DDK HistoryF.p65 - CSIR

4.5] BRAHMIN GOTRAS FROM TRIBES 105
The Buddha in DN 3 derives a Kanhayana gotra from a sage Kanha, so
named because goblins were then called Kanha (black). No
Karsnayana gotra is known, so that the correct Sanskrit equivalent was
probably Kanvayana, which is documented from the Suriga period, and
still exists. Presumably some pre-Aryan Kanvas remained unabsorbed.
The Valasikha gotra among Vasisthas is derived etymologically from
the Varasikhas destroyed by Indra at Hariyupiya.
This independence from rigid confinement within the bounds of a
single tribe, ability to slip into any tribe, helped brahminism in later
periods as well. We have seen Rgvedic seers accepting fees from
both sides. The Vasisthas who cursed the Purus on behalf of the Bharatas
praise them in RV. 7.96.2. By contrast, a ksatriya is always designated
as a ksatriya of such and such a tribe. Adoption would mean (according
to known patriarchal custom) that connections would be severed
with the previous clan and family at least as far as inheritance and
ritual are concerned. Among the oldest brahmins, we find plenty of
examples to the contrary : Sunahgepa (‘ Dog-tail’; his two brothers
have names that mean the same thing, so perhaps a split totem) was
sold by his hungry father Ajlgarta for human sacrifice, rescued and
adopted by Vi^vamitra, who changed his name to Devarata. To this
day, the Devarata gotra cannot intermarry with either Visvamitras or
Jamadagnis. The Mundas have a similar double band on the descendants
of a hero who was adopted from his original Bano (cat) clan into the
Kerenj kili. There are many other clans of the type with double gotra;
some are Vasisthas by day, Kasyapas by night! All this makes sense only
on the hypothesis that some people who had considered kinship in the
maternal line adjusted themselves to a conquering patriarchal society.
The Rgvedic seer Kavasa Ailusa was accused of being dasyah
descended from these Magian brahmins. The termination mihira could hardly be
explained otherwise. The god MIIRO or MICRO for MIHR occurs frequently on Indo-
Scythian coins, while VarShamihira dedicates his work to the sun-god and calls the
priests of the Sun, Magas (Brhatsamhita 60.19).