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**Carol** · 07-17-2012, 07:01 AM

As this query seems not to have been responded to by anyone, I am filling in. Please be free to check for its correctness or otherwise from more knowledgeable persons.

1. Gothram: Gothram in general indicates the lineage of Rishis who expounded the vedas. Even if you had a gothram, (which I doubt you being a westerner) you are not aware of it. There are certain spiritual organisations like Chinmayananda Mission, Arsha vidya gurukulam etc. which have bases in USA and which facilitate anyone desirous of joining the mainstream Hinduism. As per my limited understanding, the new entrants are absorbed as adoptees of some rishi with the help of some simple ceremony.

2. Can you do the samskaras like upanayanam, marriage, namakarana etc.: It should be possible once you are in the fold of hinduism.

3. Should you ask the priest about these things: Of course, you should. At the first glance itself the priest would know that you are a new entrant to sanatana dharma and they would try to help you out.

Thanks a lot! There is a Chinmaya Mission in my city (I think that is the same organization), I haven't heard of Arsh Vidya Gurukulam, but I will definitely check them out, hopefully there is one near by. Do you know what that ceremony is called?

Yeah, I was curious if I would be allowed to take upanayanam since I am not in the caste system. Or would I be put in a caste after such a ceremony?

07-17-2012, 07:01 AM	#3
Carol Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 547 Senior Member	As this query seems not to have been responded to by anyone, I am filling in. Please be free to check for its correctness or otherwise from more knowledgeable persons. 1. Gothram: Gothram in general indicates the lineage of Rishis who expounded the vedas. Even if you had a gothram, (which I doubt you being a westerner) you are not aware of it. There are certain spiritual organisations like Chinmayananda Mission, Arsha vidya gurukulam etc. which have bases in USA and which facilitate anyone desirous of joining the mainstream Hinduism. As per my limited understanding, the new entrants are absorbed as adoptees of some rishi with the help of some simple ceremony. 2. Can you do the samskaras like upanayanam, marriage, namakarana etc.: It should be possible once you are in the fold of hinduism. 3. Should you ask the priest about these things: Of course, you should. At the first glance itself the priest would know that you are a new entrant to sanatana dharma and they would try to help you out. Thanks a lot! There is a Chinmaya Mission in my city (I think that is the same organization), I haven't heard of Arsh Vidya Gurukulam, but I will definitely check them out, hopefully there is one near by. Do you know what that ceremony is called? Yeah, I was curious if I would be allowed to take upanayanam since I am not in the caste system. Or would I be put in a caste after such a ceremony?
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