The Brahmana are part of the Hindu Shruti;
They are composed in Vedic Sanskrit, and the period of their
composition is sometimes referred to as the Brahmanic period or
age (approximately between 900 BC and 500 BC). They are
essentially commentaries of the Vedas, explaining Vedic ritual.
The earliest Brahmanas may have been written several centuries
earlier, contemporary to the Black Yajurveda commentary prose,
but they have only survived in fragments.
Brahmin
A Brahmin (pronunciation is Brahmana)
is a member of the Hindu priestly caste. The word is related to,
but not to be confused with, the Hindu religious conception of
the transcendent and immanent supreme soul, "Brahman".
The word Brahmin is said to literally mean One who has realised
or attempts to realise Brahman. The traditional duties of this
caste include studying Hindu religious scriptures of Vedas and
preserving them in memory and transmitting them orally to the
next generation. Additionally, they were also the philosophers,
contributing to Hindu Philosophy and religion. The priests of
Hindu temples were also from this caste. In India, in ancient
times they also served as spiritual advisors of Kshatriya Kings.
In the caste system Brahmins have been traditionally regarded as
the highest order caste. They are usually vegetarian (but some
eat meat) and some are not allowed to eat onions, garlic, leeks,
mushrooms and some other foods. Currently, all produce that
cannot be grown locally is forbidden. Brahmin tend to engage in
education and learning-based activities rather than purely
business pursuits. Some are also involved in military pursuits,
the most notable of whom was Parashurama.
If a Brahmin is unable to perform the duties of his caste,
svadharma, he can resort to duties of the other two castes (Vaishyas
and Kshatriyas). So also, if the other castes show themselves
worthy of being a Brahmin, they were accepted well by the
society. Thus we see a wonderful mobility within the different
sections that existed in the past. Apart from Parashurāma, other
notable Brahmins in warfare are Dronacharya, Kripacharya,
Ashvathamma. In addition, the villian of the Ramayana, Ravana
was a Brahmin King.
Many Brahmins of today claim to be above the other Indian Castes
(caste is not to be confused with the Varna of olden times which
provided inter-group mobility). Many also say that they would
not even speak to Mahatma Gandhi as an equal. This aspect of
modern Brahmins has also made it harder for the Dalit (outcaste)
to be treated as equal citizens. In their ignorance, some
Brahmin's believe that dalits are born into that caste according
to their Karmas, but this view is clearly not sanctioned in any
of the scriptures. Upper class and Brahmin opposition to the
integration of dalits into Indian society is one of the reasons
that life in India is difficult for them. The Opposition to this
integration has come mainly from the Landlords, Landowning
Brahmins, usually referred to as Thakurs' in North India, who
feared a loss of labour force and rise of the so called 'lower
castes'. It is to be noted that this segregation was never
sanctioned by the vedas, which created the varna syatem only as
a classification on the basis of the four major occupations,
Intellectual and teachers, Warriors and Kings, Traders and
Farmers, and Workers. It was understood that birth did not
classify one as a member of the parents Varna. This topic is
still one of much debate in India. But it should also be noted
that there is an increasing percentage of Brahmins realising the
narrow-mindedness of their immediate ancestors, who have veered
off from the paths laid down by the scriptures. There has been a
perceptible change in the support and development of the social
standing of outcastes, although this has been largely unreported
in the media, which, as usual, delights in sensationalizing a
few events and applying the same brush to the entire society.
According to the Purusha Suktam, a famous vedic hymn, which
cronicles the Birth of the world, and describes the Supreme
Being(Brahman), Brahmins were born out of the mouth or head of
Brahman, signifying the Intellectuals of the society (Brahmanosya
mukhamaaseeth baahu rajanyah krutaha, Uuru tadasya yadvaishyah
padbhyam shudro ajayath). The brahmins are mostly well
integrated into society and today, can be seen in all
occupations. However, major Brahmin-Dominated occupations are as
Pujaris-Priests (Overseers of Rituals- Puja). Brahmin Priests
are involved in all the rituals of the Hindu Religion.
BACK
