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Brahmin (also called Brahman; from Sanskrit brāhmaṇa ब्राह्मण) is a name used to designate a member of one of the four varnas (castes) in the traditional Hindu societys of Nepal and India.

Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self. Brahmin or Brahmana refers to an individual, while the word Brahma refers to the creative aspect of the universal consciousness. 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 Sanskara 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

Traditionally Brahmin was the name given to persons who had attained the highest spiritual knowledge (brahmavidya) and who adhered to different branches (shakhas) of Vedas. This was described to be a difficult path of discipline of body, mind, and intellect. Irrespective of their birth or class,^{[citation needed]} people who were dedicated to such an austere life were recognized as Brahmins.^{[citation needed]} An example of this definition of Brahmin, that a person becomes a Brahmin, rather than being born as one, is the story of the sage Vishwamitra, who was a warrior, who became a Brahmin after attaining brahmavidya, and composed the Gayatri mantra. ^{[defunct example from period before dharmashastras So,[citation needed]} The belief that people born into the Brahmin caste, automatically become Brahmins, is a concept that emerged later in ancient India.^{[citation needed]}

Historically, the semantic^{[clarification needed]} change from a tribal state into the Hindu state of the jati-varna matrix saw the conversion and absorption of tribals into the Brahmin class, through adoption of the priestly occupation.^[1][2] In medieval and colonial India, people in mundane occupations also proselytized^{[clarification needed]} themselves into Brahmins, usually upon gaining positions of power or upon becoming wealthy.^[3][4]

The Smritis conferred upon the Brahmins the position of being the highest of the four Varnas. The priestly class is expected to practice self-abnegation and play the role of being the custodians of Dharma (as a Brāhman who is well versed in Vedic texts).^{[citation needed]} The fee paid to the Brahmana for performance of a sacrifice was considered as a return for the duties of the priest. Hopkins^[5] states: "As to the fees, the rules are precise, and the propounders of them are unblushing. The priest performs the sacrifice for the fee alone, and it must consist of valuable garments, kine, horses, or gold; – when each is to be given is carefully stated. Gold is coveted most, for ‘this is immortality, the seed of Agni'"

History[link]

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 Brahmin tradition claims to be based. Śruti texts include the four Vedas (the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda and the Atharvaveda), and their respective Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads.

In 1931, Brahmins accounted for 4.32% of the total population of the subcontinent. Now it comprises 3% of the total population.^[6] .In West Bengal the figures stand at 5 %, whereas in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Orissa the Brahmin population is quite near 10%.^{[citation needed]}

Practices[link]

Brahmins, basically adhere to the principles of the Vedas, related to the texts of the Śruti and Smriti which are the foundations of Hinduism, and practise Sanatana Dharma. Vedic Brāhmaṇas have six occupational duties, of which three are compulsory — studying the Vedas, performing Vedic rituals and practicing dharma. By teaching the insights of the Vedic literature which deals with all aspects of life including spirituality, philosophy, yoga,^{[citation needed]} religion, rituals, temples, arts and culture,^{[citation needed]} music, dance, grammar, pronunciation, metre, astrology^{[citation needed]}, astronomy,^{[citation needed]} logic, law, medicine,^{[citation needed]} surgery,^{[citation needed]} technology, martial arts,^{[citation needed]} military strategy, etc. By spreading its philosophy, and by accepting back from the community, the Brahmins receive the necessities of life.^{[citation needed]}

Brahmins practice vegetarianism or lacto-vegetarianism which has been a custom for centuries, dating back to the pre-Christian era.^{[citation needed]} However, some Brahmins inhabiting regions of Mithila, Punjab, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Nepal, are non-vegetarian.

Most Brahmin sects wear the Yagnopaveetham (or sacred thread) that is a symbol of initiation to the Gayatri recital. This ritual is often referred to as Upanayana. This marks the learning of the Gayatri hymn. Brahmin sects also generally identify themselves as belonging to a particular Gotra, a classification based on patrilineal descent, which is specific for each family and indicates their origin.

Brahmin communities[link]

The Brahmin castes may be broadly divided into two regional groups: Pancha-Gauda Brahmins from the Northern part of India (considered to be the region north of the Vindhya mountains) and Pancha-Dravida Brahmins from the region south of the Vindhya mountains as per the shloka asdof Kalhana. This shloka was composed only in the 11th century CE.^{[citation needed]}

Pancha-Gauda[link]

सारस्वताः कान्यकुब्जा गौडा उत्कलमैथिलाः, पञ्चगौडा इति ख्याता विन्ध्स्योत्तरवासिनः ||

Those from Uttarapatha (Aryavarta) (northern and eastern India) approximately ordered according to geographical regions.

Saankal Dvipiy Brahaman[link]

• Saryupareen Brahmins
• Assamese Brahmins
• Kamrupi Brahmins
• Kanyakubja Brahmins
• Sanadhya Brahmins
• Bhumihar Brahmins
• Bengali Brahmins
• Bahun

Gauda Brahmins[link]

Gaur brahmin

Saraswat Brahmins[link]

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

Assamese Brahmins[link]

Main article: Assamese Brahmins

See also: Kamrupi Brahmins

Assamese Brahmins are found mostly in Lower Assam, Upper Assam and throughout the entire Brahmaputra Valley. They are believed to have their origins in Kannauj, in ancient Magadha, and to have migrated during the Kamarupa period to Lower Assam and then to the rest of the Brahmaputra Valley. With respect to faith and customs, Brahmins in Assam are the same as other Brahmin communities across India. Each Brahmin family within the community identify themselves to a specific Gotra. Sarma/Sharma, Bhagawati, Goswami, Chakraborty are a few common Assamese Brahmin surnames.

Kamrupi kings were known to take regular advice from Brahmins for political and religious purposes^[7]. Kamrupi king Bhaskar Varman was known to regularly grant land, copper plates and cows to Brahmins^[8].

Utkala Brahmins (Orissa)[link]

• Utkala Brahmin

The Sanskrit text Brāhmaṇotpatti-Mārtaṇḍa by Pt. Harikrishna Śāstri mentions that a king named Utkala invited Brahmins from the Gangetic Valley to perform a yajna in Jagannath-Puri in Orissa. When the yajna ended, these Brahmins laid the foundation of Lord Jagannath there and settled around Orissa, Jharkhand and Medinipur. The Utkala Brahmins are of three classes 1) Shrautiya (vaidika), 2) Sevayata and 3) Halua Brahmins.

Maithil Brahmins (Mithila)[link]

• Maithil Brahmins

Maithil Brāhamaṇas, are a group of Brahmins typically originating from and living in and around Mithila, which is part of North Bihar. They are a community of highly cohesive, traditional Brahmins who strive to follow rites and rituals according to ancient Hindu canons^{[citation needed]}. They have a reputation for orthodoxy and interest in learning^{[citation needed]}. A large number of Maithil Brahmins migrated a few centuries ago to adjoining areas of South-east Bihar and Jharkhand, as well as to adjoining Terai regions of Nepal. Most of the Maithil Brahmins are Śāktas (worshippers of Śakti) . Maithili is their mother tongue, though many use Angika (a south-eastern dialect of Maithili) as their mother tongue.

Nepal[link]

See Nepal.

Kashmiri Pandits[link]

• Kashmiri Pandits

The Hindu caste system of the region was influenced by the influx of Buddhism from the time of Asoka, around the third century BCE, and in consequence the traditional lines of varna were blurred, with the exception of the Brahmins, who remained aloof from the changes.^{[citation needed]} Another notable feature of early Kashmiri society was the relatively high regard in which women were held, when compared to their position in other communities of the period.^{[citation needed]}

Pancha-Dravida[link]

कर्णाटकाश्च तैलंगा द्राविडा महाराष्ट्रकाः , गुर्जराश्चेति पञ्चैव द्राविडा विन्ध्यदक्षिणे ||

Rajasthan[link]

• Jangid Brahmin

Jangid Brahman are the followers of Angira Rishi. The sect of Jangid Brahmins are widely found in Rajasthan. Jangid Brahmins are now also found in Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Nepal.

• Bagra Brahmin

Bagra Brahmin (pronounced as Bagda) is a part of the Brahmin community mainly concentrated in and around Jaipur district of Rajasthan, India, although members of this community can be found throughout India and also in foreign countries.

Gujarat[link]

Gurjara Brāhmans refer to the Brahmins of Gujarāt, and are subdivided into many groups and subcastes. Many of them have origins in Rajasthan. Some of the sub-categories are:^[9]

Girinarayan Brahmin, Shrigod Brahmin, Sachora Brahmin, Anavil Brahmin, Sidhra-Rudhra Brahmins, Prashnora Brahmins, Vadadra Brahmin, Sree gauda Brahmin, Trivedi Mewada Brahmin, Palival Brahmin (Dasha and visha), Modh Brahmin, Tapodhan Brahmin, Audichya Brahmin, Sahastra Audichya Gorwal Brahmin, Nagar Brahmin, Pushkarna Brahmin, Saurashtra Bhatt Mewada Brahmin, Saurashtra Trivedi Mewad Brahmin, Chauriyasi Mewada Brahmin, Rajgor Brahmin (Gujarat Origin), Bajkhedawal Brahmins (origin Kheda in central Gujarat or Khedbrahma in north Gujarat), Jangid Brahmin, Rajgor Brahmin, Bhatt Mewada Brahmin, Shrimali Brahmins and Chvyan Brahmin (or bharah gaon Brahmin),Adhyagoud Brahmins (Rajasthan origin) and Jaiswal Brahmin (North-Indian origin),

Kanaujiya or Kanyakumbj Brahmins migrated from Kanauj and entered the Kutch area via Sindh along with the lohanas.^{[citation needed]} They are divided into the categories bhuvdiyas, vondhiyas and sandhliyas, according to their village temple. Others in Gujarat are mainly found in Jamnagar, Morbi, Junaghath and Rajkot. Surnames like Bhatt, Kaileyas, Bhaglani, Pingal, Lakhlani, Ghediya etc. are common among them.

Andhra Pradesh[link]

Brahmins of Andhra Pradesh known as Telugu Brahmins are broadly classified into four groups: Vaidiki Brahmins, Niyogi, Dravida Brahmins and Vaikhānasa.^[10]

Vaidiki Brahmins are further divided into the following sub-categories: Dravidlu (Aadi Saivulu, Saivulu), Vaidiki Velanadu, Vaidiki Venginadu, Vaidiki Kosalanadu or Kasalnadu, Vaidiki Mulakanadu, Vaidiki Murikinadu, Vaidiki Telaganya.^{[citation needed]}

Niyogis are further divided into the following subcategories: Nandavarika Niyogi, Pradhama Shakha Niyogi, Aaru Vela Niyogulu, Golkonda Vyapari, Karanaalu, Sistukaranalu, Karana kamma vyaparlu, Karanakammulu.^[11][12]

Another sub-section, known as Dravida Brahmins, is made up of a group of Saraswat Brahmins who migrated to Andhra Pradesh from Tamil Nadu.^{[citation needed]} They had originally migrated to Tamil Nadu from Saurashtra. Islamic invasions affected this group by forcing its slow migration from Kashmir to Andhra Pradesh via Gujarat and Tamil Nadu^{[citation needed]}. As a result of their migration from Tamil Nadu, this group of Brahmins is known as Dravida Brahmins or Dravidlu. They remain with the Vedic traditions.^{[citation needed]} This sect is also related to the Vadama Brahmins.^{[citation needed]}

Maharashtra[link]

They include the following : Goud Saraswat Brahmins, Chitpavan Brahmins (Konkanastha), Daivadnya Brahmins, Deshastha Brahmins, Karhade Brahmins and Devrukhe Brahmins.

Karnataka[link]

Karnāta Brāhmans(ಕನ್ನಡ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣ): The Brāhmans of the Carnatic, or the Canarese country. The Canarese area comprises Mysore State, and the British Districts of Canara, Dharwar and Belgaum.^[13]

• Kannada Brahmins :^{[citation needed]}

These are further subdivided into the following castes : Babbur Kamme Brahmins, Badaganadu Brahmins, Deshastha Brahmin, Hale naadu Karnataka Brahmins, Havyaka Brahmin, Hasan Iyengars, Hebbar Iyengars, Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins, Jangam Brahmins, Karhade Brahmin, Koota Brahmins, Madhva Brahmins, Mandyam Iyengars, Mysore Iyengars, Niyogi Brahmins, Panchagrama Brahmin, Sankethi Brahmins, Sattada vaishnava Brahmins, Shukla Yajurveda Brahmins, Smartha Brahmins, Srivaishnava Brahmins, Sthanika Brahmins, Ulucha Kamme Brahmins

• Mysore Iyers
• Ashtagrama Iyer
• Tuluva Brahmins,^[14] which consist of Kandavara Brahmins, Karhade Brahmins, Padia Brahmins, Saklapuri Brahmins, Shivalli Brahmins, Smartha Shivalli Brahmins, Sthanika Brahmins, Padarthi Brahmins

Tamil Nadu[link]

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

Kerala[link]

Kerala Brahmins include the following categories of Brahmins: Namboothiri Brahmin, Kerala Iyers, Embranthiri, Pushpaka Brahmin (subdivided into Nambissans and Unnis), Sharada Brahmins.

Gotras and pravaras[link]

Brahmins classify themselves on the basis of their patrilineal descent from a notable ancestor.^{[citation needed]} These ancestors are either ancient Indian sages or kshatriyas (warriors), who chose to become Brahmins.^{[citation needed]} The major gotras that trace descent from sages are: Shri Vatsya, Kanva, Jamadagni, Bhrigu, Bharadvâja, Kaundinya, Gautama Maharishi, Sandilya,Bhrigu, Vashista,Parāshara, Atryasa, Harithasa, Kashyapa, and Agastya gotra. Other gotras are Mitra, Vishvamitra and Chaurasia gotra.^{[citation needed]}

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^{[clarification needed]}. The offspring (apatya) of these Eight are gotras; and others than these are called 'gotrâvayava'.^{[15]Provide Vepachedu's Sources[citation needed]}

The gotras are divided into three tiers of ganas, then into pakshas, and finally into individual gotras. According to the Âsvalâyana-srautasûtra, there are four subdivisions of the Vashista gana, viz. Upamanyu, Parāshara, Kundina and Vashista (other than the first three). 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. Therefore 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, 'sishya-prasishya-rishi-parampara' and '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. For a sishya-prasishya-rishi-parampara marriage it is not acceptable if half, or more than half, of the rishis are the same in both bride and bridegroom gotras. If it is putraparampara, a marriage is totally unacceptable even if one rishi matches.^{[16]Provide Vepachedu's Sources-[citation needed]}