Harita Maharaja

Harita Maharaja (also known as Harita, Haritasya, Haritra and Haritasa) was son of Yuvanaswa[1] (also known as Yuvanashva/Yuvanaswa) and the grandson of king Ambarisha and he was also the great grandson of king Mandhatri,[2] an ancient prince of the Suryavansha dynasty, best known as the ancestor of the Kshatriya. Haritsa left his kingdom as a symbolic expiation of his sin. After completing the austerities, Lord Narayana himself gave him his blessings and thus blessed him to be a brahmana.[3] The descendants of haritsa maharaj fall under the haritsa gotra. They are a unique combination of "Brahmanas of the Kshatriya clan". Haritsa was an ancestor of Rama, 7th avatar of Lord Vishnu. There is also another sage named Harita, Who was the son of Chyavana Rishi and has authored Harita Samhita, Which is an Independent work present in the Narasimha Purana,[4]That sage is not to be confused as the founder of Haritsa Gotra, As the puranas clearly mention, "Ambarishasya Mandhatus tanayasya Yuvanasvah putro bhut tasmad Harito yato ngiraso Haritah." The son of Ambarisha, son of Mandhata was Yuvanasva From him sprang Harita from whom the Harita Angirases were descended".[5]

Although a Brahmin lineage, this gotra is descended from Kshatriya prince of the Suryavansha dynasty who was the great grandson of legendary King Mandhatri. Mandhatri was killed by Lavanasura who was killed later by Rama's brother Shatrughna. This is one of ancient India's most prominent and famous lineages, having produced Rama and his three brothers (see Genealogy of Rama). The first notable king of the dynasty was Ikshvaku. Other Brahmin gotras from solar line are Vatula, Shatamarshana, Kutsa, Bhadrayana. Of these Kutsa and Shatamarshana also descend from King Mandhata like Harita gotra and have either Mandhatri or his sons (Ambarisha/Purukutsa) as part of their Pravaras. The Puranas, a series of Hindu mythological texts, document the story of this dynasty. Harita was separated from Ikshvaku by twenty-one generations.[6] To this day, many Kshatriyas claim descent from the Suryavanshi dynasty to substantiate their claims to royalty. Although, Descendants of Haritsa do trace their origin in the solar dynasty but are not related to the Suryavansha directly any longer as the founder of the gotra, Haritsa himself willingly left the kingdom to expiate for his sin and at the completion of the expiation, He became a Brahmana under the guidance of Maharishi Angiras. Those who belong to this gotra are Brahmanas and are supposed to lead a pious life and must do the prescribed duties as directed by Lord Narayana himself to Haritsa.[7]

Brahmins of the Haritasa gotra trace their lineage to the eponymous prince.(See Vishnu Purana)[8]

While most Brahmins claim to be descended from ancient sages, those of the Harita sagotra claim to be descended from Kshatriyas trained by the Brahmin Angiras and hence they have some Kshatriya and some Brahmin qualities. This created, according to the Linga Purana, "Brahmins with the qualities of Kshatriyas".[6]

There are few Jats who also claim to be descendants of the same king Haritsa, The great grandson of Mandhata. According to some sources, They also raised their voices against the Mughal oppression.

The gotra is recorded in the Hindu tradition in the Vishnu Purana:[9][10]

Ambarishasya Mandhatus tanayasya Yuvanasvah putro bhut tasmad Harito yato ngiraso Haritah. "The son of Ambarisha, son of Mandhatri was Yuvanasva From him sprang Harita from whom the Harita Angirases were descended.[6]

and in the Linga Purana:

Harito Yuvanasvasya Harita yata atmajah ete hy Angirasah pakshe kshattropeta dvijatayah. "The son of Yuvanasva was Harita of whom the Haritash were sons".[11] "They were on the side of Angiras twice born men." "Brahmans of Kshattriya lineage."[6][12]

and in the Vayu Purana:[13][14]

"They were the sons of Haritash / Angiras, twice-born men (Brahmans), of Kshatriya race",[15] or sons of Harita raised up by Sage Angiras.[6][16]

Accordingly, from both Linga Purana and Vayu Purana it can be inferred that Brahmins with Harita gotra belong to Ikshvaku lineage and because of the training and tapo sakti of Angirasa and blessings of Lord Adi Keshava obtained Brahmin qualities, and became Twice born. Swami Ramanuja and his primary disciple Sri Koorathazhwan were of Harita gotra.

Haritsa Gotra comes under Angiras-Harita Gana.[17]

The pravara to be used by brahmanas of haritsa gotra in ceremonies and other auspicious functions is of two variations, namely :

• Angiras, Ambarish, Yuvanaswa, which is most commonly used
• Harita, Ambarisha, Yuvanaswa.