brahmins Kudaldeshkars Kudaldeshkar Adya Gaud Brahmins Maratha Maratha  · 96 Kuli Maratha  · Gomantak Maratha Samaj Bhandaris Bhandari Samaj vaishya Vaishya Vani Vishwakarmas Vishwakarma Manu Maya Brahmins · Twashta Kansar · Kakankar Kulvadi Gavde · Kunbi · Satarkar · Velip Kharvi Kharvi Others Madval · Dhangar · Gavli · Chamar · Mhar · Siddis of Karnataka Roman Catholics Goan Catholics  · Roman Catholic Brahmin  · Mangalorean Catholics Islam Konkani Muslims  · Nawayath Related articles Caste system in Goa · Goans · Konkani people