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Brahmin

Also known as Brahmins, Brahman

thumb|Brahmins worshipping river Ganges, The Land of Temples (India), 1882 Brahmin (; ) is a varna (theoretical social classes) within Hindu society. The other three varnas are the Kshatriya (rulers and warriors), Vaishya (traders, merchants, and farmers), and Shudra (labourers). The traditional occupation of Brahmins is that of priesthood (purohit, pandit, or pujari) at Hindu temples or at socio-religious ceremonies, and the performing of rite of passage rituals, such as solemnising a wedding with hymns and prayers.

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Brahmins are members of the highest varna (social class) in traditional Hindu society, traditionally serving as priests and religious specialists who perform temple worship and important life rituals like weddings. They are one of four varnas in the Hindu social hierarchy, alongside rulers and warriors, merchants and farmers, and laborers.

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Image: Group of Brahmins 1913.jpg

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Commons category: Brahmins

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Article

16 sections

Contents

Origin and history
Generic meaning of the term "Brahmin"
Purusha sukta
Gupta era
Role in the bhakti movement and involvement in social reform
Role in the society
Vedic duties
Actual occupations
Stratification among Brahmins
Outside the Indian subcontinent
Demographics
See also
References
Sources
Further reading
External links

Traditionally, Brahmins are accorded the supreme ritual status of the four social classes, and they also served as spiritual teachers (guru or acharya). In practice, Indian texts suggest that some Brahmins historically also became agriculturalists, warriors, traders, and had also held other occupations in the Indian subcontinent. Within the jati (caste) system, Brahmins similarly occupy the highest position, though that is complicated by strict stratification even among Brahmins and historical attempts by other castes and sub-castes to challenge Brahminical dominance. thumb|Vedic Brahmin Rishi worshipping Shakti