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{{About|the social caste|the moth family|Brahmaeidae|similarly spelled words|Brahman (disambiguation)}}
{{short description|Varna (class) in Hinduism, one of four castes}}
{{Infobox caste
{{distinguish|text=[[Brahman]] (a metaphysical concept in Hinduism), [[Brahma]] (a Hindu god), or [[Brahmana]] (a layer of text in the [[Vedas]])}}
| caste_name = Brahmin (Brahmana)
{{Other uses}}
| list_style = text-align:left;
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{{Hinduism}}
{{Hinduism}}
{{Buddhism}}
'''Brahmin''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|r|ɑː|m|ɪ|n}}; {{lang-sa|ब्राह्मण|brāhmaṇa}}) are a [[Varna (Hinduism)|varna]] (class) in [[Hinduism]]. They specialised as intellectuals, [[Hindu priest|priests]] ([[purohit]], [[pandit]], or [[pujari]]), teachers ([[acharya]] or [[guru]]), ayurvedic physicians and protectors of sacred learning across generations.<ref>{{cite book | last=Ingold | first=Tim | title=Companion encyclopedia of anthropology | publisher=[[Routledge]] | location=London New York | year=1994 | isbn=978-0-415-28604-6 | page=1026}}</ref><ref name=lochtefeld125>James Lochtefeld (2002), Brahmin, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1: A–M, Rosen Publishing, {{ISBN|978-0-8239-3179-8}}, page 125</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rig Veda: Rig-Veda 10.97.6 |url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv10097.htm |website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref>
{{Jainism}}
'''Brahmin''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|r|ɑː|m|ɪ|n}}; also called '''Brahmana'''; from the [[Sanskrit]] ''{{IAST|brāhmaṇa}}'' {{lang|sa|ब्राह्मण}}) are one of traditional [[Hindu societies]], as well as Buddhist and Jain societies of [[India]], [[Nepal]] and [[The Far East]].


[[Brahman]], Brahmin, and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self. Brahmin (or Brahmana) refers to an individual belonging to the Hindu, Buddhist, or Jain priest, artists, teachers, technicians class ([[Varna (Hinduism)|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 [[ritual]]s in [[temple]]s and homes and is a person authorized after rigorous training in [[veda]]s (sacred texts of knowledge) and [[religious]] [[ritual]]s 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 (Hinduism)|varna]]." The English word ''brahmin'' is an anglicized form of the Sanskrit word ''{{IAST|Brāhman}}a''.
The traditional occupation of Brahmins was that of priesthood at the Hindu temples or at socio-religious ceremonies and rite of passage rituals such as solemnising a wedding with hymns and prayers.<ref name=lochtefeld125/><ref name=ghurye15/> Theoretically, the Brahmins are the most respected of the four social classes.<ref name=doniger141/> Their livelihood is prescribed to be one of strict austerity and voluntary poverty ("[A Brahmin] should acquire what just suffices for the time, what he earns he should spend all that the same day").<ref>{{Cite web|last=www.wisdomlib.org|date=2016-11-04|title=Manusmriti Verse 4.7|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/manusmriti-with-the-commentary-of-medhatithi/d/doc200103.html|access-date=2021-03-26|website=www.wisdomlib.org}}</ref> In practice, Indian texts suggest that some Brahmins became agriculturalists, warriors, traders and had also held other occupations in the [[Indian subcontinent]].<ref name=ghurye15>GS Ghurye (1969), Caste and Race in India, Popular Prakashan, {{ISBN|978-81-7154-205-5}}, pages 15–18</ref><ref name=doniger141>{{cite book | last=Doniger | first=Wendy | title=Merriam-Webster's encyclopedia of world religions | publisher=Merriam-Webster | location=Springfield, MA, USA | year=1999 | isbn=978-0-87779-044-0 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780877790440/page/141 141–142, 186] | url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780877790440/page/141 }}</ref><ref name="David Shulman 1989 page 111">David Shulman (1989), The King and the Clown, Princeton University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-691-00834-9}}, page 111</ref>


According to ancient [[India]]n [[philosopher]]s and [[scholar]]s, the [[human]] [[society]] comprises four pillars or classes called [[varnas]] or [[color]]s. In the ancient Indian texts such as ''[[Smriti]]s, [[veda]]s, [[upanishad]]s, [[purana]]s'', etc., these four "[[varnas]]" or classes or pillars of the society are: the [[priest]]s / [[Acharya]] (Brahmins), the rulers and military ([[Kshatriya]]s), the [[merchant]]s and [[agriculturist]]s([[Vaishya]]s), and the Assistants ([[Shudra]]s).
==Vedic sources==
{{multiple image|total_width=300|perrow=2
| header = Brahmin priests
| image1 = Group of Brahmins 1913.jpg |caption1=a Brahmin doing achaman and chanting
| image2 = A robed Burmese Brahmin priest of Konbaung Dynasty.jpg | caption2=Burma
| image3 = Candi Prambanan - 102 Brahmins, Visnu Temple (12042036684).jpg | caption3=Indonesia
| image4 = A Brahmin standing praying in the corner of the streets 1863.jpg | caption4=early 19th century India
}}
===Rig Veda===
Rigveda HYMN XCVII. "Praise of Herbs"
describes a physician brahmin.
According to [[Rigveda]], "[[Brahman]] (Bipra) who removes and destroys the disease is '''Vaidyabrahmin'''."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Rig Veda: Rig-Veda, Book 10: HYMN XCVII. Praise of Herbs.|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv10097.htm|access-date=2021-04-28|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref>


Brahmin [[priest]]s / [[Acharya]] were engaged in attaining the highest spiritual [[knowledge]] ([[brahmavidya]]) of [[Brahman]] ([[God]]) and adhered to different branches ([[shakha]]s) of [[Veda]]s. Brahmin [[priest]] is responsible for [[religious]] [[ritual]]s in [[temple]]s and [[home]]s of [[Hindu]]s and is a person authorized after rigorous training in [[veda]]s and [[sacred]] [[ritual]]s, and as a liaison between [[human]]s and the [[God]]. In general, as family [[vocation]]s and businesses are [[Inheritance|inherited]], [[priesthood]] used to be inherited among Brahmin [[priest]] families, as it requires years of practice of [[veda]]s from childhood after proper introduction to student life through a [[religious]] [[initiation]] called [[upanayana]] at the age of about five.
===Purusha Sukta===
{{main|Purusha Sukta}}
The earliest inferred reference to "Brahmin" as a possible social class is in the [[Rigveda]], occurs once, and the hymn is called Purusha Sukta.<ref>[[Max Müller]], [https://archive.org/stream/historyofancient00mluoft#page/570/mode/2up A History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature], [[Oxford University Press]], pages 570–571</ref> According to this hymn in ''Mandala'' 10, Brahmins are described as having emerged from the mouth of [[Purusha]], being that part of the body from which words emerge.<ref>{{cite book |title=Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300 |first=Romila |last=Thapar |author-link=Romila Thapar |publisher=University of California Press |year=2004 |isbn=9780520242258 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-5irrXX0apQC&pg=PA125 |page=125}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=A Dictionary of Creation Myths |first1=David Adams |last1=Leeming |first2=Margaret Adams |last2=Leeming |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-19510-275-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofcrea00leem |url-access=registration |pages=[https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofcrea00leem/page/139 139]–144}}</ref>{{refn|group=note|
<poem>
यत् पुरुषं व्यदधुः कतिधा व्यकल्पयन्।
मुखं किम् अस्य कौ बाहू का ऊरू पादा उच्येते॥११॥
ब्राह्मणो ऽस्य मुखम् आसीद् बाहू राजन्यः कृतः।
ऊरू तद् अस्य यद् वैश्यः पद्भ्यां शूद्रो अजायत॥१२॥
11 When they divided Puruṣa how many portions did they make?
What do they call his mouth, his arms? What do they call his thighs and feet?
12 The Brahmin was his mouth, of both his arms was the Rājanya made.
His thighs became the Vaiśya, from his feet the Śūdra was produced.
</poem>
– [[Rigveda]] 10.90.11-2|Translation by Ralph TH Griffith<ref>[https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Rig_Veda/Mandala_10/Hymn_90 The Rig Veda/Mandala 10/Hymn 90] (Ralph Griffith, Translator)</ref>}} This Purusha Sukta varna verse is now generally considered to have been inserted at a later date into the Vedic text, possibly as a [[Origin myth|charter myth]].<ref name="Jamison 2014 57–58"/> Stephanie Jamison and Joel Brereton, a professor of Sanskrit and Religious studies, state, "there is no evidence in the Rigveda for an elaborate, much-subdivided and overarching caste system", and "the varna system seems to be embryonic in the Rigveda and, both then and later, a social ideal rather than a social reality".<ref name="Jamison 2014 57–58">{{cite book | last=Jamison| first=Stephanie | title=The Rigveda : the earliest religious poetry of India | publisher=Oxford University Press | year=2014 | isbn=978-0-19-937018-4 |pages=57–58|display-authors=etal}}</ref>


The Brahmin priest has to wake up at four in the morning and bathe in cold water, rain or shine, warm or cold. Then, without a break, he has to perform one rite after another: [[sandhyavandana]], [[brahmayajna]],<ref>http://www.karmayoga.net/brahma-yajna/</ref> [[aupasana]], [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]], [[vaisvadeva]] and at least one of the 21 sacrifices for hours, in front of a [[sacred]] [[fire]], with all the heat and smoke. So many are the vows and the fasts the priest must keep, and as many are the ritual baths the priest must take in a day. The [[dharmasastras]] require that the Brahmin priest adheres to the rules and rituals imposed on the priest not only during the performance of so many rites and rigorous discipline, but also every second of his life, because the Brahmin priest life is dedicated to God. The priest performing rituals, may have his first meal at 1 or 2 PM (and on the day of a [[Śrāddha|sraddha]] ([[cremation]])) it will be three or four PM). The Brahmin [[priest]]'s [[vegetarian]] meal and dwelling are simple and humble.<ref>http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part20/chap11.htm</ref><ref>http://www.vepachedu.org/manasanskriti/Brahmins.html</ref>
===Shrauta Sutras===
{{main|Yajna}}


Individuals from the Brahmin [[caste]]s/[[tribe]]s have taken on many professions such as [[priest]]s, [[ascetic]]s and [[scholar]]s to [[warrior]]s and business people, according to 12th century poet [[Kalhana]], in [[Rajatarangini]].<ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/490128/Rajatarangini</ref> According to [[Valmiki]], a [[hunter]] and [[Sanskrit]] poet, in [[Ramayana]] history, Brahmin [[Rishi|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]] [[kshatriya]]s twenty one times, was an expert in [[martial]] arts and the use of weapons, and trained others to fight without weapons.<ref name="Saraswati 2003 519 Volume 1">{{cite book
Ancient texts describing community-oriented Vedic yajna rituals mention four to five priests: the hotar, the adhvaryu, the udgatar, the Brahmin and sometimes the ritvij.<ref>Mahendra Kulasrestha (2007), The Golden Book of Upanishads, Lotus, {{ISBN|978-81-8382-012-7}}, page 21</ref><ref name=mohrfear81/> The functions associated with the priests were:
| first = Swami Sahajanand
* The ''Hotri'' recites invocations and litanies drawn from the [[Rigveda]].<ref name=hume109/>
| last = Saraswati
* The ''Adhvaryu'' is the priest's assistant and is in charge of the physical details of the ritual like measuring the ground, building the altar explained in the [[Yajurveda]]. The adhvaryu offers oblations.<ref name=hume109>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n127/mode/2up Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 3.1], Oxford University Press, pages 107–109</ref>
| authorlink = Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
* The ''Udgatri'' is the chanter of hymns set to melodies and music (sāman) drawn from the [[Samaveda]]. The udgatar, like the hotar, chants the introductory, accompanying and benediction hymns.<ref name=hume109/>
| title = Swami Sahajanand Saraswati Rachnawali in Six volumes (in Volume 1)
* The ''Brahmin'' recites from the [[Atharvaveda]].<ref name=mohrfear81/>
| publisher = Prakashan Sansthan
* The ''Ritvij'' is the chief operating priest.<ref name=mohrfear81>Mohr and Fear (2015), World Religions: The History, Issues, and Truth, {{ISBN|978-1-5035-0369-4}}, page 81</ref>
| location = Delhi
| year = 2003
| isbn = 81-7714-097-3
| pages = 519 (Volume 1)
}}</ref><ref name="Crooke 1999 1809 at page 64">{{Cite book
| first = William
| last = Crooke
| authorlink = William Crooke
| title = The Tribes and Castes of the North-Western Provinces and Oudh
| publisher=[[Asian Educational Services]]
| location = 6A, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi-110049, India
| year =1999
| pages =1809 (at page 64)
| isbn = 81-206-1210-8
}}</ref>


[[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.
According to Kulkarni, the Grhya-sutras state that [[Yajna]], Adhyayana (studying the vedas and teaching), dana pratigraha (accepting and giving gifts) are the "peculiar duties and privileges of brahmins".<ref>{{cite journal|author=Kulkarni, A.R. | year= 1964| jstor= 44140322 | title=Social and Economic Position of Brahmins in Maharashtra in the Age of Shivaji|journal= Proceedings of the Indian History Congress | volume=26|pages= 66–67}}</ref>


==History==
===Definition of Brahmin as casteless renunciate===
{{Main|History of Hinduism}}


Tatrapi janma shata kotishu manavatvam : After attaining shata koti [Hundred crore] janma [births] one comes to manava janma.
The term Brahmin in Indian texts has signified someone who is good and virtuous, not just someone of priestly class.<ref name=olivelleaab60/> Patrick Olivelle states that both Buddhist and Brahmanical literature repeatedly define "Brahmin" not in terms of family of birth, but in terms of personal qualities.<ref name=olivelleaab60/> These virtues and characteristics mirror the values cherished in Hinduism during the [[Sannyasa]] stage of life, or the life of renunciation for spiritual pursuits. Brahmins, states Olivelle, were the social class from which most ascetics came.<ref name=olivelleaab60>Patrick Olivelle (2011), Ascetics and Brahmins: Studies in Ideologies and Institutions, Anthem, {{ISBN|978-0-85728-432-7}}, page 60</ref>


Tatrapi janma shata kotishu brahmanatvam : After attaining shata koti[Hundred crore] manava janma [human births] one comes to Brahmana janma.
==Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras==


Tatrapi janma shata kotishu vaishnavatvam : After attaining shata koti[Hundred crore] Brahmana janma [Brahmin births] ones comes to vaishnava janma
The Dharmasutra and Dharmashaastra texts of Hinduism describe the expectations, duties and role of Brahmins. The rules and duties in these [[Dharma]] texts of Hinduism, are primarily directed at Brahmins. The [[Gautama's Dharmasutra]], the oldest of surviving Hindu Dharmasutras, for example, states in verse 9.54–9.55 that a Brahmin should not participate or perform a ritual unless he is invited to do so, but he may attend. Gautama outlines the following rules of conduct for a Brahmin, in Chapters 8 and 9:<ref>RC Prasad (2014), The Upanayana: The Hindu Ceremonies of the Sacred Thread</ref>
{{Quote box |width=24em | bgcolor=#FFE0BB |align=right |salign = right
|quote='''Virtues more important than rituals'''<br>
A [Brahmin] man who has performed the forty sacramental rites, but lacks eight virtues does not obtain union with or residence in the same world as [[Brahman]]. A man who may have performed just some rites, but possesses these eight virtues, on the other hand, does.
|source =—''Gautama Dharmasutra'' 9.24–9.25<ref>Patrick Olivelle (1999), Dharmasutras, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-19-283882-7}}, page 91</ref>}}


According to [[Purusha Sukta]], a [[Rigveda]] hymn, Brahmins were born from [[purusha]]'s ([[Vishwakarma]]'s) face.<ref name="ramanuja1">Purusha Suktha [12] ramanuja.org Verse 13 | http://www.ramanuja.org/purusha/sukta-4.html</ref><ref name=raj1>{{cite book|last=Reddy|title=General Studies History 4 Upsc|year=2005|publisher=Tata McGraw-Hill Education,|isbn= 9780070604476|pages=78,79,33,80,27,123}}</ref>
*Be always truthful
*Teach his art only to virtuous men
*Follow rules of ritual purification
*Study Vedas with delight
*Never hurt any living creature
*Be gentle but steadfast
*Have self-control
*Be kind, liberal towards everyone


Most [[sampradaya]]s (sects) of modern Brahmins claim to take inspiration from the Vedas. According to orthodox Hindu tradition, the Vedas are ''{{IAST|apauruṣeya}}'' and ''anādi'' (beginning-less), and are revealed truths of eternal validity. The Vedas are considered ''[[Śruti]]'' ("that which is heard") and are the paramount source on which Brahmin tradition claims to be based. Śruti texts include the four Vedas (the [[Rigveda]], the [[Yajurveda]], the [[Samaveda]] and the [[Atharvaveda]]), and their respective [[Brahmanas]], [[Aranyakas]] and [[Upanishads]].
Olivelle states that the Chapter 8 of the Dharmasutra, asserts the functions of a Brahmin is to learn the Vedas, the secular sciences, the Vedic supplements, the dialogues, the epics and the Puranas; to understand the texts and pattern his conduct according to precepts contained in this texts, to undertake [[Sanskara (rite of passage)]] and rituals, and lead a virtuous life.<ref name=patrickolivelle90>Patrick Olivelle (1999), Dharmasutras, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-19-283882-7}}, pages 90–91</ref>


Apart from clerical positions, Brahmins have also historically been ministers (known as ''Sachivas'' or ''Amatyas'') in dynasties.
The text lists eight virtues that a Brahmin must inculcate: compassion, patience, lack of envy, purification, tranquility, auspicious disposition, generosity and lack of greed, and then asserts in verse 9.24–9.25, that it is more important to lead a virtuous life than perform rites and rituals, because virtue leads to achieving liberation ([[moksha]], a life in the world of [[Brahman]]).<ref name=patrickolivelle90/>


===Clerical positions===
{{multiple image
#[[Swami]] (''Priest'') - Purohita (performer for domestic ceremonies) and Rtvij (performer of seasonal ceremonies)
| align = right
#[[Acarya]] or [[Upadhyaya]] (''Spiritual teacher'')
| image1 = Brahmin.jpg
#[[Yogin]]
| width1 = 150
#Tapasvin - Mendicant
| alt1 =
| caption1 =
| image2 = Brahmingirl.jpg
| width2 = 145
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
| footer = Left: Brahmin woman, Right: Brahmin girl<br>(both paintings by Lady Lawley, 1914)
}}
The later Dharma texts of Hinduism such as Baudhayana Dharmasutra add charity, modesty, refraining from anger and never being arrogant as duties of a Brahmin.<ref>Patrick Olivelle (1999), Dharmasutras, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-19-283882-7}}, pages 136–137</ref> The Vasistha Dharmasutra in verse 6.23 lists discipline, austerity, self-control, liberality, truthfulness, purity, Vedic learning, compassion, erudition, intelligence and religious faith as characteristics of a Brahmin.<ref>Patrick Olivelle (1999), Dharmasutras, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-19-283882-7}}, pages 267–268</ref> In 13.55, the Vasistha text states that a Brahmin must not accept weapons, poison or liquor as gifts.<ref>Patrick Olivelle (1999), Dharmasutras, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-19-283882-7}}, page 284</ref>


====Classification of priests====
The Dharmasastras such as Manusmriti, like Dharmsutras, are codes primarily focussed on how a Brahmin must live his life, and their relationship with a king and warrior class.<ref>Patrick Olivelle (2005), Manu's Code of Law, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-19-517146-4}}, pages 16, 62–65</ref> Manusmriti dedicates 1,034 verses, the largest portion, on laws for and expected virtues of Brahmins.<ref>Patrick Olivelle (2005), Manu's Code of Law, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-19-517146-4}}, pages 41, for specific examples see 132–134</ref> It asserts, for example,
[[Pāṇini]] classes priests into four classes, according to the four Vedas, and then further describes priests subordinate to them.<ref>P. 1586 ''The Ashṭādhyāyī of Pāṇini, Volume 2'' By Pāṇini, edited by Srisa Chandra Vasa</ref>
#[[Adhvaryu]] (of the [[Yajur Veda]]), and their subordinate priests are Pratiprasthata, Nestha, and Unneta
#Udgatta (of the [[Rig Veda]]), and their subordinate priests are Prastota, Pratiharta, Subrahmanya
#Hotr (of the [[Sama Veda]]) or chanter of invocations, and their subordinate priests are Maitra varuna, Achchhavak, Pota
#Brahma (of the [[Atharva Veda]]), and their subordinate priests are Brahmanachhansi, Agnidhra, Gravastuta


===Requirements for being Brahmin===
{{Quote|
According to a Buddhist scripture, at the time of the Buddha in eastern India there were five requirements for being Brahmin:<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=VMf-isGALqQC&pg=PA163&lpg=PA163&dq=varna+jati+mantra+sila+panditya&source=bl&ots=knkIlYXXv8&sig=u6PBh2zAShwNwBrSnsdZFfA8ciA&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4eoMUrf-DIyMigKR3IC4Aw&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=varna%20jati%20mantra%20sila%20panditya&f=false|title=Foundations of Indian Culture|author=Govind Chandra Pande|accessdate=2013-08-15}}</ref>
A well disciplined Brahmin, although he knows just the Savitri verse, is far better than an undisciplined one who eats all types of food and deals in all types of merchandise though he may know all three Vedas.
|[[Manusmriti]] 2.118|Translated by Patrick Olivelle<ref>Patrick Olivelle (2005), Manu's Code of Law, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-19-517146-4}}, page 101</ref>}}


#Varna (ubhato sujato hoti) or Brahmin status on both sides of the family
John Bussanich states that the ethical precepts set for Brahmins, in ancient Indian texts, are similar to Greek virtue-ethics, that "Manu's dharmic Brahmin can be compared to Aristotle's man of practical wisdom",<ref>John Bussanich (2014), Ancient Ethics (Editors: Jörg Hardy and George Rudebusch), Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, {{ISBN|978-3-89971-629-0}}, pages 38, 33–52, Quote: "Affinities with Greek virtue ethics are also noteworthy. Manu's dharmic Brahmin can be compared to Aristotle's man of practical wisdom, who exercises moral authority because he feels the proper emotions and judges difficult situations correctly, when moral rules and maxims are unavailable".</ref> and that "the virtuous Brahmin is not unlike the Platonic-Aristotelian philosopher" with the difference that the latter was not sacerdotal.<ref>John Bussanich (2014), Ancient Ethics (Editors: Jörg Hardy and George Rudebusch), Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, {{ISBN|978-3-89971-629-0}}, pages 44–45</ref>
#Jati (avikkitto anupakutto jativadena) or born without physical defects
#Mantra (ajjhayako hoti mantradharo) or well-versed in scriptures
#Sila or virtue
#Panditya or learned


It is noteworthy, that the Buddha admired five the Brahmin attributes of 1) The Truth (Sacca or Satya), 2) Austerities (Tapas), 3) Chastity (Brahmacariya), 4) Study of Vedic lore (Ajjhena or Adhyayana), 5) Munificence (Caga or Tyaga).
== History ==


==Practices==
According to Abraham Eraly, "Brahmin as a varna hardly had any presence in historical records before the Gupta Empire era" (3rd century to 6th century CE), when Buddhism dominated the land. "No Brahmin, no sacrifice, no ritualistic act of any kind ever, even once, is referred to" in any Indian texts between third century BCE and the late first century CE. He also states that "The absence of literary and material evidence, however, does not mean that Brahmanical culture did not exist at that time, but only that it had no elite patronage and was largely confined to rural folk, and therefore went unrecorded in history".<ref name=eraly283>Abraham Eraly (2011), ''The First Spring: The Golden Age of India,'' Penguin, {{ISBN|978-0-670-08478-4}}, page 283</ref> Their role as priests and repository of sacred knowledge, as well as their importance in the practice of Vedic Shrauta rituals, grew during the Gupta Empire era and thereafter.<ref name=eraly283/>


Brahmins, basically adhere to the principles of the [[Vedas]], related to the texts of the [[Śruti]] and [[Smriti]] which are some the foundations of [[Hinduism]], and practice [[Sanatana Dharma]]. Vedic ''{{IAST|Brāhmaṇas}}'' have six occupational duties, of which three are compulsory&nbsp;— 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|date=August 2013}}
However, the knowledge about actual history of Brahmins or other varnas of Hinduism in and after the first millennium is fragmentary and preliminary, with little that is from verifiable records or archeological evidence, and much that is constructed from ahistorical Sanskrit works and fiction. Michael Witzel writes,


Male members of ''all'' Brahmin sects wear the [[Yagnopaveetham]] ([[Hindi language|Hindi]]:जनेऊ 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|date=August 2013}}
{{Quote|
'''Toward a history of the Brahmins''': Current research in the area is fragmentary. The state of our knowledge of this fundamental subject is preliminary, at best. Most Sanskrit works are a-historic or, at least, not especially interested in presenting a chronological account of India's history. When we actually encounter history, such as in ''Rajatarangini'' or in the ''Gopalavamsavali'' of Nepal, the texts do not deal with brahmins in great detail.
|[[Michael Witzel]]|Review (1993)<ref>Michael Witzel (1993) [https://www.jstor.org/stable/603031 Toward a History of the Brahmins], ''Journal of the American Oriental Society,'' Vol. 113, No. 2, pages 264–268</ref>}}


==Brahmin communities==
===Normative occupations===
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2013}}
[[File:(A) Bhumi Puja, yajna.jpg|thumb|Brahmins in white dress performing the Bhumi Puja ritual [[yajna]] around fire]]
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 Range|Vindhya]] mountains) and Pancha-Dravida Brahmins from the region south of the Vindhya mountains as per the [[shloka]] of Kalhana.
The Gautama Dharmasutra states in verse 10.3 that it is obligatory on a Brahmin to learn and teach the Vedas.<ref name=olivelleds94>Patrick Olivelle (1999), Dharmasutras, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-19-283882-7}}, page 94</ref> Chapter 10 of the text, according to Olivelle translation, states that he may impart Vedic instructions to a teacher, relative, friend, elder, anyone who offers exchange of knowledge he wants, or anyone who pays for such education.<ref name=olivelleds94/> The Chapter 10 adds that a Brahmin may also engage in agriculture, trade, lend money on interest, while Chapter 7 states that a Brahmin may engage in the occupation of a warrior in the times of adversity.<ref name=olivelleds94/><ref name=olivelleds89/> Typically, asserts Gautama Dharmasutra, a Brahmin should accept any occupation to sustain himself but avoid the occupations of a [[Shudra]], but if his life is at stake a Brahmin may sustain himself by accepting occupations of a Shudra.<ref name=olivelleds89>Patrick Olivelle (1999), Dharmasutras, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-19-283882-7}}, page 89</ref> The text forbids a Brahmin from engaging in the trade of animals for slaughter, meat, medicines and milk products even in the times of adversity. Several Brahmin males used to go around cities and villages, begging for food in return for singing praises of God. This tradition later came to be known as "[https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/unchavritti Unchavritti]".<ref name=olivelleds89/>


*Saraswat, Kanyakubja, Gaud, Utkala and Mithila form the Pancha Guada
The Apastamba Dharmasutra asserts in verse 1.20.10 that trade is generally not sanctioned for Brahmins, but in the times of adversity he may do so.<ref name=olivelleds31/> The chapter 1.20 of Apastamba, states Olivelle, forbids the trade of the following under any circumstances: human beings, meat, skins, weapons, barren cows, sesame seeds, pepper, and merits.<ref name=olivelleds31>Patrick Olivelle (1999), Dharmasutras, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-19-283882-7}}, page 31</ref>
*Karnataka, Telangaa, Dravida, Maharashtra and Gurjarat form the Pancha Dravida


==Pancha-Gauda==
The 1st millennium CE Dharmasastras, that followed the Dharmasutras contain similar recommendations on occupations for a Brahmin, both in prosperous or normal times, and in the times of adversity.<ref>Patrick Olivelle (2005), Manu's Code of Law, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-19-517146-4}}, pages 124–126</ref> The widely studied Manusmriti, for example, states:
[[Image:Ram Mohan Roy.JPG|thumb|upright|Statue of [[Ram Mohan Roy|Raja Ram Mohan Roy]], a [[Kulin Brahmins]], in [[College Green, Bristol]], [[England]]]]
[[File:Shri Gaudapadacharya Statue.jpg|thumb|x216px|right|text|Adi Guru Shri Gauḍapādāchārya, the grand guru of [[Adi Shankara|Shri Adi Shankaracharya]] and the first historical proponent of [[Advaita Vedanta]], also believed to be the founder of [[Shri Gaudapadacharya Math]].]]
{{main|Pancha-Gauda}}


The Brahmins from [[Sārasvata]], [[Kanyakubja]], [[Gauḍa (region)|Gauda]], [[Mithila (ancient)|Mithila]] and [[Utkala Kingdom|Utkala]], who with passage of time spread to North East, East and West, were called Pancha Gauda.
{{Quote|
This group is originally from [[Uttarapatha]] ([[Āryāvarta]]).
Except during a time of adversity, a Brahmin ought to sustain himself by following a livelihood that causes little or no harm to creatures. He should gather wealth just sufficient for his subsistence through irreproachable activities that are specific to him, without fatiguing his body. – 4.2–4.3
Pancha Gauda Brahmins are divided into five main categories:


===Sarasvat Brahmins===
He must never follow a worldly occupation for the sake of livelihood, but subsist by means of a pure, upright and honest livelihood proper to a Brahmin. One who seeks happiness should become supremely content and self controlled, for happiness is rooted in contentment and its opposite is the root of unhappiness. – 4.11–4.12
*[[Saraswat Brahmin]]
|Manusmriti|Translated by Patrick Olivelle<ref>Patrick Olivelle (2005), Manu's Code of Law, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-19-517146-4}}, page 124</ref>}}
*[[Kashmiri Pandits]]
*[[Goud Saraswat Brahmin]]
*[[Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin]]
*[[Rajapur Saraswat Brahmin]]
*[[Kudaldeshkar Gaud Brahman]]
*[[Mohyal]]


===Kanyakubja Brahmins===
[[File:Ascetic.jpg|thumb|160px|An ascetic from renunciation tradition (1914)]]
* [[Assamese Brahmins]]
* [[Kamrupi Brahmins]]
* [[Kanyakubja Brahmin]]
* [[Bhumihar Brahmin]]
* [[Saryupareen Brahmin]]
* [[Sanadya Brahmin]]
* [[Bengali Brahmin]]
* [[Bahun|Nepali Brahmins]]
* [[Goswami]]/[[Gossains|Gossain]]
* [[Manipuri Brahmin]]
* [[Garhwali people#Garhwali Brahmin clans|Garhwali Brahmins]]
* [[Sakaldwipiya|Sakaldwipiya Brahmins]]


===Gauda Brahmins===
The Manusmriti recommends that a Brahmin's occupation must never involve forbidden activities such as producing or trading poison, weapons, meat, trapping birds and others.<ref name=olivellems211/> It also lists six occupations that it deems proper for a Brahmin: teaching, studying, offering yajna, officiating at yajna, giving gifts and accepting gifts.<ref name=olivellems211>Patrick Olivelle (2005), Manu's Code of Law, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-19-517146-4}}, pages 125, 211–212</ref> Of these, states Manusmriti, three which provide a Brahmin with a livelihood are teaching, officiating at yajna, and accepting gifts.<ref name=olivellems212>Patrick Olivelle (2005), Manu's Code of Law, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-19-517146-4}}, page 212</ref> The text states that teaching is best, and ranks the accepting of gifts as the lowest of the six.<ref name=olivellems211/> In the times of adversity, Manusmriti recommends that a Brahmin may live by engaging in the occupations of the warrior class, or agriculture or cattle herding or trade.<ref name=olivellems212/> Of these, Manusmriti in verses 10.83–10.84 recommends a Brahmin should avoid agriculture if possible because, according to Olivelle translation, agriculture "involves injury to living beings and dependence of others" when the plow digs the ground and injures the creatures that live in the soil.<ref name=olivellems212/><ref>Patrick Olivelle (2011), Ascetics and Brahmins: Studies in Ideologies and Institutions, Anthem, {{ISBN|978-0-85728-432-7}}, page 39</ref> However, adds Manusmriti, even in the times of adversity, a Brahmin must never trade or produce poison, weapons, meat, soma, liquor, perfume, milk and milk products, molasses, captured animals or birds, beeswax, sesame seeds or roots.<ref name=olivellems212/>
===Mithila Brahmins===
The [[Maithil Brahmiṇs]] are a group of Brahmins typically originating from and living in and around [[Mithila (India)|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|date=March 2012}} They have a reputation for orthodoxy and interest in learning.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} 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 Śāktas (worshippers of Śakti) . However, it is also not uncommon to find Vaishnavites among the Maithil Brahmins. Some surnames of Brahmins in Bihar include Shukla, Sharma, Thakur, Mishra, Kissoon, Bhardwaj, Bhagwan, Choudhary, Jha, Bhatt, Kanojia, Kaileyas, Bhaglani, Pingal, and Lakhlani, amongst others. [[Maithili language|Maithili]] is their mother tongue, though many use [[Angika language|Angika]] (a south-eastern dialect of Maithili) as their mother tongue.


===Actual occupations===
===Utkala Brahmins===
The Sanskrit text Brāhmaṇotpatti-Mārtaṇḍa by Pt. Harikrishna Śāstri 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 Brahmin]]s are of three classes 1) Shrautiya (vaidika), 2) Sevayata and 3) Halua Brahmins.


==Pancha-Dravida==
[[File:Shri Gaudapadacharya Statue.jpg|thumb|x216px|right|[[Adi Shankara]] a proponent of [[Advaita Vedanta]], was born in a Brahmin family, and is credited with unifying and establishing the main currents of thought in [[Hinduism]].<ref>Johannes de Kruijf and Ajaya Sahoo (2014), Indian Transnationalism Online: New Perspectives on Diaspora, {{ISBN|978-1-4724-1913-2}}, page 105, Quote: "In other words, according to Adi Shankara's argument, the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta stood over and above all other forms of Hinduism and encapsulated them. This then united Hinduism; (...) Another of Adi Shankara's important undertakings which contributed to the unification of Hinduism was his founding of a number of monastic centers."</ref><ref>''Shankara'', Student's Encyclopædia Britannica - India (2000), Volume 4, Encyclopædia Britannica (UK) Publishing, {{ISBN|978-0-85229-760-5}}, page 379, Quote: "Shankaracharya, philosopher and theologian, most renowned exponent of the Advaita Vedanta school of philosophy, from whose doctrines the main currents of modern Indian thought are derived."<br>David Crystal (2004), The Penguin Encyclopedia, Penguin Books, page 1353, Quote: "[Shankara] is the most famous exponent of Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy and the source of the main currents of modern Hindu thought."</ref><ref>Christophe Jaffrelot (1998), The Hindu Nationalist Movement in India, Columbia University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-231-10335-0}}, page 2, Quote: "The main current of Hinduism - if not the only one - which became formalized in a way that approximates to an ecclesiastical structure was that of Shankara".</ref>]]
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===
Historical records, state scholars, suggest that Brahmin varna was not limited to a particular status or priest and teaching profession.<ref name="ghurye15"/><ref name="David Shulman 1989 page 111"/><ref name=baileymabbett114/> Historical records from mid 1st millennium CE and later, suggest Brahmins were agriculturalists and warriors in medieval India, quite often instead of as exception.<ref name="ghurye15"/><ref name="David Shulman 1989 page 111"/> Donkin and other scholars state that [[Hoysala Empire]] records frequently mention Brahmin merchants "carried on trade in horses, elephants and pearls" and transported goods throughout medieval India before the 14th-century.<ref>RA Donkin (1998), Beyond Price: Pearls and Pearl-fishing, American Philosophical Society, {{ISBN|978-0-87169-224-5}}, page 166</ref><ref>SC Malik (1986), Determinants of Social Status in India, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, {{ISBN|978-81-208-0073-1}}, page 121</ref>
Brahmins of Andhra Pradesh known as [[Telugu Brahmins]] are broadly classified into five groups: [[Vaidiki Brahmins]], [[Niyogi]], [[Aaraama Dravidulu|Dravida Brahmins]], and [[Vaikhanasas|Vaikhānasa]].<ref>[http://www.vedah.net/manasanskriti/Brahmins.html#Brahmins_of_Andhra_Pradesh Article on Brahmins of Andhra Pradesh at Vepachedu Educational Foundation]</ref>
<ref>[http://www.divinebrahmanda.com/2011/10/vishwakarma-hindu-lord-of-craftsmen-and.html]</ref>


[[Niyogi]]s are further divided into the following subcategories: Nandavarika Niyogi, Prathama Shakha Niyogi, Aaru Vela Niyogulu, Karanaalu, Sistukaranalu, Karana kamma vyaparlu, Karanakammulu.<ref>{{cite web|author=Sreenivasarao Vepachedu |url=http://www.vedah.net/manasanskriti/Brahmins.html |title=Brahmin, brahmana, caste, tribe, gotra, rishi, ritual, india, hindu, religion, Mana Sanskriti (Our Culture), Issue 69 |publisher=Vedah.net |date= |accessdate=2013-03-23}}</ref>
The [[Pāli Canon|Pali Canon]] depicts Brahmins as the most prestigious and elite non-Buddhist figures.<ref name="baileymabbett114"/> They mention them parading their learning. The Pali Canon and other [[Buddhist texts]] such as the ''Jataka Tales'' also record the livelihood of Brahmins to have included being farmers, handicraft workers and artisans such as carpentry and architecture.<ref name=baileymabbett114/><ref>Stella Kramrisch (1994), Exploring India's Sacred Art, Editor: Stella Miller, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-81-208-1208-6}}, pages 60–64</ref> Buddhist sources extensively attest, state Greg Bailey and Ian Mabbett, that Brahmins were "supporting themselves not by religious practice, but employment in all manner of secular occupations", in the classical period of India.<ref name=baileymabbett114>Greg Bailey and Ian Mabbett (2006), The Sociology of Early Buddhism, Cambridge University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-521-02521-8}}, pages 113–115 with footnotes</ref> Some of the Brahmin occupations mentioned in the Buddhist texts such as ''Jatakas'' and ''Sutta Nipata'' are very lowly.<ref name=baileymabbett114/> The ''Dharmasutras'' too mention Brahmin farmers.<ref name="baileymabbett114"/><ref>{{cite journal | last=RITSCHL | first=Eva | title=Brahmanische Bauern. Zur Theorie und Praxis der brahmanischen Ständeordnung im alten Indien | journal=Altorientalische Forschungen | publisher=Walter de Gruyter GmbH | volume=7 | issue=JG | year=1980 | doi=10.1524/aofo.1980.7.jg.177 | pages=177–187 | s2cid=201725661 |language=de}}</ref>


===Maharashtra===
According to Haidar and Sardar, unlike the Mughal Empire in Northern India, Brahmins figured prominently in the administration of [[Deccan Sultanates]]. Under [[Golconda Sultanate]] Telugu [[Niyogi]] Brahmins served in many different roles such as accountants, ministers, revenue administration and in judicial service.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Haidar|first1=Navina Najat|last2=Sardar|first2=Marika|title=Sultans of Deccan Indian 1500–1700|date=2015|publisher=Museum Of Metropolitan Art |location=New Haven, CT, USA|isbn=978-0-300-21110-8|pages=11–12|edition=1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oi4nBwAAQBAJ |access-date=20 April 2016}}</ref> The [[Deccan sultanates]] also heavily recruited [[Maharashtrian Brahmin|Marathi Brahmins]] at different levels of their administration<ref>{{cite book|last1=Gordon|first1=Stewart|title=Cambridge History of India: The Marathas 1600-1818|date=1993|publisher=Cambridge University press|location=Cambridge, UK|isbn=978-0-521-26883-7|page=16|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iHK-BhVXOU4C&q=deshastha&pg=PR9}}</ref> During the days of [[Maratha Empire]] in the 17th and 18th century, the occupation of [[Maharashtrian Brahmin|Marathi Brahmins]] ranged from administration, being warriors to being de facto rulers<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SYOSHaZnBy8C&pg=PA129 |title=The Satara Raj, 1818–1848: A Study in History, Administration, and Culture - Sumitra Kulkarni |access-date=23 March 2013|isbn=978-81-7099-581-4 |year=1995 |last1=Kulkarni |first1=Sumitra }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/285248/India/46988/Rise-of-the-peshwas |title=India : Rise of the peshwas - Britannica Online Encyclopedia |publisher=Britannica.com |date=8 November 2011 |access-date=23 March 2013}}</ref>
{{See also|Chitpavan Konkanastha Brahmin|Deshastha Brahmin|Karhade Brahmin}}
After the collapse of Maratha empire, Brahmins in Maharashtra region were quick to take advantage of opportunities opened up by the new British rulers. They were the first community to take up Western education and therefore dominated lower level of British administration in the 19th century.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hanlon|first1=Rosilind|title=Caste, Conflict and Ideology: Mahatma Jotirao Phule and low caste protest in nineteenth-century Western India|date=1985|publisher=Cambridge University Press.|location=Cambridge, UK|isbn=0-521-52308-7|pages=122–123|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5kMrsTj1NeYC&q=phule+vedas&pg=PR9|access-date=11 August 2016}}</ref> Similarly, the Tamil Brahmins were also quick to take up English education during British colonial rule and dominate government service and law.<ref name="Seal1971">{{cite book|author=Anil Seal|title=The Emergence of Indian Nationalism: Competition and Collaboration in the Later Nineteenth Century|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xV84AAAAIAAJ&pg=PR13|date=2 September 1971|publisher=CUP Archive|isbn=978-0-521-09652-2|page=98}}</ref>


During the days of [[Maratha Empire|Maratha India]], these Marathi/Konkani Brahmins primarily served as prime ministers or [[Peshwa]]s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/Peshwa |title=Dictionary - Definition of Peshwa |publisher=Websters-online-dictionary.org |date= |accessdate=2013-03-23}}</ref> apart from taking up military jobs and converged into the sovereign or the [[Bhonsle|Chhatrapati of Satara]]. One of the notable Peshwa families is the Bhat family, who happen to be [[Chitpavan|Chitpavan Konkanastha Brahmins]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/453390/peshwa |title=peshwa (Maratha chief minister) - Britannica Online Encyclopedia |publisher=Britannica.com |date= |accessdate=2013-03-23}}</ref> They took up military jobs<ref name="hindujagruti.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindujagruti.org/articles/30.html |title=Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa : Great warrior and protector of Hindu Dharma - Valiant Hindu Kings &#124; Hindu Janajagruti Samiti |publisher=Hindujagruti.org |date= |accessdate=2013-03-23}}</ref> and ended up being the de facto head<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=SYOSHaZnBy8C&pg=PA129&dq=peshwa+de+facto+head&hl=en&sa=X&ei=e3_yUMXhH4bZrQeSyoHYDQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=peshwa%20de%20facto%20head&f=false |title=The Satara Raj, 1818-1848: A Study in History, Administration, and Culture - Sumitra Kulkarni - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.co.in |date= |accessdate=2013-03-23}}</ref> of the [[Maratha Empire|Maratha Dynasty]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/285248/India/46988/Rise-of-the-peshwas |title=India : Rise of the peshwas - Britannica Online Encyclopedia |publisher=Britannica.com |date=2011-11-08 |accessdate=2013-03-23}}</ref>
Eric Bellman states that during the Islamic Mughal Empire era Brahmins served as advisers to the Mughals, later to the British Raj.<ref name=bellmanwsj/> The [[East India Company]] also recruited from the Brahmin communities of [[Bihar]] and [[Awadh]] (in the present day Uttar Pradesh<ref name="Pandey2002">{{cite book|author=Gyanendra Pandey|title=The Ascendancy of the Congress in Uttar Pradesh: Class, Community and Nation in Northern India, 1920-1940|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Nxmed64K7d8C&pg=PP10|year=2002|publisher=Anthem Press|isbn=978-1-84331-057-0|page=6}}</ref>) for the [[Bengal army]]<ref name="Omissi2016">{{cite book|author=David Omissi|title=The Sepoy and the Raj: The Indian Army, 1860-1940|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=suG-DAAAQBAJ&pg=PP1|date=27 July 2016|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-349-14768-7|page=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Groseclose|first1=Barbara|title=British sculpture and the Company Raj : church monuments and public statuary in Madras, Calcutta, and Bombay to 1858|date=1994|publisher=University of Delaware Press|location=Newark, Del.|isbn=0-87413-406-4|page=67|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dR6F_ZdieAUC&pg=PA67 |access-date=20 April 2016}}</ref> Many Brahmins, in other parts of South Asia lived like other varna, engaged in all sorts of professions. Among Nepalese Hindus, for example, Niels Gutschow and Axel Michaels report the actual observed professions of Brahmins from 18th- to early 20th-century included being temple priests, minister, merchants, farmers, potters, masons, carpenters, coppersmiths, stone workers, barbers, gardeners among others.<ref>Niels Gutschow and Axel Michaels (2008), Bel-Frucht und Lendentuch: Mädchen und Jungen in Bhaktapur Nepal, Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, pages 23 (table), for context and details see 16–36</ref>
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===
Other 20th-century surveys, such as in the state of [[Uttar Pradesh]], recorded that the primary occupation of almost all Brahmin families surveyed was neither priestly nor Vedas-related, but like other varnas, ranged from crop farming (80 per cent of Brahmins), dairy, service, labour such as cooking, and other occupations.<ref name=noormohammad45/><ref>Ramesh Bairy (2010), Being Brahmin, Being Modern, Routledge, {{ISBN|978-0-415-58576-7}}, pages 86–89</ref> The survey reported that the Brahmin families involved in agriculture as their primary occupation in modern times plough the land themselves, many supplementing their income by selling their labor services to other farmers.<ref name=noormohammad45>Noor Mohammad (1992), New Dimensions in Agricultural Geography, Volume 3, Concept Publishers, {{ISBN|81-7022-403-9}}, pages 45, 42–48</ref><ref>G Shah (2004), Caste and Democratic Politics in India, Anthem, {{ISBN|978-1-84331-085-3}}, page 40</ref>
Kannada Brāhmans(ಕನ್ನಡ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣ): The Brāhmans of the Carnatic, or the Canarese country. The Canarese area comprises Mysore State, and the British Districts of Canara, Dharwar and Belgaum.<ref name="ReferenceA">The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India By R.V. Russell</ref>


*[[Tuluva Brahmins]],<ref>[http://www.boloji.com/places/0019.htm The Tale of Tuluva Brahmins]</ref> which consist of [[Kandavara Brahmins]], [[Karhade Brahmin]]s, [[Padia Brahmins]], [[Saklapuri Brahmins]], [[Shivalli Brahmins]], [[Smartha Shivalli Brahmins]], [[Sthanika Brahmins]], Padarthi Brahmins
===Brahmins, the Bhakti Movement and Social Reform Movements===
[[Image:Ram Mohan Roy.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Ram Mohan Roy|Raja Ram Mohan Roy]], a Brahmin, who founded [[Brahmo Samaj]]]]


===Tamil Nadu===
Many of the prominent thinkers and earliest champions of the [[Bhakti movement]] were Brahmins, a movement that encouraged a direct relationship of an individual with a personal god.<ref>Sheldon Pollock (2009), The Language of the Gods in the World of Men, University of California Press, {{ISBN|978-0520260030}}, pages 423-431</ref><ref name=bhakti2/> Among the many Brahmins who nurtured the [[Bhakti movement]] were [[Ramanuja]], [[Nimbarka]], [[Vallabha Acharya|Vallabha]] and [[Madhvacharya]] of Vaishnavism,<ref name=bhakti2>{{cite book|author=Oliver Leaman|title=Eastern Philosophy: Key Readings|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vK-GAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA251|year=2002|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-68919-4|page=251}};<br>{{cite book|author=S. M. Srinivasa Chari|title=Vaiṣṇavism: Its Philosophy, Theology, and Religious Discipline|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=evmiLInyxBMC |year=1994|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-1098-3|pages=32–33}}</ref> [[Ramananda]], another devotional poet [[Sant (religion)|sant]].<ref name=ronald>Ronald McGregor (1984), Hindi literature from its beginnings to the nineteenth century, Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, {{ISBN|978-3-447-02413-6}}, pages 42–44</ref><ref name=william>William Pinch (1996), Peasants and Monks in British India, University of California Press, {{ISBN|978-0-520-20061-6}}, pages 53–89</ref> Born in a Brahmin family,<ref name=ronald/><ref name=lorenzen>[[David Lorenzen]], Who Invented Hinduism: Essays on Religion in History, {{ISBN|978-81-902272-6-1}}, pages 104–106</ref> Ramananda welcomed everyone to spiritual pursuits without discriminating anyone by gender, class, caste or religion (such as Muslims).<ref name=lorenzen/><ref name=larsonvair>Gerald James Larson (1995), India's Agony Over Religion, State University of New York Press, {{ISBN|978-0-7914-2412-4}}, page 116</ref><ref name=julia>Julia Leslie (1996), Myth and Mythmaking: Continuous Evolution in Indian Tradition, Routledge, {{ISBN|978-0-7007-0303-6}}, pages 117–119</ref> He composed his spiritual message in poems, using widely spoken vernacular language rather than Sanskrit, to make it widely accessible. The Hindu tradition recognises him as the founder of the Hindu [[Ramanandi Sampradaya]],<ref name=schomer>Schomer and McLeod (1987), The Sants: Studies in a Devotional Tradition of India, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-81-208-0277-3}}, pages 4–6</ref> the largest [[Sannyasa|monastic]] renunciant community in Asia in modern times.<ref name=selva>Selva Raj and William Harman (2007), Dealing with Deities: The Ritual Vow in South Asia, State University of New York Press, {{ISBN|978-0-7914-6708-4}}, pages 165–166</ref><ref name=lochtefeld553>James G Lochtefeld (2002), The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z, Rosen Publishing, {{ISBN|978-0-8239-3180-4}}, pages 553–554</ref>
[[File:K.Sheshadri Iyer Statue, Cubbon Park, Bangalore.JPG|thumb|right|150px|Statue of [[K. Seshadri Iyer|Sir K.Sheshadri Iyer]] in [[Cubbon Park]] at [[Bangaluru]]]]
*[[Iyengar]] (sub-divided into [[Vadakalai]] and [[Thenkalai]])
*[[Iyer]] (sub-divided further into [[Vadama]], [[Vathima]], [[Brahacharanam]], [[Ashtasahasram]], [[Sholiyar]], [[Dikshitar]], Kaniyalar, Prathamasaki)keasiya
*[[Vishwa Brahmins]]


===Kerala===
Other medieval era Brahmins who led spiritual movement without social or gender discrimination included [[Andal]] (9th-century female poet), [[Basava]] (12th-century Lingayatism), [[Dnyaneshwar]] (13th-century Bhakti poet), [[Vallabha Acharya]] (16th-century Vaishnava poet), [[Chaitanya Mahaprabhu]](14th-century Vaishnava saint) were among others.<ref>John Stratton Hawley (2015), A Storm of Songs: India and the Idea of the Bhakti Movement, Harvard University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-674-18746-7}}, pages 304–310</ref><ref>Rachel McDermott (2001), Singing to the Goddess: Poems to Kālī and Umā from Bengal, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-19-513434-6}}, pages 8–9</ref><ref name="autogenerated2">[http://www.orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/may2005/engpdf/mahima_dharma_bhima_bhoi_biswanathbaba.pdf "Mahima Dharma, Bhima Bhoi and Biswanathbaba"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926224314/http://www.orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/may2005/engpdf/mahima_dharma_bhima_bhoi_biswanathbaba.pdf |date=26 September 2007 }}, An Orissa movement by Brahmin Mukunda Das (2005)</ref>
Kerala Brahmins include the following categories of Brahmins: [[Namboothiri Brahmin]], [[Vishwa Brahmin]]


===Nepali Brahmins===
Many 18th and 19th century Brahmins are credited with religious movements that criticised [[idolatry]]. For example, the Brahmins [[Raja Ram Mohan Roy]] led [[Brahmo Samaj]] and [[Dayananda Saraswati]] led the [[Arya Samaj]].<ref>Noel Salmond (2004), Hindu iconoclasts: Rammohun Roy, Dayananda Sarasvati and nineteenth-century polemics against idolatry, Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press, {{ISBN|0-88920-419-5}}, pages 65–68</ref><ref>Dorothy Figueira (2002), Aryans, Jews, Brahmins: Theorizing Authority through Myths of Identity, State University of New York Press, {{ISBN|978-0-7914-5531-9}}, pages 90–117</ref>
[[Bahun]] is a colloquial Nepali term for a member of the Pahari or "Hill" Brahmin (ब्राह्मण) caste, who are traditionally educators, scholars and priests of Hinduism. They are also known as ''Barmu'' in [[Newar language|Newari]], ''Bavan'' in [[Kham language|Kham]]. Brahmins are the second largest caste group in Nepal (12.18% of the population), with the Chhetri ([[Kshatriya]]) being the first (16.60%).<ref>[http://www.mohp.gov.np/english/files/new_publications/Nepal%20Population%20Report%202011.pdf page# 156]</ref> Brahmins were inhabitants of Nepal in prehistoric times.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} In the ancient history ''devkota''(`देवकोटा’ यो शब्दको विकास ‘संस्कृत' र यसको अपभ्रंस रूप 'देव:कोटी' हुँदै भएको हो।) is the root of the Brahmin (वाहुन) community. They divided into different Brahmin groups.


===Narmadiya Brahmins===
==In Buddhist and Jain texts==
Narmadiya brahmin are the brahmin who settled around the river of Narmada, they are the descendent of sage Vishrava (or Vesamuni) who was the father of Ravana & the son of the sage Pulastya, was one of the ten Prajapatis or mind-born sons of Brahma and one of the Saptarishi (Seven Great Sages Rishi) in the first Manvantara.Narmadiya brahmins are the prime devotee of Shiva, and were the priests of Jyotirlinga.


==Gotras and pravaras==
[[File:Thai - Vessantara Jataka, Chapter 5 - The Brahmin Jujaka with his wife Amittapana - Walters 35239.jpg|thumb|Buddhist painting of Brahmins from the 1800s, Thailand]]
Brahmins classify themselves on the basis of their [[patrilineal]] descent from a notable ancestor.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} These ancestors are either ancient Indian sages or [[kshatriyas]] (warriors), who chose to become Brahmins.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} The major gotras that trace descent from sages are: [[Kaushik|Kaushikasa/Kausika]], [[Srivatsa]], [[Kanva]], [[Jamadagni]], [[Bhrigu]], [[Bharadvâja]], [[Kaundinya]], [[Gautama Maharishi]], [[Sandilya]], [[Bhrigu]], [[Vashista]], [[Parāshara]], [[Atryasa]], [[Harithasa]]/Haritsa, [[Kashyapa]], [[Shrotriya]], and [[Agastya]] gotra. Other gotras are [[Mitra]], [[Vishvamitra]] and [[Chaurasia]] gotra.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}}. And Bharathiyar gotra is newly inserted in gazette .
The term Brahmin appears extensively in ancient and medieval [[Sutra]]s and commentary texts of [[Buddhism]] and [[Jainism]]. In Buddhist Pali Canon, such as the ''[[Majjhima Nikaya]]'' and ''Devadaha Sutta'', first written down about 1st century BCE,<ref name="lopez2004busc1">{{cite book|author=Donald Lopez |title=Buddhist Scriptures |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Pd-2IIzip4C |year=2004|publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-0-14-190937-0 |pages=xi–xv}}</ref> the Buddha is attributed to be mentioning Jain Brahmins and ascetics, as he describes their [[karma]] doctrine and ascetic practices:<ref name= Balcerowicz149/>


==Rishis==
{{Quote|
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 [[Shakha]]s (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.
The Blessed One [Buddha] said,<br>
"There are, o monks, some ascetics and Brahmins who speak thus and are of such opinion: 'Whatever a particular person experiences, whether pleasant or painful, or neither pleasant nor painful, all this has (...) Thus say, o monks, those free of bonds [Jainas].<br>
"O [[Niganthas]], you&nbsp;...
|''Cula Dukkha Kkhandha Sutta''|early Buddhist text, Translated by Piotr Balcerowicz<ref name= Balcerowicz149>{{cite book|author=Piotr Balcerowicz|title=Early Asceticism in India: Ājīvikism and Jainism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nfOPCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA149|year=2015|publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-53853-0 |pages=149–150 with footnote 289 for the original mentioning ''Tapas''}}</ref><ref>Thanissaro Bhikkhu (2005), [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.101.than.html Devadaha Sutta: At Devadaha], M ii.214</ref>}}


There are several Brahmin law givers, such as [[Angiras (sage)|Angiras]], [[Apasthambha]], [[Atri]], [[Bhrigu]], [[Brihaspati]], [[Boudhayana]], [[Daksha]], [[Gautama (Hindu sage)|Gautama]], [[Harita]], [[Katyayana]], [[Likhita]], [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manu]],<ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu/manu02.htm Manu Smriti on learning of the Vedas]</ref> [[Parasara]], [[Samvarta]], [[Shankha]], [[Shatatapa]], [[Ushanasa]], [[Vashista]], [[Vishnu]], [[Vyasa]], [[Yajnavalkya]], and [[Yama (Hinduism)|Yama]]. These twenty-one rishis were the propounders of the [[Smriti]]s. The oldest among these smritis are Apastamba, Baudhayana, Gautama, and Vashista [[Sūtra|Sutras]].<ref>[http://www.vedah.net/manasanskriti/Brahmins.html#Brahmin_Sages_and_Branches Article on various sects and rishis of Brahmins at Vepachedu Educational Foundation]</ref><sup>Provide Vepachedu's Sources</sup>{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}}
Modern scholars state that such usage of the term Brahmin in ancient texts does not imply a caste, but simply "masters" (experts), guardian, recluse, preacher or guide of any tradition.<ref name="Jaini2001p123"/><ref name="Jayatilleke2013">{{cite book|author=K N Jayatilleke|title=Early Buddhist Theory of Knowledge|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6pBTAQAAQBAJ |year=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-54287-1|pages=141–154, 219, 241 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Kailash Chand Jain|title=Lord Mahāvīra and His Times|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8-TxcO9dfrcC |year=1991|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0805-8 |page=31 }}</ref> An alternate synonym for Brahmin in the Buddhist and other non-Hindu tradition is ''Mahano''.<ref name="Jaini2001p123">{{cite book|author=Padmanabh S. Jaini |title=Collected Papers on Buddhist Studies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZlyDot9RyGcC&pg=PA123 |year=2001|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-1776-0 |page=123 }}</ref>


===Claimants of Brahmin ancestry===
==Outside India: Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia==
[[File:AgasthiyarG.jpg|thumb|right|Rishi [[Agastya]], one of seven [[veda|vedic sages]] extolled at many places in the [[Vedas]] and author of Agastya Samhita]]
{{further|Hinduism in Southeast Asia}}


Many [[India]]ns and non-Indians(though they may have Indian relatives.) claim descent from the Vedic Rishis of both Brahmin and non-Brahmin descent.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} For example, the [[Dasharna]] and [[Naga people|Nagas]] are said to be the descendants of [[Kashyapa|Kashyapa Muni]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} The descent of Brahmins is generally indicated by the gotra, which refers to his patrilineage. It is indicated by the name of the 'great sage' to whose descent the Brahmin is said to belong.
[[File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Een pedanda istri (preisteres) met offergereedschap Bali TMnr 10001214.jpg|thumb|Among the Hindus of [[Bali]], Indonesia, Brahmins are called ''Pedandas''.<ref>Martin Ramstedt (2003), Hinduism in Modern Indonesia, Routledge, {{ISBN|978-0-7007-1533-6}}, page 256</ref> The role of Brahmin priests, called ''Sulinggih'',<ref>Martin Ramstedt (2003), Hinduism in Modern Indonesia, Routledge, {{ISBN|978-0-7007-1533-6}}, page 80</ref> has been open to both genders since medieval times. A Hindu Brahmin priestess is shown above.]]
Some Brahmins formed an influential group in Burmese Buddhist kingdoms in 18th- and 19th-century. The court Brahmins were locally called ''Punna''.<ref name="leider"/> During the [[Konbaung dynasty]], Buddhist kings relied on their court Brahmins to consecrate them to kingship in elaborate ceremonies, and to help resolve political questions.<ref name="leider">{{cite journal |last=Leider |first=Jacques P. |year= 2005|title=Specialists for Ritual, Magic and Devotion: The Court Brahmins of the Konbaung Kings |journal=The Journal of Burma Studies |volume=10 |pages=159–180 |doi=10.1353/jbs.2005.0004|s2cid=162305789 }}</ref> This role of Hindu Brahmins in a Buddhist kingdom, states Leider, may have been because Hindu texts provide guidelines for such social rituals and political ceremonies, while Buddhist texts do not.<ref name="leider"/>


====Descendants of saints====
The Brahmins were also consulted in the transmission, development and maintenance of law and justice system outside India.<ref name="leider"/> Hindu [[Dharmasastras]], particularly Manusmriti written by the Brahmin Manu, states Anthony Reid,<ref name=reidseasia/> were "greatly honored in Burma (Myanmar), Siam (Thailand), Cambodia and Java-Bali (Indonesia) as the defining documents of law and order, which kings were obliged to uphold. They were copied, translated and incorporated into local law code, with strict adherence to the original text in Burma and Siam, and a stronger tendency to adapt to local needs in Java (Indonesia)".<ref name=reidseasia>Anthony Reid (1988), Southeast Asia in the Age of Commerce, 1450–1680: The lands below the winds, Yale University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-300-04750-9}}, pages 137–138</ref><ref>Victor Lieberman (2014), Burmese Administrative Cycles, Princeton University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-691-61281-2}}, pages 66–68; Also see discussion of 13th century Wagaru Dhamma-sattha / 11th century Manu Dhammathat manuscripts discussion</ref><ref>On Laws of Manu in 14th century Thailand's [[Ayutthaya Kingdom|Ayuthia kingdom]] named after [[Ayodhya]], see David Wyatt (2003), Thailand: A Short History, Yale University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-300-08475-7}}, page 61;<br>Robert Lingat (1973), The Classical Law of India, University of California Press, {{ISBN|978-0-520-01898-3}}, pages 269–272</ref>
*The [[Padmashali]], a [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-speaking [[weaving|weaver]] caste, claim that they descended from [[Markandeya|Maharishi Markandeya]], a Brahmin devotee of Lord Shiva who wrote the Markandeya Purana. Maharishi Markandeya is from the Bhrigu clan.<ref name="padmashali history">[http://www.padmashalisamaj.com/html/history-padmashalis.htm Padmasali Brahmin origin]</ref>
*[[Dadheech Brahmins]]/dayama Brahmin trace their roots from [[Dadhichi|Dadhichi Rishi]]. Many [[Jat]] clans claim to descend from [[Dadhichi|Dadhichi Rishi]] while the [[Dudi|Dudi Jats]] claim to be in the lineage of Duda Rishi.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}}
*According to one legend, the nomadic tribe of [[Kerala]], the Kakkarissi, were descendants of a Brahmin who came out of the mouth of [[Garuda]], the vehicle of [[Lord Vishnu]].{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}


====Claimants of Brahmin status====
The mythical origins of [[Cambodia]] are credited to a Brahmin prince named Kaundinya, who arrived by sea, married a Naga princess living in the flooded lands.<ref name=trevorranges48/><ref>Jonathan Lee and Kathleen Nadeau (2010), Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife, Volume 1, ABC, {{ISBN|978-0-313-35066-5}}, page 1223</ref> Kaudinya founded Kambuja-desa, or Kambuja (transliterated to Kampuchea or Cambodia). Kaundinya introduced Hinduism, particularly Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Harihara (half Vishnu, half Shiva), and these ideas grew in southeast Asia in the 1st millennium CE.<ref name=trevorranges48>Trevor Ranges (2010), Cambodia, National Geographic, {{ISBN|978-1-4262-0520-0}}, page 48</ref>
*[[Brahmbhatt]]s of North India claim to be Brahmins that took on the military profession in history.
*[[Brahmakshatriya]]s claim the status of Brahmins, and that they had taken the military profession since ancient history, and sometimes claim to descend from a Brahmin Pravara Rishi.<ref>P. 59 ''History of Mediaeval Hindu India'' By Chintaman Vinayak Vaidya</ref>
*Dhusar Baniyas of UP have claimed to be Bhargava Brahmins.
*Jethis or Jyestimallas of Gujarat identify as Modh Brahmins and claim ancestry from Agnihotri Brahmins.<ref>P. 525 ''Gujarat'' By K S Singh; R B Lal; Anthropological Survey of India.; et al</ref>
*[[Namasudra]] (Namassej) community of Bengal in the beginning of the twentieth century claimed Brahmin status and in 1901 a Vyavastha was signed by 41 Chief Brahmin Pundits all over Bengal, Headed By The Chief of All of them, Mahapopadhya of Nabadwip which declared the community as descendant of ancient sages or Rishis and that they should not be named or called as 'sudra".<ref>P. 192 ''Bengal Divided: Hindu Communalism and Partition, 1932-1947'' By Joya Chatterji</ref>
*Namdevi Chhipas of Rajasthan consider themselves to be [[Joshi]].<ref>P. 111 ''Rajasthan, an oral history: conversations with Komal Kothari'' By Rustom Bharucha, Komal Kothari</ref>
*[[Satnami]] community's certain members in Chhatisgarh claimed Brahmin status in the Status Report of 1911.<ref>P. 59 Rapt in the Name:
The Ramnamis, Ramnam, and Untouchable Religion in Central India (Google eBook) By Ramdas Lamb</ref>
*[[Saini]] of Rajasthan (gardener) claim in one of their stories that they descended from a Brahmin and call themselves Parpadh Brahman, which in course of time became Phulmali.<ref>P. 845, People of India: Rajasthan edited by K. S. Singh</ref>
*Soni community's Shrimali Sonis and Maru Kansara Soni of Gujarat claim to be Brahmins.


===Achieving Brahminhood by non-Brahmins===
The ''[[Chams]] Balamon'' (Hindu Brahmin Chams) form a majority of the Cham population in [[Vietnam]].<ref name="Sơn p.105">Champa and the archaeology of Mỹ Sơn (Vietnam) By Andrew Hardy, Mauro Cucarzi, Patrizia Zolese p.105</ref>
According to the ''[[Mahabharata]]'', originally there were only four [[gotra]]s, namely of Angiras, Kashyapa, Vasistha, and Bhrigu, and that others came into existence by people performing penances.<ref>P. 58 ''Some Aspects of Ancient Indian Culture'' By D. R. Bhandarkar</ref> In one legend, outcaste [[Nandanar]] entered a fire and came out of the fire as a Brahmin.<ref>p. 74 ''From stigma to assertion: untouchability, identity and politics in early and'' By Mikael Aktor, Robert Deliège</ref> There were also some non-Brahmins, who although weren't officially coronated as Brahmin, were accepted by as Brahmins, such as Sudra-born [[Nandanar]]. In modern times, [[Subramanya Bharathi]] to illustrate the irrelevance of caste he performed upanayanam to a young harijan man and made him a Brahmin.


[[Parasara|Sage Parasara]] advises [[Janaka|King Janaka]]:
Brahmins have been part of the Royal tradition of [[Thailand]], particularly for the consecration and to mark annual land fertility rituals of Buddhist kings. A small Brahmanical temple [[Devasathan]], established in 1784 by King [[Rama I]] of Thailand, has been managed by ethnically Thai Brahmins ever since.<ref name=wales54/> The temple hosts ''Phra Phikhanesuan'' (Ganesha), ''Phra Narai'' (Narayana, Vishnu), ''Phra Itsuan'' (Shiva), [[Parvati|Uma]], [[Brahma]], [[Indra]] (''Sakka'') and other Hindu deities.<ref name=wales54>HG Quadritch Wales (1992), [https://archive.org/stream/siamesestatecere030661mbp#page/n73/mode/2up Siamese State Ceremonies], Curzon Press, {{ISBN|978-0-7007-0269-5}}, pages 54–63</ref> The tradition asserts that the Thai Brahmins have roots in Hindu holy city of Varanasi and southern state of Tamil Nadu, go by the title ''Pandita'', and the various annual rites and state ceremonies they conduct has been a blend of Buddhist and Hindu rituals. The [[Coronation of the Thai monarch|coronation ceremony]] of the [[Monarchy of Thailand|Thai king]] is almost entirely conducted by the royal Brahmins.<ref name=wales54/><ref>Boreth Ly (2011), Early Interactions Between South and Southeast Asia (Editors: Pierre-Yves Manguin, A. Mani, Geoff Wade), Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, {{ISBN|978-981-4311-16-8}}, pages 461–475</ref>
{{Quote|Brahmanas, learned in Vedas, regard a virtuous Shudra (or one born in the house of a Shudra) as a model of Brahman himself.}}


*Ajamidha - A Chandavansi Kshatriya that became Brahmin and henceforth his descendants are the Kanvayana Brahmins<ref>P. 265 ''Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World, Volume 1'' edited by Gaṅgā Rām Garg</ref>
==Modern demographics and economic condition==
*Arishtishena - Kshatriya prince by birth and he mastered the Vedas
[[File:Brahmin population distribution.svg|thumb|alt=|Percentage of Brahmins in each state. Data is from recent caste censuses.<br />{{Legend|#550000|16-20%}}{{Legend|#800000|12-16%}}{{Legend|#D40000|9-12%}}{{Legend|#FF2A2A|4-8%}}{{Legend|#FF8080|1-4%}}{{Legend|#FFD5D5|0-1%}}]]
*Ayu - Kshatriya prince by birth
*Datta - Sudra prince by birth <ref> ''Mahabharata'' 12.297 </ref>
*[[Devapi]] - Kshatriya prince by birth
*Dhrista - Manu's (Kshatryia) son that became Brahmin
*[[Drupada]] - Kshatriya by birth
*Duritakshaya - Kshatriya by birth
*Dwimidha - A Kshatriya that became Brahmin and henceforth his descendants are the Kanvayana Brahmins<ref name="ReferenceB">P. 308 ''History of Ancient India: From 7300 BC to 4250 BC'' By J.P. Mittal</ref>
*Gargya - Kshatriya by birth
*[[Hanuman]] - A [[Kishkindha]] tribal or Adivasi became a Brahmin through performing penances
*Kavi - Kshatriya by birth
*Matsya - A Sudra Fisherman by birth
*Mandhata - [[Koli]] Adivasi that became a Brahmin<ref>P. 16 ''The Story of Rama (A Mythological Novel)'' By Narendra K. Sinha</ref>
*[[Matanga]] - He was the son of a barber Shudra father and Brahmin mother, and achieved the status of Brahmin through his karma and tapasya
*Mudgalya's sons all became Brahmin, according to the ''[[Padma Purana]]''
*Nabhagarishta's two sons - Became Brahmins according to the ''Harivamsa''<ref>P. 31 ''Swaraj: The Problem of India'' By J. E. Ellam</ref>
*Purumidha - A Kshatriya that became Brahmin and henceforth his descendants are the Kanvayana Brahmins<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
*Purnananda - A Sudra by birth
*Pushkararuni - Kshatriya by birth
*Rom Harshan Suta Maharaja was a Sudra by caste but achieved the status of Brahmarishi
*Satyati - A former Kshatriya king
*[[Satyakama Jabala|Satya Kam Jabali]] - Had a maidservant mother and his father is unknown, although he learned Vedic scriptures and was given the upanayana by [[Gautama|Gautama Rishi]]
*Shadmarshana - A group of King Ikshvaku's Kshatriya descendants
*Sindhudwipa - Kshatriya by birth
*Traiyyaruni - Kshatriya by birth
*Vaibhandaka - Sudra by birth
*[[Valmiki]] - He was a Koli Adivasi and through the Ram Mantra taught to him by Narad Rishi, he performed severe austerities
*[[Vishvamitra]] - He created the [[Gayatri Mantra]]
*Vitahavya - Haihaya Kshatriya prince by birth, from the dynasty that Parashurama defeated but he accepted Vitahavya or Vitihotra because he was auspicious<ref>P. 134 ''Dates and dynasties in earliest India: translation and justification of a critical text of the Purāṇa dynasties'' By R. Morton Smith, Jagdish Lal Shastri</ref> and well versed in the Vedas,<ref>P. 69 The Bharadvājas in Ancient India By Thaneswar Sarmah</ref> and so Vitihotra's descendants became known as Vadhulas
*[[Vyasa]] - Born a Sudra ("''asat-kshetra-kula''") according to the ''Padma Purana''


===Brahmin taking up other duties===
According to 2007 reports, Brahmins in India are about five percent of its total population.<ref name="bellmanwsj">Eric Bellman, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119889387595256961 Reversal of Fortune Isolates India's Brahmins], ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' (29 December 2007)</ref><ref name="outlookbgraph">{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article/brahmins-in-india/234783|title=Brahmins In India |publisher= Outlook India |year= 2007}}</ref> The Himalayan states of [[Uttarakhand]] (20%) and [[Himachal Pradesh]] (14%) have the highest percentage of Brahmin population relative to respective state's total Hindus.<ref name="outlookbgraph" />
Brahmins have taken on many professions - from being priests, ascetics and scholars and doctors to warriors and business people, as is attested for example in Kalhana's Rajatarangini. Many Brahmins took up the profession of medicine. There are Vaidya Brahmins (called [[Baidya]] Brahmins) in Bengal [Gupta, Dasgupta and Senguptas], described mythically as descendants of [[Dhanavantari]], the god of medicine and father of [[Ayurveda]].{{citation needed|date=August 2013}} Brahmins with the qualities of [[Kshatriyas]] are known as 'Brahmakshatriyas'. An example is the avatara [[Parashurama]] who is considered an avataram of [[Vishnu]]. Sage [[Parashurama]] was a powerful warrior who had defeated the Haiheya kshatriyas twenty one times, was an expert in the use of weapons, and trained others to fight without weapons. The Bhumihar Brahmins were established when [[Parashurama]] destroyed the [[Kshatriya]] race, and he set up in their place the descendants of Brahmins, who, after a time, having mostly abandoned their priestly functions (although some still perform), took to land-owning.


Perhaps the word Brahma-kshatriya refers to a person belonging to the heritage of both castes.However, among the Royal [[Rajput]] households, Brahmins who became the personal teachers and protectors of the royal princes rose to the status of Rajpurohit and taught the princes everything including martial arts. They would also become the keepers of the Royal lineage and its history. They would also be the protectors of the throne in case the regent was orphaned and a minor.
According to the Center for the Study of Developing Societies, in 2007 about 50% of Brahmin households in India earned less than $100 a month.<ref>Eric Bellman, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119889387595256961 Reversal of Fortune Isolates India's Brahmins], ''Wall street Journal'' (December 29, 2007).</ref>


The [[Pallavas]] were an example of Brahmakshatriyas as that is what they called themselves. King Lalitaditya Muktapida of Kashmir ruled all of India and even Central Asia.
==See also==
{{Div col}}
*[[Caste system in India]]
*[[Vedic priesthood]]
*[[Brahmavarta]]
*[[List of Brahmins]]
*[[List of Brahmin dynasties and states]]
*[[Brahmin Tamil]]
*[[Historical Vedic religion]]


King Rudravarma of Champa (Vietnam) of 657 A.D. was the son of a Brahmin father.
==Notes==


King Jayavarma I of Kambuja (Kampuchea) of 781 A.D. was a Brahma-kshatriya.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}} The Pandava Brothers were considered Brahma-Kshatriya's.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}} Many Pallis of South India claim to be Brahmins, while others claim to be Agnikula Kshatriyas. Kulaman Pallis are nicknamed by outsiders as Kulaman Brahmans.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}
{{Reflist|group=note}}

===Brahmin Kings===
[[File:Brahmin Warrior.jpg|right|thumb|'''[[Baji Rao I|Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa]]''', the Peshwa (Premier) of the [[Maratha Empire|Maratha Empire of India]], was a Brahmin warrior<ref name="hindujagruti.org"/><ref>{{cite web|author=IBTL |url=http://www.ibtl.in/news/vande-matru-sanskriti/1895/bajirao-peshwa--a-greatest-indian-warrior/ |title=Bajirao Peshwa - A Greatest Indian Warrior |publisher=Ibtl.in |date= |accessdate=2013-03-23}}</ref> and belonged to the ethnic [[Marathi people|Marathi]] Brahmin community]]
[[Kashi Naresh]], the hereditary ruler of princely state of [[Varanasi]], is a Brahmin and is hailed as ''dvij-raj'', or king of all the Brahmins.

Among the Royal Rajput households, Brahmins who became the personal teachers and protectors of the royal princes rose to the status of [[Rajpurohit]] and taught the princes everything, including martial arts.

[[Mayurasharma]] a Brahmin scholar and a native of Talagunda (in modern Shimoga district), was the founder of the Kadamba Kingdom of Banavasi.

They would also become the keepers of the Royal lineage and its history. They would also be the protectors of the throne in case the regent was orphaned and a minor. The well-known Brahmin [[Chanakya]] was a Rajpurohit for [[Chandragupta Maurya]], founder of the Mauryan empire, who helped Chandragupta get a grip on the well-established Nanand prevent was a Brahma-kshatriya.<ref name="autogenerated4">P. 201, ''Professor A.L. Basham, My Guruji and Problems and Perspectives of Ancient'', by Sachindra Kumar Maity</ref> [[Lalitaditya|King Lalitaditya Muktapida]] of [[Kashmir]] ruled all of India and even Central Asia.

King Rudravarma of [[Champa|Champa (Vietnam)]] of 657 A.D. was the son of a Brahmin father.<ref name="autogenerated4" />

Brahmins with the qualities of a [[Vaisya]] or merchant are known as 'Brahmvyasya'.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} An example of such persons are people of the Ambastha<ref>P. 37 ''Asian Medical Systems: A Comparative Study'' By Charles Leslie</ref> caste, which exist in South India.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}}

==Sampradayas (Sects)==
The three [[sampradaya]]s (sects) of Brahmins, mostly in [[South India]] are the [[Smartism|Smarta sampradaya]], the [[Srivaishnavism|Srivaishnava sampradaya]] and the [[Madhvacharya (Swami Ananda-Teertha) Madhva sampradaya]]. Aadi Shakaracharya contributed towards the revival of Vedic Religion at a time when Buddhism was most popular. He toured throughout India and re-established the faith in Vedas and Hindu gods. He composed countless verses (stotras) praising all the principle forms of gods and goddesses like Shiva, Vishnu, Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati etc., at various pilgrim centers. In the later times Ramanujacharya and Madhvaacharya gave new definitions and reviewd Vedas according to the then Social and religious circumstances and established other Sampradayas viz Shri-Vaishnav and Madhva.

===Smartism===
''[[Smartism]]'' (or Smarta [[Sampradaya]], ''Smarta Tradition'', as it is termed in [[Sanskrit]]) is a liberal or nonsectarian [[religious denomination|denomination]] of the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] religion. This tradition is based on the Advaithic teachings of Adi Sankaracharya. He united various sects of Hinduism under on umbrella by accepting all the major Hindu deities as forms of the one [[Brahman]]. He implored the Smarthas to have an Ishta devatha in the form of Siva, Sakthi, Vishnu, Ganesha, Murugan (Subrahmanya) or Sun. The term Smarta refers to adherents who follow the [[Vedas]] and [[Shastras]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}}

===Vaishnavism===
One form of Vaishnavism is Madhwa (Dwaita Sampradaya or Madhva Sampradaya), and the other is Sri Vaishnava ([[Vishishtadvaita]] sampradaya).
Madhwa Brahmins are mainly located in the Carnatic plains and some of them are seen in Andhra, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They follow the teachings of Sri [[Madhvacharya]], who was born in South Canara district of Karnataka in the 12th Century. He preached [[Dvaita]], which says that God and atma (soul) are different entities, which is contradictory to the teachings of [[Adi Shankara|Sri Adi Sankaracharya]], who preached [[Advaita vedanta]] (non-duality). In South India, Sri Vaishnava sampradayam was propagated by Srimad [[Ramanujacharya]].Any way all the three philosophers though different in their philosophies believed Lord Vishnu to be the supreme soul.

===Shaivism===
[[Shaivism]] (sometimes called ''Shivaism'') is a belief system where [[Lord Shiva]] is worshipped as the Supreme Lord. It is a derivative faith of the core Vedic tradition.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} Saiva sects contains many subsects, such as Asdisaivas, Rudrasaivas, Veerasaivas, Paramasaivas, etc. [[Ravana]], the ruler of [[Lanka]] in the Hindu epic [[Ramayana]], was a staunch Siva devotee, who was the grandson of creator Brahma.

===Buddhism===
{{See also|Buddhist Bráhman}}
[[File:Guru Rinpoche in mist 2.jpg|right|thumb|200px|123 feet statue of [[Padmasambhava|Bodhisattva Padmasambhava]] at [[Rewalsar Lake]]]]
Although the orthodox Brahmin and Sramana communities were typically opponents, Buddha admired the Brahmin attributes of 1) The Truth (Sacca or Satya), 2) Austerities (Tapas), 3) Chastity (Brahmacariya), 4) Study of Vedic lore (Ajjhena or Adhyayana), 5) Munificence (Caga or Tyaga).

In Buddha's time there were two major types of wandering ascetics, the Paribbajakas and Sramanas. Paribbajakas were exclusively Brahmins.<ref>P. 43 ''The Historical Buddha: The Times, Life, and Teachings of the Founder of Buddhism'' By H.W. Schumann</ref>

There were some Buddhist Brahmins that contributed much to the Brahmin communities or to Brahmin ascetic communities. [[Gautamiputra Satakarni]], the [[Satavahana dynasty|Satavahana]] king, declares himself to be the sole protector of the Brahmins.<ref>P. 104 ''The Classical Age'' edited by Raj Pruthi</ref>

Brahmins were treated as equals to all the rest, in the eyes of the Buddha and there are countless references to Brahmins throughout the Buddhist scriptures also. Buddha rejected the notion of gradation along caste lines and of the legitimacy of the higher social status, as well as the notion of ritual purity as claimed by the Brahmins compared to others.<ref name="27th Sutta of Digha Nikaya">{{cite web|title=27th Sutta of Digha Nikaya|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/religion/f2001/edit/docs/aggannasutta.pdf|work=Digha Nikaya|publisher=columbia university}}</ref> Many of the major Buddhist followers and teachers were from Brahmins. They include [[Sariputra]], [[Maudgalyayana]], [[Mahakashyapa]], [[Nagarjuna]], [[Asvaghosha]], [[Padmasambhava]], [[Shantarakshita]], [[Nagasena]], [[Kumarajiva]] and [[Shantideva]], all of whom were referred by their titles devoid of their caste as Arahats etc. The word Brahmin, meaning "priest class", was redefined by the Buddha and it continued to be used alongside [[Arahat]] in their relevant contexts.<ref name=Buddhanet>{{cite web|title=verse 385;verse 386|url=http://www.buddhanet.net/dhammapada/d_brahmi.htm|work=Dhammapada|publisher=Buddhanet}}</ref> Max Muller points out that in the Dhamapada, Buddha etymologizes the word "Bahama", the Prakrit form of "Brahmana", by playing off the Sanskrit/Prakrit etymon -bra.

In the [[Digha Nikaya|Ambattha Sutra]], we find the Buddha debated many Brahmins who were clearly not Arahats. Also in many important [[dharanis]], Brahmins are mentioned in an entirely different capacity from Arahats, and therefore there is a marked difference depending on the context. The Buddha insisted that Brahmins had to live up to seek the truth, hence reach liberation(Nirvana) through the Dhamma, and this could not be by ascriptive factor of birth alone. In the [[Dhammapada]], the Buddha mentions Brahmins and Arahats in very different capacities and dedicates an entire chapter to what it means to be a real Brahmin called the Brahmana-vagga as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buddhanet.net/dhammapada/d_brahmi.htm |title=Treasury of Truth (Dhammapada) Chapter 26, The Brahmana |publisher=Buddhanet.net |date= |accessdate=2013-03-23}}</ref>

The Buddha did not believe in caste discrimination but he did endorse a fair division of labour based on merit and equality, while condemning pathological division of labour through slavery, forced labour, superstition etc. According to him, Brahmins were not to discriminate against lower castes and those of their own who joined the sangha, through the notion of purity and superior social status, which according to the buddha was false.<ref name="27th Sutta of Digha Nikaya"/><ref name="Buddhanet"/> but were to serve them wholeheartedly. Many sutras indicate that the Buddha himself was a Brahmin in a previous life and, due to his good merit as in the previous lives, was reborn as the Buddha.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jatakaonline.com/jataka-tales/0011-the-first-prophecy |title=001.1 – Prophecy of Dipankara Buddha |publisher=Jataka Online |date=2009-04-12 |accessdate=2013-03-23}}</ref>

The notion of ritual purity provided a conceptual foundation for the caste system, by identifying occupations and duties associated with impure or taboo objects as being themselves impure. Regulations imposing such a system of ritual purity and taboos are absent from the Buddhist monastic code, and not generally regarded as being part of Buddhist teachings<ref>{{Harv|Robinson|Johnson|Thanissaro|2005|p=51}}</ref> On the contrary, the early Buddhist scriptures defined purity as determined by one's state of mind, and refer to anyone who behaves unethically, of whatever caste, as "rotting within", or "a rubbish heap of impurity".<ref>Sue Hamilton, ''Early Buddhism: A New Approach: The I of the Beholder.'' Routledge 2000, pages 47, 49.</ref>

There are many places in which the Buddha explains his use of the word ''brahman''. At [[Sutta Nipata]] 1.7, ''Vasala Sutta'', verse 12, he states: "Not by birth is one an outcast; not by birth is one a brahman. By deed one becomes an outcast, by deed one becomes a brahman."<ref>[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.1.07.piya.html Translation by Piyadassi Thera]</ref>

Scholar Asim Chatterjee adds, {{Cquote|No one can deny that the Brahmin pupils of Gautama had save the Sangha in its hour of peril. The rebellion of Devadatta was foiled by Sariputta, and after the demise of the teacher, Mahakassapa, by convening the first council, at Rajagrha, practically rescued the entire Buddhist Sangha from sinking into oblivion".<ref>P. 41 ''A comprehensive history of Indian Buddhism'' By Asim Kumar Chatterjee</ref>}}

===Jainism===
{{See also|Jain Brāhman}}

[[Jain Brāhman|Jain Brahmins]] are known by different names according to the regions they are in India. These titles are Arcaka, Indra, Jain Brahmin, Pandit, Purohit, or Upadhye.<ref>P. 103 ''The A to Z of Jainism'' By Kristi L. Wiley</ref>

It was with the introduction of Jainism to Brahmins that it became popularized. There were many Brahmins who dedicated their lives to serving Jainism. Tirthankara Mahavira's chief disciples, 11 in number, were all Brahmins.

A [[Western Ganga dynasty|Ganga Dynasty]] epigraph at Sravana Belgola reads,
{{Quote|The celebrated Gopanandi accomplished what had been impossible for any one ; for he caused the Jina dharma which had for a long time been at standstill, to attain the prosperity and fame of the time of the Ganga kings.<ref>P. 41 A comprehensive history of Indian Buddhism By Asim Kumar Chatterjee</ref>}}

An inscription of [[Nagavarma II]] declares he was "''born of a heavenly coral tree arising in the ocean of Brahmans.''" Chamunda Raya earned several titles such as Samara-Parashurama.<ref>P. 34 Epigraphia Carnatica: Rev. ed By Benjamin Lewis Rice</ref> Local languages too flourished with Jain Brahmins and [[Adikavi Pampa|Pampa]], [[Sri Ponna|Ponna]] and [[Ranna]], popularly known as 'three jewels of Kannada literature' enriched Kannada literature.<ref>P. 120 ''History & Civics 9'' By Sudeshna Sengupta</ref>

The importance of Brahmins was recognized in Jain scriptures, and the need to protect them is explicitly referred to in the ''[[Purananuru]]'', ''[[Silappadikaram]]'', and the ''[[Jivaka-chintamani]]''.<ref>P. 24 ''The Brahmin in the Tamil Country'' By N. Subrahmanian</ref>

* The first convert of [[Mahavira]], the 24th [[Tirthankara]] of [[Jainism]] was [[Indrabhuti]] (aka Gautamswami) the Brahmin, who headed a group of other Brahmins and converted them to [[Jainism]]. He was from the village Gobbar (also called Govarya) near [[Rajgriha]]. It is said that the Tapsas, who were competing with Gautama to reach the top of a hill, achieved moksha by seeing Gautama win.<ref>P.21 ''Jaina-rūpa-maṇḍana =: Jaina Iconography'' By Umakant Premanand Shah</ref>
* Akalanka of the 8th century is said to the pioneer in the field of Jain logic.
* Dhanapala (10th century) was a renowned stotra writer. He was converted by his brother Shobana. He is best known for his hymns named Rsabhapancasika, written in Prakrit (Jaina-Maharastri).<ref>P. 136 ''A History of Classical Poetry: Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit'' By Siegfried Lienhard</ref>
* Dhangiri, a reputedly wealthy Brahmin, in the town of Tumbhivan, lost his interest in wealth and decided to take Diksha, after hearing the sermons of the Jain Acharya Sinhgiri.
* Sajjambhava was another born from Rajgriha and was elected the head of the Jain temple. He is famous for his composition of the "Dasavaikalika Sutra."
* Shushil Kumar, an Acharya known better to Jains as "Guruji", was born a Vaidik in the Shakarpur village of the Haryana province. At the age of 15, he took Diksha (became a sanyassin) into the Sthanakvasi, a Shwetambara subsect.
* Vidyanand is a Brahmin Acharya of the Digambar Jain sect and compiled in the Sanskrit language, "Ashta Shahastri" with eight thousand verses.
* Umasvati was a composer who was so loved by Jains that he is considered by the Dhigambar sect to be a Dhigambar member and the Svetambara sect to be a Svetambara member.
*There is a Brahmin community in South Karnataka which is traditional follower of Jainism and is known as Jain Brahmin. They have a hostel for students in Mysore, known as Jain Brahmin Hostel. This community is different from the Jain priests in Jain temples.

===Other sects===
There are additional sampradayas, which are not as widely followed:

The [[Mahima Religion|Mahima Dharma]] or [[Satya mahima dharma|"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.<ref name="autogenerated2">[http://www.orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/may2005/engpdf/mahima_dharma_bhima_bhoi_biswanathbaba.pdf "Mahima Dharma, Bhima Bhoi and Biswanathbaba"]</ref> 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 [[Vishnu|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.<ref name="autogenerated2" /> This sampradaya was founded in the latter part of the 18th century.<ref name="autogenerated2" />

There is also the [[Avadhuta|Avadhoot Panth]], wherein [[Dattatreya|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&nbsp;– [[Brahma]], [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]] in one divine entity. Many even worship Dattatreya as an [[Avatar]] of Vishnu or of [[Shiva]].

==Burma (Myanmar)==
{{Burmese characters}}
<!--[[File:A robed Burmese Brahmin priest of Konbaung Dynasty.jpg|thumb|Depiction of a Brahmin during the [[Konbaung dynasty]] ]] -->
[[File:Manipuri astrologers and brahmins.jpg|thumb|Manipuri astrologers and Brahmins in Burma, 1900]]
Historically, Brahmins, known as ''ponna'' ({{my|ပုဏ္ဏား}}) in modern-day [[Burmese language|Burmese]], formed an influential group in Burma prior to British colonialism. Until the 1900s, ''ponna'' referred to [[overseas Indians|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.<ref name="leider">{{cite journal |last=Leider |first=Jacques P. |year= |title=Specialists for Ritual, Magic and Devotion: The Court Brahmins of the Konbaung Kings |journal=The Journal of Burma Studies |volume=10 |pages=159–180 |ref=harv }}</ref> Burmese Brahmins can be divided into four general groups, depending on their origins:
* Manipur Brahmins ({{lang-my|မုနိပူရဗြာဟ္မဏ}}): Brahmins who were sent to Burma after [[Manipur]] became a Burmese vassal state in the 1700s and ambassadors from Manipur
* Arakanese Brahmins ({{lang-my|ရခိုင်ဗြာဟ္မဏ}}): Brahmins brought to Burma from [[Rakhine State|Arakan]] after it was conquered by the Konbaung king [[Bodawpaya]]
* Sagaing Brahmins: the oldest Brahmins in Burmese society, who consulted the [[Pyu]], [[Burman]]{{disambiguation needed|date=May 2012}} and [[Mon people|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 ({{my|ဗြာဟ္မဏ}}), kshatriyas ({{my|ခတ္တိယ}}), vaishya ({{my|ဝေဿ}}), and shudra ({{my|သုဒ္ဒ}}). 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'' ({{my|ကျွန်ပုဏ္ဏား}}), 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'' {{my|ဘုရားကိုးစု}}) which is essentially a Burmese [[Puja (Buddhism)|puja]] (''puzaw'' in Burmese) for appeasing nine divinities, [[Buddha]] and the eight [[arhat|arahats]], or a group of nine deities, five Hindu gods and four [[Nat (spirit)|nat spirits]].<ref name="leider"/> This practice continues to be practiced in modern-day Burma.

==Thailand==
Brahmins in Thailand are known as 'Phram' or 'Paahm' ({{lang-th|พราหมณ์ }}) and claim ancestry to Indian Brahmins who migrated to Thailand in the 6th century AD<ref>P. 91 ''Thailand into the spirit world'' by Marlane Guelden</ref>

==See also==
{{Multicol}}
*[[Buddhist Bráhman|Buddhist Brahmins]]
*[[Jain Brāhman|Jain Brahmins]]
*[[Sikh Bráhman|Sikh Brahmins]]
{{Multicol-break}}
*[[List of Sudr Hindu saints|List of Sudra Hindu saints]]
*[[List of Harijana Hindu saints|List of Harijan Hindu saints]]
*[[List of Atāvika Hindu saints|List of Tribal Hindu saints]]
*[[Vaishya Hindu Saints|List of Vaishya Hindu Saints]]
{{Multicol-end}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* [[Swami Sahajanand Saraswati]] Rachnawali (Selected works of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati), Prakashan Sansthan, [[Delhi]], 2003.
* [[Baldev Upadhyaya]], Kashi Ki Panditya Parampara, Sharda Sansthan, [[Varanasi]], 1985.
* [[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, 1770–1870, [[Cambridge University Press]], 1983.
* [[Christopher Alan Bayly]], Rulers, Townsmen, and Bazaars: North Indian Society in the Age of British Expansion, 1770–1870, [[Cambridge University Press]], 1983.
* Anand A. Yang, Bazaar India: Markets, Society, and the Colonial State in Bihar, [[University of California Press]], 1999.
* 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.
* [[M. N. Srinivas]], Social Change in Modern India, [[Orient Longman]], [[Delhi]], 1995.
* [[Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi]] essays.


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://brahmsamaj.org Brahmin Community]
{{Commons category|Brahmins}}
* [http://brahminutthan.com Baiswara Brahmin Utthan Organisation]
{{Wikiquote}}
* [http://kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part5/chap39.htm Daily duties of Brahmins]
* [https://archive.org/stream/brahminspariahsa00londrich#page/n3/mode/2up Brahmins and Pariah], An appeal and record of colonial era conflict in Bengal
* [https://archive.org/stream/wisdombrahminad00rcgoog#page/n14/mode/2up The wisdom of the Brahmin], Friedrich Ruckert (translated from German by Charles Brooks)


[[Category:Brahmins]]
[[Category:Brahmins]]
[[Category:Priestly castes]]
[[Category:Priestly castes]]
[[Category:Varnas in Hinduism]]
[[Category:Varnas in Hinduism]]
[[Category:Indian castes]]
[[Category:Hindu communities]]
[[Category:Buddhist communities]]
[[Category:Jain communities]]

Revision as of 01:19, 19 August 2021

This article is about the social caste. For the moth family, see Brahmaeidae. For similarly spelled words, see Brahman (disambiguation).
Brahmin (Brahmana)
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Brahmin (/ˈbrɑːmɪn/; also called Brahmana; from the Sanskrit brāhmaṇa ब्राह्मण) are one of traditional Hindu societies, as well as Buddhist and Jain societies of India, Nepal and The Far East.

Brahman, Brahmin, and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self. Brahmin (or Brahmana) refers to an individual belonging to the Hindu, Buddhist, or Jain 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 Brāhmana.

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.

The Brahmin priest has to wake up at four in the morning and bathe in cold water, rain or shine, warm or cold. Then, without a break, he has to perform one rite after another: sandhyavandana, brahmayajna,[1] aupasana, puja, vaisvadeva and at least one of the 21 sacrifices for hours, in front of a sacred fire, with all the heat and smoke. So many are the vows and the fasts the priest must keep, and as many are the ritual baths the priest must take in a day. The dharmasastras require that the Brahmin priest adheres to the rules and rituals imposed on the priest not only during the performance of so many rites and rigorous discipline, but also every second of his life, because the Brahmin priest life is dedicated to God. The priest performing rituals, may have his first meal at 1 or 2 PM (and on the day of a sraddha (cremation)) it will be three or four PM). The Brahmin priest's vegetarian meal and dwelling are simple and humble.[2][3]

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.[4] 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.[5][6]

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.

History

Main article: History of Hinduism

Tatrapi janma shata kotishu manavatvam : After attaining shata koti [Hundred crore] janma [births] one comes to manava janma.

Tatrapi janma shata kotishu brahmanatvam : After attaining shata koti[Hundred crore] manava janma [human births] one comes to Brahmana janma.

Tatrapi janma shata kotishu vaishnavatvam : After attaining shata koti[Hundred crore] Brahmana janma [Brahmin births] ones comes to vaishnava janma

According to Purusha Sukta, a Rigveda hymn, Brahmins were born from purusha's (Vishwakarma's) face.[7][8]

Most sampradayas (sects) of modern Brahmins claim to take inspiration from the Vedas. According to orthodox Hindu tradition, the Vedas are apauruṣeya and anādi (beginning-less), and are revealed truths of eternal validity. The Vedas are considered Śruti ("that which is heard") and are the paramount source on which Brahmin tradition claims to be based. Śruti 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

  1. Swami (Priest) - Purohita (performer for domestic ceremonies) and Rtvij (performer of seasonal ceremonies)
  2. Acarya or Upadhyaya (Spiritual teacher)
  3. Yogin
  4. Tapasvin - Mendicant

Classification of priests

Pāṇini classes priests into four classes, according to the four Vedas, and then further describes priests subordinate to them.[9]

  1. Adhvaryu (of the Yajur Veda), and their subordinate priests are Pratiprasthata, Nestha, and Unneta
  2. Udgatta (of the Rig Veda), and their subordinate priests are Prastota, Pratiharta, Subrahmanya
  3. Hotr (of the Sama Veda) or chanter of invocations, and their subordinate priests are Maitra varuna, Achchhavak, Pota
  4. Brahma (of the Atharva Veda), and their subordinate priests are Brahmanachhansi, Agnidhra, Gravastuta

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:[10]

  1. Varna (ubhato sujato hoti) or Brahmin status on both sides of the family
  2. Jati (avikkitto anupakutto jativadena) or born without physical defects
  3. Mantra (ajjhayako hoti mantradharo) or well-versed in scriptures
  4. Sila or virtue
  5. Panditya or learned

It is noteworthy, that the Buddha admired five the Brahmin attributes of 1) The Truth (Sacca or Satya), 2) Austerities (Tapas), 3) Chastity (Brahmacariya), 4) Study of Vedic lore (Ajjhena or Adhyayana), 5) Munificence (Caga or Tyaga).

Practices

Brahmins, basically adhere to the principles of the Vedas, related to the texts of the Śruti and Smriti which are some the foundations of Hinduism, and practice Sanatana Dharma. Vedic Brāhmaṇas 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:जनेऊ 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

Statue of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a Kulin Brahmins, in College Green, Bristol, England
Adi Guru Shri Gauḍapādāchārya, 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.
Main article: Pancha-Gauda

The Brahmins from Sārasvata, 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 (Āryāvarta). Pancha Gauda Brahmins are divided into five main categories:

Sarasvat Brahmins

Kanyakubja Brahmins

Gauda Brahmins

Mithila Brahmins

The Maithil Brahmiṇs 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 Śāktas (worshippers of Śakti) . However, it is also not uncommon to find Vaishnavites among the Maithil Brahmins. Some surnames of Brahmins in Bihar include Shukla, Sharma, Thakur, 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 Brāhmaṇotpatti-Mārtaṇḍa by Pt. Harikrishna Śāstri 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 five groups: Vaidiki Brahmins, Niyogi, Dravida Brahmins, and Vaikhānasa.[11] [12]

Niyogis are further divided into the following subcategories: Nandavarika Niyogi, Prathama Shakha Niyogi, Aaru Vela Niyogulu, Karanaalu, Sistukaranalu, Karana kamma vyaparlu, Karanakammulu.[13]

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,[14] 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.[15] They took up military jobs[16] and ended up being the de facto head[17] of the Maratha Dynasty.[18] 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

Kannada Brāhmans(ಕನ್ನಡ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣ): The Brāhmans of the Carnatic, or the Canarese country. The Canarese area comprises Mysore State, and the British Districts of Canara, Dharwar and Belgaum.[19]

Tamil Nadu

Statue of Sir K.Sheshadri Iyer in Cubbon Park at Bangaluru

Kerala

Kerala Brahmins include the following categories of Brahmins: Namboothiri Brahmin, Vishwa Brahmin

Nepali Brahmins

Bahun is a colloquial Nepali term for a member of the Pahari or "Hill" Brahmin (ब्राह्मण) 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%).[21] Brahmins were inhabitants of Nepal in prehistoric times.[citation needed] In the ancient history devkota(`देवकोटा’ यो शब्दको विकास ‘संस्कृत' र यसको अपभ्रंस रूप 'देव:कोटी' हुँदै भएको हो।) is the root of the Brahmin (वाहुन) community. They divided into different Brahmin groups.

Narmadiya Brahmins

Narmadiya brahmin are the brahmin who settled around the river of Narmada, they are the descendent of sage Vishrava (or Vesamuni) who was the father of Ravana & the son of the sage Pulastya, was one of the ten Prajapatis or mind-born sons of Brahma and one of the Saptarishi (Seven Great Sages Rishi) in the first Manvantara.Narmadiya brahmins are the prime devotee of Shiva, and were the priests of Jyotirlinga.

Gotras and pravaras

Brahmins classify themselves on the basis of their patrilineal descent from a notable ancestor.[citation needed] These ancestors are either ancient Indian sages or kshatriyas (warriors), who chose to become Brahmins.[citation needed] The major gotras that trace descent from sages are: Kaushikasa/Kausika, Srivatsa, Kanva, Jamadagni, Bhrigu, Bharadvâja, Kaundinya, Gautama Maharishi, Sandilya, Bhrigu, Vashista, Parāshara, Atryasa, Harithasa/Haritsa, Kashyapa, Shrotriya, and Agastya gotra. Other gotras are Mitra, Vishvamitra and Chaurasia gotra.[citation needed]. And Bharathiyar gotra is newly inserted in gazette .

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.

There are several Brahmin law givers, such as Angiras, Apasthambha, Atri, Bhrigu, Brihaspati, Boudhayana, Daksha, Gautama, Harita, Katyayana, Likhita, Manu,[22] Parasara, Samvarta, Shankha, Shatatapa, Ushanasa, Vashista, Vishnu, Vyasa, Yajnavalkya, and Yama. These twenty-one rishis were the propounders of the Smritis. The oldest among these smritis are Apastamba, Baudhayana, Gautama, and Vashista Sutras.[23]Provide Vepachedu's Sources[citation needed]

Claimants of Brahmin ancestry

Rishi Agastya, one of seven vedic sages extolled at many places in the Vedas and author of Agastya Samhita

Many Indians and non-Indians(though they may have Indian relatives.) claim descent from the Vedic Rishis of both Brahmin and non-Brahmin descent.[citation needed] For example, the Dasharna and Nagas are said to be the descendants of Kashyapa Muni.[citation needed] The descent of Brahmins is generally indicated by the gotra, which refers to his patrilineage. It is indicated by the name of the 'great sage' to whose descent the Brahmin is said to belong.

Descendants of saints

Claimants of Brahmin status

  • Brahmbhatts of North India claim to be Brahmins that took on the military profession in history.
  • Brahmakshatriyas claim the status of Brahmins, and that they had taken the military profession since ancient history, and sometimes claim to descend from a Brahmin Pravara Rishi.[25]
  • Dhusar Baniyas of UP have claimed to be Bhargava Brahmins.
  • Jethis or Jyestimallas of Gujarat identify as Modh Brahmins and claim ancestry from Agnihotri Brahmins.[26]
  • Namasudra (Namassej) community of Bengal in the beginning of the twentieth century claimed Brahmin status and in 1901 a Vyavastha was signed by 41 Chief Brahmin Pundits all over Bengal, Headed By The Chief of All of them, Mahapopadhya of Nabadwip which declared the community as descendant of ancient sages or Rishis and that they should not be named or called as 'sudra".[27]
  • Namdevi Chhipas of Rajasthan consider themselves to be Joshi.[28]
  • Satnami community's certain members in Chhatisgarh claimed Brahmin status in the Status Report of 1911.[29]
  • Saini of Rajasthan (gardener) claim in one of their stories that they descended from a Brahmin and call themselves Parpadh Brahman, which in course of time became Phulmali.[30]
  • Soni community's Shrimali Sonis and Maru Kansara Soni of Gujarat claim to be Brahmins.

Achieving Brahminhood by non-Brahmins

According to the Mahabharata, originally there were only four gotras, namely of Angiras, Kashyapa, Vasistha, and Bhrigu, and that others came into existence by people performing penances.[31] In one legend, outcaste Nandanar entered a fire and came out of the fire as a Brahmin.[32] There were also some non-Brahmins, who although weren't officially coronated as Brahmin, were accepted by as Brahmins, such as Sudra-born Nandanar. In modern times, Subramanya Bharathi to illustrate the irrelevance of caste he performed upanayanam to a young harijan man and made him a Brahmin.

Sage Parasara advises King Janaka:

Brahmanas, learned in Vedas, regard a virtuous Shudra (or one born in the house of a Shudra) as a model of Brahman himself.

  • Ajamidha - A Chandavansi Kshatriya that became Brahmin and henceforth his descendants are the Kanvayana Brahmins[33]
  • Arishtishena - Kshatriya prince by birth and he mastered the Vedas
  • Ayu - Kshatriya prince by birth
  • Datta - Sudra prince by birth [34]
  • Devapi - Kshatriya prince by birth
  • Dhrista - Manu's (Kshatryia) son that became Brahmin
  • Drupada - Kshatriya by birth
  • Duritakshaya - Kshatriya by birth
  • Dwimidha - A Kshatriya that became Brahmin and henceforth his descendants are the Kanvayana Brahmins[35]
  • Gargya - Kshatriya by birth
  • Hanuman - A Kishkindha tribal or Adivasi became a Brahmin through performing penances
  • Kavi - Kshatriya by birth
  • Matsya - A Sudra Fisherman by birth
  • Mandhata - Koli Adivasi that became a Brahmin[36]
  • Matanga - He was the son of a barber Shudra father and Brahmin mother, and achieved the status of Brahmin through his karma and tapasya
  • Mudgalya's sons all became Brahmin, according to the Padma Purana
  • Nabhagarishta's two sons - Became Brahmins according to the Harivamsa[37]
  • Purumidha - A Kshatriya that became Brahmin and henceforth his descendants are the Kanvayana Brahmins[35]
  • Purnananda - A Sudra by birth
  • Pushkararuni - Kshatriya by birth
  • Rom Harshan Suta Maharaja was a Sudra by caste but achieved the status of Brahmarishi
  • Satyati - A former Kshatriya king
  • Satya Kam Jabali - Had a maidservant mother and his father is unknown, although he learned Vedic scriptures and was given the upanayana by Gautama Rishi
  • Shadmarshana - A group of King Ikshvaku's Kshatriya descendants
  • Sindhudwipa - Kshatriya by birth
  • Traiyyaruni - Kshatriya by birth
  • Vaibhandaka - Sudra by birth
  • Valmiki - He was a Koli Adivasi and through the Ram Mantra taught to him by Narad Rishi, he performed severe austerities
  • Vishvamitra - He created the Gayatri Mantra
  • Vitahavya - Haihaya Kshatriya prince by birth, from the dynasty that Parashurama defeated but he accepted Vitahavya or Vitihotra because he was auspicious[38] and well versed in the Vedas,[39] and so Vitihotra's descendants became known as Vadhulas
  • Vyasa - Born a Sudra ("asat-kshetra-kula") according to the Padma Purana

Brahmin taking up other duties

Brahmins have taken on many professions - from being priests, ascetics and scholars and doctors to warriors and business people, as is attested for example in Kalhana's Rajatarangini. Many Brahmins took up the profession of medicine. There are Vaidya Brahmins (called Baidya Brahmins) in Bengal [Gupta, Dasgupta and Senguptas], described mythically as descendants of Dhanavantari, the god of medicine and father of Ayurveda.[citation needed] Brahmins with the qualities of Kshatriyas are known as 'Brahmakshatriyas'. An example is the avatara Parashurama who is considered an avataram of Vishnu. Sage Parashurama was a powerful warrior who had defeated the Haiheya kshatriyas twenty one times, was an expert in the use of weapons, and trained others to fight without weapons. The Bhumihar Brahmins were established when Parashurama destroyed the Kshatriya race, and he set up in their place the descendants of Brahmins, who, after a time, having mostly abandoned their priestly functions (although some still perform), took to land-owning.

Perhaps the word Brahma-kshatriya refers to a person belonging to the heritage of both castes.However, among the Royal Rajput households, Brahmins who became the personal teachers and protectors of the royal princes rose to the status of Rajpurohit and taught the princes everything including martial arts. They would also become the keepers of the Royal lineage and its history. They would also be the protectors of the throne in case the regent was orphaned and a minor.

The Pallavas were an example of Brahmakshatriyas as that is what they called themselves. King Lalitaditya Muktapida of Kashmir ruled all of India and even Central Asia.

King Rudravarma of Champa (Vietnam) of 657 A.D. was the son of a Brahmin father.

King Jayavarma I of Kambuja (Kampuchea) of 781 A.D. was a Brahma-kshatriya.[citation needed] The Pandava Brothers were considered Brahma-Kshatriya's.[citation needed] Many Pallis of South India claim to be Brahmins, while others claim to be Agnikula Kshatriyas. Kulaman Pallis are nicknamed by outsiders as Kulaman Brahmans.[citation needed]

Brahmin Kings

Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa, the Peshwa (Premier) of the Maratha Empire of India, was a Brahmin warrior[16][40] and belonged to the ethnic Marathi Brahmin community

Kashi Naresh, the hereditary ruler of princely state of Varanasi, is a Brahmin and is hailed as dvij-raj, or king of all the Brahmins.

Among the Royal Rajput households, Brahmins who became the personal teachers and protectors of the royal princes rose to the status of Rajpurohit and taught the princes everything, including martial arts.

Mayurasharma a Brahmin scholar and a native of Talagunda (in modern Shimoga district), was the founder of the Kadamba Kingdom of Banavasi.

They would also become the keepers of the Royal lineage and its history. They would also be the protectors of the throne in case the regent was orphaned and a minor. The well-known Brahmin Chanakya was a Rajpurohit for Chandragupta Maurya, founder of the Mauryan empire, who helped Chandragupta get a grip on the well-established Nanand prevent was a Brahma-kshatriya.[41] King Lalitaditya Muktapida of Kashmir ruled all of India and even Central Asia.

King Rudravarma of Champa (Vietnam) of 657 A.D. was the son of a Brahmin father.[41]

Brahmins with the qualities of a Vaisya or merchant are known as 'Brahmvyasya'.[citation needed] An example of such persons are people of the Ambastha[42] caste, which exist in South India.[citation needed]

Sampradayas (Sects)

The three sampradayas (sects) of Brahmins, mostly in South India are the Smarta sampradaya, the Srivaishnava sampradaya and the Madhvacharya (Swami Ananda-Teertha) Madhva sampradaya. Aadi Shakaracharya contributed towards the revival of Vedic Religion at a time when Buddhism was most popular. He toured throughout India and re-established the faith in Vedas and Hindu gods. He composed countless verses (stotras) praising all the principle forms of gods and goddesses like Shiva, Vishnu, Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati etc., at various pilgrim centers. In the later times Ramanujacharya and Madhvaacharya gave new definitions and reviewd Vedas according to the then Social and religious circumstances and established other Sampradayas viz Shri-Vaishnav and Madhva.

Smartism

Smartism (or Smarta Sampradaya, Smarta Tradition, as it is termed in Sanskrit) is a liberal or nonsectarian denomination of the Hindu religion. This tradition is based on the Advaithic teachings of Adi Sankaracharya. He united various sects of Hinduism under on umbrella by accepting all the major Hindu deities as forms of the one Brahman. He implored the Smarthas to have an Ishta devatha in the form of Siva, Sakthi, Vishnu, Ganesha, Murugan (Subrahmanya) or Sun. The term Smarta refers to adherents who follow the Vedas and Shastras.[citation needed]

Vaishnavism

One form of Vaishnavism is Madhwa (Dwaita Sampradaya or Madhva Sampradaya), and the other is Sri Vaishnava (Vishishtadvaita sampradaya). Madhwa Brahmins are mainly located in the Carnatic plains and some of them are seen in Andhra, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They follow the teachings of Sri Madhvacharya, who was born in South Canara district of Karnataka in the 12th Century. He preached Dvaita, which says that God and atma (soul) are different entities, which is contradictory to the teachings of Sri Adi Sankaracharya, who preached Advaita vedanta (non-duality). In South India, Sri Vaishnava sampradayam was propagated by Srimad Ramanujacharya.Any way all the three philosophers though different in their philosophies believed Lord Vishnu to be the supreme soul.

Shaivism

Shaivism (sometimes called Shivaism) is a belief system where Lord Shiva is worshipped as the Supreme Lord. It is a derivative faith of the core Vedic tradition.[citation needed] Saiva sects contains many subsects, such as Asdisaivas, Rudrasaivas, Veerasaivas, Paramasaivas, etc. Ravana, the ruler of Lanka in the Hindu epic Ramayana, was a staunch Siva devotee, who was the grandson of creator Brahma.

Buddhism

See also: Buddhist Bráhman
123 feet statue of Bodhisattva Padmasambhava at Rewalsar Lake

Although the orthodox Brahmin and Sramana communities were typically opponents, Buddha admired the Brahmin attributes of 1) The Truth (Sacca or Satya), 2) Austerities (Tapas), 3) Chastity (Brahmacariya), 4) Study of Vedic lore (Ajjhena or Adhyayana), 5) Munificence (Caga or Tyaga).

In Buddha's time there were two major types of wandering ascetics, the Paribbajakas and Sramanas. Paribbajakas were exclusively Brahmins.[43]

There were some Buddhist Brahmins that contributed much to the Brahmin communities or to Brahmin ascetic communities. Gautamiputra Satakarni, the Satavahana king, declares himself to be the sole protector of the Brahmins.[44]

Brahmins were treated as equals to all the rest, in the eyes of the Buddha and there are countless references to Brahmins throughout the Buddhist scriptures also. Buddha rejected the notion of gradation along caste lines and of the legitimacy of the higher social status, as well as the notion of ritual purity as claimed by the Brahmins compared to others.[45] Many of the major Buddhist followers and teachers were from Brahmins. They include Sariputra, Maudgalyayana, Mahakashyapa, Nagarjuna, Asvaghosha, Padmasambhava, Shantarakshita, Nagasena, Kumarajiva and Shantideva, all of whom were referred by their titles devoid of their caste as Arahats etc. The word Brahmin, meaning "priest class", was redefined by the Buddha and it continued to be used alongside Arahat in their relevant contexts.[46] Max Muller points out that in the Dhamapada, Buddha etymologizes the word "Bahama", the Prakrit form of "Brahmana", by playing off the Sanskrit/Prakrit etymon -bra.

In the Ambattha Sutra, we find the Buddha debated many Brahmins who were clearly not Arahats. Also in many important dharanis, Brahmins are mentioned in an entirely different capacity from Arahats, and therefore there is a marked difference depending on the context. The Buddha insisted that Brahmins had to live up to seek the truth, hence reach liberation(Nirvana) through the Dhamma, and this could not be by ascriptive factor of birth alone. In the Dhammapada, the Buddha mentions Brahmins and Arahats in very different capacities and dedicates an entire chapter to what it means to be a real Brahmin called the Brahmana-vagga as well.[47]

The Buddha did not believe in caste discrimination but he did endorse a fair division of labour based on merit and equality, while condemning pathological division of labour through slavery, forced labour, superstition etc. According to him, Brahmins were not to discriminate against lower castes and those of their own who joined the sangha, through the notion of purity and superior social status, which according to the buddha was false.[45][46] but were to serve them wholeheartedly. Many sutras indicate that the Buddha himself was a Brahmin in a previous life and, due to his good merit as in the previous lives, was reborn as the Buddha.[48]

The notion of ritual purity provided a conceptual foundation for the caste system, by identifying occupations and duties associated with impure or taboo objects as being themselves impure. Regulations imposing such a system of ritual purity and taboos are absent from the Buddhist monastic code, and not generally regarded as being part of Buddhist teachings[49] On the contrary, the early Buddhist scriptures defined purity as determined by one's state of mind, and refer to anyone who behaves unethically, of whatever caste, as "rotting within", or "a rubbish heap of impurity".[50]

There are many places in which the Buddha explains his use of the word brahman. At Sutta Nipata 1.7, Vasala Sutta, verse 12, he states: "Not by birth is one an outcast; not by birth is one a brahman. By deed one becomes an outcast, by deed one becomes a brahman."[51]

Scholar Asim Chatterjee adds,

No one can deny that the Brahmin pupils of Gautama had save the Sangha in its hour of peril. The rebellion of Devadatta was foiled by Sariputta, and after the demise of the teacher, Mahakassapa, by convening the first council, at Rajagrha, practically rescued the entire Buddhist Sangha from sinking into oblivion".[52]

Jainism

See also: Jain Brāhman

Jain Brahmins are known by different names according to the regions they are in India. These titles are Arcaka, Indra, Jain Brahmin, Pandit, Purohit, or Upadhye.[53]

It was with the introduction of Jainism to Brahmins that it became popularized. There were many Brahmins who dedicated their lives to serving Jainism. Tirthankara Mahavira's chief disciples, 11 in number, were all Brahmins.

A Ganga Dynasty epigraph at Sravana Belgola reads,

The celebrated Gopanandi accomplished what had been impossible for any one ; for he caused the Jina dharma which had for a long time been at standstill, to attain the prosperity and fame of the time of the Ganga kings.[54]

An inscription of Nagavarma II declares he was "born of a heavenly coral tree arising in the ocean of Brahmans." Chamunda Raya earned several titles such as Samara-Parashurama.[55] Local languages too flourished with Jain Brahmins and Pampa, Ponna and Ranna, popularly known as 'three jewels of Kannada literature' enriched Kannada literature.[56]

The importance of Brahmins was recognized in Jain scriptures, and the need to protect them is explicitly referred to in the Purananuru, Silappadikaram, and the Jivaka-chintamani.[57]

  • The first convert of Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism was Indrabhuti (aka Gautamswami) the Brahmin, who headed a group of other Brahmins and converted them to Jainism. He was from the village Gobbar (also called Govarya) near Rajgriha. It is said that the Tapsas, who were competing with Gautama to reach the top of a hill, achieved moksha by seeing Gautama win.[58]
  • Akalanka of the 8th century is said to the pioneer in the field of Jain logic.
  • Dhanapala (10th century) was a renowned stotra writer. He was converted by his brother Shobana. He is best known for his hymns named Rsabhapancasika, written in Prakrit (Jaina-Maharastri).[59]
  • Dhangiri, a reputedly wealthy Brahmin, in the town of Tumbhivan, lost his interest in wealth and decided to take Diksha, after hearing the sermons of the Jain Acharya Sinhgiri.
  • Sajjambhava was another born from Rajgriha and was elected the head of the Jain temple. He is famous for his composition of the "Dasavaikalika Sutra."
  • Shushil Kumar, an Acharya known better to Jains as "Guruji", was born a Vaidik in the Shakarpur village of the Haryana province. At the age of 15, he took Diksha (became a sanyassin) into the Sthanakvasi, a Shwetambara subsect.
  • Vidyanand is a Brahmin Acharya of the Digambar Jain sect and compiled in the Sanskrit language, "Ashta Shahastri" with eight thousand verses.
  • Umasvati was a composer who was so loved by Jains that he is considered by the Dhigambar sect to be a Dhigambar member and the Svetambara sect to be a Svetambara member.
  • There is a Brahmin community in South Karnataka which is traditional follower of Jainism and is known as Jain Brahmin. They have a hostel for students in Mysore, known as Jain Brahmin Hostel. This community is different from the Jain priests in Jain temples.

Other sects

There are additional sampradayas, which are not as widely followed:

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.[60] 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.[60] This sampradaya was founded in the latter part of the 18th century.[60]

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.

Burma (Myanmar)

Template:Burmese characters

Manipuri astrologers and Brahmins in Burma, 1900

Historically, Brahmins, known as ponna (ပုဏ္ဏား) 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.[61] Burmese Brahmins can be divided into four general groups, depending on their origins:

  • Manipur Brahmins (Burmese: မုနိပူရဗြာဟ္မဏ): Brahmins who were sent to Burma after Manipur became a Burmese vassal state in the 1700s and ambassadors from Manipur
  • Arakanese Brahmins (Burmese: ရခိုင်ဗြာဟ္မဏ): 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[disambiguation needed] 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 (ဗြာဟ္မဏ), kshatriyas (ခတ္တိယ), vaishya (ဝေဿ), and shudra (သုဒ္ဒ). 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 (ကျွန်ပုဏ္ဏား), 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 ဘုရားကိုးစု) which is essentially a Burmese puja (puzaw in Burmese) for appeasing nine divinities, Buddha and the eight arahats, or a group of nine deities, five Hindu gods and four nat spirits.[61] This practice continues to be practiced in modern-day Burma.

Thailand

Brahmins in Thailand are known as 'Phram' or 'Paahm' (Thai: พราหมณ์) and claim ancestry to Indian Brahmins who migrated to Thailand in the 6th century AD[62]

See also

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Further reading

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