Khare

Khare is a Hindu family surname found in India among communities of Kayastha or Kayasth and takes its meaning from the word 'pure'. Kāyastha are said to have a higher upper class status and in the Vedas and Puranas to have a dual-caste status, i.e. Brahmin and Kshatriya.[1][2] They are mainly spread across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and few in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, North India and are a sub-sect of Brahmins whose ancient profession was writing. The Khare family is known for their success in business, medicine as well as discovery and research in the field of science(biochemistry).[3][4] They are the only sect who are referred to as direct “blood” descendants of a Vedic god (Chitragupta) in the religious texts.

Genealogy of Khare

The Khare trace their genealogy from Adi Purush Shri Chitragupta Maharaj, the son of Lord Brahama[5][6] who had 12 sons with two wives, Irawati/Shobhwati and Sudakhina/Nandani. These 12 sons were married to Nagakanyas of Nagraj Vasuki[7] and were the origin of the 12 castes of the Kayasthas.[7][8] The same legend, with slight variation, is found in most of the Puranas.

Sons of First Wife Irawati/Shobhwati[8]

1. Charu
2. Sucharu
3. Chitr
4. Matimaan
5. Himvaan
6. Chitrcharu
7. Chitrcharan
8. Atinindriya

Sons of Second Wife Sudakhina/Nandani[8]

1. Bhanu
2. Vibhanu
3. Vishvabhanu
4. Varyabhanu

There are two main lineages of the Khare from the main clans of Braham Kaystha, i.e. Sucharu and Bhanu.

Sucharu: He was a disciple of sage Vasishtha. His Rashi name was Dharamdutta and he worshiped Devi Shakambari. Maharaja Chitragupta sent Shree Sucharu to establish a kingdom in the Gaud region (Bangal). Shree Sucharu married Devi Mandhiya, the daughter of Nagaraj Vasuki. The gaurs are divided into five divisions: 1. Khare, 2. Doosre, 3. Bengali, 4. Dehlavi, 5. Vadanyuni. Gaur Kaystha have been further subdivided into 32 Als.

Bhanu: Chitragupta sent Shree Bhanu to establish a kingdom in the Shrivas region (Kashmir and Gandhar/Kandhar). He was married to Nagaraj Vaasuki’s daughter, Devi Padmini, and two divine sons named Shree Devdatta and Shree Ghanshyam were born. Shree Devdatta ruled over Kashmir, and Shree Ganshyam ruled over the banks of the Sindhu River. They were called Khare and were born from the second wife, Kheri of Shree Ganshyam.

References

1. "Various Brahmin however neither they are considered as Brahmin nor Kashatriya, In fact they are widely knows as educated service community who are expert in various writing professions of India. They are known as foreword class in Cast system of India. Communities".
2. Apastamba Shakha of the Veda quoted in Shabda−Kalpadrum second part, page 228, Shabda 20.
3. Vignana Tantra.
4. Virihat Parasara in Chap. X, Sloka 10.
5. Yama Samhita, 9th chapter of Ahilya Kamdhenu.
6. Bhavishya Purana.
7. Padma Purana, Uttar Khanda.
8. Yama Samhita, 9th chapter of Ahilya Kamdhenu.

Further reading

• History of Kashmiri Pandits by Jia Lal Kilam
• Chandra, Suresh (1998). Encyclopedia of Hindu Gods & Goddesses. Sarup & Sons. p. 376.