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 hold crucial roles in Vedic rituals. The Hota is responsible for reciting invocations and hymns from the Rigveda, while the Udgata focuses on chanting hymns and melodies during the ceremony. These titles are given to Brahmin priests, each with distinct duties in the performance of yajnas, or Vedic sacrifices.

Hota:

Role: The Hota serves as the chief officiating priest during the yajna.

Function: The Hota's primary task is to recite hymns and invocations from the Rigveda, praising the gods and seeking blessings. These hymns play a key role in invoking deities and fulfilling the spiritual aims of the ritual.

Udgata:

Role: The Udgata is another important priest in the Vedic ritual.

Function: The Udgata's responsibility is to chant hymns from the Samaveda in a melodious manner. The musical recitation of these hymns is believed to have a calming and pleasing effect on the gods.

Both the Hota and Udgata collaborate with other priests like:

Adhvaryu: Responsible for practical aspects of the ritual, using the Yajurveda.

Brahma: Oversees the ritual, ensuring proper conduct and order.

Each priest's role is essential to the structured and symbolic nature of Vedic yajnas, with their specialized functions reflecting the importance of liturgy, melody, and ritual precision.

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 Adhvaryu. 

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 के श्रौतकर्म का संचालन करने वाले व्यक्तियों को ऋत्विज् (Ritviks) कहा जाता है। विभिन्न कर्मों के अनुसार ऋत्विजों की संख्या में भिन्नता होती है। उदाहरणस्वरूप, अग्निहोत्री के घर में प्रातः और सायंकाल होम करने वाला एक ही ऋत्विज होता है, जबकि दर्श (अमावस्या के दूसरे दिन प्रतिपदा को) और पौर्णमास (पूर्णिमा के दूसरे दिन प्रतिपदा को) होने वाली इष्टियों में चार ऋत्विज् होते हैं। 

चातुर्मास्य याग में इन चारों के अतिरिक्त "प्रतिप्रस्थाता" नामक एक और ऋत्विज् होता है, और पशुयाग में "मैत्रावरुण" नामक छठा ऋत्विज् भी सम्मिलित होता है। अग्न्याधान में (यज्ञ में अग्नि का आधान) पूर्वोक्त चार ऋत्विजों के साथ " पाँचवाँ ऋत्विज् भी होता है। अग्निष्टोम और अन्य सोमयागों में कुल 16 ऋत्विज् होते हैं, और "सदस्य" नामक 17वाँ ऋत्विज् यज्ञ में प्रत्यक्ष रूप से भाग नहीं लेता, बल्कि "सद" नामक मंडप में बैठा रहता है।

Vedic Shanti Mantra

आश्वलायन गृह्यसूत्र (1.23) में ऋत्विज् के चयन की विधि (ऋत्विक्वरण) का वर्णन मिलता है, जिसमें ऋत्विज् के सर्वांगपूर्ण, सशक्त और युवा होने पर विशेष जोर दिया गया है। यह विधि श्रौतकर्म से संबंधित है। इसी प्रकार स्मार्त यज्ञों में भी हवन और शांतिविधान के लिए ऋत्विज् का चयन किया जाता है। इस प्रकार, वैदिक यज्ञों का सफल निष्पादन ऋत्विजों की विद्या, बुद्धिमत्ता और कर्मनिष्ठा का संयुक्त परिणाम 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।

कल्कि नाम संकीर्तनं।

I dedicate this article to my son late Akash Mahanty

author of Waybackpy,Videohash, etc.

Appreciation Mail of  Jeremie Lumbroso
lecturer Princeton University. USA

READ>🔗 Utkala Brahmin : Bhavishya Mâlika: End of Kali Yuga: Kalki Avatar :-

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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