Brahmins

http://Buddhism.2be.net/Brahmins

From Buddhist Encyclopedia

A Brahminanglicised from the Sanskrit word IAST ; Devanagari , also known as Vipra, Dvija, Dvijottama (best of the Dvijas), (god on Earth) is a member of a caste within Hindu society.

Brahmin is a caste or social group found in all Indian states and in the new world as well. They constitute about 2-5% of the population in India. In 1931, Brahmins were 4.32% of the total population in the British India.

A Brahmin is supposed to be a learned person of refined taste and mild manners. Most of the practicing Brahmins adhere to the principles such as acceptance of the Vedas with reverence; recognition of the fact that the means or ways to salvation and realization of the 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 and so on. Daily practices of Brahmins include sandhyavandana (prayers to Gayatri and Sun God), prayer to ishtadaiva or ilavelpu (personal God), yoga, non-violence, vegetarianism etc. Everything in the daily life of a Brahmin is a ritual. However, special rituals include marriage, ritual 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.

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, Hindu society consisted of four based on occupation. 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 Nirukta of sage Yaska says — 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 secular occupations and their religious traditions and culture are fast disappearing from their lives. Brahmins, forming a small percentage of Indian population, have contributed to culture, knowledge and industry immensely.

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 (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).

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 . Every Veda has its own. The that deal with social, moral and legal precepts are called Dharma Sutras, whereas those that deal with ceremonials are called Shrauta Sutras and domestic rituals are called Grhya Sutras. 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.

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.

Duties of Brahmin

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.

Brahmin Communities

Brahmin castes in the Indian subcontinent are traditionally 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 ||

The classification first occurs in Rajatarangini of Kalhana.

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 — Let the entire society be happy and prosperous and — the whole world is one family. Most Brahmins practice vegetarianism (Bengali Brahmins and Kashmiri Pandits are exceptions to this).

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

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.

Sampradayas

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

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 top posts in administration, academia, business, military, politics, journalism. However, a sizable minority, made up mostly of Brahmins, holds the belief that, in modern democratic India, the 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.<ref>Are Brahmins the Dalits of today? </ref>

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 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, Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan, Subramanya Bharathy, Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar', Suryakant Tripathi Nirala and many others. Even today, they hold top posts in administration, academia, business, army, journalism etc. In fact it was those Brahmin leaders like Rajagopalachari and Thilak who fought for the upliftment of the socially backward Dalits and their equality in the society.

See also:List of Brahmins

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. At the height of its operation, many Brahmin community members were stripped of their Sacred Thread (religious symbol). This led to emigration of many Brahmin families from Tamil Nadu. Some believe that successive governments in Tamil Nadu have succeeded in keeping Brahmin community out of education and employment opportunities by increasing reservations percentage up to 69%. In the state of Bihar, where Bhumihar Brahmins contribution in the freedom struggle and upliftment of the underprivileged has been unparalleled have been deliberately vilified and a propaganda always runs against them. Even the academia has largely glossed over the contribution of Bhumihar Brahmin nationalists in the freedom struggle, social reform movements and upliftment of the underprivileged masses. The sad part of the story is different sub-castes of Brahmins themselves are not united. [1]. In Kashmir around 400,000 Brahmins were sent out of their home state since extremism started in that state in the year 1989.

Had Brahmins of all regions and sub-castes remained united they would have been in a much better position to protect their rights and interests. Even now if good sense prevails over them they should bury petty differences and rise to the challenge of getting annihilated.

See also

• Varnas
• Brahmanism
• Anti-Brahmanism

Brahmins residing in the state of Andhra Pradesh are mostly Smartha Brahmins. They are worshippers of Lord Shiva and various other Acharyas who have contributed to the spread of the faith. State of Andhra Pradesh also boasts of sizable percentage of Madhwa, Vaishnva and Dravida Brahmins. It is not uncommon to find Brahmins with last names as Sarma, Sastri, Bhatt, Joshi and Rao, who otherwise are popularly believed to be found only in North India.

References

• Definitions: A Sanskrit English Dictionary by Sir Monier Monier-Williams
• Mayne's "Treatise on Hindu Law and Usage.
• 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

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