Shukla
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Shukla is Sanskrit for "white", also bright phase of lunar fortnight, as opposed to Krishna, or dark phase.
The Shukla yajurvedis (followers of the White Yajurveda) are found in the city of Nasik which is on the banks of river Godavari.
In ancient India, the Shukla as a highest degree conferred to those Brahmins who have completed thorough knowledge in all four Vedas and have done extensive further education while travelling for upto eleven years. It is equivalent to present time Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D, D.Sc, D. Phil.) degree. The castes equivalent to them in Hindu Brahmins are Awasthi & Vajpayee.
Shuklas, still in present day India, are recognized as Highest Priests, led only by the Shankaracharya.