Khagendra Nath Dev Sarma (The writer is the President, Brahman Mahasabha, Asom. He can be contacted to 98543-02681 (m) for feedback.) In the issue of the highly esteemed daily “The Sentinel” of July 1, 2023, Sjt. Arup Saikia, while writing or compiling the captioned article, commented on the Surjya Vipra Community as under “Ganak: They are another branch of Brahmins who are basically fortune tellers instead of performing religious ceremonies; location-wise, their status is deferent. Vedic Brahmins have not accorded them equal status across the state. Although they were worshippers of planets, not shakta, they are interested in astrology, undermining the status quo enjoyed by them in the royal courts of the Koch kings and the Ahom kings and also the present-day position of the Surjya Vipra. While the author had given such a defamatory statement on the Surjya Vipra (whose 21 titles were Sambatsari, Jyotishi, Daivajna, Ganaka, etc., which will be discussed in this article), who were ancient classes of Vedic Brahmans living in ancient Assam (Dharmanya, Pragjyotishpur, Kamrup) since more than 1000 BC (source: The Surjya and Surjya Vipra, by Golokeswar Baruah, IAS rtd. It appears that he did not make any inquiries or research on these Hon’ble Brahmans who gave the nomenclature ‘Pragjyotishpur’ to this region. These Brahmans were strictly Vedic and used to follow the Sukla Yajurved, Kanwa Sakha, and undergo Dasha Karmas in their lifetime, viz., i) Garbhadhan, ii) Pungsavan, iii) Simonto-nayan, iv) Jatakarma, v) Namakaran, vi) Annaprasan, vii) Chura-karan, viii) Upanayan, ix) Sama-bartan, x) Marriages In each case, the Nandi Mukh Sraddha is performed. These are also known as Dasha Sanskaras, performed as per Sukla Yajurved. Thus the Surjya Vipras are Vedic Brahmans with full authority to perform all religious functions, including worshipping God//goddesses with the exception of performing last rites (Adyashraddha, Burning of Physical bodies of dead persons of the Khatrias, Baishyas, Sudras, etc.), which are entrusted to another class of Brahmans known as ‘Chandra Vipras/Paitrik Brahmanas. The Surjya Vipras do not use to perform the last rites of the Sudras (source: because of the Sastras’ warnings, viz. Devi Bhagawatam, Page-919, Slok No. 64, 65, 66). In India presently, there are almost 1500 classes of Brahmans, while in Assam, particularly in the Brahmaputra Valley, there are two classes of Brahmans, viz., Chandra Vipras (Paitric Brahmans) and Surjya Vipra (Daivik Brahmans), both of which are of equal status following the Sukla Yajurved, Kanwa Sakha—”You should know, oh, Devi, there is no difference between the two classes. Sruti Sastra and astrology are both the same. The two have the same right in the Vedas; the two follow the same work, the same rule, the same custom, etc.” (Source: Dipika Chanda) The Chandra Vipras are known as Paitrik Brahmans, and the Surjya Vipras are known as Daivik Brahmans, Daivajna Brahmans, etc. The words ‘Chandra Vipra’ and ‘Surjya Vipra’ are found in many more Holy books like the Mahabharata, Dipika Chanda, Hara-Gouri Sambad-Tantra, etc. In the year 1714 AD, the local king Chargadeu Siva Singha also admitted the equal status accorded to both sections of the Brahmans after hearing both sides (Source: Itihase Sowra Six Hundred Years, by Sarbananda Rajkumar, P-306). The duties and functions of both sections of the Brahmans are enumerated in the research-oriented book, viz., ‘Surjya’ by Dr. N. P. Bordalai, P-111, as follows: The goods and materials offered to gods in the shraddha ceremony are generally received by the Surjya vipras. The duties and functions of the daivik brahmans and the surjya vipras are narrated in the preface of the brahman sanghita by Kashi nath dev sarma, Siddhanta Ratna, as follows: to perform Jag jajna, Doul, Durgotsav, Kalipuja, Vishnu puja, etc., including worshipping of all gods and goddesses; to receive the shares of the pancha devatas in the shraddha; to receive the shares of the pancha devatas in the shraddha; to receive the shares of the Vasundhara Saurasha mstrika puja; to receive the shares of the Bishwa Deva in the Basanta Puja; and to get into all the Hindu people in the DIKSHA mantra. On the other hand, the duties and functions of the paitrik brahmans and the chandra vipras are to perform the Nandimukh Shraddha, Dasha sanskarshraddha, and ekodista shraddha, to perform the last rites of the deceased, to receive some offerings thereon, and to receive some money on prayachitta. The shares of the pretas, i.e., “Amannadi Kanda,” and shares of “the Pindadi Kanda” are to be due to the paitrik Brahmsnas and the Chandra Vipras. Formerly, these two divisions were according to their qualities and works; it was not caste-based but qualitative and duty-oriented; later on, it was dynasty-oriented.” As per Brihat Manu Sanghita, the position of the Surjya Vipras and Daivajna Brahmans appears to be superior in comparison to other sections of the Brahmans, viz., Jajne Dane bibahecha brate pungshavane tatha grahapujacha homami kartabyani grahadwije. Shraddhe home cha mangalye sarvatra baranikrita—brihat manu sanghita”, meaning: In the Jajna, offerings, marriages, fasting, Pungsavan (relating to Dasha Karmas/Sanskars of a male Brahman), and in the Graha Puja/Graha Homa, in Shraddha, Jajna, the Graha Dwijas/Surjya Vipras are to be invited/welcomed/Worshipped for one’s welfare, etc. As per Hara Gouri Sambad Tantra, the Surjya Vipras and Daivajna Brahmans are superior Brahmans; one Daivajna Brahmana is equal to one hundred other Brahmans, and they are religious teachers of all castes, including dwijas (Brahmana, Khatriya, Baishya, etc.). “Davajnattam sresthottam vipra ebay cha. Satavipra samashena daivajna eka uchyate dwijadi sarbabarnanang daivajna paramo guruh”. As per Hara Gouri Sambad Tantra, Adau Daivajnah Samhuto Jyotishang Purushotbyayat.” The Daivajnas were born first from the Jyotish Abyaya Purusha, i.e., Brahma god. It is to be remembered or worth mentioning that the Surjya Vipras (whom the author has referred to as Ganaka) are not planet worshippers, as in practise they consider and worship the Sun god as Ram avatar, the Moon god as Krishna Avatar, the Mars god as Nrisingha Avatar, the Murcury god as Buddha Avatar, the Jupitar god as Baman avatar, the Venus god as Parashuram Avatar, the Saturn god as Kurma Avatar, the Rahu god as Baraha avatar, and the Ketu god as Meena avatar of Vishnu God (Source: Saral Jyotish Sikha, Kolkata). Hence they are worshippers of Vishnu God, i.e., Graha rupi Janardana, i.e., Vishnu in terms of different Grahas. Definition of Ganaka: In the Yajurved, Devi Chand translated the word Ganaka into English as a Mathematician (Oh, God, create for reverence the following: a headman, a mathematician, a watchman, the Yajurved, P-438). In the ancient Indian civilization, the ‘Ganaka’ term was used as an honorific position in society, which is an undeniable fact. Dr. Jyogiraj Bosu translated the word ‘Ganaka’ as astrologer. In the English-Sanskrit Dictionary of Anandaram Baruah, the ICS word ‘Astro’ has been translated into English as—i) Ganaka, ii) Daivajna, iii) Karttantik, and iv) Mauhurtta. In ancient India, Ganaka was Jyotishagya, a mathematician and Astronomer. The words Daivajna and Ganaka were used as very honourable, as per the Amar Kosha (Sanskrit Dictionary), which means wise.” The term Ganaka as Daivajna was used in the sense of a Ph.D. of modern times (Source: Surjya and Surjya Vipra, by G Baruah, IAS, rtd.). As per Pramitakhyara, the definition of ‘Ganaka’ is as follows: With a little knowledge acquired out of the bankless ocean like Hora sastra, i.e., Astrology, and by the help of Algebra and Arithmatics, if a little knowledge on the tithi, Nakshyatra, joga, karana, sphut, etc., for the benefit of the world, one who can calculate the exact time of jnas etc., he can be termed as Ganaka.” “A bamboo standing on the ground/the earth was bent by the wind blowing. The upper portion of the said bamboo touches the ground at a distance of 3.5 hats, i.e., almost 5 feet from the lower portion of the bamboo. Hence, Oh, Ganaka, if you have acquired knowledge of arithmetic, please tell the length of the entire bamboo.” (Source: Arya Bhatta, by Ranjit Sastri, Principal Sambhu Dev Sanskrit Tol, Sipajhar) “Ganak is the section of Brahmins who have been practising astrology and also have been performing various Vedic rituals in Assam since ancient times. This is not a caste but a title given to that section of the Brahmins of Assam, India, who used to go to play the role of Astrologers during Royal Events and also in the case of individual name-giving ceremonies, which is called ‘Ganana’ in Assamese, and that is why they are called ‘Ganakas’. This is rather a professional title in general and large.” (Please see Encyclopaedia of India and Eastern and Southern Asia: Commercial, Industrial, and Scientific by Edward Balfour and History of Sanskrit Literature by A.B. Keith.) They are also known as Surjya Vipra, Daivajna Brahmins, Acharyas, and Graha Vipra (Bareh, Hmlet, ed., 2001, Encyclopaedia of North-East India: Tripura, P-240). They are the descendants of Sakaldwipiya Brahmins, according to Sakaldwipiya History, but other Brahmin clans consider them to be of a lower rank, which is not based on fact. (Source: Sharma, Suresh Kant, and Usha eds., 2005) Discovery of North-East India: geography, history, culture, religion, politics, sociology, science, education, and economy (North-East India 5, Mittal, P-226) The fact that the Daivajna Brahmans were appointed as Pujaries in Tamples during the Ahom Rule can be seen from the certificate issued to Rudra Ram Bordoloi of the Uzir Bordoloi family by Hon’ble King Kandarpeswar Singha in the 1796 Saka Era. This certificate is presently with Sri Sachin Kumar Bordoloi (Rajgarh Road, 4th Bye Lane). Hence, Ganaka’ does not indicate a name of caste as claimed by the author in the article. Satkarma, or the six acts or duties enjoyed on a Surjya Vipra, are as follows: Adhyanam, Adhyapanam, Yajanam, Yajanam tatha Danah pratigarahascaiva Sat-Karmanagra-janmah.” The Surjya Vipras had established themselves much earlier in Pragjyotishpur than other Vipras: As per Markendia Puran (Canto 109): When the king Rajya Bardhana became old and retired to the forest, the sun-worshipping Brahmins of his kingdom started austerities to propitiate the Sun to get the king restored to youth. Then a Gandharba named Sudaman appeared and advised the Sun worshipper Brahmins, “If you desire, o, dvijas, to propitiate the Sun, there is a forest named Guru Visala frequented by Siddha in the very mountainous Kamrup. Go there in haste and perform your propitiation there; you shall obtain all your desires.” The Brahmans came to Kamrup and saw there a beautiful shrine of the sun, and they propitiated the Sun god and got the desired results (Source: The Comprehensive History of Assam, by Dr. H. K. Barpujari, Vol. I). As per Taranatha’s History of Buddhism in India, there was a sun-worshipping Brahman named Siddha in early 300 BC in Kamrup. This indicates the existence of sun-worshipping Brahmans in Kamrup in ancient times. The Kalika Puran also refers to two important seats of sun worship in ancient Assam, viz., the Ravi Khetra at Surjya Pahar, Goalpara, and the Navagraha Mandir at Guwahati, where the Sun and other planets are worshipped as Graha Rupi Janardan. In the Navagraha Mandir, all the Pujaries are found to be Surjya Vipras, Graha Vipras, and Daivajna Brahmans. In the Kamakhya Temple, “The present Panda Mandali worshipping the Kamakhya Goddess are known to be Daivajnas (Ganaka)”—Shaktipith Kamakhya, by Manik Chandra Bhattacharya. During the rule of King Nar-Narayan, a Surjya Vipra named Kendu Kalai was found to be a priest in the Kamakhya Temple. Kalika Purana says “In the early times, Brahma staying here created a star, and that is why the city is called Pragjyotisha”. Hence the name Pragjyotishpur was given by the Surjya Vipra/Daivajna Brahmans. As the name Pragjyotishpur is found in the Ramayana as well as in the Mahabharata, the Surjya Vipra/Daivajna Brahmans used to stay in ancient Assam, i.e., Pragjyotispur, since the time of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. “There is a grain of truth in the statement that the first astronomical observation in Assam was made in Navagraha,” HCPA/27, P. C. Choudhury. This is a great contribution by the Surjya Vipras to the Aryan culture in the region. Now let us come to the point: who are the Surjya Vipras/Daivajna Brahmans, as quoted earlier many times? As per Brahma Sidhanta, a holy book, the Daivajnas born of Brahma were seated in Swakadwipa, which was in Saurastra, its present name being Gujrat. Of course, there is a difference of opinion as to the location of the Swakadwipa. They were named Swakadwipi Brahmana, Maga Brahmana, or Maga Priests while they were at Swakadwipa. The Surjya Vipras were originally descendents of Swakadwipi Brahmans, as quoted earlier, who were brought to Jambudwipa (Bharata Barsha) during Dwapar Jug by Samba, son of Lord Shree Krishna (Samba Puran, Nava Bharat Publishers, Kolkata, P-160), with a view to worshipping the Sun god (who was Vishnu in the form of the Sun at Swakadwipa) in a temple built/dedicated to the Sun by Samba at Mitraban on the bank of the Chandra Vaga, as at that time there were no suitable or appropriate Brahmans at Jambudwipa (Bharata Barsha) to worship the Sun god as all the Brahmans in Jambudwipa (Bharata Barsha) became Debal (Debarred from all religious functions) at that time. As a result, swakadwipi Brahmans were brought to Jambudwipa from swakadwipa on the back of the Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu. On their arrival at Mitraban (Jambudwipa), they were recognised and named Surjya Bipras (Skondo Purana, Nagara khanda, P-4329, published by Nava Bharat publishers). The titles awarded to the Surjya Vipras and Swakadwipi Brahmanas as found in Brahma Sidhanta are as follows: 1) Sambatsari, 2) Jyotishi, 3) Daivajna, 4) Ganak, 5) Graha Vipra, 6) Dwija Srestha, 7) Sarba Sastra Visarada, 8) Acharya, 9) Brahmanendra, 10) Ghatak, 11) Sarba Vedika, 12) Sukhi, 13) Sakhi, 14) Barenya, 15) Agni, 16) Sat-Karma, 17) Graha Bhusura, 18) Mauhurtiki, 19) Mauhurtagyani, 20) Kartantiki, 21) Grahangsha Brahmana It is also obvious that the Surya Vipras and Daivajna Brahmans are undoubtedly PANGKTI PAWAN Brahmans as per Manu Sanghita (Published by Sanskrit Pustak Bhander, Kol) vide Slok No. 184, P-79. “Reference to the inhabitants of Saka Dwipa is, however, older than Puranas, appearing first in the Rig-Veda and subsequently in almost all the Vedas.” may also be looked into. Almost all the Puranas and other literature of the Vedic age, The Ramayana, The Mahabharata, The Brahma Jamala, The Brahma Siddhanta, The Graha Jamala, The Dipika Chanda, The Hara-Gouri Sangbad Tantra, and Graha Vipra Itihash, by Radhaballav Devasharma, Kolkata, have been describing them as Pangkti Pawan Brahmans since ancient times. The modern research books, viz., “Surya” by Dr. Nirmal Prabha Bordoloi (Sahitya Academy Awardee) and “Surya and Surya Vipra” by Golokeswar Baruah, IAS (Retd.), have also clearly opined that the Surya Vipra and Daivajna Brahmans are high-class Brahmans following Sukla Yajurved. It is further observed from the several ancient histories of Assam that only some Daivajna Brahmans hailing from the Surya Vipra Community were gifted with the Jagyopabit or Janeu made of Gold during the rules of the Ahom kings and the Koch kings, especially in the Brahmaputra Valley. Also, there is no such caste, namely GANAKA, in Assam, especially in the Brahmaputra Valley. It is therefore easily ascertainable that they were or are high-class Brahmans to receive such a gift, viz., Janu made of Gold. A most brilliant man hailing from the Surjya Vipra Community/Daivajna Brahmans, Shree Shree Bangshi Gopal Guru, founded the famous Kuruabahi Satra (a Hindu Vaisnava Monastery). He established several other satras, but the most important fact is that it is from him that the principal Chari satras, viz., Auni Ati, Garamur, Kamalabari, and Dakshin Pat of Assam, have arisen (Source: Surjya and Surjya Vipra, by G. Baruah). As per the Skondo Purana (Nagar Khanda, Nava Bharat Publishers, Kolkata, P-3858), the Daivajna Brahmans have been described as “Dwijottam”. As per Chandeswar Tantra, “Sarbeshang Barnanang Grihinang Dwijmmana Brahmanah Paramah Sresthah, Brahmanang Magah Parah: Amongst all castes, householders, dwijas, and brahmanas, brahmanas are superior, but amongst brahmanas, the Maga Brahmans are superior (Source: Surjya and Surjya Vipra, by Golokeswar Baruah, IAS rtd. Obviously, the statement made by the author of the captioned article on the Surjya Vipras, presuming them to be ‘Ganaka caste, is not based on facts. Further, compiling such an article on a particular community without conducting proper research and inquiry on them may also create communal disharmony in society.