All Brahmin families claim descent from the ancient Rsis, of whom there were eight, Bhrgu, Angiras, Marici (with his son Kasyapa), Atri, Vasistha, Pulastya, Pulaha and Kratu. They are called the mind-born sons of Brahma. These Rsis were not confined to one place, but wandered into woods and hills and wilds to practice asceticism and a pure religious life. They were independent of kingdoms and established hermitages where they pleased perpetuating the sacred, spiritual and philosophical systems through their disciples, among whom might be their own sons if capable. Vamas, or genealogies, including gotras, draw their origin from these divine seers. F. E. Pargiter, through his painstaking research, introduces us to these Rsis, and their families. His matter is drawn entirely from Vedic, Pauranic and traditional literature that appears in the English language perhaps for the first time in this book. The greatest contribution of this work is that he brings these divine seers from the mythical and obscurity to the realm of the Real by establishing the genealogies and their spiritual pedigrees with historical authenticity.