Question

What is Gotra? What were the rules to be followed by women in a
Gotra?

Answer 1

In Hindu society, the term gotra is commonly considered to be equivalent to clan. It broadly refers to people who are descendants in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor or patriline. 

rules of gotra followed by women :
1. after marriage women have to adopt her husbands gotra name and give up fathers gotra name.

2. members of same gotra could not marry.

Answer 2

Explanation:

1) Gotra refers to the term in Hindu society, which determines the lineage or a clan and its ancestors.

2) The name of gotras are typically derived from munis or monks and it is believed that we all share a common ancestor as our lineage comes from this monks.

3) For example, people of Kashyap gotra are believed to be the descendants of kashyap muni.

Rules followed by a woman in gotra are:

- After marriage, all women are believed to change their surname to their spouse surname that changes the gotra too.

- Descendants of same gotra should not marry each other as it is believed that they share same blood and might cause some trouble for future generation.