BRAHMAN

BRAHMAN, or BRAHMIN, is a social group in India that is treated as a sacred caste among Hindus. They are further divided into sub-groups or sub-castes, for example, Maithil, Kanyakubja, Shakaldwipi etc. Brahmins believe that they are direct descendant or have immediate relationship with, Brahma, the god of creation. It is worth noting that other castes too believe in their descent from one or the other god, for example some claim their descent from Sun god, some from the Moon, and so on. Brahmans are traditionally treated as the custodians of the Religion Eternal, or Sanatan Dharm as far as rituals are concerned, and therefore entertain a priestly rank. However, only few Brahmans are priests.

Brahman is a Varn according to the divisions of people made by the Supreme God himself.

According to Srimad Bhagvadgita, Krisha, said to Arjun that the four Varnas of people are made by him in accordance with the nature and works of the people.

Chaturvarnyam maya srishtam guna karma vibhagashah.

However, there are controversies regarding the meaning and identification of a Brahman, since the word degenerated to mean a caste in the Indian Hindu society.

For those who believe in the philosophical meaning, a Brahman is a person who knows the Brahma, the Supreme Being,

For those who believe in social traditions, a Brahman is a person born in a Brahman (caste) family.

In both the cases, Brahmans are required to maintain humility of the self and learning, but not limited to these two aspects only. The ultimate purpose is to serve all the creatures including the people through knowledge and humility of the self so that there should not be any miserable one.

Unfortunately, in later days, the purpose of such a life was lost, and many indulged in such activities that amounted to spread of misery to all.

It is in this context, we find in Valmiki's Ramayan a description about Ravan, which says - 'there was a Brahman who became a Rakshas'.

Although born of a Brahman, Ravan lost the status of a Brahman and treated as a Rakshas.

However, there was also traditional differences on this point, and we had a branch of Brahman in Ayodhya which got divided into two - Kanyakubja Brahman and Saryuparin Brahman. Some said that Ram killed a Brahman and therefore they should not participate in his Yagya. Others said that they should participate in it because he killed a Rakshas.

These two branches of Brahmans are extant today, major concentration being in modern Uttar Pradesh.

Some theological sections of the sacred scriptures of Hinduism are also called Brahman, eg Aitareya Brahman of Rig Ved.