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these Gotra-káras are descended from one and the same ancestor. their descendants can freely intermarry. For instance, the descendants of Bharadvája can intermarry with those of Gotama, though both of them have been descended from A'ngiras.
Subsequent to the formation of the above 8 families, 10 more. families have come into existence. They consist of those Bráhmans who having once followed the profession of Kshatriyas (warriors) became again Brahmans and followed either Bhrigu or A'ngiras. These are known as Kevala or isolated Bhargavas or Angirasas and are permitted to marry with all other families. Their names are :
1. Vitahavya 2. Mitravu
Followers of E 3. Suraka 1. Vena 7. Rathitara 6. Mudgala 7. Vishņurviddba 8. Harita
Followers of Angiras. 3. Kaņva
10. Sanksiti These families appear to have been originally descended fronı Marichi and Atri; but they are allowed to marry even in their families, as, owing to the change cf their profession and reconversion to Bráhmauism, they were regarded as new centres.
Thus, all Brâhmans are now divided into 18 groups; and though one group can marry with another group, intermarriage among the members of the same group is strictly prohibited.
Now, the test of finding out to which of the groups a Brahman belongs is to znake him repeat his Pravara. If the Pravara contains one of the 18 names mentioned above, he is at once put down as belonging to that group. There are, however, a few Pravaras which do not contain any of the above-mentioned 18 names. In such cases, the descent of the man is determined by referring to the names of the ancestors of the 18 ancestors above nained, and seeing whether their names occur in the Pravara,