Chaurasia

Chaurasia is a word which originated from ancient Indian Vedas. It basically refers to an originally Brahmin community from India and Nepal. The word "Chaurasia" word inherits from the vedic word "chaturashiitah" which refers eighty four in Sanskrit. Since ancient India, according to Hindu mythology, it is believed there are eighty four thousand Yonis (breeds, types) of Gods existing in this universe. Every species which exists on Earth belongs to a particular Yoni. At a later stage and for easy pronunciation it was changed into "Chaurasia" (a Hindi equivalent also means eighty four).

Historical background

A famous story behind the birth of this word states that once all Devgans (Devtas, Gods) assembled on Earth at a place called "Naumi Sharayan" to perform one auspicious ceremony, and while they were approaching back to "Bakunthya Dham" (heaven), they all started feeling thirsty due to an extreme heat on earth when a particular community came forward and quenched their thirst by serving them Beatle leaves. Impressed by their hospitality, the Devtas not only blessed them but also honoured them by giving them the title chaturashiitah (i.e. Chaurasia).

According to the Baudhâyanas'rauta-sûtra, Chaurasias belong to Kashyapa, some believe that they belong to Bharadvâja, so there are many beliefs about Gotras.

In recent days people of this community are employed in a variety of occupations (some also refers to themselves as "Vaishya", i.e. traders, since becoming followers of Vallabhacharya ji, adopting Vaishnavism nearly 300 years ago) and their religious traditions and culture are becoming less of a factor in daily life.

According to Vedic history, social belief and faith, once, various Devgans gathered at one place. The Rishis of this community were entrusted the job of bringing holy "Betel leaves", a special requirement for Yajna rituals, from Patal Lok, the only place where "Nag Bel" grew under the kingdom of Vashuki Nagdevta - a very difficult task. Despite extremely difficult circumstances, the Rishis could bring the "Betel Vine" but got late in doing so, and thus couldn't save themselves from the wrath of the furious Devgans, which subsequently resulted in them getting debarred, not only from participation in "Yajna", but also from Brahminical duties in the future, circumstantially forcing these Rishis to cultivate the same "Betel Vine" and trade betel leaves for their livelihood - resulting in the division of this Brahmin community into two "Varnas", i.e. the Brahmins and the Vaishyas (lately Vashnavs). This division is still prevalent, causing immense loss of true "Varna identity", as well as historical and cultural heritage.

In modern times, the community comprises various groups, mainly the Brahmins - based on Vedic hierarchical Brahminical history, belief and faith - an integral part of Brahminical order and traditions. The businessmen - engaged in a variety of businesses, strictly following Vaishnavism - the followers of Shri Vallabhacharyaji. Due to occupational and cultural similarities, some of them are referred to as "Vaishyas" as well. The intruders falsely and illegitimately merged into this community, thus acquiring higher social status for themselves, but causing loss of real social identity to the original people.

Gotras

The Chaurasian community belongs to the following Gotras:

• Kashyapa
• Bharadwaj
• Shandilya
• Rishi
• Brahmachari
• Gaurhar
• Chaurasia
• Sharma
• Barai
• Bhatia
• Bhagat
• Chaurishi
• Chaudhari
• Modi
• Rasela
• Rajdheer

Sub castes

The following are the synonyms of Chaurasia surname by regional preferences:

• Chaurasia (Belarampur, patti, pratapgarh [U.P.] and Nepal)
• Chaurasia (throughout India)
• Chourasia (parts of North East India)
• Chowrasia (all over India)
• Chaurishi (parts of North India)
• Chaurasiya (in the Terai area of Nepal)
• Sharma (throughout India)
• Jaiswal (North India and Nepal)
• Bhardwaj (throughout India)
• Kashyap (North India)
• Nag (North/East India)
• Bhagat (North/East India and Nepal)
• Rishi (Central India)
• Brahmachari (North India)
• Gaurhar (North India)
• Modi (North India)
• Raut (Bihar Madhubani and Nepal)
• Rai (Bihar Madhubani)
• Munshi (Dhanbad Jharkhand)
• Rasela (Central India)

Famous Chaurasians

• Anurag Chaurasia scientist (biotechnologist) working with the ICAR govt. of India. Discovered an anticancer drug from Piper betle.
• Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia, flute expert (Basuri vadak)

References

http://www.chaurasiavivah.com

External links

Chaurasia Matrimonial, Chaurasia Boy, Chaurasia Girls, Chaurasia Bride, Chaurasia Groom, Chaurasia Matrimony. http://www.chaurasiavivah.com www.chaurasiavivah.com

Chaurasia business organisations, Chaurasia Directory, Chaurasia Classifieds
http://www.chaurasiadirectory.info www.chaurasiadirectory.info