Hota & Udgata surname & caste-Origin

ॐ सत्यं यश: श्रीर्मयि श्री: श्रयतां स्वाहा

Surname(उपनाम/कुलनाम ) and Title(उपाधि/पदवी):-
Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, physical characteristics, etc. Surnames (उपनाम/कुलनाम )and titles (उपाधि/पदवी) or decorations used along with the proper names commonly added at the end of the names - are either genealogical or professional and sometimes topographical.

The genealogical surname has been in use from generation to generation and it is generally family names some of which may even have been personal names. Professional names have also been adopted as family names and are regularly used as surnames.

It has been a practice for quite a few centuries to award titles (उपाधि/पदवी) to persons who occupy positions of distinction in intelligence, learning, wealth, honor, etc. Persons who have rendered meritorious service to the country have also been awarded titles that have gone down from generation to generation and thus got absorbed as family names or surnames.

Indian history from pre-Mughal days has shown that the ruling Hindu Kings had awarded titles to persons and families for either meritorious service to the country or for leadership in society. This practice has been followed by the Pathan and the Mughal rulers and by their successors, the British as well. Even in independent India, the Presidential awards on Republic day are a continuation of the old practice of honoring persons for their service to the country.

All the leaves of the inverted Ashvattha (अश्वत्थ) tree, regardless of their size or position, are considered equal. Similarly, all human beings are held in equal esteem, irrespective of variations in their roles and positions.

Hota  and Udgata Surname:-
The surname Hota (होता), also spelled as হোতা in Bengali and ହୋତା in Odia, as well as Udgata, is predominantly found among the Utkala Brahmins of Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and occasionally in other regions of India and abroad.

Ugram Viram Maha Vishnum

Origin of  Hota & Udgata Surname.
'Hota' and Udgata are Ritvik Brahmins who play essential roles in Vedic rituals. The 'Hota' is responsible for reciting invocations and litanies from the Rigveda, while the Udgata has specific duties related to chanting hymns and melodies during the ritual. These positions hold historical significance as they denote Brahmins who officiate at fire sacrifices and contribute to the ceremonial aspects of Vedic worship.

सनकादि ऋषियों का एक सिद्ध चमत्कारी

 मंत्र-  हरि शरणम

This prestigious title, also referred to as 'उपाधि/पदवी,' was traditionally conferred upon upright, virtuous, and noble Utkal Brahmins who led the rituals and chanted verses from the Vedas. Over time, this designation evolved into a hereditary surname, 'उपनाम/कुलनाम,' which subsequent generations proudly inherited."

In Vedic rituals, a special individual responsible for conducting the sacrificial rites for the patron is known as a Ritvik. The number of Ritviks varies according to the specific rituals. In households where the Agnihotra ritual is performed in the morning and evening, there is only one Ritvik. However, during the Darsh and Paurnamasa rituals, there are four Ritviks. named Adhvaryu, Hotar, Brahma, and Agnidhra. In the Chaturmasya Yaga, there is an additional chief priest called the "Pratiprasthata," and in the Pashu Yaga, there is a sixth Ritvik named "Maitravaruna." During the Agnyadhana ritual (the placement of fire in the yajna), along with the aforementioned four Ritviks, there is also a fifth one called the "Udgata." In rituals like Agnishtoma, there are 16 Ritviks, and the 17th one named "Sadasya" remains seated in the "Sad" Mandap without directly participating in the Soma sacrifice.

The Ashvalayana Grihyasutra (1.23) provides the method of selecting Ritviks, emphasizing their comprehensive knowledge, capability, and youthful vigor. This discussion pertains to the performance of Shrouta rituals. In Smarta rituals as well, Ritviks are chosen for performing the havan and conducting peace rituals. Thus, the execution of Vedic rituals results in the integrated outcome of the knowledge, intellect, and dedication of the Ritviks.

यज्ञयाग में यजमान को श्रौतकर्म करानेवाला व्यक्तिविशेष ऋत्विज् (Ritviks)कहलाता है। ऋत्विजों की संख्या में कर्मो के अनुसार पर्याप्त भिन्नता है। अग्निहोत्री के घर पर प्रात: और सायंकाल होम करनेवाला ऋत्विज एक ही होता है, परंतु दर्श (अमावस्या के दूसरे दिन प्रतिपद को होनेवाली) इष्टि में तथा पौर्णमास (पूर्णिमा के दूसरे दिन प्रतिपदवाली) इष्टि में चार ऋत्विज् होते हैं जिनके नाम हैं - अध्वर्यु, होता, ब्रह्मा और आग्नीध्र। चातुर्मास्य याग में इन चारों के अतिरिक्त ""प्रतिप्रस्थाता"" अधिक होता है और पशुयाग में "मैत्रावरुण" नामक छठा ऋत्विज् भी होता है। अग्न्याधान ( यज्ञ में अग्नि का आधान अग्न्याधान कहलाता है।) में पूर्वोक्त चार ऋत्विजों के साथ "उद्गाता"" नामक पाँचवाँ ऋत्विज् भी होता है। अग्निष्टोम आदि सोमयाग में 16 ऋत्विज् होते हैं। "सदस्य" नामक 17वाँ ऋत्विज् सोमयाग में प्रत्यक्ष भाग न लेकर "सद" नामक मंडप में बैठा रहता है। 

आश्वलायन गृह्यसूत्र (1.23) में ऋत्विज् के चुनने की विधि (ऋत्विक्वरण) दी गई है जिनमें ऋत्विज् के सर्वांगपूर्ण, सशक्त और तरुण होने का स्पष्ट आग्रह है। यह तो हुई श्रौतकर्म की बात। स्मार्त यज्ञों में भी हवन करने तथा शांतिविधान के लिए ऋत्विज् चुना जाता है। इस प्रकार वैदिक यज्ञों का निष्पादन ऋत्विजों की विद्या, बुद्धि तथा कर्मनिष्ठा का सम्मिलित फल होता है।

ॐ अमृतोपस्तरणमसि स्वाहा ॥१॥
ॐ अमृतापिधानमसि स्वाहा ॥२॥
ॐ सत्यं यश: श्रीर्मयि श्री: श्रयतां स्वाहा ॥३॥

Hari Om Jap
वेद,और अग्नि पुराण के अनुसार,हरी ओम मंत्र के जप से:
 व्यक्ति का पाप नाश होता है और उसे मोक्ष की प्राप्ति होती है।

I dedicate this article to my son late Akash 

author of Waybackpy,Videohash, etc.

Appreciation Mail of  Jeremie Lumbroso
lecturer Princeton University. USA

READ>Utkala Brahmin : उत्कल ब्राह्मण: ଉତ୍କଳ ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣ: উৎকল ব্রাহ্মণ:-

Read>जनेऊ या यज्ञोपवीत धारण विधि।

Ref- 1.Genesis of Utkal Brahmins.
2.Collection of information from Utkal Brahmin scholars.
To read "The Genesis of Utkal Brahmin"

click on~Utkal Brahmin

Comment of Author:-
Comment of Author:-This article has been penned under the divine inspiration of Lord Jagannath. If anybody or any organization doesn't agree with any content of this article, he or they may mention it in the comments with documentary evidence and it will be corrected. Any comments in this regard without documentary evidence and source of Information will be treated as mala fide and will be deleted.

Prabir is an Indian author who was born into a Utkal Brahmin family in the Indian state of West Bengal. He is known for his books, which are sold through Amazon.com, Flipkart.com, and Abebooks.com. Prabir is known for his genre/style of writing and has gained a dedicated following of readers who appreciate his unique perspective/engaging storytelling/etc. He has a passion for writing and has dedicated his career to creating engaging and thought-provoking works for his readers. His books and articles cover a wide range of genres and topics, and he is highly popular within the intellectual community for his contributions.

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