India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c12.s5.8

c12.s5.8

*pautra-prabhṛiti gotram*, IV.1.162). During his life-time the eldest male member who represented the family was the *Gotra* and the junior members were called *Yuvan*. Pāṇini also uses a third term, viz. *Vaṁśya*, to designate him; this also appears to be a pre-Paninian *saṁjñā* incidentally retained (IV.1.163). Each individual was given his personal name and a *Gotra* name. The latter came in for special attention by the grammarians owing to its importance in social and political life. According to Pāṇini only one member in the family at a time was to retain the title *Gotra*, the rest were called *Yuvan*. This implies that only one person, usually the eldest male member, represented his *Kula* on all important occasions and functions.