Shukla

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Shukla is Sanskrit for "white". The term is used in various contexts in Hindu culture:

• The bright lunar fortnight, as opposed to krishna, the dark phase.
• The White Yajurveda
• A class of Brahmins who have completed thorough knowledge in all four Vedas and have completed extensive further education while travelling for up to eleven years. This surname is found primarily in North India. Shuklas belong either to Kanya-Kubja Brahmin category (like Vajpayee and Awasthi brahmins), Bhumihar Brahmin category or Saryuparin Brahmin category.
• It is a common Indian surname.

For the last several centuries, Shukla Brahmins have been located in and around Kanpur, Unnao (and the adjoining hinterland) and regions of Bihar, and located in the fertile Gangetic plains of Awadh, presently forming part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. According to studies conducted by Rev. M A Sherring, all the chief Brahmin gotras are descended from the Saptarishis (sapta means seven and rishi means sage in Sanskrit). The other meaning of Saptarishis is constellation of Great Bear (Ursa Major). According to Indian mythology, these seven sages were Brigu, Angirh, Atri, Viswamitra, Kashyap, Vashisht, and Agastya. Shukla Brahmins belong to sage Upamanyu's Gotra, and sage Upamanyu, along with sages like Vishisht, Kundin, Parashara and Jatukaraniya followed the school of (thought) of sage Vashisht.Shuklas main Gotra is GARG. Mythological evidences suggest that the Sage Upamanyus followed the Yajur veda. From the ancient time of the Vedic period, Shukla Brahmins have always excelled in intellectual pursuits. Shuklas have made contributions in politics, literature and art: See Yogendra Shukla, Paraag Shukla, Ram Chandra Shukla, Ajay Shukla,Vinod Kumar Shukla, Shrilal Shukla, Anirudh Shukla,