About Daivajna Community:

About Daivajna Community:

The Daivajna (also spelled Daivadnya) community is a Hindu caste an ethno-religious community of the west coast of India, predominantly residing in the states of Goa, coastal Karnataka, coastal Maharashtra.Historically the community has been known as sonars (goldsmiths),

Goa is considered as the homeland of this tribe, and are believed to have flourished and prospered in Goa hence, called as Gomantaka Daivajna. Due to many socio-economic reasons they emigrated to different parts of India within the last few centuries though sparsely.

Historically the community has been very well-educated and many have played prominent roles in Indian (especially Bombay) society. A galaxy of note worthy individuals have contributed richly to the betterment of the global community.

Daivajna Brahmins belong to the “SURYA VANSHI ARYA BRAHMAN’S” race that performed yajnas and other ritual duties from the period of Rig-Veda, on the banks of the rivers Saraswati-Drishdawati which was called ‘BRAMHAVARTHA’, in the region of Punjab and Haryana of today and in course of time some of them migrated southwards following the course of the Saraswathi.

“Daivajna” refers to people who in addition to performing yajnas and other ritual duties were involved with the Jyothisha Shastra (Astrology) which is one of the six Vedangas . “Daivajna” means one who knows“DAIVA” (Fate or Destiny) that is “VIDHI”.

As the Daivajna Brahmin migrated from Saurashtra and finally settled down in Goa- western coast permanently in 7th-8th century, they continued their ancillary gold and silver smithy occupation for their livelihood and led a peaceful and prosperous life in Goa till the invasion of Portuguese in 1510 A.D.

According to their Vedic culture and heritage they established the temples of Lord Vishnu, Shiva, Durga devi (Shakti devi –Kalika devi) and Nagadevatha (God of serpent) in Goa.

Daivajna Brahmins have been worshipping Lord Vishnu (Laxmi narayan) , Sri Hayagreeva deity of Sode Vadiraj Mutt, Shiva, Durga –Shakti devi, Kalika devi, Nagadevatha as their sacred gods since age long.

Daivajna Brahmins have common surname (family name) as “SHET” (SET). Which has an in depth legend of about 2000 years. The word Shet (Seṭ) is a corrupt form of the word Sreṣṭha or Sreṣṭhin which could mean excellent, distinguished or superior. As the time progressed the word was transformed from Sreṣṭha to Sheṭ.‘Sheṭ’s are often called as Daivajna Suvarṇakara. (cf.Svarṇakara).

Daivajna Brahmins of the different Gotras began to worship different of these Gods as their Kuladevatas(family deities). According to the name of the place of the particular Kuladevata, the Kulavi (follower) began to use the name of that place as the surname (family name) after adding ‘kar’ suffix.

Thus, those who dwelled in “Shiroda”- Shirodkar, those who dwelled in “Verna”- Vernekar, those who dwelled in “Rai” village Raikar, those who were at “Revana” village Revankar etc.

Surname BHAT is used for the class who are practising priestly ritual deeds.

Daivajna Brahmins speak the regional languages of the regions they have been settled in. e.g., those who are in Maharastra, speak Marathi; those who have settled in Andhra Pradesh, speak Telagu; people settled in Karnataka speak Kannada; in Tamilnadu they speak Tamil and so on.