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given a list of as many names as I could find out from authentic and authoritative texts. But the Pravara-Rishis are few, they being the remotest antcestors; and an exhaustive list of their names can be easily prepared.
All Bráhmans are supposed to be descended from Brahma. The legend* says that when Brahma made a sacrifice 7 BrahmaRishis came out of it. Their names are :
1. Bhrigu. 2. Angiras. 3. Maríchị. 4. Atri. 5. Pulaha. 6. Pulastya.
7. Vasishtha. The 5th gave birth to Rákshasas (giants), and the 6th to Pißâchas (devils); and the 7th died and appeared again as a descendant of the 3rd. Thus all the existing Brahmans are the descendants of the first four Rishis.
In the days of Sapta-Rishis and their contemporary, Agastya, who were all descendants of the first four Rishis above named, they appear to have divided themselves into families, and those eight Rishis are known as Gotra-káras or family-founders.
The names of these Gotra-kára Rishis are :
i. Jamadagni ... A descendant of Bhrigu-No. 1. ü. Bharad
... Descendants of Angiras–No. 2. iii. Gotama iv. Kasyapa v. Vasishtha ... ŞDescendants of Maríchi-No. 3. vi. Agastya vii Atri
... Said to be No, 4 himself, but probably
his descendant. viii. Vis'yámitra ... A descendant of No. 4.
The descendants of each of the above named Rishis cannot interinarry among themselves; but the descendants of one can intermarry with those of another. This clearly shows that the marriage restriction did not exist prior to their days; for, although several of
*pride Mateya-Purana quoted on page 40.
