Brahmin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Brahmin (/brmn/; also called Brahmana; from the Sanskrit brhmaa ) are traditional Hindu
societies of India, Nepal and The Far East.
[citation needed]
Brahman, Brahmin, and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self. Brahmin (or
Brahmana) refers to an individual belonging to the Hindu priest, artists, teachers, technicians class (varna or
pillar of the society) and also to an individual belonging to the Brahmin tribe/caste into which an individual
is born; while the word Brahma refers to the creative aspect of the universal consciousness or God. Because
the priest / Acharya is knowledgeable about Brahma (the God), and is responsible for religious rituals in
temples and homes and is a person authorized after rigorous training in vedas (sacred texts of knowledge)
and religious rituals to provide advice and impart knowledge of God to members of the society and assist in
attainment of moksha, the liberation from life cycle; the priest / Acharya class is called "Brahmin varna."
The English word brahmin is an anglicized form of the Sanskrit word Brhmana.
According to ancient Indian philosophers and scholars, the human society comprises four pillars or classes
called varnas or colors. In the ancient Indian texts such as Smritis, vedas, upanishads, puranas, etc., these
four "varnas" or classes or pillars of the society are: the priests / Acharya (Brahmins), the rulers and military
(Kshatriyas), the merchants and agriculturists(Vaishyas), and the Assistants (Shudras).
Brahmin priests / Acharya were engaged in attaining the highest spiritual knowledge (brahmavidya) of
Brahman (God) and adhered to different branches (shakhas) of Vedas. Brahmin priest is responsible for
religious rituals in temples and homes of Hindus and is a person authorized after rigorous training in vedas
and sacred rituals, and as a liaison between humans and the God. In general, as family vocations and
businesses are inherited, priesthood used to be inherited among Brahmin priest families, as it requires years
of practice of vedas from childhood after proper introduction to student life through a religious initiation
called upanayana at the age of about five.
Individuals from the Brahmin castes/tribes have taken on many professions such as priests, ascetics and
scholars to warriors and business people, according to 12th century poet Kalhana, in Rajatarangini.
[1]
According to Valmiki, a hunter and Sanskrit poet, in Ramayana history, Brahmin sage Parashurama is an
Avatar (divine incarnate representation) of Lord Vishnu, who takes up arms against kings to deliver justice.
Sage Parashurama is portrayed as a powerful warrior who defeated the Haiheya kshatriyas twenty one times,
was an expert in martial arts and the use of weapons, and trained others to fight without weapons.
[2]
Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, son of a Brahmin sage Parashara and a fisher woman Satyavathi, in his
Mahabharata, describes several warriors belonging to Brahmin caste/tribe, such as Dronacharya,
Kripacharya, Parashurama etc., who were professors in the schools of martial arts and the art of war.
Contents
1 History
1.1 Clerical positions
1.2 Requirements for being Brahmin
2 Practices
3 Brahmin communities
4 Pancha-Gauda
4.1 Sarasvat Brahmins
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4.2 Kanyakubja Brahmins
4.3 Gauda Brahmins
4.4 Mithila Brahmins
4.5 Utkala Brahmins
5 Pancha-Dravida
5.1 Andhra Pradesh
5.2 Maharashtra
5.3 Karnataka
5.4 Tamil Nadu
5.5 Kerala
6 Rishis
7 Sampradayas
7.1 Other sects
8 Nepali Brahmins
9 Burma (Myanmar)
10 See also
11 References
12 Further reading
13 External links
History
Main article: History of Hinduism
According to the myth of Purusha Sukta, a Rigveda hymn, Brahmins were born from the mouth of Purusha,
being the part of the body from which words emerge.
[3][4]
Most sampradayas (sects) of modern Brahmins claim to take inspiration from the Vedas. According to
orthodox Hindu tradition, the Vedas are apaurueya and andi (beginning-less), and are revealed truths of
eternal validity. The Vedas are considered ruti ("that which is heard") and are the paramount source on
which Brahmin tradition claims to be based. ruti texts include the four Vedas (the Rigveda, the Yajurveda,
the Samaveda and the Atharvaveda), and their respective Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads.
Apart from clerical positions, Brahmins have also historically been ministers (known as Sachivas or
Amatyas) in dynasties.
Clerical positions
Swami (Priest) - Purohita (performer for domestic ceremonies) and Rtvij (performer of seasonal
ceremonies)
1.
Acarya or Upadhyaya (Spiritual teacher) 2.
Yogin 3.
Tapasvin - Mendicant 4.
Requirements for being Brahmin
According to a Buddhist scripture, at the time of the Buddha in eastern India there were five requirements
for being Brahmin:
[5]
Varna (ubhato sujato hoti) or Brahmin status on both sides of the family 1.
Jati (avikkitto anupakutto jativadena) 2.
Mantra (ajjhayako hoti mantradharo) 3.
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Statue of Raja Ram Mohan
Roy, a Kulin Brahmins, in
College Green, Bristol,
England
Sila or virtue 4.
Panditya or learned 5.
Practices
Brahmins, basically adhere to the principles of the Vedas, related to the texts of the ruti and Smriti which
are some the foundations of Hinduism, and practice Sanatana Dharma. Vedic Brhmaas have six
occupational duties, of which three are compulsory studying the Vedas, performing Vedic rituals and
practicing dharma. By teaching the insights of the Vedic literature which deals with all aspects of life
including spirituality, philosophy, yoga, religion, rituals, temples, arts and culture, music, dance, grammar,
pronunciation, metre, astrology, astronomy, logic, law, medicine, surgery, technology, martial arts, military
strategy, etc. By spreading its philosophy, and by accepting back from the community, the Brahmins receive
the necessities of life.
[citation needed]
Male members of all Brahmin sects wear the Yagnopaveetham (Hindi: or sacred thread) that is a
symbol of initiation to the Gayatri recital. This ritual is often referred to as Upanayana. This marks the
learning of the Gayatri hymn. Brahmin sects also generally identify themselves as belonging to a particular
Gotra, a classification based on patrilineal descent, which is specific for each family and indicates their
origin.
[citation needed]
Brahmin communities
The Brahmin castes may be broadly divided into two regional groups: Pancha-Gauda Brahmins from the
Northern part of India (considered to be the region north of the Vindhya mountains) and Pancha-Dravida
Brahmins from the region south of the Vindhya mountains as per the shloka of Kalhana.
Saraswat, Kanyakubja, Gaud, Utkala and Mithila form the Pancha Guada
Karnataka, Telangaa, Dravida, Maharashtra and Gurjarat form the Pancha Dravida
Pancha-Gauda
Main article: Pancha-Gauda
The Brahmins from Srasvata, Kanyakubja, Gauda, Mithila and Utkala, who
with passage of time spread to North East, East and West, were called
Pancha Gauda. This group is originally from Uttarapatha (ryvarta).
Pancha Gauda Brahmins are divided into five main categories:
Sarasvat Brahmins
Saraswat Brahmin
Kashmiri Pandits
Goud Saraswat Brahmin
Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin
Rajapur Saraswat Brahmin
Kudaldeshkar Gaud Brahman
Mohyal
Kanyakubja Brahmins
Kamrupi Brahmins
Kanyakubja Brahmin
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Adi Guru Shri
Gauapdchrya, the grand
guru of Shri Adi
Shankaracharya and the first
historical proponent of
Advaita Vedanta, also
believed to be the founder
of Shri Gaudapadacharya
Math.
Saryupareen Brahmin
Sanadya Brahmin
Bhumihar Brahmins
Bengali Brahmin
Nepali Brahmins
Goswami/Gossain
Manipuri Brahmin
Garhwali Brahmins
Sakaldwipiya Brahmins
Gauda Brahmins
Mithila Brahmins
The Maithil Brahmis are a group of Brahmins typically originating from and
living in and around Mithila, which is part of North Bihar. They are a
community of highly cohesive, traditional Brahmins who strive to follow rites
and rituals according to ancient Hindu canons.
[citation needed]
They have a
reputation for orthodoxy and interest in learning.
[citation needed]
A large
number of Maithil Brahmins migrated a few centuries ago to adjoining areas of
South-east Bihar and Jharkhand, as well as to adjoining Terai regions of Nepal.
Most of the Maithil Brahmins are ktas (worshippers of akti) . However, it
is also not uncommon to find Vaishnavites among the Maithil Brahmins. Some surnames of Brahmins in
Bihar include Shukla, Sharma, Mishra, Kissoon, Bhardwaj, Bhagwan, Choudhary, Jha, Bhatt, Kanojia,
Kaileyas, Bhaglani, Pingal, and Lakhlani, amongst others. Maithili is their mother tongue, though many use
Angika (a south-eastern dialect of Maithili) as their mother tongue.
Utkala Brahmins
The Sanskrit text Brhmaotpatti-Mrtaa by Pt. Harikrishna stri mentions that a king named Utkala
invited Brahmins from the Gangetic Valley to perform a yajna in Jagannath-Puri in Odisha. When the yajna
ended, these Brahmins laid the foundation of Lord Jagannath there and settled around Odisha, Jharkhand
and Medinipur. The Utkala Brahmins are of three classes 1) Shrautiya (vaidika), 2) Sevayata and 3) Halua
Brahmins.
Pancha-Dravida
Brahmins who live in south of Vidhya mountains are called Pancha-Dravida Brahmins and they are divided
into following groups. Drava means Water in sanskrit. Peninsular area in India surrounded by water is
"Dravida".
Karnataka
Telugu
Dravida (Tamil Nadu & Kerala)
Maharashtra
Gujarat
Andhra Pradesh
Brahmins of Andhra Pradesh known as Telugu Brahmins are broadly classified into four groups: Vaidiki
Brahmins, Niyogi, Dravida Brahmins, and Vaikhnasa.
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Statue of Sir K.Sheshadri
Iyer in Cubbon Park at
Bangaluru
Niyogis are further divided into the following subcategories: Nandavarika Niyogi, Prathama Shakha Niyogi,
Aaru Vela Niyogulu, Karanaalu, Sistukaranalu, Karana kamma vyaparlu, Karanakammulu.
Maharashtra
See also: Chitpavan Konkanastha Brahmin, Deshastha Brahmin, and Karhade Brahmin
During the days of Maratha India, these Marathi/Konkani Brahmins primarily served as prime ministers or
Peshwas,
[6]
apart from taking up military jobs and converged into the sovereign or the Chhatrapati of Satara.
One of the notable Peshwa families is the Bhat family, who happen to be Chitpavan Konkanastha
Brahmins.
[7]
They took up military jobs
[8]
and ended up being the de facto head
[9]
of the Maratha
Dynasty.
[10]
Originally the Chitpavan held a low rank in the social hierarchy amongst Marathi Brahmins,
however in modern times they enjoy the same social ranking with Deshastha and Karhade Brahmins, inter-
marriages between these three communities is now very common.
Karnataka
Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins
Tuluva Brahmins, which consist of Kandavara Brahmins, Karhade Brahmins, Padia Brahmins,
Saklapuri Brahmins, Shivalli Brahmins, Smartha Shivalli Brahmins, Sthanika Brahmins, Padarthi
Brahmins.
Havyaka Brahmins.
Tamil Nadu
Iyengar (sub-divided into Vadakalai and Thenkalai)
Iyer (sub-divided further into Vadama, Vathima, Brahacharanam,
Ashtasahasram, Sholiyar, Dikshitar, Kaniyalar, Prathamasaki)
Kerala
Nambudiri
Rishis
Due to the diversity in religious and cultural traditions and practices, and the
Vedic schools to which they belong, 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 the Brahmins.
[citation needed]
Sampradayas
The three sampradayas (sects) of Brahmins found mostly in South India are the Smarta, the Srivaishnava and
the Madhvacharya.
[citation needed]
Other sects
There are additional sampradayas, which are not as widely followed:
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Manipuri astrologers and Brahmins in
Burma, 1900
The Mahima Dharma or "Satya Mahima Alekha Dharma" was founded by the Brahmin Mukunda Das of
present-day Odisha, popularly known by followers as Mahima Swami according to the Bhima Bhoi text.
[11]
He was born in the last part of the 18th century, in the former state of Baudh, a son of Ananta Mishra. He
was Brahmin by caste as mentioned in Mahima Vinod of Bhima Bhoi in Vol.11. This sampradaya is similar to
Vaishnavism. Although the members of this sect do not worship Lord Vishnu as their Ishta-Deva, they
believe that the Srimad Bhagavatam is sacred. The founder of this sect was a Vaishnavite before founding
the new order.
[11]
This sampradaya was founded in the latter part of the 18th century.
[11]
There is also the Avadhoot Panth, wherein Lord Dattatreya and his forms such as Narasimha Saraswati and
Sai Baba of Shirdi are worshiped. Lord Dattatreya is worshiped by many as the Hindu trinity Brahma,
Vishnu and Shiva in one divine entity. Many even worship Dattatreya as an Avatar of Vishnu or of Shiva.
Nepali Brahmins
Bahun is a colloquial Nepali term for a member of the Pahari or "Hill" Brahmin () caste, who are
traditionally educators, scholars and priests of Hinduism. They are also known as Barmu in Newari, Bavan
in Kham. Brahmins are the second largest caste group in Nepal (12.18% of the population), with the Chhetri
(Kshatriya) being the first (16.60%).
[citation needed]
Burma (Myanmar)
Historically, Brahmins, known as ponna ( ) in
modern-day Burmese, formed an influential group in Burma prior to
British colonialism. Until the 1900s, ponna referred to Indians who
had arrived prior to colonial rule, distinct from kala, Indians who
arrived during British rule. During the Konbaung dynasty, court
Brahmins were consulted by kings before moving royal capitals,
waging wars, making offerings to Buddhist sites like the Mahamuni
Buddha, and for astrology.
[12]
Burmese Brahmins can be divided into
four general groups, depending on their origins:
Manipur Brahmins (Burmese: ):
Brahmins who were sent to Burma after Manipur became a
Burmese vassal state in the 1700s and ambassadors from
Manipur
Arakanese Brahmins (Burmese: ): Brahmins brought to Burma from Arakan
after it was conquered by the Konbaung king Bodawpaya
Sagaing Brahmins: the oldest Brahmins in Burmese society, who consulted the Pyu, Burman and Mon
kingdoms prior to the Konbaung dynasty
Indian Brahmins: Brahmins who arrived with British colonial rule when Burma became a part of the
British Raj
According to Burmese chronicles, Brahmins in Burma were subject to the four-caste system, which included
brahmanas ( ), kshatriyas ( ), vaishya ( ), and shudra ( ). Because the
Burmese monarchy enforced the caste system for Indians, Brahmins who broke caste traditions and laws
were subject to punishment. In the Arakanese kingdom, punished Brahmins often became kyun ponna
( ), literally 'slave Brahmins', who made flower offerings to Buddha images and
performed menial tasks. During the Konbaung dynasty, caste was indicated by the number of salwe (threads)
worn; Brahmins wore nine, while the lowest caste wore none. Brahmins are also fundamental in the
Nine-God cult, called the Nine Divinities (Phaya Ko Su ) which is essentially a
Burmese puja (puzaw in Burmese) for appeasing nine divinities, Buddha and the eight arahats, or a group of
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nine deities, five Hindu gods and four nat spirits.
[12]
This practice continues to be practiced in modern-day
Burma.
See also
Brahmin gotra system
References
^ http://www.britannica.com
/EBchecked/topic/490128
/Rajatarangini
1.
^ Saraswati, Swami
Sahajanand (2003). Swami
Sahajanand Saraswati
Rachnawali in Six volumes (in
Volume 1). Delhi: Prakashan
Sansthan. pp. 519 (Volume 1).
ISBN 81-7714-097-3.
2.
^ Thapar, Romila (2004).
Early India: From the Origins
to AD 1300
(http://books.google.co.uk
/books?id=-5irrXX0apQC&
pg=PA125). University of
California Press. p. 125.
ISBN 9780520242258.
3.
^ Leeming, David Adams;
Leeming, Margaret Adams
(1994). A Dictionary of
Creation Myths
(http://books.google.co.uk
/books?id=vetARxZS-
bMC&pg=PA139). Oxford
University Press. pp. 139144.
ISBN 9780195102758.
4.
^ Govind Chandra Pande.
Foundations of Indian Culture
(http://books.google.com
/books?id=VMf-isGALqQC&
pg=PA163&lpg=PA163&
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nditya&source=bl&
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sig=u6PBh2zAShwNwBrSnsdZ
FfA8ciA&hl=en&
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0sila%20panditya&f=false).
Retrieved 2013-08-15.
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^ "Dictionary - Definition of
Peshwa" (http://www.websters-
online-dictionary.org
/definitions/Peshwa).
Websters-online-dictionary.org.
Retrieved 2013-03-23.
6.
^ "peshwa (Maratha chief
minister) - Britannica Online
Encyclopedia"
(http://www.britannica.com
/EBchecked/topic/453390
/peshwa). Britannica.com.
Retrieved 2013-03-23.
7.
^ "Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa :
Great warrior and protector of
Hindu Dharma - Valiant Hindu
Kings | Hindu Janajagruti
Samiti"
(http://www.hindujagruti.org
/articles/30.html).
Hindujagruti.org. Retrieved
2013-03-23.
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^ The Satara Raj, 1818-1848:
A Study in History,
Administration, and Culture -
Sumitra Kulkarni - Google
Books
(http://books.google.co.in
/books?id=SYOSHaZnBy8C&
pg=PA129&
dq=peshwa+de+facto+head&
hl=en&
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eSyoHYDQ&
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head&f=false).
Books.google.co.in. Retrieved
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^ "India : Rise of the peshwas
- Britannica Online
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(http://www.britannica.com
/EBchecked/topic/285248
/India/46988/Rise-of-the-
peshwas). Britannica.com.
2011-11-08. Retrieved
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^
a

b

c
"Mahima Dharma,
Bhima Bhoi and
Biswanathbaba"
(http://www.orissa.gov.in
/e-magazine/Orissareview
/may2005/engpdf
/mahima_dharma_bhima_bhoi_
biswanathbaba.pdf)
11.
^
a

b
Leider, Jacques P.
"Specialists for Ritual, Magic
and Devotion: The Court
Brahmins of the Konbaung
Kings". The Journal of Burma
Studies 10: 159180.
12.
Further reading
Swami Sahajanand Saraswati Rachnawali (Selected works of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati),
Prakashan Sansthan, Delhi, 2003.
Brahmin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmin
7 of 8 4/20/2014 12:10 AM
Baldev Upadhyaya, Kashi Ki Panditya Parampara, Sharda Sansthan, Varanasi, 1985.
Christopher Alan Bayly, Rulers, Townsmen, and Bazaars: North Indian Society in the Age of British
Expansion, 17701870, Cambridge University Press, 1983.
Anand A. Yang, Bazaar India: Markets, Society, and the Colonial State in Bihar, University of
California Press, 1999.
Bibha Jha, Bhumihar Brahmins: A Sociological Study, PhD thesis submitted to the Patna University.
M. N. Srinivas, Social Change in Modern India, Orient Longman, Delhi, 1995.
External links
Daily duties of Brahmins (http://kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part5/chap39.htm)
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Categories: Brahmins Priestly castes Varnas in Hinduism Hindu communities Indo-Aryan peoples
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