Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c21.49

c21.49

Besides the foregoing brahman families other brahman families and gotras arose, which claimed no primaeval antiquity. They were of three classes. First, the Viśvāmitras, who were descended from Viśvāmitra, king of Kānyakubja, who became a brahman and established an independent family. Secondly, sub-families founded by kṣatriya princes, some of which became brahmans forthwith, such as the Kāṇvas and Vītahavyas (chapters XIX and XVII), while others became first kṣatriyan brahmans, as will be explained in chapter XXIII, were incorporated into pure brahmanic families and then became entirely brahmans. These two classes took their rise at definite chronological stages. The third class comprised brahman families, such as the Agastyas (chapter XXII), which appeared, but the origin of which is uncertain.