Bharadvaja, also spelled Bharadvaja or Bharadvāja, is a name associated with various figures in Hindu mythology and ancient Indian texts. Here are a few notable references to Bharadvaja:
- Rishi Bharadvaja: In Hindu tradition, Bharadvaja is the name of several revered sages, or rishis. One of the most well-known is Rishi Bharadvaja, one of the seven Chiranjivi (immortal beings) in Hindu tradition. He is mentioned in various ancient texts, including the Rigveda and the Mahabharata. Bharadvaja is credited with composing hymns in the Rigveda.
- Bharadvaja Gotra: In Hinduism, “gotra” refers to the lineage or clan of a person. Many people identify themselves with a specific gotra, which is often associated with a particular sage. Bharadvaja is the name of a gotra, and people belonging to this gotra trace their ancestry to Rishi Bharadvaja.
- Bharadvaja’s Ashram: According to some Hindu scriptures, Rishi Bharadvaja had an ashram (hermitage) on the banks of the river Ganga. This ashram is mentioned in various epics and stories.
- Bharadvaja in Mahabharata: In the Mahabharata, one of the major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, Bharadvaja is a character who plays a role in various episodes. For example, he is involved in the story of how the sage Drona, an important character in the Mahabharata, came into existence.
- Bharadvaja in Ayurveda: In Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine in India, Bharadvaja is credited with being the author of the treatise “Bharadvaja Samhita,” which is a part of the Ayurvedic canon.
The name Bharadvaja is thus associated with wisdom, learning, and contributions to various fields in ancient Indian culture and tradition. Different texts and traditions may have variations in the stories and details associated with Bharadvaja.
Bharadwaja (Devanagari: भरद्वाज / भारद्वाज) is one of the greatest Hindu sages (Maharshis), descendant of rishi Angirasa, whose accomplishments are detailed in the Puranas. He is one of the Saptarshis (Seven Great Sages Rishi) in the present Manvantara; with others being Atri, Vashishtha, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kashyapa.
Bharadwaja rishi was father of Dronacharya and grand father of Ashwatthama. Bharadwaja Maharshi, a sage of the Vedic period, is renowned for his thirst for knowledge. He attained extraordinary scholarship and the power of meditation.
History
Bharadwaj as Gotra means people who are the descendants of Rishi Bharadwaj. Rishi Bharadwaj was the son of sage Brihaspati. Sage Brihaspati was the son of Rishi Angiras. These 3 rishis are called the traya rishi of the Bharadwaj Gotra.in earlier days Sages were only Brahmins excepting Sage Vishwamitra. Also all the warrior brahmins became Kshatriyas later. Later all the business minded Kshatriyas became vaishyas. Hence there are people of all the three communities having a common Gotra especially Bhardwaj Gotra. Guru Dronacharya was the son of sage Bharadwaj. All the descendants of Bharadwaj Gotra display warrior skills because sage Bharadwaj married a Kshatriya woman called Suseela. According to Anuloma marriage, the offsprings who are born to a brahmin father and a kshatriya woman take the characteristics of Kshatriya though technically being a Brahmin. Hence the brahmin descandants of Bharadwaj Gotra are referred to as Brahma-Kshatriyas (Warrior Brahmins). They are considered to have intelligence in Vedas and war
The ashram of Bhardwaj rishi still stands on the banks of river Ganges in Allahbad, India.
Bharadwaja in Ramayana
In Ramayana, Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana went on exile for the words of his father. Rama along with them went through many forest regions starting from crossing yamuna river with help of Guha ,head clanman and a friend of Rama’s father Dasaratha. As he travelled he visited many rishi’s ashrams. Met many rishis and sages including Agasthiyar, Gauthama and Bharadwaja. Rama and others rested in Bharadwaj’s ashram and accepted his offerings.
Gotra
In India, Bharadwaja is an ancestor of Brahmin People belonging to the Bharadwaja gotra. Bharadwaja who is the great grand son of Lord Brahma is the root for his clan, Bharadwaja gotra.
Inhabitance
* Odisha: The saraswata Bramhins in Odisha are of Bharadwaja Gotra
* Kashmir: among Saraswat Brahmins who migrated to Himalayas.
* Himachal Pradesh: around 60% of Brahmins have Bharadwaja as their gotra.
* Punjab: around 45% of Brahmins have Bharadwaja as their gotra.
* Haryana: around 40%-45% of Brahmins have Bharadwaja as their gotra.
* Rajasthan: around 35% of Rajasthani Brahmins have Bharadwaja as their gotra, Rigveda as vedanta and kuldevta as Shri Lakshmi Narsimha or Shri Narasimha.
* Maharashtra
* Among Iyers and Iyengars In TamilNadu and nambudiri In Kerala.
* Aruvela Niyogi brahmans in Andhra Pradesh
* Vaidiki velanadi brahmans in Andhra Pradesh
* Madhwa and Smartha brahmins in Karnataka.
* Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh: Bhumihar Brahmins have Bharadwaja as their Gotra.
* Mauritius (Country)- Speaking language- Hindi, Bhojpuri, Magadhi