Questions tagged [brahmins]
For questions about brahmins, as in the caste. Not to be confused with [brahma] or [brahman].
134
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A question about Kusha grass
Somedays ago somewhere I read that if a Brahmin comes in contact with shudra or food/drink/stuff contaminated by him, one has to ASAP boil kusha grass in boiling water then drink that water for ...
3
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1answer
76 views
What is scriptural reference for the concept of Brahma Rakshasa?
As per this wikipedia article Brahma Rakshasha are Sprit with quality of brahmin as well as Rakshasha. Can someone please tell what is
Origin of the concept
Scriptural reference where this concept is ...
3
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1answer
80 views
How did ancient Indonesians and other South East Asians become Hindus? [closed]
While Hinduism is a non proselytising religion and Brahmins were neither allowed to cross oceans nor to marry mlecchas ,how did Hindus convert Indonesians to Hinduism ? And how were Varnas Created in ...
5
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1answer
90 views
Is Yamunacharya correct in stating that Brahmins cannot be crowned kings?
Sri Vaishnava scholar Yamunacharya in Agama Pramanya has stated:
Every man has some Vedic rites for which he is not qualified: the Brahmin is not qualified for the royal consecration, the Kshatriya ...
0
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1answer
227 views
Does the vow of prostitutes involve sex with a Brāhmaṇa?
The Padma Purāṇa lays out the Dharma of prostitutes. Prostitutes must follow a vow which purifies them of sins. This vow includes worship of Viṣṇu, as well as service of a Brāhmaṇa for 13 months:
...
0
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1answer
46 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 ...
2
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1answer
26 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?
2
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0answers
23 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
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4answers
244 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
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1answer
572 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
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1answer
156 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....
2
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2answers
98 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?
2
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1answer
63 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
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2answers
163 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 ...
5
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2answers
222 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 ...
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1answer
70 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
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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 ...
4
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3answers
661 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
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1answer
275 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
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1answer
163 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.
...
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1answer
234 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
198 views
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1answer
177 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 ...
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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
81 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 ...
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0answers
118 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.
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0answers
91 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 ...
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63 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, “...
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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
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2answers
339 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
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1answer
141 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
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1answer
160 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 ...
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1answer
1k 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
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1answer
686 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
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1answer
126 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)?
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0answers
137 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....
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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
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2answers
893 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 ...
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0answers
82 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
43 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
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2answers
300 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
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1answer
119 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
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0answers
60 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
80 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
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1answer
134 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?
