Random Thoughts Part 2 - Genetic Engineering, Hindu Mythology and Gothra concept

A program on the Discovery channel got me thinking about a possible link between Hindu Mythology and scientific reasoning behind the Gothra concept. That Discovery channel program referred to claims made by Jewish families of they being direct descendants of revered Jewish saints from a pre-Christian era. The interesting paradox was that families from different parts of the world, (Africa, Europe, Far east and South Asia) and each belonging to a different race were claiming to be descendents of same Jewish Saints.

The physical features are so different that it is difficult to believe that the various claimants could have common lineage. Yet each seemed to believe strongly in their link to the original Jewish saint. Genetic engineers in the University of Israel along with Stanford University, USA decided to verify these claims through DNA mapping techniques and establish the common lineage, if any.

Genetic engineering research has established that there are 44 chromosomes in every human being (there being 22 pairs in all, and one pair out of these is the sex chromosome which can either be an X-X or an X-Y pair). Each chromosome contains DNA contributed by one of the parent. Hence linkage of DNA to parent is possible and thus it is possible to trace back lineage.

The researchers, to their surprise, found that they did not have to go deep or far. They noticed that Y-chromosomes get transferred from father to son as such and without much change. They found that through generations, the male chromosome lineage could be established. With is technique, the researchers could trace the male lineage and establish the claims of lineage of Jewish saints by clans from different parts of the world. (There are a few publications on this research in Nature Science, reference to which can be given.)

The south Indian Brahmin community can possibly provide the best sample for this type of research, since we have been maintaining this type of record of male lineage through ages. Families belonging to same Gothra have been living far apart from each other and unknown to each other. It should be possible to get good sample to establish this fact of transfer of Y-chromosome lineage.

The female egg does not carry a Y chromosome. Hence if a male is born, then the entire Y chromosome is from the male sperm. The father gives the Y chromosome imprint fully to a male child. Thus if you track the Y chromosome, it should be possible to link up, through father to grand-father to great grand-father etc. (See Note below)

The next question that rises is whether such linking of lineage through Gothram is required. The very reason for such linkage is the presumption that inbreeding should be avoided. The destruction of the community starts with inbreeding. There is a possibility that the female from the same gothram will carry an X chromosome from the father. Thus if she marries a person from the same gothram, there can be same X chromosome from husband and wife. This will affect all female children born. It was probably not possible to trace lineage through female, as there was possibility of mixing up of X chromosome from both parents in the female. Thus to prevent inbreeding, our forefathers established a system of Gothra through male lineage, and advised against marriage in same gothra, most likely with the knowledge that Y chromosome gets transferred as such.

Mythology Link

There is a possible and interesting mythological story as to why this linkage, at least for Brahmins, was not through female chain. Hindu Mythology talks of first stage of creation as being of Unisex. Till the time of creation of female form, the only method of reproduction was through cloning or by splitting and multiplication. The concept of old age or even aging and death was not known at that time. All the Rishis could live as long as Brahma lived or till Brahma Kalpa. Alternately they could, at will, opt for Moksha.

The procreation started but did not proceed fast enough as the Rishis had no interest in Procreation. Then Brahma decided to split his body into Male and female and created an automatic attraction between the two. This was the stage of creation of Manu and Satharoopi. (Adam and Eve as known to westerners). Daksha Prajapathi took or married one of the female off springs of Manu-Satharoopi couple and created the human (mammal) female form in which the child will grow in the womb of the mother, thus creating an identity and attachment with the mother. The need to nurse and care and desire to protect and bring up was also an integral part of the female. Creation of female form made Daksha Prajapathi the favorite of Brahma. (It also made Dakhsa too proud which ultimately led to his doom and subsequent restoration.)

Daksha had created 15 different human female forms first and then added one more later to make it sixteen. His eldest and dearest daughter Sathi, he presented in marriage (Kanyaka danam started on that day) to Lord Siva or Mahadeva. The second daughter Swaha was given in marriage to Agni deva. (The Rhyming names had started even at that time.)

The Balance 13 females were to be the starting point for Human beings or Manushya Jathi. They were worried that if procreation progresses too fast and if every one continues to live because of attachment to their children, then there will be no space on earth. Hence, probably, the concept of Old age and death was introduced.

God of Death and Terminator Genes.

Yama Dharma Raja had invented a way of self-destruction or terminator genes. Hence the balance thirteen girls of Daksha were given to Lord Yama in marriage for introducing Terminator genes. Thus the concept of automatic aging and death became a part of all living beings on earth. Yama got the name of God of death.

The concept of soul and cycle of birth and death gave rise to need for a resting place in between, death and subsequent birth. (Based on past Karma, one is to be born with certain other individuals or souls in the next birth and these souls would not have died together. Hence there has to be a place where a soul may rest for some time waiting for the proper time for his reentry in to the world. Thus arose need for Pitruloka. Sradham is performed for people in Pitruloka. We believe that one has to wait for a maximum period of lifetime of three generations. Hence we call only three generations during Sradham.) Daksha Prajapathi wanted a person to look after, like a mother, every soul that entered Pitruloka. Hence he decided to create the 16th daughter, to look after the children of all the 13 sisters with equal affection. This daughter was named Swadha. (People who perform Sradha (Thevasam) will recollect that they say Swadha Namah at the end of Shradha ceremony. This is to pay obeisance to the universal mother who looks after all the dead, till they return to earth or attain moksha.

The thirteen daughters were given to thirteen Rishis after introducing terminator gene. There was no stopping the mankind after that. Terminator genes or no terminator genes, it is continuing to multiply and envelop the earth.

The Y-chromosomes from the Rishis did not have terminator genes. These got transferred through the daughters of Daksha Prajapathi or Satharoopi. There were no mutations of Y chromosome. Thus the Rishis who were unisex probably established the Gothra through male lineage. The other casts or races are possibly through the male off springs of Manu and all of them are after spitting into male and female form and not from Unisex Rishis. It will be an interesting topic for research as to whether Y-chromosomes or even genetic DNA build up of Brahmins is different from other males.

NB - This is not a scientific article nor do I claim any scientific knowledge of genetic engineering. I have read a few articles on this subject and tried to grasp as much as I can from that. I have tried to relate that to Hindu Mythology. Genetic engineers and doctors who know the subject can correct any mistakes. I can provide them with any mythological link or explanation or together with them try to find out any linkages.

Contributed By:
K N Ramanathan gets these random thoughts sitting through a well-deserved retired life after a checkered career in various Public Sector and private sector organizations in India. Sri Ramanathan has his roots in Kavasseri, Palakkad & Tali, Calicut and currently spends his days at Boston, USA and Chennai.

All rights reserved. Copyright © 2002 K.N.Ramanathan. This article may not be reproduced in whole or in part without prior permission of the author.