History

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  • It is mentioned in Rigveda that Rathakara had a unique position in Vedic Yajna institution. It is believed that "Taksha" married sage " Jaimini's" daughter "Chandrika". Thus Daivajna community was believed to originate from their confluence. Some historians also relate Daivajna community with Shakadwipiya maga brahmins (Daivajnas have many common traits that are found in so called Shakadwipi Maga people from Iran who were Sun worshipers and Astrologers ).Daivajnas had to determine Panchanga (i.e. Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karan, Vaara) for the Yajna, design and construct different types of Yajna Kundas, Yajna Mantapas, yupa stambha's etc. They were also supposed to perform the ritual called as " Agnicayana" (generating of holy fire using ancient friction methods) as a part of Yaga.
  • Aryavarta" (Sanskrit: आर्यावर्त, abode of the Aryans ) (today's Punjab and Haryana states) is believed to be the origin of this community. It is believed that Daivajnas later migrated to " Gouda" Desha (see also gaur in Bengal) in ancient times and then to Southern Goa. Later in 12th and 14th centuries these people migrated from Goa to other parts of India because of Islamic and Portuguese invasions and other socioeconomic reasons.
  • It is believed that lord Parashurama created Sapt Konkan (The Sapta-Konkan as depicted in Skanda-purana stretches from Maharashtra to Karnataka) and 96 Brahmin families belonging to 10 gotras settled in different Agraharas in Goa. Daivajnas came with lord Parashurama to the South to assist other Brahmins perform yajnas and they settled in different Agraharas in Goa with Saraswats (as mentioned in SahyadriKhand of Skanda Purana).
  • Some historians also believe that Daivajnas hail from " Panchal" desha.
  • Another view says that Daivajnas came to Goa in 4th or 6th century in the time of the Bhoja dynasty.
  • Manu smriti has allowed Brahmins to adopt any occupation they like except those practiced by shudras and mlecchas. Daivajnas have adopted jewellery trade, examination of gemstones (Ratna Parkiskha), examination and testing of metals and alloys (Dhatu Pariksha) since times of yore.As the Vedic system declined they were engaged in making gold and silver idols and other equipments for the temples and still continue doing it.Some of them are Purohits and jyotishis, but the majority of them are involved in jewellery trade as a custom.
Migrations from the mainland
  • In 700 BC Brahmins from Aryavarta and Goud Desh migrated to south.
  • According to another view Daivajnas migrated to Goa in 4th - 6th century AD,when Bhojas were ruling Goa (ie after Brahmins in Saraswati mandal settled in Goa )
  • From 1352 to 1366 AD Goa was ruled by Khilji .In 1472, the Bahamani Muslims attacked and demolished many temples and forced the Hindus to get converted to Islam. To avoid these religious persecution several Daivajna families fled to the neighbourhood Kingdom of Sonde, Kanara.
  • In 1510 Portuguese invaded Goa, King of Portugal Joao III issued a decree threatening expulsion or execution of non-believers in Christianity in 1559 A. D,.Daivajnas refused conversion and had to flee,thousands of Daivajna families fled to interior Maharashtra and coastal Karnataka
  • About 12,000 families from the Sasashti region of Goa (ie. from Raia, Cuncolim, Loutolim, Verna and other places ), mostly of Saraswats and Daivajna, including Vaishyas, Kunbis (cultivators), and others fled by ship to the southern ports from Honavar to Kozhikode.

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