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]] A Brahmin (ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣ, ब्राह्मण, Sanskrit pronunciation- braahmaNa) is a member of a priestly section of Hindu socienty. The Hindu community has been divided into four transient sections (varnas) : Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra based on occupation. The Brahmins are believed to be responsible for society's spiritual progress. A person born into a Brahmin/Kshatriya/Vaishya family becomes twice-born (dvija) when he undergoes upanayana, initiation into Vedic education. The cast system was transient until the Indian constitution made it intransient by segregating Hinuds into four catses based on birth. Vedas clearly state that the the castes are based on occupation and virtues of people. Vishwamitra, a Kashtriya (as he was a ruler), became a Brahmin after doing Tapas (pennance) and achiveing Brahma Gyana (Knowledge of God). Valmiki, a thief originally, later, is regarded as a Brahmin as he became an ascetic and studied Vedas. In recent times in Karnataka (a southern state in India), Kanakadasa born to a shudra parents is regarded as a great saint and Brahmin by the most orthodox Brahmin community - the Madhwa Brahmins. The 'Nirukta' of 'Yask' says "Brahmam Janati eti Brahmanam" meaning a person who knows Brahman is a Brahmin. Some texts refer to Brahma to mean Vedas. Some texts refer to Brahman as the creator of the universe as we know it. Some verses also refer to the transcendent and immanent supreme soul as "Brahman" (ब्रह्म, Sanskrit pronunciation- brahma). Brahman is differnt from Brahmana (or brahmin). Brahman means God and Brahmana (or Brahmin) means knower of God. The Brahmins are one of the many minority groups in India. In 1931, Brahmins were 4.32% of the total population. The Brahmins, even in Uttar Pradesh, where they are most numerous, constitute just 9% of the total populace. In Tamil Nadu they form less than 3% and in Andhra Pradesh they are less than 2%. There is also a non-priestly caste of Brahmins which is called the Ambalavasi caste. They are low or semi-Brahmins who assisted the Namboodiris in the temples of Kerala. They include Variar, Marayar, Pisharody, and Moosad. Some of these wear the sacred thread while some of them do not. They all belong to different Gotras. For instance Variar and Marayar are of the Kailasa Gotra, which adheres to the Maha-Namah-Shivaya Mantra. PRACTICES OF THE BRAHMINS Most practising Brahmins adhere to the principles of Hinduism , such as acceptance of the Vedas with reverence; adherence to the position that the means or ways to salvation and realization of the ultimate truth are diverse; God is one, but has innumerable names and forms to chant and worship due to our varied perceptions, cultures and languages; that a Brahmin works for the welfare of the entire society (''sarvejanaassukhinobhavanti''), belief in '' Vasudhaiva Kutumbam '' (the whole world is one family); and so on. Daily practices of Brahmins include Sandhyavandana ( Gayatri prayer to Sun God ), prayer to Ishtadaiva or Ilavelpu ( Personal God ), Yoga , Ahimsa ( Non-violence ), Vegetarianism etc. Everything in the daily life of a Brahmin is a Sacred Ritual . However, special rituals include Marriage , Ritual Of Conception and Consummation of the Wedding , Rituals Of Childbirth , Naming Ceremony , First Feeding Ceremony , the child’s first Tonsure , Upanayana (the Sacred-thread ceremony - Initiation into vedic learning and ritual), Ritual Baths , Cremation Rituals , Shraaddha , etc. All of these Rituals are very important for a practicing Brahmin. Also see Deivatthin Kural's " A Day in the Life of a Brahmin ". BRAHMIN SCHOLARSHIP The Vedas are the primary source of knowledge for all Hindu traditions, both orthodox & heterodox. All religions of Brahmins and all traditions, in one way or other, take inspiration from the Vedas. Traditional Hindu accepts Vedas as '' Apaurusheyam '' and (not composed by human) and "Anaadhi" (with no origins), but revealed truths and of eternal validity or relevance and hence the Vedas are considered '' Srutis '' that which have been heard and are the paramount source of Brahmin traditions and is believed to be divine. These '' Srutis '' include not only the four Vedas (the Rigveda , the Yajurveda , the Samaveda and the Atharvaveda ), but also their respective Brahmanas . Brahmins also give tremendous importance to purity of body and mind and hence attach importance to ritual baths and cleanliness. 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 '' Sakhas '' or branches, based on the adoption of different Vedas and different readings and interpretations of Vedas . Sects or Schools for different Denominations of the same Veda were formed, under the leadership of distinguished teachers among Brahmins. The teachings of these distinguished '' Rishis '' are called '' Sutras ''. Every Veda has its own '' Sutras ''. The sutras that deal with social, moral and legal precepts are called '' Dharma Sutras '', whereas those '' Sutras '' that deal with ceremonials are called '' Srauta Sutras '' and domestic rituals are called '' Gruhya Sutras ''. ''Sutras'' are generally written in prose or in mixed prose and verse. These '' Sutras '' are based on Divine Vedas and are Manmade and hence are called '' Smritis '', meaning “recollected or remembered.” There are several Brahmin law givers such as Angirasa , Apasthambha , Atri , Brihaspati , Boudhayana , Daksha , Gautama, Harita , Katyayana , Likhita , Manu , Parasara , Samvarta , Sankha , Satatapa , Usanasa , Vasishta , Vishnu , Vyasa , Yajnavalkya and Yama . These twenty-one rishis were the propounders of '' Dharma Sastras or Sutras ''. There is a lot of contradiction among these '' Dharma Sastras '', even within one '' Smriti ''. These differences in the rules and rituals resulted in the rigid stratification of subcastes among Brahmins. None of these '' Smritis '' is supreme and universally applicable. The oldest among these '' Dharma Sutras '' are Apasthambha , Baudhayana , Gautama , and Vasishta Sutras . Also see Manu Smriti' " Learning of Vedas " BRAHMIN COMMUNITIES ]] Major Brahmin castes in the Indian Continent are divided into two regional groups, as divided by Kalhana in Rajatarangini . Pancha-Gauda: Those from North or Eastern India:
Pancha-Dravida: Living in Dakshinapatha (including Gujarat):
They can also be grouped according to ''sampradaya'' (philosophical schools): The Brahmin goals have been the spiritual enlightenment, peace and prosperity of the whole society. Brahmins played an extraordinary role in the spread of knowledge and vitalizing the Indian society for millennia and resulted into extraordinary diversity of Indian cultures and religious traditions. SCHOLARS AND AUTHORS Sanskrit
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