Brahmin
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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).
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A Brahmin (anglicised from the Sanskrit word IAST Brāhmaṇa; Devanagari ब्राह्मण), also known as Vipra, Dvija, Dvijottama (best of the Dvijas), Bhūsura (god on Earth) is a member of an upper caste within Hindu society.
Brahmin is a Varnas and also a caste within the larger fold of Hindu society found all all over world especially India, Nepal and USA etc. They constitute about 2-5% of the population in India. In 1931, Brahmins were 4.32% of the total population in the areas that constitituted the British Raj.
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[edit] History
The history of the Brahmin community in India begins with the Vedic religion in ancient India. The Manu Smriti, an ancient Smriti, refers to Aryavarta as the land of Vedic people. The Vedas are the primary source of knowledge for brahmin practices. All the sampradayas of Brahmins take inspiration from the Vedas. Traditionally, it is believed that Vedas are apauruṣeya (not written by either humans or God) and anādi (beginingless), but are revealed truths of eternal validity. The Vedas are considered Śruti (that which is heard, signifying the oral tradition).
The Vedas 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. Brahmins also give tremendous importance to purity of body and mind and hence attach importance to ritual baths and cleanliness.
Historically, Ancient Indian society consisted of four varnas, Brahmin (taking care of knowledge and spirituality), Kshatriya (protectors of Dharma), Vaishya (mercantile and agricultural class) and Shudra (artisan and labour class). Varna was conferred on a person on the basis of his qualities, deeds and nature. Scholars, teachers, priests, intellectuals, scientists and knowledge-seekers formed the Brahmin class. The caste was not based on the birth. Kanakadasa, Valmiki, in recent times Vivekananda, Swami Prabhupada not born to brahmin parents are considered great brahmins.
[edit] Gotras and Pravaras
In general, gotra denotes all persons who trace descent in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. Panini defines gotra for grammatical purposes as ' apatyam pautraprabh*rti 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. According to the Baudhâyanas'rauta-sûtra Vishvâmitra, Jamadagni, Bharadvâja, Gautama, Atri, Vasishtha, Kashyapa and Agastya are 8 sages; the progeny of these eight sages is declared to be gotras. This enumeration of eight primary gotras seems to have been known to PâNini. 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 Vasishtha gana, viz. Upamanyu, Parâshara, Kundina and Vasishtha (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 Ângirasa gana. According to Baud, the principal eight gotras were divided into pakshas. The pravara of Upamanyu is Vasishtha, Bharadvasu, Indrapramada; the pravara of the Parâshara gotra is Vasishtha, Shâktya, Pârâsharya; the pravara of the Kundina gotra is Vasishtha, Maitrâvaruna, Kaundinya and the pravara of Vasishthas other than these three is simply Vasishtha. 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. 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.
[edit] 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. The teachings of these distinguished rishis are called sūtras. Every Veda has its own sūtra. The sūtras that deal with social, moral and legal precepts are called Dharma Sutras, whereas those sūtras that deal with ceremonials are called Shrauta Sutras and domestic rituals are called Grhya Sutras. Sūtras are generally written in prose or in mixed prose and verse.
There are several Brahmin law givers such as Angirasa, Apasthambha, Atri, Brihaspati, Boudhayana, Daksha, Gautam, Harita, Katyayana, Likhita, Manu<ref>Manu Smriti on learning of the Vedas</ref>, Parasara, Samvarta, Shankha, Shatatapa, Ushanasa, Vashishta, Vishnu, Vyasa, Yajnavalkya and Yama. These twenty-one rishis were the propounders of Smritis. The oldest among these smritis are Apastamba, Baudhayana, Gautama, and Vasishta Sutras.
[edit] Nature of Brahmin
“Samodamastapah Saucham
Kshanthiraarjavamevacha
Jnanam Vijnaanamaastikyam
Brahmakarma Swabhavajam!”
Control on emotions, control on senses, purity, tolerance, simplicity, concentration and belief in knowledge and science.
[edit] Duties of Brahmin
Image:Brahmins ablution.gif The Nirukta of sage Yaska says Brahmam Jānati iti Brāhmaṇam — A Brahmin is a person who knows Brahm or Brahman, the ultimate reality or God or supreme knowledge; hence Brahmin means, "knower of God". However, the historical situation in Hindu society is that Brahmins are the traditional priests and pundits (scholars). Today however, many Brahmins are employed in a variety of occupations and their religious traditions and culture are becoming less of a factor in daily life. Brahmins, forming a small percentage of Indian population, have contributed to culture, knowledge and industry immensely.
The six duties of a Brahmin are given as per the Sloka
"Adhyaapanam Adhyayanam
Yajanam Yaajanam Tathaa
Daanam Pratigraham Chaiva
Brahmanaanaamakalpayaat"
Teaching, learning, performing Yaaga, make performing Yaga, accept Daana, and give Daana are the six duties of a Brahmin. Small Text
[edit] Brahmin Communities
Brahmin community was divided into two groups: srotriya (learned in vedas and rituals) and non-srotriya, reports Chanakya in his Arthasastra, in 4th century BCE. During that period the society was clearly divided into two groups, Aryas further consisting of four varnas and non-Aryas further having innumerable castes, reports Chanakya or Kautilya.
Brahmin castes in the Indian subcontinent are also divided into two regional groups: Pancha-Gauda Brahmins and Pancha-Dravida Brahmins as per the shloka,
कर्णाटकाश्च तैलंगा द्राविडा महाराष्ट्रकाः,
गुर्जराश्चेति पञ्चैव द्राविडा विन्ध्यदक्षिणे ||
सारस्वताः कान्यकुब्जा गौडा उत्कलमैथिलाः,
पन्चगौडा इति ख्याता विन्ध्स्योत्तरवासिनः ||
This classification occurs in Rajatarangini of Kalhana.
In Andhra Pradesh, Brahmins are broadly classified into 2 groups: Vaidika (educated in vedas, performing religious and secular vocations) and Niyogi (performing only secular vocation), which are further divided into several sub-castes.
[edit] Practices
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, that God is one, but has innumerable names and forms to chant and worship due to our varied perceptions, cultures and languages. Brahmins believe in Sarvejanāssukhinobhavaṃtu — Let the entire society be happy and prosperous and Vasudhaiva kuṭuṃbakaṃ — the whole world is one family. Most Brahmins practice vegetarianism (Bengali Brahmins and Kashmiri Pandits and also Goud Saraswat Brahmins are exceptions to this).
[edit] Daily routine
Hindu Brahmins hold practice of Dharma more important than beliefs. This is a distinct feature of the Dharmic religions. The practices include mainly Yajnas. The daily routine<ref>A day in the life of a Brahmin</ref> includes performing Snana (bathing), Sandhyavandanam, Japa, Puja, Aupasana and Agnihotra. The last two named Yajnas are performed in only a few households today. Brahmacharis perform Agnikaryam instead of Agnihotra or Aupasana. The other rituals followed include Amavasya tarpanam and Shraddha.
See also: Nitya karma and Kaamya karma
[edit] Samskaras
Brahmins also perform sixteen major Samskaras (rites) during the course of their lifetime.<ref>The Forty Samskaras</ref> In the pre-natal stage, Garbhadharana (conception), Pumsavana (rite for consecrating a male child in the womb) and Simantonnayana (rite for parting the hair of a pregnant woman) are performed. During childhood, Jatakarma (birth ceremony), Namakarana (naming ceremony), Nishkarmana (first outing) Annaprasana (first feeding solid food), Choodakarana (first tonsure) and Karnavedha (ear piercing) are performed. During education of the child, Vidhyarambha (starting of education), Upanayanam (thread ceremony- initiation), Vedarambha (starting of the study of the Vedas), Keshanta or Godana (first shaving of the beard) and Samavartanam or Snaana (ending of studentship) are performed. During adulthood, Vivaha (marriage) and Anthyesthi (funeral rites) are the main ceremonies.
[edit] Sampradayas
The three sampradayas (traditions) of Brahmins, especially in South India are the Smarta sampradaya, the Srivaishnava sampradaya and the Madhva sampradaya.
[edit] Status of Brahmins today
Historically Brahmins have been not only ascetics, sages and priests for millennia seeking welfare of the society, but also secular clerks, merchants, agriculturists, artisans, etc. Today, Brahmins hold posts in administration, academia, business, military, politics, journalism. However, in modern democratic India, many Brahmins are poor and shunted out of every opportunity,<ref>The status of Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh</ref><ref>http://www.vedah.net/manasanskriti/puranam.html#Poor_Brahmins Brahmin Poverty]</ref> despite the fact that prime ministers like Jawaharlal Nehru, Venkatanarasimharao Pamulaparti (P.V. Narasimha Rao), and Atal Behari Vajpayee have been Brahmins. French journalist Francois Gautier<ref>FrancoisGautier.com</ref> has written on what he believes as the sad state of Brahmins in India today. Brahmins are taking up low caste people's work such as cleaning Shouchalayas traditionally done by unfortunate Hindu Bhangi caste <ref>Are Brahmins the Dalits of today? </ref>
[edit] Contributions to modern India
Brahmins have contributed immensely to the making of modern India in many fields like literature, science and technology, politics, culture, scholarship, religion etc. In the Indian independence movement, many Brahmins like Balgangadhar Tilak, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, C. Rajagopalachari, Swami Sahajanand Saraswati, Basawon Singh (Sinha), Yogendra Shukla, Sheel Bhadra Yajee and others were at the forefront of the struggle for freedom. After independence, Jawaharlal Nehru, a Brahmin and an atheist, became the first Prime Minister of India. Later, Brahmins like Morarji Desai, P.V. Narasimha Rao and Atal Behari Vajpayee became prime ministers. There have been great scholars and writers like Nobel Laureates Rabindranath Tagore and V. S. Naipaul and others like Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan, Subramanya Bharathy, Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar', Suryakant Tripathi Nirala and many others such as scientist and Nobel Laureate Sir C.V.Raman and Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar and great mathematicians Srinivasa Ramanujan and C. P. Ramanujam. Even today, they hold top posts in administration, academia, business, army, journalism etc. Many Brahmin leaders like C. Rajagopalachari and Lokmanya Tilak fought for the upliftment of the socially backward Dalits and their equality in the society. And presently ace indian cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar , Rahul Dravid , Anil Kumble , Sourav Ganguly , VVS Laxman are all Brahmins.
[edit] Persecution
The anti-Brahmin sentiment was first kindled in India by the Dravidar Kazhagam movement in Tamil Nadu.<ref> Caste & the Tamil Nation -Brahmins, non Brahmins & Dalits</ref> This was a reaction to the Brahmin hegemony in the civil services under the British government.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
| Image:Example.of.complex.text.rendering.svg | This page contains Indic text. Without rendering support, you may see irregular vowel positioning and a lack of conjuncts. More... |
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[edit] References
- Definitions: A Sanskrit English Dictionary by Sir Monier Monier-Williams
- Mayne's "Treatise on Hindu Law and Usage.
- Kane, Pandurang Vaman, "History of dharmasastra" (ancient and mediæval religious and civil law in India)
- Hindu Castes and Sects Jogendranath Bhattacharya.
- Andhra Viprula Gotramulu, Indla Perlu, Sakhalu by Emmesroy Sastri.
- History and Culture of Andhra Pradesh Rao PR.
- History of India Herman Kulke and Dietmar Rothermund.
- Acharalu sastriyataNarayanareddi Patil.
- Hindu Manners, Customs, and Ceremonies Abbe J. A. Dubois
[edit] External links
- More about Kerala Iyers, a.k.a Pattars , the brahmins who moved to Kerala centuries ago from Tamil Nadu
- List Of Andhra Brahmins And Surnames
- Brahmins
- Brahmins of Andhra Pradesh
- Poverty Stricken Brahmins
- Source: Vepachedu Educational Foundation Inc.
- Brahmin Sages and Branches (Gotras and Subcastes)
- A Long List of Brahmin Castes and Sub-castes
- Brahmin Yahoo Groups
- East London & Essex Brahm Samajda:Brahmin
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