The Origin of the Dandapat surname, found in Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and other states of India and abroad.

Surname(उपनाम/कुलनाम ) and Title(उपाधि/पदवी):-
Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, physical characteristics, etc. Surnames (उपनाम/कुलनाम )and titles (उपाधि/पदवी)or decorations used along with the proper names commonly added at the end of the names - are either genealogical or professional and sometimes topographical. The genealogical surname has been in use from generation to generation and is generally family names some of which may even have been personal names. Professional names have also been adopted as family names and are regularly used as surnames.

It has been a practice for quite a few centuries to award titles (उपाधि/पदवी)to persons who occupy positions of distinction in intelligence, learning, wealth, honor, etc. Persons who have rendered meritorious service to the country have also been awarded titles that have gone down from generation to generation and thus got absorbed as family names or surnames. Indian history from pre-Mughal days has shown that the ruling Hindu Kings had awarded titles to persons and families for either meritorious service to the country or for leadership in society. This practice has been followed by the Pathan and the Mughal rulers and by their successors, the British as well. Even in independent India, the Presidential awards on Republic day are a continuation of the old practice of honoring persons for their service to the country.

"जन्म और मृत्यु के चक्र में जीव इस वृक्ष

-की एक शाखा से दूसरी शाखा तक भ्रमण-

 करता रहता है।"

"All the leaves of the inverted Ashvattha (अश्वत्थ) tree, whether large or small, and regardless of their position, are regarded as equal. Similarly, all human beings are valued equally, irrespective of their differences in size & color or status, as all are created by Brahma through Manu, Satarupa, and the Saptarishis. Moreover, all souls transition from one branch to another in the eternal cycle of existence."

The oral tradition of the Vedas (Śruti) consists of several pathas, "recitations" or ways of chanting the Vedic mantras. The various pathas or recitation styles are designed to allow the complete and perfect memorization of the text and its pronunciation, including the Vedic pitch accent. Eleven such ways of reciting the Vedas were designed such as 1. Samhita, 2. Pada, 3. Krama, 4. Jata, 5. Maalaa, 6. Sikha, 7. Rekha, 8. Dhwaja, 9. Danda,10. Ratha,11. Ghana.

The Utkala Brahmins who were specialized in Danda Patha of the Vedas (Śruti) were ordained Dandapath alternative spelling Dandapat titles.

It is also a military title given to the soldiers/leader of a military contingent and also landlords of the Utkala kingdom. 

In view of the above reason Dandapata surnames are found among Utkal Brahmins of Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Raju caste[Raju is a Telugu language variant of the Sanskrit title Raja, a term for a monarch or princely ruler]Kshatriya(क्षत्रिय) of Odisha & Andhra Pradesh and Sadgop  & some other caste of West Bengal,  and some other caste of other states. Due to this reason among Dandapat surname Gotra, Pravara, Sutra, Sakhas are different. 

It is relevant to mention here Dandapath alternative spellings include Dandapat or Dandapata is neither caste nor a family. It is only a honorific title (उपाधि/पदवी)। यह केवल एक उपाधि/पदवी है ,जैसे कि - Padma Bhushan - पद्म भूषण, Bidya Bhushan" विद्याभूषण, इत्यादि

☯In conclusion, we should neither take pride in nor feel sorrow over our surnames or titles, as they are nothing more than temporary labels. Our true focus should be on nurturing virtues like truth, austerity, compassion, charity, purity, love, devotion, and kindness. These enduring qualities shape our true essence far more deeply than any label or rank ever can.

सनकादि ऋषियों का एक दिब्य एवं चमत्कारी

 मंत्र-  हरि शरणम

Names and Surnames.

On this earth, where names are born,

A title given, love sworn or scorn,

A mark of place, a seal to bind—

A legacy we leave behind.

Surnames rise like rugged peaks,

Voices of clans, the ancient speaks.

In lines and letters etched with pride,

The world decides, who stands, who hides.

Yet walls of stone these names become,

To guard, to block, to silence some.

These syllables, like swords and shields,

They carve out pain; they build, they yield.

Between the names, a chasm grows,

Of justice lost and honor owed.

For names can burn or mend the soul,

Or lock it in a bounded role.

So rise, unmarked by name or kin,

Beyond the walls that keep us in.

With spirit freed from bonds and claims,

We soar beyond the weight of names.

What’s left is pure—a soul set free,

Beyond the binds of blood to be.

🔯

इस जन्म में मैं ब्राह्मण हूँ, अगले जन्म में क्षत्रिय हो सकता हूँ। इस जन्म में मैं मानव हूँ, अगले जन्म में दानव हो सकता हूँ। इस जन्म में मैं पशु हूँ, अगले जन्म में वसु हो सकता हूँ। इसलिए हमें किसी भी पहचान या स्थिति पर गर्व या आसक्ति नहीं रखनी चाहिए, बल्कि सत्य, तप, दया, दान, पवित्रता, प्रेम, भक्ति और करुणा को अपने जीवन में अपनाना चाहिए।

We should not feel pride or sorrow over our surnames or titles, as they are temporary labels. In this life, I may be a Brahmin; in the next, I could be a Kshatriya. Today I am human; tomorrow, I could be a demon. In one life, I might be an animal, and in another, a divine being. Therefore, we should not cling to any particular identity or status. Instead, we should focus on embodying virtues like truth, austerity, compassion, charity, purity, love, devotion, and kindness. These qualities define us more deeply than any label or rank ever could.

I dedicate this article to my son ৺late Akash Mahanty  

author of Waybackpy,Videohash, etc

Appreciation Mail of  Jeremie Lumbroso
lecturer Princeton University. USA

1.Reference-The Genesis of Utkal Brahmin.

2.Family historian.

Comment of Author:-

This article was written with the divine inspiration of Lord Jagannath. If anybody or any organization doesn't agree with any content of this article, he or they may mention it in the comments with documentary evidence and it will be corrected. Any comments in this regard without documentary evidence and source of Information will be treated as mala fide and will be deleted. 

About the Author:-

Prabir   is an Indian author who was born into a Utkal Brahmin family in the Indian state of West Bengal. He is known for his books, which are sold through Amazon.com, Flipkart.com, and Abebooks.com. Prabir is known for his genre/style of writing and has gained a dedicated following of readers who appreciate his unique perspective/engaging storytelling/etc. Prabir  has a passion for writing and has dedicated his career to creating engaging and thought-provoking works for his readers. His books and articles cover a wide range of genres and topics, and he is highly popular within the intellectual community for his contributions.

प्रबीर  एक भारतीय लेखक हैं। उनका जन्म भारतीय राज्य पश्चिम बंगाल में एक उत्कल ब्राह्मण परिवार में हुआ था। उनकी किताबें Amazon.com,flipkart.com और abebooks.com के जरिए बेची जाती हैं। 12 लाख से अधिक लोगों ने उनकी किताबें और लेख पढ़े हैं।