Brahmin
This page deals with the Hindu varna. For other uses of this word and similar words, see Brahmana, Brahman and Brahman (disambiguation).A
Brahmin (
anglicised from the
Sanskrit word
IAST '; Devanagari ), also known as Vipra
, Dvija
, Dvijottama
(best of the Dvijas), (god on Earth) is a member of a caste within Hindu society. Historically, Hindu society consisted of four based on occupation and divine birth: Brahmin
(reciter of the Vedas as they came from the mouth of Brahma), Kshatriya (protectors of Dharma, since they are the arms of Brahma), Vaishya (mercantile and agricultural class, since they are from the body of Brahma) and Shudra (artisan and labour class, since they are from the feet of Brahma).
However, in addition to these four classes, there were many other tribes mentioned in mythology such as Gandharvas, Yakshas, Kinnaras, Kimpurushas, Rakshasas, Nagas, Suparnas, Vanaras, Vidyadharas, Valikilyas, Pisachas, Devas, Vasus, Rudras, Maruts, Adityas, Asuras, Danavas, Daityas, Kalakeyas, Mlechchas etc. Today, the Hindu society in modern India is divided into four classes based on birth: Forward Castes/communities (FCs), Backward Caste/communities (BCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
In the 1931 caste census taken by the Colonial British government, Brahmins were 4.32% of the total population. Even in Uttar Pradesh, where they are most numerous, the Brahmins constituted just 9% of the total populace. In Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, they formed less than 3% and 2% of the population respectively.
The Nirukta of sage Yaska says ' — A Brahmin is a person who knows
Brahman, the ultimate reality or God; hence Brahmin means, "knower of God". However, the historical situation in Hindu society is that Brahmins are the traditional priests and
pundits (scholars). Today however, many Brahmins are employed in secular occupations and their religious traditions and culture are fast disappearing from their lives.
The history of the Brahmin community in India begins with the
Vedic religion in ancient
India. The
Manu Smriti, an ancient
Smriti, refers to
Aryavarta.The
Vedas are the primary source of knowledge for all brahmin practices. All the
sampradayas of Brahmins take inspiration from the Vedas. Traditionally, it is believed that Vedas are
' (not written by either humans or God) and anādi (beginingless), but are revealed truths of eternal validity. The Vedas are considered Śruti (that which is heard, signifying the oral tradition).
Due to the diversity in religious and cultural traditions and practices, and the Vedic schools which they belong to, Brahmins are further divided into various subcastes. During the sutra period, roughly between 1000 BCE to 200 BCE, Brahmins became divided into various Shakhas (branches), based on the adoption of different Vedas and different rescension Vedas. Sects for different denominations of the same branch of the Vedas were formed, under the leadership of distinguished teachers among Brahmins. The teachings of these distinguished rishis are called '. Every
Veda has its own . The that deal with social, moral and legal precepts are called
Dharma Sutras, whereas those that deal with ceremonials are called
Shrauta Sutras and domestic rituals are called
Grhya Sutras. are generally written in prose or in mixed prose and verse.
There are several Brahmin law givers such as
Angirasa,
Apasthambha,
Atri,
Brihaspati,
Boudhayana,
Daksha,
Gautam,
Harita,
Katyayana,
Likhita,
Manu,
Parasara,
Samvarta,
Shankha,
Shatatapa,
Ushanasa,
Vashishta,
Vishnu,
Vyasa,
Yajnavalkya and
Yama. These twenty-one rishis were the propounders of
Smritis. The oldest among these smritis are Apastamba, Baudhayana, Gautama, and Vasishta
Sutras.
[Manu Smriti on learning of the Vedas]"Samodamastapah Saucham
Kshanthiraarjavamevacha
Jnanam Vijnaanamaastikyam
Brahmakarma Swabhavajam!"
Control on emotions, Control on senses, Purity, Tolerance, Simplicity, Concentration and belief in knowledge and science
The six duties of a Brahmin are given as per the Sloka
"Adhyaapanam Adhyayanam
Yajanam Yaajanam Tathaa
Daanam Pratigraham Chaiva
Brahmanaanaamakalpayaat"
Teaching, learning, performing Yaaga, make performing Yaga, accept Daana, and give Daana are the six duties of a Brahmin.
Brahmins adhere to the principles of
Hinduism, such as acceptance of the
Vedas with reverence, adherence to the position that the means or ways to salvation and realization of the ultimate truth are diverse, that
God is one, but has innumerable names and forms to chant and worship due to our varied perceptions, cultures and languages. Brahmins believe in
' — Let the entire society be happy and prosperous and ' — the whole world is one family. Some Brahmins practice
vegetarianism (
Bengali Brahmins and
Kashmiri Pandits are exceptions to this).
Daily routine
Hindu Brahmins hold practice of
Dharma more important than beliefs. This is a distinct feature of the
Dharmic religions. The practices include mainly
Yajnas. The daily routine
[A day in the life of a Brahmin] includes performing Snana (bathing),
Sandhyavandanam,
Japa,
Puja,
Aupasana and
Agnihotra. The last two named
Yajnas are performed in only a few households today.
Brahmacharis perform
Agnikaryam instead of
Agnihotra or
Aupasana. The other rituals followed include
Amavasya tarpanam and
Shraddha.
See Also: Nitya karma and Kaamya karmaSamskaras
Brahmins also perform sixteen major Samskaras (rites) during the course of their life-time.
[The Forty Samskaras] In the pre-natal stage, Garbhadharana (Conception),
Pumsavana (Rite for consecrating a male child in the womb) and Simantonnayana (Rite for parting the hair of a pregnant woman) are performed. During childhood, Jatakarma (Birth ceremony), Namakarana (Naming ceremony), Nishkarmana (First outing) Annaprasana (First feeding solid food),
Choodakarana (First tonsure) and
Karnavedha (Piercing of the ear lobes) are performed.During education of the child, Vidhyarambha (Starting of education),
Upanayanam (Thread ceremony- Initiation), Vedarambha (Starting of the study of the
Vedas), Keshanta or Godana (First shaving of the beard) and
Samavartanam or Snaana (Ending of studentship) are performed. Suring adulthood,
Vivaha (Marriage) and Anthyesthi (Funeral rites) are the main ceremonies.
The three
sampradayas (traditions) of Brahmins, especially in
South India are the
Smarta sampradaya, the
Srivaishnava sampradaya and the
Maadhva sampradaya.
Historically Brahmins have been not only ascetics, sages and priests for millennia seeking welfare of the society, but also secular clerks, merchants, agriculturists, artisans, etc. They were also very poor. In the modern democratic India, the Brahmins are still not only poverty stricken, but also shunted out of every opportunity,
[The status of Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh][http://www.vedah.net/manasanskriti/puranam.html#Poor_Brahmins Brahmin Poverty]] despite the fact that Prime Ministers like
Jawaharlal Nehru, Venkatanarasimharao Pamulaparti (
P.V. Narasimha Rao), and
Atal Behari Vajpayee have been Brahmins. French journalist Francois Gautier
[FrancoisGautier.com] has written on the sad state of Brahmins in India today.
[Are Brahmins the Dalits of today? ]Contributions to modern India
Brahmins have contributed immensely to the making of modern
Indiain many fields like literature, science and technology, politics, culture, scholarship, religion etc. In the
Indian independence movement, many Brahmins like
Balgangadhar Tilak,
Gopal Krishna Gokhale,
C. Rajagopalachari and others were at the forefront of the struggle for freedom. After independence,
Jawaharlal Nehru, a Brahmin and an
atheist, became the first
Prime Minister of India. Later, Brahmins like
P.V. Narasimha Rao and
Atal Behari Vajpayee became Prime Ministers. even now after persecution of brahmans by politicians they hold top posts in administration, academia ,business, army, jouranalism etc. Infact it was those Brahmin leaders like Rajagopalachari and Thilak who fought for the upliftment of the socially backward dalits and their equality in the society.
See also:List of BrahminsPersecution
The anti-Brahmin sentiment was first kindled in India by the
Dravidar Kazhagam movement in
Tamil Nadu.
[ Caste & the Tamil Nation -Brahmins, Non Brahmins & Dalits] This was a reaction to the Brahmin hegemony in the Civil services under the
British government. In later years, this movement caught on in many other parts of India even after independence.
Brahmin castes in the
Indian subcontinent are traditionally divided into two regional groups:
Pancha-Gauda Brahmins and
Pancha-Dravida Brahmins as per the
shloka,
कर्णाटकाश्च तैलंगा द्राविडा महाराष्ट्रकाः,गुर्जराश्चेति पञ्चैव द्राविडा विन्ध्यदक्षिणे ¦¦
सारस्वताः कान्यकुब्जा गौडा उत्कलमैथिलाः,पन्चगौडा इति ख्याता विन्ध्स्योत्तरवासिनः
The classification first occurs in
Rajatarangini of
Kalhana.
*
Varnas*
Brahmanism*
Anti-Brahmanism*
Brahmin Contribution to Other Religions*Definitions: A Sanskrit English Dictionary by Sir Monier Monier-Williams
*Mayne's
"Treatise on Hindu Law and Usage.
Hindu Castes and Sects Jogendranath Bhattacharya.
Andhra Viprula Gotramulu, Indla Perlu, Sakhalu by Emmesroy Sastri.
History and Culture of Andhra Pradesh Rao PR.
History of India Herman Kulke and Dietmar Rothermund.
Acharalu sastriyataNarayanareddi Patil.
Hindu Manners, Customs, and Ceremonies Abbe J. A. Dubois
*
List Of Andhra Brahmins And Surnames*
Brahmins*
Brahmins of Andhra Pradesh*
Poverty Stricken Brahmins*
Source: Vepachedu Educational Foundation Inc.*
Brahmin Sages and Branches (Gotras and Subcastes)*
A Long List of Brahmin Castes and Sub-castes*
Brahmin Yahoo Groups
