Questions tagged [brahmins]
For questions about brahmins, as in the caste. Not to be confused with [brahma] or [brahman].
128
questions
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1answer
42 views
Scriptural verses that assign masculinity and femininity to varnas
So my friend (of the Katyayan gotra) she is saying that kshatriyas are the masculine dominated varna, while braahmins are the androgynous dominated varna, a combination of masculine and feminine ...
1
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1answer
20 views
Who are saryuparin brahmins?
Some say that saryuparin is a sub-caste of kanyekubja while some say both are very different.
Is there any origin story? And how are the saryuparins identified?
1
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0answers
18 views
Nakshatras of the Nambudiri Brahmins
Please help to find out:
How exactly do Brahmins Nambudiri define their Nakshatras?
They define the Nakshatra along the Moon's course in equal sectors along the ecliptic, i.e. in conventional signs ...
2
votes
4answers
157 views
What are the correct mantras while giving arghya to Surya?
I only chant om suryay namah but now I want to learn complete mantras while giving arghya to Surya and should we also chant the Gayatri mantra? As a Brahmana (Brahmin) what else should I do beside ...
4
votes
1answer
556 views
Why do North Indian Brahmins pronounce ‘ṣa’ (ष) as ‘kha’ (ख) while chanting mantras? [duplicate]
Why do North Indian Brahmins pronounce ‘ṣa’ (ष) as ‘kha’ (ख) while chanting mantras? Do they follow a different school (shakha) and is there a rule in any Pratishakhya of that particular school or is ...
2
votes
1answer
151 views
Why Brahmans cannot touch the blue color
In Alberuni’s India Volume 2, page 132 , about Brahmans , is said :
...the blue color is impure for him, so if it touches his body , he is
obliged to wash himself
Albiruni, writing about 1030 c....
1
vote
2answers
66 views
Initiation to Start Studying Vedas
I have Learnt that a brahmin who doesn't learn Vedas is considered to be just a namesake brahmin
So considering a brahmin having had his upanayanam and his sacred thread (jandhyam),
Is there any ...
0
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1answer
64 views
What are the ways to attain Mukthi in present 21st century or generation of 2020 year in Kaliyuga [duplicate]
What are the ways to attain Mukthi in present generation of 2020 year of 21st century in Kaliyuga for brahmachari brahmins?
1
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1answer
54 views
Performing Puja/Havan for Shudras
In this answer it states that Brahmins should not perform vedic rituals for Shudras.
Question is: does this mean most of the brahmins who are in temple or in priest role are breaking the rules by ...
2
votes
2answers
155 views
Who is 'they' in Gautama Dharmasūtra 23.1?
Gautama Dharmasūtra
Chapter XXIII
1. They shall pour hot spirituous liquor into the mouth of a
Brāhmaṇa who has drunk such liquor; he will be purified after death.
Who shall pour hot ...
4
votes
2answers
191 views
Did Brahmins live on Daana or Bhiksha?
I was having a discussion with a friend and it came up that in earlier times Brahmins lived on Bhiksha. Somehow it didn't sound okay to me because I had read Bhiksha to be practised by Buddhists and ...
0
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1answer
60 views
which scripture prescribes offering food to Brahmins in the Shraddha ceremony?
Which scripture prescribes this and is it believed that feeding Brahmins on earth effectively feeds the departed ancestors in Pitr Loka?
3
votes
1answer
125 views
Is the story of Parashurama detecting Karna's non-Brahminhood from his tolerance for pain in the Mahabharata?
The story goes that Parashurama was sleeping with his head on Karna's lap. An insect started stinging Karna's thigh until blood was flowing and he bore the pain silently because he didn't want to ...
3
votes
3answers
619 views
What are the quotes, from various scriptures of early Vedic times to early medieval times which define the term Mlecchas as distinct from Brahmins?
MLECCHAS
The Vedics referred to all alien cultures and races that were less civilized in ancient times as 'Mleccha'. The term Mleccha means;
The uncouth and incomprehensible speech of ...
4
votes
1answer
247 views
Does scripture uniformly agree with this citation from Parashara smriti?
Parashara Smriti 8.25 says:
25. Even a Brahmin of a bad character deserves respect;
but not so a Shudra, even though his passions may
have been subdued by him. Who would quit a wicked cow,
...
1
vote
1answer
156 views
Sins and parihara for killing Brahmin [duplicate]
Dasharatha killed a brahmin (unintentionally) and didn't leave his kingdom for forest.
Pandu killed brahmin and left kingdom.
Rama killed Ravana, a brahmin, and didn't do anything as parihara.
...
1
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1answer
213 views
Does the Manusmriti have verses discriminating against Brahmins?
Why does the Manusmriti have verses discriminating against Brahmins?
For example:
A twice-born person, having, through folly, drunk wine, shall drink
wine red-hot; he becomes freed from his ...
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0answers
188 views
2
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1answer
175 views
Was it any where mentioned that in ancient ages brAhmins used to maintain celibacy upto 48 years for gaining knowledge?
I have read in one text that in ancient ages/vedic period, brAhmins used to maintain celibacy upto 48 years for gaining knowledge/realisation. And, they did not take refuge to a king for material ...
1
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0answers
23 views
Are there any rules of appointing a learnt scholar from Non-Brahmin origin as a clergy or priesthood for others?
By Non-Brahmin, I mean all other varnas and not specific to one caste or clan.
Please give references from scriptures, if any.
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1answer
53 views
What to incorporate? [closed]
In my mind, two of the ways to achieve enlightenment are to get rid of sensory pleasures and Sandhyavandanam; what else is required?
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0answers
80 views
Are there any vedic statements saying that one can be called brahmin by behavior [duplicate]
There are some people who keep claiming that one can be called brahmin by karma and give the reference of Yaksha Prashna in which Yudhishtra talks about brahmin-hood and claims that brahamana hood ...
1
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0answers
114 views
Kalki Avatar ( Kali Yuga ) [closed]
will in near future Democracy end in India and will Kshatriya's again rule Our country coz in Kalki Puran they have told that Shri Kalki will have 2 wives and both wives father will be king
King ...
3
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1answer
2k views
Rules to be followed for wearing the Sacred thread / Janeu
What are the rules that one must observe to wear the Yagnopaveetham ? Would prefer if appropriate text is also quoted.
2
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0answers
85 views
Why do only some Brahmins have a tuft of hair? Is it mandatory to cut the tuft of hair before leaving India?
Why is it that some Brahmins have a tuft of hair and some don't? Is it optional?
Furthermore, the great Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan before leaving to Cambridge University cut his tuft ...
3
votes
0answers
61 views
Why did the Brahmins before Uddalak not have the knowledge of the other world while Kshatriyas did?
This story from the Chandogya Upanishad 5.3-10 states something very interesting:
Shvetaketu was distressed and felt very much humiliated at this. So he returned home and asked his father Uddalaka, “...
2
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0answers
120 views
Can anyone help me find this verse in the Atharva Veda?
I have found this verse quoted many places, but so far have not been able to verify that it is from the Atharva Veda. If anyone can help me I will be very grateful!
"A brahmana's house without a ...
4
votes
2answers
311 views
How can a brahmin attain powers in Kaliyuga similar to the Trikala Gnana brahmarshi's or Saptharishi's in other yugas?
How can a brahmin attain powers in Kaliyuga similar to the power of Trikala Gnana brahmarshi's or Saptharishi's in other yugas?
Examples: Vasishta, Agasthya, Atri, Gautama, Kashyapa, Bharadvaja, ...
4
votes
1answer
134 views
Any scripture describes five types of Brahmins?
In Dona Brahmana Sutta, a Buddhist scripture, Buddha reminds a Brahmin named Dona about five types of Brahmins as described by Vedic Seers.
The blessed one said, "Dona, those ancient sages the ...
3
votes
1answer
145 views
Who are the Samaneans?
St. Jerome, in his Against Jovinianus bk. 2 (393 A.D.) c. 14, divides the
Gymnosophists of India [into two classes,] the one [of which is] called Brahmans, the other Samaneans [Samanæos], who are ...
5
votes
1answer
997 views
Why are some brahmins called Dwija or twice born?
I have heard this term Dwija a lot in this site but I am not sure why are some brahmins called Dwija or 'Twice Born'. I know not all but only some special ones are called Dwijas but how are they ...
5
votes
1answer
596 views
Why do Brahmins have such surnames?
In Uttar Pradesh Brahmins have common surnames as Chaturvedi alias Chaubey, Dwivedi alias Dubey and Trivedi. Are these surnames which have "Vedi" included in them have something to do with the Vedas. ...
3
votes
1answer
123 views
Is anti-Brahminism a quality of Asuras and Rakshasas?
Is anti-Brahminism a characteristic of Asuras and Rakshasas?
Which group of created beings is the most anti-Brahmin (hatred and opposition to Brahminism and Brahminical way of life)?
2
votes
0answers
135 views
Is intelligence an innate quality of Brahmanas?
According to Hindu scriptures, different castes were created differently and therefore have different innate qualities.
For example, Kshatriyas are strong according to the Taittiriya Samhita:
7.1....
3
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3answers
3k views
Are brahmins allowed to drink alcohol?
Do the scriptures mention anything about this? Can brahmins drink alcohol?
5
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1answer
2k views
Can a brahmin eat meat according to shastras
I had posted the following in an answer but was urged to post it as a question.
I thought brahmins were not supposed to eat meat but I was reading MahAbhArata when I came across the following in ...
5
votes
2answers
805 views
Why did Drona and Kripa, who were Brahmanas, fight in the Mahabharata war? [duplicate]
Dronacharya and Kripacharya were powerful warriors who fought in the Mahabharata war. However, they were Brahmanas and not Kshatriyas.
Why did they decide to fight?
Apastamba says:
A Brāhmaṇa ...
2
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0answers
79 views
Can Kshatriyas teach Brahmanas some Brahma Vidyas?
According to Hindu scripture, only Brahmanas can teach the Vedas and knowledge that directly comes from Vedic texts:
Manu 1.88 - For the Brāhmaṇas he ordained teaching, studying, sacrificing and ...
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0answers
41 views
Marriage within the brahmin shakhas [duplicate]
I did read another question about marriage between different varnas but my question is marriage between two different Brahmin shakhas allowed in the scriptures?
For instance two Brahmin communities ...
4
votes
2answers
267 views
What daily practices (achara - anushtana) should a brahmana follow?
Brahamanas (at least orthodox followers) are expected to follow a ton of daily achara & anushtana, for e.g.
Anushtana:
Get up during brahma muhurta
Do Pratah-Sandhya before sun-rise
Do Ijyai (...
0
votes
1answer
113 views
History of Brahmin's diet [closed]
What is the history of brahmana diet?
Brahmins are generally vegetarians but there are some exceptions to it such as Pancha-Gauda Brahmans, Kashmiri Brahmans, and Oriya Brahmins?
So why is there so ...
2
votes
0answers
58 views
How do I convert into Brahmin when I am already a converted Hindu? [duplicate]
My ancestors were Brahmins but they were forced to be Muslims, so I am a born Muslim but I already converted to Hinduism and I'm a pure vegetarian and I have knowledge of Vedas and Mahabharata. So can ...
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0answers
78 views
Does this statement about Smartas have scriptural authority?
A book by Agehananda Bharati contains a statement on Smartas:
The Smarta-brahmins of the Tamil. Telugu. and Malayalam speaking
areas of the Dravidian South of India are no doubt the highest ...
4
votes
1answer
129 views
Which texts are Brahmins allowed to read?
Does scripture mention texts of Hindu or non-Hindu origin that would be sinful for Brahmins to read or prohibited by their Varna Dharma?
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1answer
85 views
Should Hindu politicians support Brahmins according to scriptures? [closed]
Should Hindu politicians support Brahmins according to scriptures?
Is it a sin if Hindu politicians don't support Brahmins?
Please cite verses from scriptures.
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0answers
143 views
Do the scriptures talk about procedures that a Brahmin has to do before eating food? [duplicate]
What are the procedures that a Brahmin has to follow before having food. I have seen the process of sprinkling water, but what is the whole process? What is the mantra one has to chant at that time?
2
votes
1answer
251 views
Are grooming/dress rules prescribed for Brahmins?
For example, are Brahmin males required to maintain a Shikha, be freshly bathed and bare-chested while performing rituals or wear dhotis in a certain way?
-6
votes
1answer
141 views
Is anti-Brahminism a sin according to scriptures?
Is anti-Brahminism in accordance with Hinduism and its scriptures? Is it a sin or is it glorified?
4
votes
1answer
185 views
Who was the first śūdra to be born or appear on Earth?
Who was the first śūdra (or the śūdra-couple) to be born?
Likewise, who was the first brāhmaṇa, the first kṣatriya and vaiśya to be born?
Some might argue, the first śūdra could not have been ...
1
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0answers
83 views
At which point in time did Hinduism begin to embrace vegetarianism exactly?
I was watching a BBC documentary where they claimed that early Rig Vedic writers (early Brahmins) practiced "horse sacrifice" and were indeed non vegetarians. So at what point did they decide to ...
