Chhandog
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Chhandog (Sanskrit: छन्दोग) or Chandog or Chandogic or Chandogya is a division or a group of Maithil Brahmins on the basis of the Vedic Samhita followed in the Mithila region of the Indian subcontinent.[1] It is one the two major divisions of the Maithil Brahmins community. According to Vedic Samhitas, the Maithil Brahmins are divided into two divisions. They are Chhandog Brahmins and Vajasaneyi Brahmins. The Chhandog Brahmins are also known as Samavedic Brahmins. They are traditionally the followers of Kauthuma Shakha. They follow Kauthuma Samhita for their rituals.[2][3][4]
The mantra defining the Chhandog Brahmins is,
छन्दांसि येऽत्र गायन्ति छन्दोगास्ते प्रकीर्त्तिताः। सामवेदिषु रूढोऽयं जातः शब्दः प्रयोगतः ॥
The translation of the verse is "Those who sing all types of these Chhandas are called Chhandogas, which is why primarily the followers of the Samaveda sing the Chhandas of the Vedas. Therefore, the term Chhandog is commonly associated with the Samaveda. Some scholars also believe that the word Chhandas itself can refer to the Samaveda. Hence, the Chhandogas are also called Samavedins (Samavedic)."[7]
