History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v2.c28.s1.82

v2.c28.s1.82

Thus for expample, the Bhāradvāja gotra has three Pravaras Āngirasa, Bārhaspatya and Bhāradvāja, Bharadvāja the gotra Rishi being one of the three Pravara Rishis. But the Vatsa gotra has five Pravaras Bhārgava, Chyāvana, Āpnavāna, Aurva and Jāmadagnya, Vatsa not being one of these but some noted descendant of Jamadagni who gave his name to a special branch. One more provision of the Sūtras must be noticed before we proceed. The Sūtras declare that the Adhvaryu priest should recite the Pravara Rishis in the order of ascent while the Hotā is to recite them in the order of descent. This further shows that Pravara and gotra mean descent and not discipleship. Thus Angiras, Bṛihaspati, and Bharadvāja is the descending line as also Bhrigu, Chyavana, Apnavāna, Urva and Jamadagni.*