VANSHAVALI (English Version), MISR/ MOHLA,

VANSHAVALI (English Version), MISR/ MOHLA,
SHUKLA YAJURVEDA SHAKHA, SOMASTAM GOTRA &
UNIQUE FAMILY CUSTOMS

Vanshavali in Hindi (Posted by dear Ajaya on June 9, 2009)
The heading of the Vanshavali in Hindi reads:
Vanshavali of Mohle Parivar (family) of Pandit Nain Sukh Misr.
The title on the left hand side reads:
Shukala Yajurveda Mardhandharm Brahmin Shakha (branch).
Gotra: Somastam
The title on right hand side reads:
Published by Krishan Chand, Bishan Chand Mohle, sons of Pandit Deewan Chand Mohle, Delhi. Vikram Samvat 1989, 1932 AD. (Kishan Chand and Bishan Chand are named on the first low hanging branch on the left hand side of the family tree.)
Handwritten additions to the Vanshavali on the top right hand side in Hindi are by Bauji (Shri Mohan Lal Mohlajee).
The tree vase reads:
Pandit Nain Sukh Misr had 2 sons. The number on each leaf indicates the number of sons of the person named.
2 sons of Pandit Nain Sukh Misr were Pandit Shyamal Das Misr (right hand branch) and Pandit Kesho Das Misr (left hand branch).
Our family branch starts with Pandit Shyamal Das Misr (first leaf on the right hand branch).

Why Misr?
Pandit Jogendra Nath Bhattacharya in Hindu Castes and Sects on Misr surname of our ancestors:
The Brahmans of the Panjab are chiefly Sarswat (page 55). The general surname of a Sarswat is Misr. But each clan has a special surname (page 56); our clan’s surname is Mohle/ Mohla.

Vanshavali (English version)
1. The English version of Vanshavali has been divided in to sections to include the names of the Women of the Mohlajee Clan. The sections are:
V-1: From Pandit Nain Skh Misr Ji to Pandit Madho Ram Mohla Ji.
V-2: Family of Shri Shiv Narain and Shrimati Pushpa Vati Mohlajee.
V-3: Family of Shri Ram Narain and Shrimati Krishan Piyari Mohlajee.
V-4: Family of Shri t Mohan Lal and Shrimati Dhan Vati ‘Maimo’ Mohlajee.
V-5: Family of Shrimati Krishan Pyari and Shri Purshottam Das Jhingan.
Family of Shrimati Padma Vati (Laali) and Shri Ram Lubhaya Jhingan.
V-6: Families of Pandit Madho Ram Mohla Ji’s daughters and son, Pandit
Mela Ram Mohla.
V-7: Atul Mohlajee’s e-mail of 2004.

3. In the Hindi Vanshavali, our Par-par-Dadaji is named Hulasi Misr. In the English version, I have used his common name, Thula Misr, the name Bauji had always mentioned in our conversations.
I did confirm that Thula Misr Ji is Dadaji of Pandit Paras Ram Mohla Ji (son of Pandit Kashi Ram Ji, see V-1) and Pandit Milkhi Ram Mohla Ji (see V-1) in the Haridwar Purohit’s Vahi (family registry).
I did not know the circumstances of the change in Par-par-Dadaji’s name from Hulasi to Thula and the meaning of word Thula. Thanks to Sharda Bahinji’s posting of August13, 2009, we all know it now.
4.Thanks are due to dear Anjali for her time and efforts in the organization of the Vanshavali into a simple, neat and easy to follow presentation. Thanks, Anjali.
5. Please e-mail to me or dear Ajaya for the missing names and corrections of the Vanshavali.

An Apology:
I owe a sincere apology to Prem Bhai (see V-2). He had mentioned to me and to Ajaya that Bhaiya Ji’s name is Madho Ram Mohla not Misr. When we were making corrections and additions to Vanshavali, I thought that all the correction has been made before it was posted on 8/14/2009. To my chagrin and embarrassment, Bhaiya Ji’s surname was shown as Misr. His name will be corrected soon.

Vanshavali Background:
On my 1970 visit to India, Bhapaji, Bhabhiji, and Ajaya (see V-4) took me to Pushkar Brahma Mandir. As soon as we walked towards the Mandir, a young boy came and asked us the name of street where we lived in Lahore and our surname. With that information, he vanished into the crowd. A few minutes later, a young Tirath Purohit materialized carrying a Vahi on his shoulders. He opened the Vahi and to our admiration and appreciation showed us the entry dictated by Prem Bhai. It included our Moti Nagar address and the names of the additions to our family since Bauji visited Pushakar some time before the Partition. This is the first we became aware that Prem Bhai had updated our family tree. Thanks are due to Prem Bhai. Personally, it was the first time I saw a family Vahi maintained by a Purohit, although I had heard a lot about it.
Later at my request, Bauji prepared a Vanshavali for me in 1971 which I still have with me. It includes Pandit Mahtab Misr Ji and his descendent. During my 2003 visit to India, I requested Bhapaji to obtain our Vanshavali from Haridwar for me. He mentioned that he had one in his possession. I am very appreciative that dear Ajaya had safely preserved it over the years and has kindly shared it with the entire Mohlajee Clan.
Atul Mohlajee’s (see V-2) e-mail of 2004 was the first time that I came to learn the names of our ancestors of distant past. Until then I only knew of Pandit Mahtab Misr Ji, Pandit Thula Misr Ji and Pandit Madho Ram. Many thanks are due to dear Atul for his efforts in securing the names of our ancestors on his own initiative.

Shukala Yajurveda Madhyandina Brahmin Shakha (branch)?
Shyama and I showed the Hindi Vanshavali to Pandit Krishan Pandey Ji, M.A. Sanskrit in July. He is the Head Priest of Hindu Mandir in Sunnyvale, California,
Panditji explained that Yajurveda is a sandhi (compound word) of two Sanskrit words; yajus (ritual verses) and veda (knowledge). There are two primary compilations (Samhitas) of the Yajurveda: Shukla (white) and Krishna (black). Furthermore, Shukla Yajurveda, is divided into two Shakhas (branches): Madhyandina and Kanva.
Panditji mentioned that Madhyandina Shakha is commonly known as Mardhandharm Shakha. The word Viprvar written before Mardhandharm Shakha in the Vanshavali means we are a Brahmin Parivar (family) of the Madhyandina Shakha and follow its rituals.

Veda Kathanak of Kalyan in a summary of Yajurveda desribes the origin our Shakha:
In vedic times, Surya (Sun) pleased with Maharishi Yajnavalkya’s penance for seeking knowledge of Vedas recited Yajurveda to him. It is called Shukla Yajurveda because it was revealed by God Surya. Panditji called it ujjval, bright. Maharishi Yajnavalkya recited Shukla Yajurveda to his 15 disciples. Two of his disciples, Madhyandina and Kanva, compiled, propagated and commented on various sections of the Shukla Yajurveda. The respective Samhitas (compilations) of the verses necessary for rituals (yajus) are named Madhyandina and Kanva. The Madhyandina Shakha rituals are popular in North India, Nepal, Gujarat, parts of Maharashtra (north of Nashik). Dasaratha and Bhagvan Rama's Raghuvansh clan followed Madhyandina Shakha (pages 163-170).

Pandit Jogendra Nath Bhattacharya in Hindu Castes and Sects, mentions that:
Both Kanvas and the Madhyandinas follow the Shatapatha Brahmana, and the Srauta Sutras of Katyana. (I will consult Panditji for the import of this statement; will post his answer later on).

Gotra: Somastam:
Pandit Jogendra Nath Bhattacharya in Hindu Cates and Sects, on the meaning of one’s Gotra:
The Gotra of a Brahman is the name of the Rishi or Vedic poet from whom he and his agnates are supposed to be descended. (Agnates: relatives through the paternal side of the family, descended from a common male ancestor) The Gotra of a man of any other caste is the name of the Rishi who and whose descendants were entitled to officiate as priests in the family of his ancestors (page 31).
We also asked Pandit Krishan Pandey Ji about the heritage of our Gotra. His response was that since we are a Brahmin Parivar of Shukla Yajurveda, our Gotra is the name of one of the Rishis who compiled Vedas.
Veda Kathanak of Kalyan:
There is a list of names of the 403 Rishis, who through their penance compiled Rig Veda. Of them, 88 Rishis complied Suktas and Mantras individually without any contribution by other Rishis. Whereas other Rishis’ work was complemented and/or suplemented by their progeny Rishis. The list names 315 Rishis divided into 50 Parivars (pages 372-375).
One of the Rishi Parivar listed on page 375 is : Som Parivar. Som Parivar’s Rishis’ names are: Som (Moon), Budh (Mercury), Souamaya and Pururva. Rishi Souamaya is our Aadhi (ancient) ancestor, our Gotra!
Thanks to dear Ajaya’s posting we all know of the birth of Rishi Somastam as described in Srimad Bhagvatam.

Kul Devta (Familly Deity): Durga Mata
Pandit Jogendra Nath Bhattacharya in Hindu Castes and Sects, writing on Sarswat Brahmin states:
The majority of the Sarswats are Sakti worshippers (page 55).
According to Chachiji (Shmt. Dhan Vati ‘Maimo’ Mohlajee, see V-4), our Kul Devta is Mata. When asked which Mata to pray as Kul Devta, she responded that we consider Devi Mata in any one of her manifestations as Kul Devta.
A few days before Anshu’s wedding, Chachji had Panditji perform havan, pujas of Ganesh, Nav Grahas, other gods, and Pran Parishtha of Durga Mata statue from our home Mandir, as the presiding celestial head of the family. This puja ceremony is called Wadi da Bithana.
After the wedding, Anshu and Samir visited our home to be blessed by Durga Mata. We all recited prayers thanking Durga Mata for gracing our home and blessings the wedding. Then we retired her statue back to our home Mandir. This puja ceremony is called Wadi di Bidai.
Anshu’s husband Samir is a Sindhi. His family had a similar puja of their Kul Devta conducted at their home before the wedding. Then another puja upon the arrival of Doli at their place.
Generally, various families visit a particular Devi Mata’s Temple in Himachal Pradesh for Mundan ceremonies etc. I do not know whether our family is obligated to visit a particular Devi Mata’s Temple for such or other ceremonies.

Customs Unique to Mohlajee Clan:
Raksha Bandan: On Raksha Bandan day, our family did not use to light fire during the day to cook meals. We also used to perform Raksha Bandan in the evening.
Bahus (daughter-in-laws) would go to their respective parents’ homes in the morning to perform Raksha Bandan. Thet would return home in the evening. In the meantime, Bahus’ families used to bring Pucca food (Puris etc, from Halwais) for the rest of the family.
In the evening, Bahus used to cook Khichri of rice and chana dal and sweet saviya, without milk, and serve to the family after sisters have tied the Rakhris on their brothers’ arms.
Why this unique custom? I do not know the rationale behind this custom. Gomti Bahinji knows the rationale behind this custom as explained to her by Chote Tayaji (see V-3). May be she can enlighten us about this unique custom.
Any other unique family customs?. I would request my sisters and brothers to share such custom(s), if any, with us.

Tirth Purohits:
Tirth Purohits maintain history of our family’s visits, the purpose of the visits and names and addresses of the visitors. They also perform various pujas except for the last rites. Our family Purohits are stationed at various Tirthsthans, e.g. Haridwar, Kurushetra, Pushkar, Varanasi, Gaya etc.
Our Purohits in Haridwar are Pandit Nand Kishore and his son, Pandit Abhishek Sharma. They are descendents of Pandit Kriparam Ji Parbhakar.
When you visit a Tirath, mention to a Purohit that you belong to the Mohla family of Suttar Mandi, Lahore and now of Delhi/ New Delhi. Purohit will ask you for the names of your father, paternal grandfather, and great-grandfather, if you know. They are amazingly prompt in finding prior entries in the Vahi to make your entry at its proper place.

About Mahender and Shyama:
Mahender is son of Shmt. Dhan Vati ‘Maimo’ and Shri Mohan Lal Mohlajee. He was born in Lahore, now in Pakistan. The entire Mohlajee clan moved to Delhi after the Partition. He studied at Sain Das Anglo Vedic High School in Jalandhar and at Punjab University Camp College, New Delhi. He worked at Punjab National Bank. He moved to the United States for higher studies after graduation.
Shyama is daughter of Shmt. Prakash Wati and Shri Shiv Nandan Parashar of Delhi. She was born in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. She studied in a Public School in Delhi and at Punjab University, Chandigarh. She earned M.Sc. (Honors School) in Botany and was a professor at Dev Samaj College, Ferozepur, Punjab.
We were married at the Lakshami Narayan Mandir (Birla Mandir), New Delhi by the Mandir Priests. We live in Portola Valley, California, which is approx. 6 miles west of Stanford University Campus.
Our only daughter is Anshu Prabha. She studied at Cornell University, University of Michigan and Harvard University. She earned her D. Sc. in Epidemiology from Harvard University last year. Anshu and Dr. Samir Thadani were married last October. They make their home in San Francisco.
Thanks for your patience for the English version of the Vanshavali.
Mahender
August 27, 2009


References:
1. Pandit Jogendra Nath Bhattacharya, M.A. D. L., President of the College of Pandits, Nadiya. Hindu Castes and Sects, Thacker, Spink And Co., Calcutta, 1896. Courtesy: Digital Google.
2. Kalyan, Veda Kathanak, January-February 1999 Annual Edition. Gita Press, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.