Daivadnya

ethnic group
group = Daivajna people
दैवज्ञ वा शेठ ,
ದೈವಜ್ಞ ಅಥವ ಶೆಟ್ಟ|
poptime = 0.8 million(approx)
popplace = Primary populations in:
*Goa
*Maharashtra
*Karnataka

Populations in:
*United Kingdom
*United States
*Arab States

langs = Konkani , Marathi
rels = Hinduism
related = Konkani people , Brahmin , Indo-Aryans , Arya
related=
*GSB
*Padye
*Bhatt Prabhu
*Chitpavan

Daivajna ( Sanskrit: दैवज्ञ also spelled Daivadnya and pronounced "Daivagna" in Karnataka,"Daivadnya" in Goa and Maharshtra ) is a community that hails from west coast of India, predominantly from Goa, coastal Karnataka, coastal Maharashtra. The community's roots are in Goa ( Sanskrit: गोमन्तक, Gomantak or Gomant, meaning "abode of the cows"), but for many socio-economic reasons, they migrated to different parts of India.

The community members are into jewellery trade, and are commonly known as "shett" ( शेठ or ಶೆಟ್ಟ ) in the coastal region.The word "Shet" is a corrupt form of the word “Shreshta ( Sanskrit: श्रेष्ठ )"meaning superior. As the time progressed the word was transformed from “Shreshta” to “Shet”.

History

*It is mentioned in Rigveda that "Rathakara " had a unique position in Vedic Yajna institution. It is believed that "Taksha" married sage "Jaimini's" daughter "Chandrika". Thus Daivajna community was believed to originate from their confluence. Some historians also relate Daivajna community with Shakadwipiya maga brahmins ( Daivajnas have many common traits that are found in so called Shakadwipi Maga people from Iran who were Sun worshipers and Astrologers ).Daivajnas had to determine Panchanga (i.e. Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karan, Vaara) for the Yajna, design and construct different types of Yajna Kundas, Yajna Mantapas, yupa stambha's etc. They were also supposed to perform the ritual called as "Agnicayana" (generating of holy fire using ancient friction methods) as a part of Yaga.
*Aryavarta" (Sanskrit: आर्यावर्त, "abode of the Aryans" ) (today's Punjab and Haryana states) is believed to be the origin of this community. It is believed that Daivajnas later migrated to "Gouda" Desha (see also gaur in Bengal) in ancient times and then to Southern Goa. Later in 12th and 14th centuries these people migrated from Goa to other parts of India because of Islamic and Portuguese invasions and other socioeconomic reasons.
*It is believed that lord Parashurama created Sapt Konkan (The Sapta-Konkan as depicted in Skanda-purana stretches from Maharashtra to Karnataka) and 96 Brahmin families belonging to 10 gotras settled in different Agraharas in Goa. Daivajnas came with lord Parashurama to the South to assist other Brahmins perform yajnas and they settled in different Agraharas in Goa with Saraswats (as mentioned in SahyadriKhand of Skanda Purana).
*Some historians also believe that Daivajnas hail from "Panchal" desha.
*Another view says that Daivajnas came to Goa in 4th or 6th century in the time of the Bhoja dynasty.
*Manu smriti has allowed Brahmins to adopt any occupation they like except those practiced by shudras and mlecchas. Daivajnas have adopted jewellery trade, examination of gemstones (Ratna Parkiskha), examination and testing of metals and alloys (Dhatu Pariksha) since times of yore.As the Vedic system declined they were engaged in making gold and silver idols and other equipments for the temples and still continue doing it.Some of them are Purohits and jyotishis, but the majority of them are involved in jewellery trade as a custom.

Migrations from the mainland

*In 700 BC Brahmins from Aryavarta and Goud Desh migrated to south.
*According to another view Daivajnas migrated to Goa in 4th - 6th century AD,when Bhojas were ruling Goa ( ie after Brahmins in Saraswati mandal settled in Goa )
*From 1352 to 1366 AD Goa was ruled by Khilji .In 1472, the Bahamani Muslims attacked and demolished many temples and forced the Hindus to get converted to Islam. To avoid these religious persecution several Daivajna families fled to the neighbourhood Kingdom of Sonde, Kanara.
*In 1510 Portuguese invaded Goa, King of Portugal Joao III issued a decree threatening expulsion or execution of non-believers in Christianity in 1559 A. D,.Daivajnas refused conversion and had to flee,thousands of Daivajna families fled to interior Maharashtra and coastal Karnataka
*About 12,000 families from the Sasashti region of Goa ( ie. from Raia,Cuncolim,Loutolim,Verna and other places ), mostly of Saraswats and Daivajna, including Vaishyas, Kunbis (cultivators), and others fled by ship to the southern ports from Honavar to Kozhikode.

Religion

Daivajnas are predominantly Devi worshipers. Panchayatana puja is a prominent aspect of Devi worship.

They worship different aspects of Devi such as:
*Shantadurga;
*Kalika;
*Mahamaya;
*Chamundeshwari;
*Gajantlakshmi;
*Kamakshi;
*Mahalasa;
*Bhagvati;
*Mahalakshmi;
*Santeri;
*Navdurga;as well as
*Nagesh;
*Ravalnath;
*Vimaleshwer;
*Someshwar;
*Vetal
*Rayeshwar

Etymology

The word Daivajna means "one who knows the future".

"दैव जानति इति दैवज्ञ"

A person who knows about future is a daivajna. Also who is well versed in Shilpashastra( Science of Hindu Iconology )and can craft an idol of god is called a “Daivajna”.

A person mastering the following eight fields is termed as a Daivajna:

* Bhugola sthiti ( Geographical conditions )
* GaNitha Sidhantha ( Mathematical Philosophies )
* Hora Shashtra
* Shakuna ( Fortune )
* Samhitha
* Swara Shastra
* Saamudrika
* Shilpakaushalya Shastra

A Daivajna should be very well versed in 14 sciences ( chaturdasha vidya ) and 64 Kalas ( chatuhshashti Kala ) mentioned in Kamasutra ( like testing gemstones,metals, etc ).

In addition historians relate Daivajnas with Shakadwipi Magas as they have inborn liking towards dramas,playin musical instruments,singing,Literature etc.

Languages spoken

Daivajnas speak sanskritised dialects of Konkani ( गोमान्तकी (ISO 639: kok ), Goan spoken dialect and other dialects spoken in Maharashtra and Karnataka) and Marathi with a nasal accent.

It is believed that Shourseni dialect of Prakrit was spoken by the Aryans who descended down to south, which was later evolved into present day Konkani.

*Daivajnas in Goa speak standard Konkani ,but the dialect and the accent changes from region to region. (Sashtichi Bhas , Bardeschi Bhas)
*Daivajnas in coastal Karnataka speak different dialects of Konkani , like Karwari , Kodyali
*Most of the Daivajnas in Maharashtra speak Marathi and dialects of Konkani.

Daivajna Gotras

The ten Gotras of the Daivajnas and their respective Pravaras:

Other surnames

" Following surnames are used by Daivajnas found in Canara Daivajnas and Daivajnas in other parts of Karnataka and few families found in Kerala" Used mostly by the trader class
* Shet
*Rao
*SarafUsed by the priestly class
*Bhat
*Daivajna
*SharmaOther variations include the village names
*Gangolli
*Honnavara
*Vittalkar
*Kone
*Gokarna
*Upponi
*Shejekan
*Bhadravati
*Jannu
*Kundapura
*Kolle
*Kannikar
*Neelavar
*Quilon
*Shirali

" Following surnames are used by Daivajnas in Goa ( not very comman )"
*Taar
*Walke
*Chatti/Chatim
*Tanksali
*Chandane
*Ghantwal
*Desai

Ancestral worship in Daivajna

Daivajnas have a unique system of ancestral worship,the "Mula purusha" or the creater of the clan is worshiped in the form of Shiva linga.
*Kulapurushas of few Daivajna families:

= Ishta Devatas of Gomantak Daivajna Community =

Ganapati is ishta devata of all the Daivajnas .Ganesh Chaturthi or "Siddhi Vinayak Vrata" is a major festival of all the Daivajnas.Ganapati is worshipped as a part of "Panchayatana" in all the Daivajna Kul devata temples.

Shri Kalika ,Kasarpali Goa, is worshipped as Ishta Devata by Gomantak Daivajnas all over the world. Not even a single daivajna family has Kalika as their Kuldevta.This temple is more than 800 years old and is located at a distance of around 14 kilometers from Mapusa at Kasarpal was built by Kadambas and was renovated by a Daivajna Mantri who was serving "Sawant" Bhonsale kings of Sawantwadi. It has 4 pillars of seven rows and the inner structure as well as the outer one makes it a unique temple among the all temples of Goa. “Roudra” meaning fierce, this image may always frighten the visitors who are atheists! Shri Kalika Temple of Goa also has the arrangement for the distant Mahajans and Bhaktas for the fooding and lodging. There is gigantic gold Kalash on the top of the dome of the Shri Kalika Temple. It also features the unique blend of the architectural designs and elegance. Shri Kalika Temple of Goa is one of the most important temples in the northern part of Goa.Shri Kalika Temple, Goa offers "Agrashalas" for the devotees from all over the country and world as well.The main festivals celebrated in this temple are Shishirotsav, Navratri,Ratha Saptami, Avali Bhojan, Vasant Puja etc.

Other Ishta Devtas of Daivajnas are Shree Rama (temples at Margao Panjim and many other places in goa and Maharashtra and Karnataka), Shree Dattatreya (Temples at Mapusa,Chinchinim in Goa), Shree Hanuman,Shree Panduranga,Shree Mahalakshmi, Shree Radha Krishna,Shree Gayatri.

Daivajna Math Tradition

Daivajnas in Goa, Maharashtra and Some parts of Karnataka belong to "smartha" sect. On the other hand Daivajnas in South Canara , Udupi and Kerala were highly influenced by Shree Madhwacharya's "Dvaita Siddhant" and adopted Vaishnavism led by "Shreemad Vadiraja Theertha Swami" the pontiff of shree Sodhe math.Fact|date=September 2008Due to some unavoidable conflicts between the two sects in the community a new math was established in Honnavar , in North Canara district. The Math is called as "Shree Jnaneshwari Peetha" and his headed by "Shree Shreemad Dakshinamanya Bharathi Theertha Swamiji's(Shringeri Shree Sharada Peetha) disciple (sheeshya) " Shree Shreemat Sacchidananda Jnaneshwar Bharati Mahaswami" for spiritual and religious betterment of the community.The presiding deity at the math is "Shree Jnaneshwari Devi" (a form of Tripura Sundari) and is also worshipped in the form of "Shree Yantra".Other deities are Devi Panchaytana,Ganapati and Navagrahas.Every year in "Maagh" month of the hindu calendar "Maha Rathotsava " is celebrated with great zeal. Navaratri Turiyashram Sweekar anniversry of His Holiness Swamiji are other main festivals.Fact|date=September 2008

Daivajna food habits

Daivajna people are fisheterian people like bengali brahmins. Eating fish is not considered as non vegetarian. It is said that when the Saraswati River dried up, and the Brahmins in "Sarawati mandal" and "Aaryavarta" survived by eating fish. Fish is considered as very auspicious and is offered to Devi by some families during "Malini Pournima" in "pousha " month of Hindu lunar calender.Fish is euphemistically called Sea Vegetable or झळकें from ( जल काय -Jal Kaay).Their daily diet consists of rice and "human" ( हूमण fish curry) accompanied by diffent varieties of vegetable curries , pickles and sweets ( payasa,mangane,kheer,puranpoli,soji,patoli).On contrast most of the vaishnavite people in the community and those who are "Purohits"(priests) are strictly vegetarian.

Daivajna Code Language

The Daivajnas are mainly jewellary traders. Since days of yore they dealt with jewellary trade (In ancient and modern Goa and Konkan region), and in turn imported Arabian horses ( "Gopikapattana" was the centre of this trade).The trade was flourshing during Kadamba,Bhoja and pre-Portuguese era. Daivajna traders use a unique code language called as "Kali Bhasha" ( कळी भाषा or कळ भास ),Daivajnas sometimes refer the trader as "Kalo".This code language was used to keep the secrecy of the business by the traders.This code language is still used by the Daivajna traders, even some times at home.

Few words from "Kali Bhasha":

ome historical issues in Daivajna Community

*In 16th - 17th century there were conflicts between two Brahmin communities in Goa , viz Daivajnas ans Saraswats. The cause of this conflict was use of traditional emblems used by Brahmin and royal Kshatriya families during religious rituals, functions and festivals ( like Adbagira,Suryapaan,Chatra,Chamara that symbolised high status in the Hindu society ).
* Another conflict between Daivajnas and Vaishyas,in 16th century in "Khandepar" ( ancient name "Kharegrama" ) and this issue was solved in "Gananatha " temple in Khandepar.As Daivajnas were against Vaishyas who were performing some Brahmanical rituals.
*Due to socio-economic reasons Daivajnas migrated to Karnataka,there was conflicts between Daivajnas and Havyaka Brahmins of Gokarna who were against Daivajnas performing "Pourohittya" ( priestly rituals ),as Daivajnas were/are "pisco-vegetarian" ( fish eaters ).
*Most of the Daivajna migrants in South Canara,some parts of North Canara,Udupi and other parts of Karnataka adopted Vaishnavism, and were the main source of financial aid for Sodhe Matha,till early 19th century, but most of the followers who were Madhwa Brahmins ( Tulu speaking ) and the present pontiff of the matha denied the traditional rights of Daivajnas on an account of Daivajnas being fish eaters.

Daivajnas today

*Daivajna community members are very well educated ,have preserved their cultural,linguistic heritage ,have excelled in almost all the fields ( science,arts,literature,religion,sports,except politics )

Notable Daivadnya Individuals

*Varahamihira ( 5th century, Astrologer/mathematician,Ujjain )
*Daivajna Surya Suri (Poet Maharashtra , 15th century)
*Arya Ganesh daivajna (Astrologer Maharashtra , 15th century)
* Gana Chattim (Goa, Interpretter in Portugal King’s court.14th century)
*Narayan Shastri Kshirsagar (author of “Vishwabrahmakulotsah”)
*Nath Madhav Pitale (Marathi writer)
*Chandrakala A. Hate (Author, professor, and social worker)
*Jagannath Shankarshet (Architect of modern Mumbai)
*Pandit Prabhakar Karekar ( Indian Classical Vocalist)
*Sachin khedekar ( film /Drama actor )
*Jagannath Sadashiva Hate, principal engineer for Ajwa lake near Vadodara
*Anjali Ved Pathak Bhagwat (Olympics level Shooter)
*Aishwarya Narkar ( film /Drama actor )
*Dr Subodh Kerkar ( World famous artist)
*Pandit Suresh Haldonkar ( Indian Classical Vocalist)
*S. L Haldonkar ( Indian Classical Vocalist)
*Swapnil Bandodkar (singer)
* Dr. Sudha Rao, Vice-Chancellor of Karnataka State Open University
* Smt Bimba Raikar, MP Rajya Sabha
*Milind Raikar (Violinist)
*Dr Pandurang Purushottam Shirodkar (Freedom Fighter,First Speakar of Goa assembly)
*Pandit Babanrao Haldonkar ( Indian Classical Vocalist)
*Pandit Vasantrao Kadnekar ( Indian Classical Vocalist)
*Anuradha Paudwal (singer)

ee also

*Shett
*List of Daivajna Surnames
*List of Daivajna temples in Goa
*List of Daivajna Organisations
*Karekar
*Konkani language
*Konkani people
*List of Temples in Goa
*Mahamaya Kalika Devasthan Kasarpal
*Goan Temple Institute
*Goan cuisine
*Villages and Agraharas in Goa and their ancient names
*Rathakara

References

* "Shree Scanda Puran (Sayadri Khandha)" -Ed. Dr. Jarson D. Kunha, Marathi version Ed. By Gajanan shastri Gaytonde. Published by Shree Katyani Publication, Mumbai.
* "Gomant Kalika"(monthly),published by Kalika Prakashan Vishwast Mandal
* "Gomantak Prakruti ani Sanskruti" by B.D. Satoskar,published by Shubhada Publication
* "Vishwabrahmakulotsah" by Narayan Shastri Kshirsagar
* "Hindu Temples and deities" by Rui Pereira Gomes
* "Rajatarangini" by Kalhana
* "Mahan Daivadnya Sant ani Vibhuti" by P.P.Shirodkar,published by Kalika Prakashan Vishwast Mandal
* "Rigveda",Marathi translation (author unknown)
* "Bharatiya Samaj Vighatak Jati Varna Vyavastha" by P.P.Shirodkar,published by Kalika Prakashan Vishwast Mandal
* "Gotravali" published by "Date Panchang"
* "Manusmruti"
* "Daivagnya Brahmanara Sandhyavandane" by Sri Ramakrishna Narayana Shet (Year 1980)
* Caste System in Goa According to the Gazetteer of India, Union Territory: Goa, Daman and Diu, Part I (published in 1979)
* "Os Bramanes" (Portuguese),by Francisco Luis Gomes

External links

* [http://www.daivajna.org Community homepage]
* [http://www.daivajna.net Daivajna Community]
* [http://daivadnyabrahmin.info Gomantak Daivadnya Brahmins ]
* [http://www.daivadnya.org Akhil Bharatiya Daivadnya Samajonnati Parishad ]
* [http://kalikadevikasarpal.com/homepage.html Shree Mahamaya Kalika Devasthan Kasarpal ]
* [http://www.webspawner.com/users/daiwajnabrahamin About Vaishnavite Daivajnas]
* [http://www.shrimahalasanarayani.org/ Shri Mahalasa Narayani Devastan-Mudgeri]
* [http://www.shrimahalasa.com/ Temple of Shri Mahalasa]
* [http://www.shantadurga.bizland.com Shantadurga Sangodkarin Temple homepage]
* [http://daivajna.org/daivajna/html/Samskaras.html Shodasa Samskaras of Daivajnas and their rituals]
* [http://www.languageshome.com/English-Konkani.html Learn Konkani Online]
* [http://www.subodhkerkar.com Subodh Kerkar]
* [http://www.daivajnamatrimony.com Daivajna matrimonials]
* [http://www.daivajnashikshanmandal.org Daivajna Sikshan Mandal]