Nepali & Sanskrit Terms
A quick dictionary of essential cultural, kinship, and Vamshawali terms that every GenZ should know.
Vamshawali & Kinship Terms
- सपिण्डी (Sapindi)
- Blood relatives sharing the exact same lineage up to the 7th generation. Sapindi relations are considered the closest family core, and strict rules of purity and marriage apply to them.
- सोदक (Sodak)
- Relatives from the 8th generation up to the 13th generation in the paternal lineage.
- सगोत्री (Sagotri)
- People belonging to the same Gotra (descendants of the same ancient sage). The Gautam Vamshawali falls under the Gautam Gotra. Traditional Hindu rules strictly prohibit marriage within the same Gotra.
- मातृकुल (Matrikul)
- The maternal lineage (mother's side of the family), such as Mama (maternal uncle), Maiju, and maternal grandparents.
- पितृकुल (Pitrikul)
- The paternal lineage (father's side of the family). Lineage and generational rules generally follow the Pitrikul.
Rituals & Purity Rules
- जुठो (Jutho)
- A state of ritual impurity observed following the death of a relative. During Jutho, individuals abstain from religious ceremonies, certain foods, and festivities. The duration varies strictly by relation and generational distance.
- सुतक (Sutak)
- A state of ritual impurity observed following a birth in the family. Sutak specifically applies only to the paternal lineage (Pitrikul) that observes a minimum of 13 days of Jutho.
- अहोरात्र (Ahoratra)
- A classical term meaning exactly 1 full day and 1 full night (24 hours). Used precisely to calculate short durations of Jutho or Sutak.
Spiritual & Ancestral Concepts
- प्रवर (Pravara)
-
A list of prominent ancient sages (Rishis) associated with a Gotra. For the Gautam Vamshawali, the Pravara consists of
Angiras
Ayasya
Gautam.
Used in Sankalpa and major rituals to invoke the most distinguished ancestors. - कुलदेवता (Kuldevta) / कुलदेवी
- The ancestral deity worshiped by the family lineage. They are believed to protect the Vamsha and are worshiped specifically during major life events (birth, marriage) and Kul Puja (Dewali).
- श्राद्ध (Shraddha)
- Annual memorial rituals performed with profound respect for deceased ancestors. It involves offering Pinda (rice balls) and Tarpan (water) to satisfy the ancestral spirits (Pitri).
- वंश (Vamsha)
- A dynasty or lineage. In traditional patrilineal Hindu society, the Vamsha is traced strictly through the father's side. The family tree records this continuous, unbroken chain of descendants.
Common Relation Terms
- जेठान / सालो
- Wife's older brother (Jethan) and younger brother (Salo).
- भतिजा / भतिजी
- Brother's son (Bhatija) and daughter (Bhatiji).
- भान्जा / भान्जी
- Sister's son (Bhanja) and daughter (Bhanji). They belong to the Matrikul and do not observe paternal Sutak.