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Introduction
It is our pleasure to present Jyesthi (also known as Jethis, Jettys or Jhettys), a dedicated forum for the Jyesthamalla Modh Brahmin community, meaning “the foremost Brahmin wrestlers of Modhera.”
This platform aims to express and promote our religious, social, cultural, educational, and entrepreneurial values for the upliftment and progress of our community.
As Jyesthamalla Modh Brahmins, we have historically held a respected position in the hierarchy of Sanatana Dharma. Our ancestors lived by the true essence of Brahmanical values, excelling in wrestling, astrology, physical culture, and war strategy—a legacy that dates back to the Treta Yuga and spans kingdoms across the length and breadth of Bharat.
After India’s independence in 1947, our community faced significant professional, religious, and social challenges. The abolition of the Privy Purse by the Government of India ended royal patronage, disrupting the traditional support systems our forefathers had long depended on. Yet, they faced these changes with confidence, vision, and dignity—paving the way for our continued growth today.
Many among us have succeeded in our respective fields through self-confidence, intelligence, dedication, and hard work. However, with today’s fast-paced competitive world, especially for the younger generation—there is a need for a dedicated platform to guide our youth, voice our aspirations, build mutual support networks and Infuse pride and confidence within the community.
You have an important role to play by supporting one another and also by seeking the support of the forum and become a successful person. The first step in this task is to understand ourselves truthfully—our history, our strengths, and our potential. Hence, this effort.
Introduction
It is our pleasure to present Jyesthi (also known as Jethis, Jettys or Jhettys), a dedicated forum for the Jyesthamalla Modh Brahmin community, meaning “the foremost Brahmin wrestlers of Modhera.”
This platform aims to express and promote our religious, social, cultural, educational, and entrepreneurial values for the upliftment and progress of our community.
As Jyesthamalla Modh Brahmins, we have historically held a respected position in the hierarchy of Sanatana Dharma. Our ancestors lived by the true essence of Brahmanical values, excelling in wrestling, astrology, physical culture, and war strategy—a legacy that dates back to the Treta Yuga and spans kingdoms across the length and breadth of Bharat.
After India’s independence in 1947, our community faced significant professional, religious, and social challenges. The abolition of the Privy Purse by the Government of India ended royal patronage, disrupting the traditional support systems our forefathers had long depended on. Yet, they faced these changes with confidence, vision, and dignity—paving the way for our continued growth today.
Many among us have succeeded in our respective fields through self-confidence, intelligence, dedication, and hard work. However, with today’s fast-paced competitive world, especially for the younger generation—there is a need for a dedicated platform to guide our youth, voice our aspirations, build mutual support networks and Infuse pride and confidence within the community.
You have an important role to play by supporting one another and also by seeking the support of the forum and become a successful person. The first step in this task is to understand ourselves truthfully—our history, our strengths, and our potential. Hence, this effort.
ORIGIN OF JYESTHA MALLA MODH BRAHMINS
Bramhanda Purana, a commentary between Lord Hayagriva and Sage Agastya traces the origin of Jyeshta Malla Modha Brahmins. This sacred text stands as the most authentic source of our lineage. According to the Purana, Vajradantasura, a powerful demon, was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. Through intense penance, he received a boon from Lord Shiva granting him immense strength and magical powers like a demon be born out of every drop of blood from his body. Lord Shiva blessed Asura with all the boons he sought such as not being killed by any Gods nor by any weapon.
Emboldened by this boon, Vajradantasura destroyed the divine garden of heaven, ransacked Airavatha the elephant, and took away Uchrivas, the prized horse of Lord Indra. Having wreaked havoc, he disappeared into hiding in the town of Mayavathi.
JYESTHA MALLAS DURING TRITAYUGA AND DAWAPARAYUGA
The Jyeshta Mallas flourished during the age of Tretayuga also. A reference to this is recorded in “Mallapurana” scriptures where Lord Brahma in a conversation with Sage Narada mentions an interesting parallel. While watching Sri Krishna and Balarama travel toward Mayuravambalam (present day Vadsagar, Modhera of Patan district in northern Gujarat) to perform the Brahmahatya Dosha Parihara (ritual for absolution of sins for killing a Brahmin), Lord Brahma notes that Sri Rama had also performed the same Dosha-Parihara at the same place with the assistance of the same Brahmin clans.
During Dwaparayuga, the existence of these Brahmin wrestlers is prominently noted during the famous wrestling bout of Lord Krishna and his brother Balarama with the Jyeshta Malla wrestlers Chanura and Mustika.
MIGRATION, SETTLEMENT AND THEIR EARLIER SOCIAL STATUS
In 11th century, a section of our ancestors was deeply agitated by the attitude of the Chalukyan King Ranjith Singh who neglected the advice of the Jethis of Modera which resulted in the defeat, capture, and plunder of the world-famous Surya Mandir Temple of Modera by Alauddin Khilji. The prized Kohinoor Diamond was taken away by the invaders. Frustrated by their King Ranjith Singh’s negligence to their advice, about 360 families of Jethis walked out of Modera towards South India who were readily welcomed by various Kings where they flourished.
The migrant Jethis settled down in the Kingdoms of Marathas, Mysore, Chitradurga, Tanjavoor in Tamilnadu, and various kingdoms in Andhra Pradesh. They also camped in Undiganalu (near Hassan) and ruled as subsidiaries of the Mysore Kings. Here, they were staunch followers of Saint Sri Ramanujacharya and gifted huge land grants for the Temple of Nimbajadevi and to several other Brahmin priests.
THE LEGACY AND COMMITMENT OF JYESTHIS TO SANATANA DHARMA
The Jyesthis dedication towards Dharma is reflected in numerous historical accounts during medieval India:
INTELLECTUAL AND SCHOLARLY SIDE OF JYESTHIS
A street named after the Jyesthis in Ayodhya, meaning “revered wrestlers with expertise in three Vedas,” reflects their combination of physical prowess and Vedic knowledge.
In Akbarnama, the famed historian Abu’l Fazl refers to the Jyesthimallas as “Clever Mals from Gujarat.” He acknowledges their dual expertise as wrestlers and scholars,
The British historian Lt. Col. James Tod, while working on The Chronicles of the Martial Races of Central & Western India, sought assistance from Gyanachandra Jethi, a renowned Jyesthi scholar.
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS OF JYESTHIS
Historical records indicate that the Jyesthis have been associated with several spiritual traditions, Gurus, and Mathas (monastic institutions) including:
