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This page deals with the Hindu Varnas . For other uses of this word and similar words, see Brahmana , Brahman and Brahman (disambiguation) . For the family of Moth s known as brahmin moths, see Brahmaeidae The term Brahmin denotes both a member of the priestly class in the Hindu '' Varna '' system, and a member of a Caste in the Caste System of Hindu society. The ") are also used.For definition of the neuter noun ' (with Vedic accent on first syllable) as "n. the class of men who are the repositories and communicators of sacred knowledge, the Bramānical caste as a body (rarely an individual Brāhman)"; and the masuline noun ' (with Vedic accent on final syllable) as "one who prays, a devout or religious man, a Brāhman who is a knower of Vedic texts or spells, one versed in sacred knowledge", see: MW, pp. 737-738. The English word ''brāhmin'' is an anglicised form of vernacular word ''brāhman'', with a short central vowel in the last syllable . Brahmins are also called Vipra "inspired",. Brahmins are one of many minority groups in India. In 1931 (the last Indian Census to record caste), Brahmins accounted for 4.32% of the total population. Brahmins even in Uttar Pradesh , where they were most numerous, constituted just 9%. In Tamil Nadu they formed less than 3% and in Andhra Pradesh , less than 2%. {Link without Title} HISTORY See Also: History of Hinduism The history of the Brahmin community in India begins with the Vedic Religion , also known as Brahminsm or Sanatana Dharma, in ancient India . The Vedas are the primary source of knowledge for brahmin practices. All the Sampradaya s of Brahmins take inspiration from the Vedas. According to Brahmin tradition, it is believed that Vedas are '''' (not written by either humans or God ) and ''anādi'' (beginning-less), but are revealed truths of eternal validity. Accordig to Rigveda, Mandala 10 (or chapter / adhyāya 8), brahmins were ''situated'' ("āsīta")in the mouth of at the beginning of Creation (in , which occurs in YV.32 also). The Vedas are considered '' Śruti '' (''that which is heard'', signifying the oral tradition). The "Brahmanas" "Manusmiriti" notVedas are the primary source of knowledge for all Brahmin traditions, both orthodox and heterodox. All religions of Brahmins and all traditions, in one way or other, take inspiration from the Vedas . Traditional Brahmin accepts Vedas as apaurusheyam (not man-made), 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 . BRAHMIN COMMUNITIES See Also: Brahmin communities Brahmins are a very diverse community. Major Brahmin castes in the Indian Continent include Chitpavana Brahmins, Daivajna Brahmins, Deshastha Brahmins, Dhima Brahmins, Gouda Saraswat Brahmins, Havyaka Brahmins, Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins, Iyers, Kandavara Brahmins, Karade Brahmins, Karhada Brahmins, Kayastha Brahmins, Khandelwal Brahmins, Kota Brahmins, Konkanastha Brahmins, Koteshwara Brahmins, Nagar Brahmins, Namboothiri Brahmins, Niyogi Brahmins, Padia Brahmins, Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins, Saklapuri Brahmins, Sanketi Brahmins, Saraswat Brahmins, Shivalli Brahmins, Smarta Brahmins, Sthanika Brahmins, Thenkalai Iyengars, Tuluva Brahmins, Vadagalai Iyengars, Vaidiki Brahmins and Vaishnava Brahmins. According to the Rev. M.A. Sherring, there were some 2,000 Brahmin groups. {Link without Title} These Brahmin castes are broadly divided into two regional groups: Pancha-Gauda Brahmins and '''Pancha-Dravida Brahmins''' as per the Shloka , कर्णाटकाश्च तैलंगा द्राविडा महाराष्ट्रकाः, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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