Questions tagged [brahmins]
For questions about brahmins, as in the caste. Not to be confused with [brahma] or [brahman].
2
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1answer
61 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
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1answer
454 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 ...
4
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1answer
105 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
95 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
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0answers
116 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....
2
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3answers
405 views
Are brahmins allowed to drink alcohol?
Do the scriptures mention anything about this? Can brahmins drink alcohol?
3
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1answer
148 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
88 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 ...
1
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0answers
47 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
34 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
100 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 (...
1
vote
1answer
65 views
History of Brahmin's diet
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
44 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
63 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
97 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
68 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
51 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
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1answer
91 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?
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1answer
111 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?
2
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1answer
109 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 ...
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0answers
43 views
Diet directives (meals how many times in a day) for Brahmans in ancient era [duplicate]
I recently heard that in ancient times, rishis, brahmans had a directive to have meals only once in a day. This was primarily because of the sedentary lifestyle involving acts such as yajna, homa, ...
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0answers
70 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 ...
1
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1answer
163 views
Are Brahmins who eat fish fallen Brahmins?
Some Brahmins are known to be lovers and avid eaters of fish.
Are Brahmins allowed to eat fish?
6
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0answers
75 views
Who were the two priests of Asuras (not Shukracharya)?
I came across an interesting story while reading the Shatapatha brahmana regarding Manu's encounters with the priests of Asuras:
Manu was in possession of a bull. Into him had entered an Asura-...
4
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5answers
794 views
Why Gayatri mantra is widely recited by non-bramhins nowadays which was once the stronghold of only the brahmins?
Is there any reason for release of Gayatri mantra to non brahmins and even to women? I think such practice is irregular. Who is responsible for deviation from very ancient practice and making it ...
3
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1answer
249 views
Prohibitions on Brahmins regarding reading Bhagavad Gita
Why Hindu Brahmins were not allowed by other castes,which includes Kayasthas to read BHAGVAD GITA and were (discouraged by Hindu Bramhan Gurus also}during a distinct period of history? Is there any ...
1
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1answer
106 views
Why Avani Avittam (Upakarma) festival is performed? What's its history?
What's the history of Avani Avittam (Upakarma) festival? What does our scriptures say about it? This is not about Raksha Bandhan but its purely about a festival for male.
7
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0answers
66 views
Do any other scriptures mention Brahma Tirtha, bathing where non-Brahmins become Brahmins?
Mahabharat, Vana parva, tirtha-yatra parva https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-mahabharata-third-book/d/doc7362.html. Says:
One should next proceed to the excellent tirtha of Brahma. ...
5
votes
1answer
115 views
Who was the Brahmin's wife in Atharva Veda hymn that was abducted and restored?
The Atharva Veda Book 5 Hymn 17 is curiously titled - The abduction and restoration of a Brāhman's wife. I am sharing a few verses of the same here:
These first, the boundless Sea, and Mātarisvan, ...
1
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1answer
221 views
Who are the Rajpurohits?
I read about rajpurohit that they are rajgurus of the king in the kingdom but I'm not sure about this position. So who are the Rajpurohits and were Guru Dronacharya and Kripacharya the Rajpurohits of ...
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0answers
143 views
How to find Sutra, Shakha and Pravaras
My name is Lokesh Sharma and my gotra is "Ratna Bhardwaj". I want to determine my Sutra, Shakha and Pravaras. Could someone please help me?
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0answers
39 views
Are Brahmins allowed to cross the sea (means foreign countries like America,Australia,etc)? [duplicate]
I have heard many of people refusing to cross sea saying that It is wrong.So please I want a Clarification about this and also If any references from Scriptures will be nice and Thanks in advance.
10
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3answers
713 views
What are duties and goals of a Brahmin and how should he behave?
Can anyone say the duties of a Brahmin and how he should behave? What should be his goals?
As said in Bhagavat Gita, One should follow his own duties to attain liberation and so. If with any ...
6
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2answers
124 views
Can Brahmin be a teacher on any other topics other than Vedas
I have read that the prescribed duties of brahmin are becomings priests, learning and teaching so I want to clarify this doubt.
4
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0answers
426 views
Who should perform shraddha/funeral ceremony of a married women whose husband is still alive
According to shastra (specifically to Brahmin, no offence to others though) who should perform funeral and post death rituals of a married women whose husband in still alive (they call muttaide in ...
7
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2answers
161 views
According to guṇa-based varṇa system, at what age can one be certified a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, etc?
According to proponents of guṇa-based varṇa system (i.e., those that do not believe you are born into one specific Hindu varṇa), at what age can a person be certified as a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, etc?
...
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1answer
56 views
How does Sonadanda's characterization of a Brahmin agree or disagree with other definitions in scripture?
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/dob/dob-04tx.htm
Dialog between Sonadanda the Brahmin and the Buddha:
"
11. Now the Blessed One became aware in his own mind of the hesitation in the mind of ...
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2answers
385 views
Can a Brahmin shave off his mustache on his daughter's engagement,or marriage?
I just want to know whether a Brahmin can shave off his moustache on the occasion of his daughter's engagement or marriage. Are there any other occasions where Brahmins can be clean shaved?
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1answer
442 views
Have there been instances of rivalry between Brahmins and Kshatriyas?
The Wikipedia article on Kshatriyas suggests possible rivalry between the two varnas due to ambiguity in their relative positions in the society.
In the period of the Brahmanas (800 BCE to 700 BCE) ...
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0answers
721 views
Can a kanyakubja brahmin and saryupareen brahmin marry? If not, why so?
Please tell me can a saryupareen and kanyakubja brahmin marry?
5
votes
1answer
332 views
Who becomes a Brahmin?
I just want to know what makes a Brahmin. Does that depends on the karma? Does that depends on the fate? Does that depends on learning Vedas?
Some say that next birth of Brahmin is a cow. Is that ...
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1answer
928 views
Was Ravana a vegetarian?
Ravan was half-brahmin and half-demon.His father,the great rishi Vishrava belonged to the Pulastya clan and mother Kaikasi originated from the asura clan.Since he was a brahmin and was the greatest ...
4
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1answer
100 views
How did the Purva Mimamsa school explain Gotras?
If the Purva Mimamsa school believes that the Earth and humans are eternal, then how does it explain ancestral Gotras, such descendants of Bharadwaj, Angirasa, etc?
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0answers
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How do Purva Mimamsa followers explain the etymology of the caste word “Brahmana”?
Not all Purva Mimamsa followers believed in the existence of Brahman, but they all believed in the Jivatma.
They also believed the verses in the Upanishads that speak of Brahman actually refer to the ...
9
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3answers
312 views
Is Shalagram worship forbidden to non-Brahmins?
According to my parents, Shalagrama worship is forbidden to non-Brahmins. Is this true? There is also a possibility that people who are not initiated with the Yajnopavita are forbidden to worship ...
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2answers
119 views
If my father doesn't study the Veda, does this make me ineligible to learn Vedas?
Manusmriti 2.168
योऽनधीत्य द्विजो वेदमन्यत्र कुरुते श्रमम् ।
स जीवन्नेव शूद्रत्वमाशु गच्छति सान्वयः ॥
The twice-born man, who, not having learnt the Veda, labors over other
things, soon ...
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1answer
697 views
Does Bhagavad Gita Sloka 17.23 refer to Brahmanas or Brahmins?
Recently while revising the Srimad Bhagavad Geeta, the following verse inspired me to think and search:
तत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः।
ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा।।...
3
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1answer
598 views
Why Brahmins are supposed to offer Sandhya everyday?
When a Brahmin boy is 8 years old, he has to go through the Upanayana Samskara and after that he has to wear the Janeva (sacred thread in Marathi) and he is informed to offer Sandhya every day to Sun. ...
2
votes
2answers
35k views
Pooja during Menstrual period, Hindu Brahmin [duplicate]
We had a big argument y'day at hour house over pooja during Menstrual period.
My wife wanted to do Sravan somvar rituals during her 3rd day of period. She cooked Kheer and wanted to put it as a ...
7
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1answer
734 views
Who was the wife of Kaushik who stopped the Sun from rising to save her husband's life?
Markandeya Purana mentions the story of a Brahmin named Kaushik who got the following curse from sage Mandavya:
"That sinful wretch of a man, by whom, I sorely afflicted and reduced to a miserable ...
