Brahmin

This article is about the social caste. For the moth family, see Brahmaeidae. For similarly spelled words, see Brahman (disambiguation).

Brahmin (also Brahman; Brāhmaṇa) (Sanskrit: ब्राह्मण) is a name used to designate a member of one of the four varnas in the traditional Hindu society. The English word brahmin is an anglicised form of the Sanskrit word Brāhmana. In the Smriti view there are four "varnas", or classes: the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas, the Vaishyas, and Shudras. The Atreya smriti 141-142 enjoins that

"janmana jayate shudrah

One is a Shudra by birth
samskarad dvija ucyate
By observing Samskaras one becomes a Dvija
vedapathi bhaved viprah
By studying the Vedas one becomes a Vipra
brahma janati brahmanah

One who knows Brahman is a Brahmana

The term Vipra means "inspired", while Dvija means "twice-born". Members of the Brahmin varna are generally expected to belong to the priestly class. Traditionally Brahmins were fire-priests who adhered to different branches (shakhas) of Vedas. However, historically, the semantic change from a tribal state into the Hindu state of jati-varna matrix saw the conversion and absorption of tribals into the Brahmin class, through adoption of the priestly occupation. In Medieval and colonial India, people in mundane occupations have also proselytized themselves into Brahmins, usually upon gaining positions of power or upon becoming wealthy.

The Smritis conferred upon the Brahmins, the position of being the highest of the four Varnas. The priestly class was expected to practice self-abnegation and play the role of being the custodians of Dharma (as "one who prays; a devout or religious man; a Brāhman who is well versed in Vedic texts; one versed in sacred knowledge"). However, the fees payed to the Brahmana for performance of a sacrifice was grossly material

History

Main article: History of Hinduism

According to mythology,the Brahmin community started from Brahma creation, husband of Brahmani, the supreme Hindu Goddess of knowledge and education in ancient Indian mythology and adopted in their religion (Vedic religion of early Hinduism, now often referred to by Hindus as Sanatana Dharma). The Vedas are said to be the primary source of knowledge for Brahmin practices. 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 modern Brahmin tradition claims to be based. Shruti includes not only the four Vedas (the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda and the Atharvaveda), but also their respective Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads.

In 1931, Brahmins accounted for 9% of the total population. In Andhra Pradesh, they formed less than 2%; in Tamil Nadu they formed less than 3%. In Kerala, Nambudiri Brahmins make up 0.7% of the population. In West Bengal too the figures stand the same.

Genetics

Distribution of R1a (purple) and R1b (red).

Main article: Haplogroup R1a (Y-DNA)

In terms of association with other races, the highest levels of R1a (>50%) are found across the Eurasian Steppe: West Bengal Brahmins (72%), and Uttar Pradesh Brahmins, (67%), the Ishkashimi (68%), the Tajik population of Khojant (64%), Kyrgyz (63.5%), Sorbs (63.39%), Poles (56.4%), Ukrainians (50%) and Russians (50%) and in the Central India among the saharia tribe of Madhya Pradesh R1a*(22.8%) and R1a1(28.07%). It is also found in relatively high frequencies in several South Indian Dravidian-speaking tribes including the Chenchu and Valmikis of Andhra Pradesh.

R1a has been variously associated with:

• the re-colonization of Eurasia during the Late Glacial Maximum.
• the expansion of the Kurgan people from the Pontic-Caspian steppe, which is associated with the spread of the Indo-European languages.

The Modern studies for R1a1 (M17) suggest that it could have originated in South Asia. It could have found its way initially from Western India (Gujarat) throughCentral Asia and Russia, before finally coming to Europe"..."as part of an archaeologically dated Paleolithic movement from east to west 30,000 years ago.

Brahmin communities

See also: Brahmin communities

The Brahmin castes may be broadly divided into two regional groups: Pancha-Gauda Brahmins from Northern India and considered to be North of Vindhya mountains and Pancha-Dravida Brahmins from South of Vindhya mountains as per the shloka. However, this sloka is from Rajatarangini of Kalhana, which was composed only in the 11th century CE.

कर्णाटकाश्च तैलंगा द्राविडा महाराष्ट्रकाः,
गुर्जराश्चेति पञ्चैव द्राविडा विन्ध्यदक्षिणे ||
सारस्वताः कान्यकुब्जा गौडा उत्कलमैथिलाः,
पन्चगौडा इति ख्याता विन्ध्स्योत्तरवासिनः ||

Translation: Karnataka (Kannada), Telugu (Andhra), Dravida (Tamil and Kerala), Maharashtra and Gujarat are Five Southern (Panch Dravida). Saraswata (Punjab & Sindh), Kanyakubja (Uttar Pradesh), Gauda (Bengal), Utkala (Orissa), Maithili (Bihar) are Five Northern (Pancha Gauda). This classification occurs in Rajatarangini of Kalhana and earlier in some inscriptions

Nepal

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. By tradition—and by civil law until 1962—they represented the highest of the four Hindu varna or castes. Bahuns from the "hills" have been represented disproportionately in Nepal's education system, political parties and civil service since the country was unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah and his heirs in the 18th century. The top leaders of the all the major three parties: Maoist opposition (Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Baburam Bhattarai), Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) Jhalanath Khanal, Madhav Kumar Nepal), and Nepali Congress (Sushil Koirla)) are also Bahuns.

Burma (Myanmar)

Template:Burmese characters Historically, Brahmins, known as ponna (‹See Tfd›ပုဏ္ဏား) in modern-day Burmese (Until the 1900s, ponna referred to Indians who had arrived prior to colonial rule, distinct from the kala, Indians who arrived during British rule), formed an influential group in Burma prior to British colonialism. During the Konbaung dynasty, court Brahmins were consulted by kings for moving royal capitals, waging wars, making offerings to Buddhist sites like the Mahamuni Buddha, and for astrology. Burmese Brahmins can be divided into four general groups, depending on their origins:

• Manipur Brahmins (Template:Lang-my) - Brahmins who were sent to Burma after Manipur became a Burmese vassal state in the 1700s and ambassadors from Manipur
• Arakanese Brahmins (Template:Lang-my): Brahmins brought to Burma from Arakan after it was conquered by the Konbaung king Bodawpaya
• Sagaing Brahmins: oldest Brahmins in Burmese society, who had consulted the Pyu, Burman and Mon kingdoms prior to the Konbaung dynasty
• Indian Brahmins: Brahmins who arrived with British colonial rule, when Burma became a part of the British Raj

According to Burmese chronicles, Brahmins in Burma were subject to the four-caste system, which included brahmanas (‹See Tfd›ဗြာဟ္မဏ), kshatriyas (‹See Tfd›ခတ္တိယ), vaishya (‹See Tfd›ဝေဿ), and shudra (‹See Tfd›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 (‹See Tfd›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 ‹See Tfd›ဘုရားကိုးစု) which is essentially a Burmese puja  (puzaw in Burmese) of appeasing nine divinities, Buddha and the eight arahats, or a group of nine deities, five Hindu gods and four nats. This practice continues to be practiced in modern-day Burma.

Pancha-Gauda

Main article: Pancha-Gauda

Those from Uttarapatha (Aryavarta) (northern and eastern India.)

Approximately ordered according to geographical regions.

Kanyakubja Brahmins

• Kanyakubja Brahmins

Saraswat Brahmins

• Saraswat Brahmins
• Goud Saraswat Brahmins
• Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins
• Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins

Saryupareen Brahmins

• Saryupareen Brahmins

Jaiswal Brahmins

• Jaiswal Brahmins

Brahmin Jaiswals are mainly Chandravanshis or Gadhiwals, Some are Chaurasias (Chaurasi Brahmins) from nepal or north india, Some Jaiswals are also believed to be Nagar Brahmins. Jaiswals have historical simily with Nagar Brahmins. There is a strong link between chaurasi brahmins of north india and nagar brahmins. Nag vel or Nagar vel(beetle nut plant) is the strong connecting link. Few of the common jaiswal brahmin surnames are jaiswal, jayaswal, gaur, garg, bhagat, vaish(nav), dubey, prasad, chaudhari, rai, thakur, etc.

Some Jaiswals are swarnkar brahmins. This is probably due to the profession they acquired.

Though being brahmins chandravanshi jaiswals were good rulers and warriors. They ruled various regions at various historical time segments hence some clans were also classified as Jaiswal Rajputs or in more recent history warrior brahmins like mohyals of punjab.

Jaiswal Zamidars performed (mehsuli)revenue operations.

Some deshastha(maharashtra dravid) jaiswal brahmin surnames are also known viz Mahajan, Kale, Prasad, Chaudhari, Dahale, etc.

Jaiswals are believed to be good administrators historically and handled Beurocratic responsibilities for various states. Nizam of Hyderabad specially invited Jaiswals from North India to settle in his sate and take care of beurocratic as well as diplomatic tasks.

Utkal(Odisha)

• Utkala Brahmin

The Sanskrit textBrāhmaṇotpatti-Mārtaṇḍa by Pt. Harikrishna Śāstri mentions according to which a king named Utkala invited Brahmins from Gangetic Valley for performing a yajna in Jagannath-Puri in Orissa; when the yajna ended the invited Brahmins laid the foundation of the Lord Jagannath there and settled there for serving the Lord in around Orissa, Jharkhand, Medinipur.

The Utkala Brahmins are of three classes 1) Shrautiya(vaidika) 2) Ashrautiya or (Sevayata) and 3)Halua Brahman.Again there are sub-classes in these three classes

Maithil Brahmin (Mithila)

• Maithil Brahmins

Pancha-Dravida (Five Southern)

Those from Dakshinapatha - Andhra, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Dravida (Tamilnadu & Kerala).

Andhra Pradesh

Brahmins of Andhra Pradesh are broadly classified into 4 groups: Vaidiki Brahmins (meaning educated in vedas and performing religious vocations), Vaikhānasa(worships Vishnu), Sri-Vaishnas(worships Vishnu), and Niyogi (performing only secular vocation). They are further divided into several sub-castes.

Vaidiki Brahmins are further divided into following sub-categories

• Dravidlu
• Vaidiki Velanadu.
• Vaidiki Venginadu.
• Vaidiki Kosalanadu or Kasalnadu.
• Vaidiki Mulakanadu.
• Vaidiki Murikinadu.
• Vaidiki Telaganya.

Niyogis are further divided into following sub-categories

• Pradhama Shakha Niyogi.
• 600 Niyogi or Aaru Vela Niyogulu.
• Golkonda Vyapari.

There is another sub-section "Dravida" made up of Tamil Brahmins who had migrated to Andhra Pradesh.

Gujarat

Gurjara Brāhmans: The Brāhmans of Gujarāt, of whom two subcastes are found in the Central Provinces. The first consists of the Khedāwāls, named after Kheda, a village in Gujarāt, who are a strictly orthodox class holding a good position in the caste. And the second are the Nāgar Brāhmans, who have been long settled in Nimār and the adjacent tracts, and act as village priests and astrologers.

• Bardai Brahmins
• Trivedi Mewada Brahmin
• Rajgor Brahmin
• Palival Brahmin (Dasha and visha)
• Bhatt Mewada Brahmin, are from Rajasthan
• Chauriyasi Mewada Brahmin
• Saurashtra Trivedi Mewad Brahmin
• Saurashtra Bhatt Mewada Brahmin
• Pushkarna Brahmin
• Nagar Brahmin
• Audichya Brahmin
• Sahastra Audichya Gorwal Brahmin
• Tapodhan Brahmin
• Modh Brahmin
• Girinarayan Brahmin
• Shrimali Brahman
• Sachora Brahmin
• Anavil Brahmin
• Sidhra-Rudhra Brahmins
• Sree gauda Brahmin
• Rajgor Brahmin Basically comes from Rajeshtan .. edited by Jitendra Ravia
• Prashnora Brahmin
• Vadadra Brahmin
• Chvyan Brahmin or bharah gaon brahmin from rajasthan
• Kanaujiya or Kanyakumbj Brahmin migrated from kanoj,entered in kutch via sindh along with lohanas have surname Bhatt in kutch,divided as bhuvdiyas,vondhiyas,sandhliyas according to their village temple.others in Gujarat mainly found in jamnagar,morbi,junaghath and rajkot.surnames like Bhatt,Kaileyas,bhaglani,pingal,lakhlani,ghediya etc. are common.

Maharashtra

• Deshastha Brahmin
• Chitpavan Brahmin (Konkanastha)
• Karhade Brahmin
• Devrukhe Brahmin

Karnataka

Karnāta Brāhmans: The Brāhmans of the Carnatic, or the Canarese country. The Canarese area comprises the Mysore State, and the British Districts of Canara, Dharwar and Belgaum.

• Kannada Brahmins
  • Babbur Kamme Brahmins
  • Badaganadu Brahmins
  • Deshastha Brahmin
  • Havyaka Brahmin
  • Hasan Iyengars
  • Hebbar Iyengars
  • Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins
  • Karhade Brahmin
  • Koota Brahmins
  • Madhva Brahmins
  • Mandyam Iyengars
  • Mysore Iyengars
  • Niyogi Brahmins
  • Panchagrama Brahmin
  • Sankethi Brahmins
  • Shukla Yajurveda Brahmins
  • Smartha Brahmins
  • Srivaishnava Brahmins
  • Sthanika Brahmins
  • Ulucha Kamme Brahmins
• Mysore Iyers
• Ashtagrama Iyer
• Tuluva Brahmins
  • Kandavara Brahmins
  • Karhade Brahmins
  • Maratha Brahmins
  • Padia Brahmins
  • Saklapuri Brahmins
  • Shivalli Brahmins
  • Smartha Shivalli Brahmins
  • Sthanika Brahmins

Tamil Nadu

• Iyengar (sub-divided into Vadakalai and Thenkalai)
• Iyer (sub-divided further into Vadama, Vathima, Brahacharanam, Ashtasahasram, Gurukkal, Dikshitar, Kaniyalar, Prathamasaki)

Kerala

• Namboothiri Brahmins
• Kerala Iyers
• Embranthiri
• Pushpaka Brahmins (Ambalavasis)
• Nambissans (Unni)
• Sharada Brahmins
• Vishwabrahmins (Viśvákarma)
• Nagariks or the Brahmin migrants from north India

Gotras and pravaras

See also: Classification of Brahmins

Brahmins classify themselves on the basis of their patrilineal descent from a notable ancestor. These ancestors are either ancient Indian sages or kshatriyas (warriors) who chose to become Brahmins. The ten major gotras that trace descent from sages are: Kanva, Jamadagni, Bharadvâja, koundinya, Gautama, Vashista, Atryasa, Kashyapa, Agastya gotra. Two gotras that trace descent from kshatriyas are Mitra and Vishvamitra gotra.

In general, gotra denotes any person who traces descent in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. Pāṇini defines gotra for grammatical purposes as 'apatyam pautraprabhrti gotram' (IV. 1. 162), which means: "the word gotra denotes the progeny (of a sage) beginning with the son's son". When a person says, "I am Kashypasa-gotra", he means that he traces his descent from the ancient sage Kashyapa by unbroken male descent. This enumeration of eight primary gotras seems to have been known to Pāṇini. These gotras are not directly connected to Prajapathy or latter brama. The offspring (apatya) of these Eight are gotras and others than these are called 'gotrâvayava'.

The gotras are arranged in groups, e. g. there are according to the Âsvalâyana-srautasûtra four subdivisions of the Vashista gana, viz. Upamanyu, Parāshara, Kundina and Vashista (other than the first three). Each of these four again has numerous sub-sections, each being called gotra. So the arrangement is first into ganas, then into pakshas, then into individual gotras. The first has survived in the Bhrigu and Āngirasa gana. According to Baudh., the principal eight gotras were divided into pakshas. The pravara of Upamanyu is Vashista, Bharadvasu, Indrapramada; the pravara of the Parâshara gotra is Vashista, Shâktya, Pârâsharya; the pravara of the Kundina gotra is Vashista, Maitrâvaruna, Kaundinya and the pravara of Vashistas other than these three is simply Vashista. It is therefore that some define pravara as the group of sages that distinguishes the founder (lit. the starter) of one gotra from another.

There are two kinds of pravaras, 1) sishya-prasishya-rishi-parampara, and 2) putrparampara. Gotrapravaras can be ekarsheya, dwarsheya, triarsheya, pancharsheya, saptarsheya, and up to 19 rishis. Kashyapasa gotra has at least two distinct pravaras in Andhra Pradesh: one with three sages (triarsheya pravara) and the other with seven sages (saptarsheya pravara). This pravara may be either sishya-prasishya-rishi-parampara or putraparampara. Similarly, Srivatsasa gotra has five sages or is called Pancharsheya and are the descendants of Jamadagni. When it is sishya-prasishya-rishi-parampara marriage is not acceptable if half or more than half of the rishis are same in both bride and bridegroom gotras. If it is putraparampara, marriage is totally unacceptable even if one rishi matches.

Sects and Rishis

Due to the diversity in religious and cultural traditions and practices, and the Vedic schools which they belong to, Brahmins are further divided into various subcastes. During the sutra period, roughly between 1000 BCE to 200 BCE, Brahmins became divided into various Shakhas (branches), based on the adoption of different Vedas and different rescension Vedas. Sects for different denominations of the same branch of the Vedas were formed, under the leadership of distinguished teachers among Brahmins.

There are several Brahmin law givers, such as Angirasa, Apasthambha, Atri, Bhrigu, Brihaspati, Boudhayana, Daksha, Gautama, Harita, Katyayana, Likhita, Manu, Parasara, Samvarta, Shankha, Shatatapa, Ushanasa, Vashista, Vishnu, Vyasa, Yajnavalkya and Yama. These twenty-one rishis were the propounders of Smritis. The oldest among these smritis are Apastamba, Baudhayana, Gautama, and Vashista Sutras.

Descendants of the Brahmins

Many Indians and non-Indians claim descent from the Vedic Rishis of both Brahmin and non-Brahmin descent. For example, the Dash and Nagas are said to be the descendants of Kashyapa Muni.

Vishwakarmas are the descendants of Pancha Rishis or Brahmarishies. According to Yajurveda and Brahmanda purana, they are Sanagha, Sanathana, Abhuvanasa, Prajnasa, and Suparnasa. The Kani tribe of South India claim to descend from Agastya Muni.

The Gondhali, Kanet, Bhot, Lohar, Dagi, and Hessis claim to be from Renuka Devi.

The Kasi Kapadi Sudras claim to originate from the Brahmin Sukradeva. Their duty was to transfer water to the sacred city of Kashi.

The Padmashalis claim they came from Maharishi Markandeya, who wrote Markandeya Purana.

In one of the stories of the Saini (gardener) community, in they claim descent frm an Brahman and call themselves Parpadh Brahman who in course of time became Phulmali.

Dadheech Brahmins/dayama Brahmin trace their roots from Dadhichi Rishi. Many Jat clans claim to descend from Dadhichi Rishi while the Dudi Jats claim to be in the linear of Duda Rishi.

Lord Buddha was a descendant of Angirasa through Gautama. There too were Kshatriyas of other clans to whom members descend from Angirasa, to fulfill a childless king's wish.

The backward-caste Matangs claim to descend from Matang Muni, who became a Brahmin by his karma.

According to one legend, the nomadic tribe of Kerala, the Kakkarissi, are derived from the mouth of Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu, and came out a Brahmin.

Historian Udai Narain Roy endorses the suggestion that the imperial Guptas were Brahmins.

Claimants of Brahmin Status

In Haryana, The Tagas (4000) claim to be a Brahman race, which has abandoned the priestly profession and taken to agriculture.

In Punjab, the misari of the Multan Langrials claim descent Brahmin of Bikanir. Both the Langrail and Golia claim that they were Brahmin Charans.

In Uttar Pradesh the Oudh Belwars have also claimed Brahman descent. Their main subcaste was always Sanadh, which is a Brahman subcaste.

Brahmins taking up other duties

Brahmins have taken on many professions - from being priests, ascetics and scholars to warriors and business people, as is attested for example in Kalhana's Rajatarangini. Brahmins with the qualities of Kshatriyas are known as 'Brahmakshatriyas'. An example is the avatar Parashurama who is considered an avatar 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. After Sage Parshuram destroyed the Kshatriya race, he was excluded by other Brahmin communities and denied to perform any religious ceremonies for him. At the coast of Arabian sea i.e. the Western Ghats he decided to create a new Brahmin community where he found dead bodies of people came out floating from the sea. He purified them with Agni and brought back to life. Then he taught them all the veda's, weapons, religious knowledge and made the Brahmin known as Chitpavan Konkanastha Brahmins. Chitapavan means Chit + Pavan the Brahmins whose chit/soul was purified, Konkanastha means belong to Konkan region. Chitapavan Konkanastha Brahmin's did not have their own land hence were insulted by other rulers & Brahmins. Hence Sage Parshurama asked the Sea Lord to go back and give some land which he denied. Sage Parshurama got angry and made ready the Brahmastra to destroy the Sea Lord. Sea Lord frightned and asked to forgive him. Sage Parshurama said that as he has made Brahmhaastra on the arrow ready to launch he cannot return the arrow backwards but he will remove the Brahmaastra and wherever the arrow will land till that point sea will leave the Land for his followers Chitpavan Konkanastha Brahmins. The place from where Sage Parshurama released the arrow is there in Konkan area known as Lote Parshuram and has a temple of Sage Parshuram. 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. Many Brahmins took up the profession of medicine. They are Vaidya Brahmins called Baidya Brahmins of Bengal [gupta, dasgupta and senguptas] are descendants of Dhanavantari, the god of medicine and father of Ayurveda.

The Brahmakhatris caste, descendants of the Khatris, however, are a business caste/community of Punjab and belong to the Kshatriya caste.

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.

Kshatriyan Brahmin is a term associated with people of both caste's components.

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.

Hem Chandra Vikramaditya (Hemu), born in a family of Purohits, started the manufacturing of Cannons for the first time in North India with Portugese knowhow and dealt in Gunpowder for supplies to Sher Shah Suri's army. Later he became Prime Minister-cum-Chief of Army of Suris and Emperor of North India in 1556, defeating Akbar's army at Agra and Delhi.

Brahmins with the qualities of a Vaisya or merchant are known as 'Brahmvyasya'. An example of such persons are people of the Ambastha caste, which exist in places like South India. They perform medical work - that is from ancient times have practised the Ayurveda and have been Vaidyas (or doctors) as have been claimed by these people during the British rule when the Govt. expressed the will to promote cast mobilisation, thence from they started bearing the thread also, but neither the Govt. nor the Hindu oligarchs, none expressed any such sanction .

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. Hemu from Rewari, Haryana was also a Brahmin by birth.

Practices

Brahmins, adhere to the principles of the Vedas, Manu Smriti, Sanatana Dharma, and can be found in any of the different religions of Hinduism, such as acceptance of the Vedas. Brāhmaṇas have six occupational duties, of which three are compulsory—namely, studying the Vedas, worshiping the Deity and giving charity. By teaching, by inducing others to worship the Deity, and by accepting charity back, the brāhmaṇas receive the necessities of life. This is also confirmed in the Manu-saḿhitā:

ṣaṇṇāḿ tu karmaṇām asya

trīṇi karmāṇi jīvikā

yajanādhyāpane caiva

viśuddhāc ca pratigrahaḥ

A brāhmaṇa cannot take up any professional occupational duty for his livelihood. The śāstras especially stress this, if one claims to be a brāhmaṇa. Brahmins believe in Sarvejanāssukhinobhavaṃtu—Let the entire society be happy and prosperous and Vasudhaiva kuṭuṃbakaṃ—the whole world is one family. Many Brahmins are reformers. Brahmins practice vegetarianism or lacto-vegetarianism which has been a custom since several centuries dating back to B.C. Following this custom is mandatory in Brahmin culture. However, some among the Brahmins inhabiting cold regions of Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Nepal, and coastal areas like Bengal etc., eat fish and other locally available non-vegetarian foods and hence are pesco-vegetarians.

Brahmins have a "choti", a braid that was grown on the back of their heads- the main purpose of this was to help differentiate Brahmins from other Hindu Castes, as well as to show that they possess sacred knowledge, unlike others. But, in fact, choti is for all Hindu (law of Manu).

Sampradayas

The three sampradayas (sects) of Brahmins, especially in South India are the Smarta sampradaya, the Srivaishnava sampradaya and the Madhva sampradaya.

Smartism

Smartism (or Smarta Sampradaya, Smarta Tradition, as it is termed in Sanskrit) is a liberal or nonsectarian denomination of the Hindu religion who accept all the major Hindu deities as forms of the one Brahman in contrast to Vaishnavism, for example. The term Smarta refers to adherents who follow the Vedas and Shastras.

Vaishnavism

One form of Vaishnavism is Madhwa ( Dwaita Sampradaya), and the other is Sri Vaishnava (vishistAdwaita sampradaya). Madhwa Brahmins are mainly located in the Carnatic plains and some of them are seen in Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala areas. They follow the preachings of Sri Madhwacharya, who born in South Canara district of Karnataka in 12th Century. He preached that God and atma (our soul ) is different as against the preachings of Sri Sankaracharya, who preached aham Brahmasmi (God and my soul are the same).

In south India Srivaishnava sampradayam was propagated by Srimad Ramanjuacharya Which has Given as bhakti marga by azhwar saints.

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. Saiva sects contains many sub-sects, such as Rudrasaivas, Veerasiavas, Paramasaivas, etc. Ravana the Ruler of Lanka in the Hindu Epic Ramayana was a Devgan Brahmin Grand son of Sage Pulastya & So of Sage Visharva

Buddhism

See also: Buddhist Brahmins

Brahmins were treated with the greatest veneration in the time of the Buddha and there are countless references to Brahmins throughout all of the Buddhist scriptures. Furthermore, most of the major Buddhist founders were Brahmins. They include Sariputra, Maudgalyayana, Mahakashyapa, Bodhi Dharma, Nagarjuna, Asvaghosha, Padmasambhava, Shantarakshita, Nagasena, Kumarajiva and Shantideva all of whom have always been referred to their titles as Brahmins in all scriptures. The word Brahmin was not redefined by the Buddha and it continued to be used alongside Arahat in separate capacities. For example, in the Ambattha Sutra, we find the Buddha debated a Brahmin who was clearly not an Arahat. Also, in many important dharanis, Brahmins are mentioned in an entirely different capacity to Arahats and therefore there is a marked difference. The Buddha however insisted that Brahmins had to live up to their great legacy and could not be by birth alone but also had to have the meritorious acts. 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. The Buddha did not believe in caste discrimination but he did endorse a fair division of labour based on merit. Brahmins were not to discriminate against lower castes but were to serve them wholeheartedly. Many sutras believe that the Buddha himself was a Brahmin in a previous life and due to his good merit as a Brahmin, he was re-born as the Buddha. Other experts believe the Buddha descended from Brahmin sage Angiras whose descendants like Dronacharya were Shatra Brahmins or warrior Brahmins that eventually became Kshatriya warriors.

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 To 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".

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."

Jainism

• 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 at the sight of Gautama, the tapsas who were competing with him to reach the top of a hill once, by seeing the winner Gautama at the top, achieved moksha.
• 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."
• Acharya Vidyanand is a Brahmin of the Dhigambar Jain sect and compiled in the Sanskrit language, "Ashta Shahastri" with eight thousand verses.
• Acharya Shushil Kumar, 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 Swhetambara sub-sect.
• There is also a story about a wealthy Brahmin named Dhangiri in the town of Tumbhivan, who, when heard the sermons of the Jain Acharya Sinhgiri, while he regularly listened to but later lost his interest in wealth and decided to take the Diksha.
• 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.
• Akalanka of the 8th century is saod to the poineer in rthe field of Jain logic.

Sikhism

Many writers of the Guru Granth Sahib are of the Bhatt surname. The Sikh composed Mathura Bhatt's fourteen verses are seven each in praise of Guru Ram Das and Guru Arjan.

There are also several Mohyals (Brahmin warriors) in the Sikh community.

Miscellaneous sects

There are additional sampradayas as well which are not as widely followed as the rest.

The Mahima Dharma or "Satya Mahima Alekha Dharma" was founded by the Brahmin Mukunda Das of present-day Orissa, popularly know by followers as Mahima Swami according to the Bhima Bhoi text. He was born in the last part of 18th century in Baudh ex-state as 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. This sampradaya was founded in the latter part of the 18th century.

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.

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.
• M.A. Sherring, Hindu Tribes and Castes as Reproduced in Benaras, Asian Educational Services, New Delhi, First ed 1872, new ed 2008.
• Jogendra Nath Bhattacharya, Hindu Castes and Sects, Munshiram Manoharlal, Delhi, first edition 1896, new edition 1995.
• E.A.H.Blunt, The Caste System of North India, S.Chand Publishers, 1969.
• 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.
• Acharya Hazari Prasad Dwivedi Rachnawali, Rajkamal Prakashan, Delhi.
• Bibha Jha's PhD thesis Bhumihar Brahmins: A Sociological Study submitted to the Patna University.
• M. N. Srinivas, Social Change in Modern India, Orient Longman, Delhi, 1995.
• Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi essays.
• Apte (1965). (Document). New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. {{cite document}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |isbn=, |volume=, |editor-first=, and |editor-last= (help); Invalid |ref=harv (help); Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |edition= ignored (help).
• Apte (1966). (Reprint 1997 ed.). New Delhi. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Invalid |ref=harv (help); Missing or empty |title= (help).
• Macdonell (1924). (1966 ed.). New Delhi. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Invalid |ref=harv (help); Missing or empty |title= (help).
• Monier-Williams, Monier (1899). Delhi. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Invalid |ref=harv (help); Missing or empty |title= (help).
• Sontakke, N. S.; Rājvade, V. K., eds. (1972). IAST (First ed.). Pune: IAST. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Missing |editor2= (help).

External links

• List of Brahmin Castes and Sub-castes at Kamat.com