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Brahmin


Brahmin (also called Brahmana; from the Sanskrit brāhmaṇa ब्राह्मण) is a term in the traditional Hindu societies of India and Nepal.
Brahman, Brahmin, and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self. Brahmin (or Brahmana) refers to an individual, while the word Brahma refers to the creative aspect of the universal consciousness. The English word brahmin is an anglicised form of the Sanskrit wordBrāhmana. In the Smriti view, there are four "varnas" or classes: the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas, the Vaishyas, and the Shudras.
Brahmins were engaged in attaining the highest spiritual knowledge (brahmavidya) and adhered to different branches (shakhas) of Vedas. This was described to be a difficult path of discipline of body, mind, and intellect. Brahmins have taken on many professions – from being priests, ascetics and scholars to warriors and business people, as is attested for example in Kalhana's Rajatarangini. An example mentioned in mythology is the sageParashurama who is considered an avatar of Vishnu. Sage Parashurama is portrayed as a powerful warrior who defeated the Haiheya kshatriyas twenty one times, was an expert in the use of weapons, and trained others to fight without weapons. He is said to have established the Brahmins as landowners once he destroyed the Kshatriya race. These Brahmins, after having mostly abandoned their priestly functions (although some still perform), took to land-owning (Zamindar) as a profession. 
However, certain persons, though very few in number, were born into other varnas but dedicated themselves to such an austere life that they were also recognized as Brahmins in ancient India (e.g., sage Vishwamitra, attained brahmavidya and is the seer of the Gayatri mantra was venerated as "Brahmarishi",).
Historically, the semantic change from a tribal state into the Hindu state of the jati-varna matrix saw the conversion and absorption of tribals into the Brahmin class, through adoption of the priestly occupation.  In medieval and colonial India, people in different occupations also proselytized themselves into Brahmins, usually upon leading an austere life, gaining positions of power or upon becoming wealthy. 
The priestly class is expected to practice self-abnegation and play the role of being the custodians of Dharma (as a Brāhman who is well versed in Vedic texts). The fee paid to the Brahmana for performance of a sacrifice was considered as a return for the priestly duties.
Most sampradayas (sects) of modern Brahmins claim to take inspiration from the Vedas. According to orthodox Hindu tradition, the Vedas areapauruṣeya and anādi (beginning-less), and are revealed truths of eternal validity. The Vedas are considered Śruti ("that which is heard") and are the paramount source on which Brahmin tradition claims to be based. Śruti texts include the four Vedas (the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda and the Atharvaveda), and their respective Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads.
In 1931, Brahmins accounted for around 6% of the total population of India. Today, it comprises around 5% of the total population.  In West Bengal the figures stand at 5%, whereas in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Orissa the Brahmin population is quite near 10%. 
Megasthenes writes, that Brahmins are, "philosophers who are first in rank but form the smallest class in point of number.""  He also compares the Brahmins to the non-Brahmin Shramanas. Megasthenes also writes, "The philosophers are of two kinds: (I) Brachmanes and (2) Sarmanes. The Brachmanes are the best esteemed, for they have a more consistent dogmatic system." 


Brahmins, basically adhere to the principles of the Vedas, related to the texts of the Śruti and Smriti which are some the foundations of Hinduism, and practise Sanatana Dharma. Vedic Brāhmaṇas have six occupational duties, of which three are compulsory — studying the Vedas, performing Vedic rituals and practicing dharma. By teaching the insights of the Vedic literature which deals with all aspects of life including spirituality, philosophy, yoga,  religion, rituals, temples, arts and culture,  music, dance, grammar, pronunciation, metre, astrology, astronomy,  logic, law, medicine, surgery,   technology, martial arts,  military strategy, etc. By spreading its philosophy, and by accepting back from the community, the Brahmins receive the necessities of life. 
Brahmins practice vegetarianism or lacto-vegetarianism which has been a custom for centuries, dating back to the pre-Christian era.  However, some Brahmins inhabiting regions of Mithila, Punjab, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa andNepal, are non-vegetarian.
Most Brahmin sects wear the Yagnopaveetham (or sacred thread) that is a symbol of initiation to the Gayatri recital. This ritual is often referred to as Upanayana. This marks the learning of the Gayatri hymn. Brahmin sects also generally identify themselves as belonging to a particularGotra, a classification based on patrilineal descent, which is specific for each family and indicates their origin.
The Brahmin castes may be broadly divided into two regional groups: Pancha-Gauda Brahmins from the Northern part of India (considered to be the region north of the Vindhya mountains) and Pancha-Dravida Brahmins from the region south of the Vindhya mountains as per the shlokaof Kalhana. This shloka was composed only in the 11th century AD. 
Those from Uttarapatha (Aryavarta) (northern and eastern India) approximately ordered according to geographical regions. Northern and Eastern Brahmins are divided into 5 main categories. Guad brahmins or Gaudiya comprises Kashmir to Bengal.
  • Saraswat Brahmins
  • Kashmiri Pandits
  • Goud Saraswat Brahmins
  • Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins
  • Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins
  • Kudaldeshkar Gaud Brahmans
  • Mohyals

Kanyakubja Brahmins

  • Saryupareen Brahmins
  • Assamese Brahmins
  • Kamrupi Brahmins
  • Kanyakubja Brahmins
  • Bhumihar Brahmins
  • Sanadhya Brahmins
  • Bengali Brahmins
  • Bahun
  • Goswami
  • Manipuri Brahmins
  • Garhwali Brahmins
  • Sakaldwipiya Brahmins
"Kanyakubj Vanshavali" mentions five branches of Kanyakubja Brahmins as Saryupareen, Sanadhya, Bhumihar, Jujhautiya and Prakrit Kanaujia:
Saryupari Sanadhyashcha Brahmino Jijhoutayah
Prakritashcha Iti Panchabhedastasya Prakartitah
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Gauda Brahmins

  • Gaur brahmin
Among Gaur brahmana of Haryana, Rajasthan & west Uttar Pradesh, Adi Gaur /Pachauri, Sanadhya & Paliwal are also Gaur brahmans.

Utkala Brahmins (Orissa)

  • Utkala Brahmin
The Sanskrit text Brāhmaṇotpatti-Mārtaṇḍa by Pt. Harikrishna Śāstri mentions that a king named Utkala invited Brahmins from the Gangetic Valley to perform a yajna in Jagannath-Puri in Orissa. When the yajna ended, these Brahmins laid the foundation of Lord Jagannath there and settled around Orissa, Jharkhand and Medinipur. The Utkala Brahmins are of three classes 1) Shrautiya (vaidika), 2) Sevayata and 3) Halua Brahmins.

Maithil Brahmins (Mithila)

  • Maithil Brahmins
Maithil Brāhamaṇas, are a group of Brahmins typically originating from and living in and around Mithila, which is part of North Bihar. They are a community of highly cohesive, traditional Brahmins who strive to follow rites and rituals according to ancient Hindu canons. They have a reputation for orthodoxy and interest in learning. A large number of Maithil Brahmins migrated a few centuries ago to adjoining areas of South-east Bihar and Jharkhand, as well as to adjoining Terai regions of Nepal. Most of the Maithil Brahmins are Śāktas (worshippers of Śakti) . Maithili is their mother tongue, though many use Angika (a south-eastern dialect of Maithili) as their mother tongue.

Nepali Brahmin

Pancha-Dravida

कर्णाटकाश्च तैलंगा द्राविडा महाराष्ट्रकाः, गुर्जराश्चेति पञ्चैव द्राविडा विन्ध्यदक्षिणे || (Karnatakaashcha Telangaa Dravidaa Maharashtrakaaha, Gurjarashcheti panchauva dravidaa vindhyadakshine)
Brahmins who live in south of Vidhya mountains are called Pancha-Dravida Brahmins and they are divided in to following groups.
  • Karnataka
  • Telugu
  • Dravida (Tamil Nadu)
  • Maharashtra
  • Gujarat

Andhra Pradesh

Brahmins of Andhra Pradesh known as Telugu Brahmins are broadly classified into four groups: Vaidiki Brahmins, Niyogi, Dravida Brahmins, and Vaikhānasa. 
Vaidiki Brahmins are further divided into the following sub-categories: Dravidlu (Aadi Shaivulu, Shaivulu), Vaidiki Velanadu, Vaidiki Venginadu, Vaidiki Kosalanadu or Kasalnadu, Vaidiki Mulakanadu, Vaidiki Murikinadu, Vaidiki Telaganya (Originated from Telangana but might have migrated to other regions). 
Niyogis are further divided into the following subcategories: Nandavarika Niyogi, Prathama Shakha Niyogi, Aaru Vela Niyogulu, Golkonda Vyapari, Karanaalu, Sistukaranalu, Karana kamma vyaparlu, Karanakammulu.  Each Rishi's name is mentioned in the Yajurveda (4.3.3). Sanaga (Son of Manu (Shiva)) Sanatana (Son of Maya (Vishnu)) Abhuvana (Son of Tvashta (Brahma of four faces)) Pratanan (Son of Shilpi (Indra))
Dravida Brahmins are yet another sub-section of Andhra Pradeshi brahmins.

Gujarat

Gurjara Brāhmans refer to the Brahmins of Gujarāt, and are subdivided into many groups and subcastes. Many of them have origins in Rajasthan. Some of the sub-categories are:  Bardai Brahmin, Aboti Brahmin, Girinarayan Brahmin, Shrigod Brahmin, Sachora Brahmin, Anavil Brahmin, Sidhra-Rudhra Brahmins, Prashnora Brahmins, Vadadra Brahmin, Sree gauda Brahmin,Trivedi Mewada Brahmin, Palival Brahmin (Dasha and visha), Modh Brahmin, Tapodhan Brahmin, Audichya Brahmin, Sahastra Audichya Gorwal Brahmin, Nagar Brahmin, Pushkarna Brahmin, Saurashtra Bhatt Mewada Brahmin, Saurashtra Trivedi Mewad Brahmin, Chauriyasi Mewada Brahmin, Rajgor Brahmin (Gujarat Origin), Bajkhedawal Brahmins (origin Kheda in central Gujarat or Khedbrahma in north Gujarat), Jangid Brahmin, Rajgor Brahmin, Bhatt Mewada Brahmin, Shrimali Brahmins and Chvyan Brahmin (or bharah gaon Brahmin), Adhyagoud Brahmins (Rajasthan origin) and Jaiswal Brahmin (North-Indian origin), Rayakwad Brahmin(Kubabthal region)
Kanaujiya or Kanyakumbj Brahmins migrated from Kanauj and entered the Kutch area via Sindh along with the lohanas.  They are divided into the categories bhuvdiyas, vondhiyas and sandhliyas, according to their village temple. Others in Gujarat are mainly found in Jamnagar, Morbi, Junaghath and Rajkot. Surnames like Bhatt, Kaileyas, Bhaglani, Pingal, Lakhlani, Ghediya etc. are common among them.

Maharashtra

They include the following : Goud Saraswat Brahmins, Chitpavan Konkanastha Brahmins, Daivadnya Brahmins, Deshastha Brahmins, Karhade Brahmins and Devrukhe Brahmins. During the days of Maratha India, these Marathi/Konkani Brahmins primarily served as prime ministers or Peshwas  and converged into the sovereign or the Chhatrapati of Satara. One of the notable Peshwa families is the Bhat family, who happen to be Chitpavan Konkanastha Brahmins.  They took up military jobs  and ended up being the de facto head of the Maratha Dynasty. 

Karnataka

Kannada Brāhmans(ಕನ್ನಡ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣ): The Brāhmans of the Carnatic, or the Canarese country. The Canarese area comprises Mysore State, and the British Districts of Canara, Dharwar and Belgaum. 
  • Kannada Brahmins : 
These are further subdivided into the following castes : Babbur Kamme Brahmins, Badaganadu Brahmins, Deshastha Brahmin, Hale naadu Karnataka Brahmins, Sirinadu Bramhins,Havyaka Brahmin, Hasan Iyengars, Hebbar Iyengars, Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins, Jangam Brahmins, Karhade Brahmin, Koota Brahmins, Madhva Brahmins, Mandyam Iyengars, Mysore Iyengars,Vishwabrahmin, Niyogi Brahmins, Panchagrama Brahmins, Sankethi Brahmins, Sattada vaishnava Brahmins, Shukla Yajurveda Brahmins, Smartha Brahmins, Srivaishnava Brahmins, Sthanika Brahmins, Ulucha Kamme Brahmins
  • Mysore Iyers
  • Ashtagrama Iyer
  • Tuluva Brahmins,  which consist of Kandavara Brahmins, Karhade Brahmins, Padia Brahmins, Saklapuri Brahmins, Shivalli Brahmins, Smartha Shivalli Brahmins, Sthanika Brahmins, Padarthi Brahmins

Tamil Nadu

  • Iyengar (sub-divided into Vadakalai and Thenkalai)
  • Iyer (sub-divided further into Vadama, Vathima, Brahacharanam, Ashtasahasram, Sholiyar, Dikshitar, Kaniyalar, Prathamasaki)

Kerala

Kerala Brahmins include the following categories of Brahmins: Namboothiri Brahmin, Embranthiri, Pushpaka Brahmin (subdivided into Nambissans and Unnis), Sharada Brahmins
Brahmins classify themselves on the basis of their patrilineal descent from a notable ancestor.[citation needed] These ancestors are either ancient Indian sages or kshatriyas (warriors), who chose to become Brahmins.[citation needed] The major gotras that trace descent from sages are: Srivatsa, Kanva, Jamadagni, Bhrigu, Bharadvâja, Kaundinya, Gautama Maharishi, Sandilya, Bhrigu,Vashista, Parāshara, Atryasa, Harithasa, Kashyapa, and Agastya gotra. Other gotras are Mitra, Vishvamitra and Chaurasia gotra. 
In general, gotra denotes any person who traces descent in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. Pāṇini defines gotra for grammatical purposes as 'apatyam pautraprabhrti gotram' (IV. 1. 162), which means: "the word gotra denotes the progeny (of a sage) beginning with the son's son". When a person says, "I am Kashypasa-gotra", he means that he traces his descent from the ancient sage Kashyapa by unbroken male descent. This enumeration of eight primary gotras seems to have been known to Pāṇini. These gotras are not directly connected to Prajapathy or latter brama.  The offspring (apatya) of these Eight are gotras; and others than these are called 'gotrâvayava'. Provide Vepachedu's Sources 
The gotras are divided into three tiers of ganas, then into pakshas, and finally into individual gotras. According to the Âsvalâyana-srautasûtra, there are four subdivisions of the Vashista gana, viz.Upamanyu, Parāshara, Kundina and Vashista (other than the first three). The first has survived in the Bhrigu and Āngirasa gana. According to Baudh, the principal eight gotras were divided into pakshas. The pravara of Upamanyu is Vashista, Bharadvasu, Indrapramada; the pravara of the Parâshara gotra is Vashista, Shâktya, Pârâsharya; the pravara of the Kundina gotra is Vashista, Maitrâvaruna, Kaundinya and the pravara of Vashistas other than these three is simply Vashista. Therefore some define pravara as the group of sages that distinguishes the founder (lit. the starter) of one gotra from another.
There are two kinds of pravaras, 'sishya-prasishya-rishi-parampara' and 'putrparampara'. Gotrapravaras can be ekarsheya, dwarsheya, triarsheya, pancharsheya, saptarsheya, and up to 19 rishis. Kashyapasa gotra has at least two distinct pravaras in Andhra Pradesh: one with three sages (triarsheya pravara) and the other with seven sages (saptarsheya pravara). This pravara may be either sishya-prasishya-rishi-parampara or putraparampara. Similarly, Srivatsasa gotra has five sages or is called Pancharsheya and are the descendants of Jamadagni. For a sishya-prasishya-rishi-parampara marriage it is not acceptable if half, or more than half, of the rishis are the same in both bride and bridegroom gotras. If it is putraparampara, a marriage is totally unacceptable even if one rishi matches. 
Due to the diversity in religious and cultural traditions and practices, and the Vedic schools to which they belong, Brahmins are further divided into various subcastes. During the sutra period, roughly between 1000 BCE to 200 BCE, Brahmins became divided into various Shakhas (branches), based on the adoption of different Vedas and different rescension Vedas. Sects for different denominations of the same branch of the Vedas were formed, under the leadership of distinguished teachers among the Brahmins.
There are several Brahmin law givers, such as Angiras, Apasthambha, Atri, Bhrigu, Brihaspati, Boudhayana, Daksha, Gautama, Harita, Katyayana, Likhita, Manu,  Parasara, Samvarta,Shankha, Shatatapa, Ushanasa, Vashista, Vishnu, Vyasa, Yajnavalkya, and Yama. These twenty-one rishis were the propounders of the Smritis. The oldest among these smritis are Apastamba, Baudhayana, Gautama, and Vashista Sutras. Provide Vepachedu's Sources[citation needed]
Many Indians and non-Indians claim descent from the Vedic Rishis of both Brahmin and non-Brahmin descent.  For example, the Dasharna and Nagas are said to be the descendants of Kashyapa Muni.  The descent of Brahmins is generally indicated by the gotra, which refers to his patrilineage. It is indicated by the name of the 'great sage' to whose descent the Brahmin is said to belong.
The Vishwakarmas are the descendants of Pancha Rishis or Brahmarishies. According to Yajurveda and Brahmanda purana, they are Sanaka, Sanatana, Abhuvanasa, Prajnasa, and Suparnasa. 
The Panchal movement to reclaim Brahminical rights claimed that the Panchals have Brahminic culture, or sacraments, and perform their ceremonies according to Vedic Rituals. 
The Kani tribe of South India claim to descend from Agastya Muni. 
The Gondhali, Kanet, Bhot, Lohar, Dagi, and Hessis claim to be from Renuka Devi. 
The Kasi Kapadi Sudras claim to originate from the Brahmin Sukradeva. Their duty was to transfer water to the sacred city of Kashi. 
The Padmashalis claim they came from the Maharishi Markandeya, who wrote the Markandeya Purana. 
The Saini (gardener) community claim in one of their stories that they descended from a Brahmin and call themselves Parpadh Brahman, which in course of time became Phulmali. 
Dadheech Brahmins/dayama Brahmin trace their roots from Dadhichi Rishi. Many Jat clans claim to descend from Dadhichi Rishi while the Dudi Jats claim to be in the lineage of Duda Rishi. 
Lord Buddha was a descendant of Angirasa through Gautama. There were Kshatriyas of other clans whose members descend from Angirasa, to fulfill a childless king's wish. 
The (so-called) backward caste Matangs claim to descend from Matang Muni, who became a Brahmin through his karma. 
According to one legend, the nomadic tribe of Kerala, the Kakkarissi, were descendants of a Brahmin who came out of the mouth of Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. 
The Roman Catholic Brahmin caste among the Goan Catholics and Mangalorean Catholics are descended from Konkani Brahmins who converted to Roman Catholicism during the Portuguese colonial rule in Goa.
In Andhra Pradesh the Panchanamvaru, the artisan caste of five groups (goldsmith, carpenters, blacksmiths, brasiers and stone-cutters) claim to descend from Vishwakarma and his five sons (Manu, Maya, Silpa, Tvastra and Daivagna), and claim to be Vishwa-Brahmin.  The Vipravinodins also claim the status. 
In Bengal (West Bengal State and Bangladesh) the Namasudras, now named as Namasudra (Namassej) also claimed Brahmin status. It is claimed  that King Ballal Sen expelled them from society and declared them as out-castes. A Vyavastha   was signed in 1901 by forty odd Brahmin pundits, headed by Chief Brahmin pundit (Nabadwip) of Bengal. This is supported by Dr. Nihar Ray in "The History Of Bengali People , Ancient Period", published in "Desh", The Famous Bengali Literary Magazine in 1951, and included in the special issue of "Articles of One Century". It is claimed that the 1931 census of India shows that the two states of the Ganga River Valley basin, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, had a 10% Brahmin population and adjacent Orissa also had a 10% population, but Bengal had exactly half, 5%. Dr. N.R. Ray mentions in his book that Namasudra (Namassejas) are the Lost Tribe. 
In Gujarat, the Brahmbhatts, Brahmakshatriyas, Panchals, and Shrimali Sonis claim Brahmin status.
In Haryana, the Tagas claim to be a Brahmins who had abandoned the priestly profession and taken to agriculture. 
In Karnataka, the Sthanika Brahmins claim to be Saiva Brahmins. 
In Punjab, the Misari of the Multan Langrials claim descent from Brahmins of Bikanir.  Both the Langrail and Golia claim that they were Brahmin Charans. 
In Uttar Pradesh the Oudh Belwar also claim descent from the Sanadhya Brahmin caste. 
Even in the time of the Buddha there were a few Brahmins who took up laboring professions. For example, Subhadra, the loast convert of the Buddha, and a Brahmin by caste was a barber by profession in Atuma village. 
Brahmin sects that have taken up the profession of medicine include the Vaidya (or Baidya) Brahmins of Bengal, with surnames Gupta, Dasgupta and Senguptas.  They are considered descendants of Dhanvantari, the Hindu god of medicine and father of Ayurveda. 
Kshatriya Brahmin   and Brahma-kshatriya   are terms associated with people of both the Brahmin and Kshatriya caste components.

Among the Royal Rajput households, Brahmins who became the personal teachers and protectors of the royal princes rose to the status of Rajpurohit and taught the princes everything, including martial arts.
They would also become the keepers of the Royal lineage and its history. They would also be the protectors of the throne in case the regent was orphaned and a minor. The well-known Brahmin Chanakya was a Rajpurohit for Chandragupta Maurya, founder of the Mauryan empire, who helped Chandragupta get a grip on the well-established Nanda Empire and prevent Alexander the Great from invading India. The Pallava kings also claimed to be Brahmakshatriyas.  King Jayavarma I of Kambuja (Kampuchea) of 781 A.D. was a Brahma-kshatriya.  King Lalitaditya Muktapida of Kashmir ruled all of India and even Central Asia.
King Rudravarma of Champa (Vietnam) of 657 A.D. was the son of a Brahmin father. 
Medieval king Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya or Hemu, born into a family of Purohits, started the manufacture of cannons for the first time in North India in 1540s, with Portuguese know-how and dealt in gunpowder supplies to Sher Shah Suri's army. Later he became Prime Minister and Chief of Army of the Suris and Emperor of North India in 1556, defeating Akbar's army at Agra and Battle for Delhi at Tughlakabad Fort in Delhi. 
Brahmins with the qualities of a Vaisya or merchant are known as 'Brahmvyasya'.  An example of such persons are people of the Ambastha  caste, which exist in South India.  They perform medical work, and claim that from ancient times they have practised Ayurveda and have been Vaidyas (or doctors).  During British rule, when the government desired to promote caste mobility, they started bearing the sacred thread also, but neither the government nor the Hindu oligarchs supported any such sanction 
The three sampradayas (sects) of Brahmins, mostly in South India are the Smarta sampradaya, the Srivaishnava sampradaya and the Madhva sampradaya.
Smartism (or Smarta Sampradaya, Smarta Tradition, as it is termed in Sanskrit) is a liberal or nonsectarian denomination of the Hindu religion. This tradition is based on the Advaithic teachings of Adi Sankaracharya. He united various sects of Hinduism under on umbrella by accepting all the major Hindu deities as forms of the one Brahman. He implored the Smarthas to have an Ishta devatha in the form of Siva, Sakthi, Vishnu, Ganesha, Murugan (Subrahmanya) or Sun. The term Smarta refers to adherents who follow the Vedas and Shastras. 
One form of Vaishnavism is Madhwa (Dwaita Sampradaya), and the other is Sri Vaishnava (Vishishtadvaita sampradaya). Madhwa Brahmins are mainly located in the Carnatic plains and some of them are seen in Andhra, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They follow the teachings of Sri Madhvacharya, who was born in South Canara district of Karnataka in the 12th Century. He preached Dvaita, which says that God and atma (soul) are different entities, which is contradictory to the teachings of Sri Adi Sankaracharya, who preached Advaita vedanta (non-duality). In South India, Sri Vaishnava sampradayam was propagated by Srimad Ramanujacharya.
Shaivism (sometimes called Shivaism) is a belief system where Lord Shiva is worshipped as the Supreme Lord. It is a derivative faith of the core Vedic tradition.  Saiva sects contains many subsects, such as Asdisaivas, Rudrasaivas, Veerasiavas, Paramasaivas, etc. Ravana, the ruler of Lanka in the Hindu epic Ramayana, was a staunch Siva devotee, who was the grandson of creator Brahma.
Brahmins(caste) were treated as equals to all the rest, in the eyes of the Buddha and there are countless references to Brahmins throughout the Buddhist scriptures also. Buddha rejected the notion of gradation along caste lines and of the legitimacy of the higher social status, as well as the notion of ritual purity as claimed by the Brahmins compared to others. Many of the major Buddhist followers and teachers were from Brahmins. They include Sariputra, Maudgalyayana, Mahakashyapa, Nagarjuna, Asvaghosha, Padmasambhava, Shantarakshita, Nagasena, Kumarajivaand Shantideva, all of whom were referred by their titles devoid of their caste as Arahats etc. The word Brahmin, meaning "priest class", was redefined by the Buddha and it continued to be used alongside Arahat in their relevant contexts. Max Muller points out that in the Dhamapada, Buddha etymologizes the word "Bahama", the Prakrit form of "Brahmana", by playing off the Sanskrit/Prakrit etymon -bra.
In the Ambattha Sutra, we find the Buddha debated many Brahmins who were clearly not Arahats. Also in many important dharanis, Brahmins are mentioned in an entirely different capacity from Arahats, and therefore there is a marked difference depending on the context. The Buddha insisted that Brahmins had to live up to seek the truth, hence reach liberation(Nirvana) through the Dhamma, and this could not be by ascriptive factor of birth alone. In the Dhammapada, the Buddha mentions Brahmins and Arahats in very different capacities and dedicates an entire chapter to what it means to be a real Brahmin called the Brahmana-vagga as well. 
The Buddha did not believe in caste discrimination but he did endorse a fair division of labour based on merit and equality, while condemning pathological division of labour through slavery, forced labour, superstition etc. According to him, Brahmins were not to discriminate against lower castes and those of their own who joined the sangha, through the notion of purity and superior social status, which according to the buddha was false. but were to serve them wholeheartedly. Many sutras indicate that the Buddha himself was a Brahmin in a previous life and, due to his good merit as in the previous lives, was reborn as the Buddha. 
The notion of ritual purity provided a conceptual foundation for the caste system, by identifying occupations and duties associated with impure or taboo objects as being themselves impure. Regulations imposing such a system of ritual purity and taboos are absent from the Buddhist monastic code, and not generally regarded as being part of Buddhist teachings On the contrary, the early Buddhist scriptures defined purity as determined by one's state of mind, and refer to anyone who behaves unethically, of whatever caste, as "rotting within", or "a rubbish heap of impurity". 
There are many places in which the Buddha explains his use of the word brahman. At Sutta Nipata 1.7, Vasala Sutta, verse 12, he states: "Not by birth is one an outcast; not by birth is one a brahman. By deed one becomes an outcast, by deed one becomes a brahman." 
  • The first convert of Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism was Indrabhuti (aka Gautamswami) the Brahmin, who headed a group of other Brahmins and converted them to Jainism. He was from the village Gobbar (also called Govarya) near Rajgriha. It is said that the Tapsas, who were competing with Gautama to reach the top of a hill, achieved moksha by seeing Gautama win. 
  • Sajjambhava was another born from Rajgriha and was elected the head of the Jain temple. He is famous for his composition of the "Dasavaikalika Sutra."
  • Acharya Vidyanand is a Brahmin of the Dhigambar Jain sect and compiled in the Sanskrit language, "Ashta Shahastri" with eight thousand verses.
  • Acharya Shushil Kumar, known better to Jains as "Guruji", was born a Vaidik in the Shakarpur village of the Haryana province. At the age of 15, he took Diksha (became a sanyassin) into the Sthanakvasi, a Swhetambara sub-sect.
  • Reputedly a wealthy Brahmin named Dhangiri, in the town of Tumbhivan, lost his interest in wealth and decided to take Diksha, after hearing the sermons of the Jain Acharya Sinhgiri.
  • Umasvati was a composer who was so loved by Jains that he is considered by the Dhigambar sect to be a Dhigambar member and the Svetambara sect to be a Svetambara member.
  • Akalanka of the 8th century is said to the pioneer in the field of Jain logic. 
  • There is a Brahmin community in South Karnataka which is traditional follower of Jainism and is known as Jain Brahmin. They have a hostel for students in Mysore, known as Jain Brahmin Hostel. This community is different from the Jain priests in Jain temples.
There are additional sampradayas, which are not as widely followed:
The Mahima Dharma or "Satya Mahima Alekha Dharma" was founded by the Brahmin Mukunda Das of present-day Orissa, popularly known by followers as Mahima Swami according to theBhima Bhoi text.  He was born in the last part of the 18th century, in the former state of Baudh, a son of Ananta Mishra. He was Brahmin by caste as mentioned in Mahima Vinod of Bhima Bhoi in Vol.11. This sampradaya is similar to Vaishnavism. Although the members of this sect do not worship Lord Vishnu as their Ishta-Deva, they believe that the Srimad Bhagavatam is sacred. The founder of this sect was a Vaishnavite before founding the new order.  This sampradaya was founded in the latter part of the 18th century. 
There is also the Avadhoot Panth, wherein Lord Dattatreya and his forms such as Narasimha Saraswati and Sai Baba of Shirdi are worshiped. Lord Dattatreya is worshiped by many as the Hindu trinity – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in one divine entity. Many even worship Dattatreya as an Avatar of Vishnu or of Shiva.
Bahun is a colloquial Nepali term for a member of the Pahari or "hill" Brahmin (ब्राह्मण) caste, who are traditionally educators, scholars and priests of Hinduism. They are also known as Barmu in Newari. Brahmins are the second largest caste group in Nepal (31% of the population), with the Chhetri (Kshatriya) being the first (42%).  Brahmins were inhabitants of Nepal in prehistoric times.  The Brahmin community is the major part of the indigenous Khas community of Nepal.  They moved eastward along Xinjiang province of China, Western Tibet, the Himalayan foothills from Kashmir and Kumao/Garwal. They settled first in the Karnali River basin, then the Gandaki and finally the Kosi basin and into Sikkim and Bhutan. 
Some Jaiswal Brahmins are Chaurasi Brahmins from Nepal or North India. There are references about Brahmins of Nepal in bansawali and purans. By tradition—and by civil law until 1962—they represented the highest of the four Hindu varna or castes.  Bahuns from the "hills" have been represented disproportionately in Nepal's education system, political parties and civil service since the country was unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah and his heirs in the 18th century. The top leaders of the all the major parties are also Bahuns: the Maoist opposition (Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Baburam Bhattarai), the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) Jhalanath Khanal, Madhav Kumar (Nepal), and the Nepali Congress (Sushil Koirla).
Very often, Khas Bahuns can be identified by their middle names being Dev (देव), Nath (नाथ), Mani (मणि), Raj (राज), Prasad (प्रसाद), Devi (देवी) or Kumari (कुमारी). They never use bahadur (बहादुर) in their names because it is associated mainly with Chhetris (Kshatriya) and "martial tribes".
The Brahman caste in Nepal includes numerous family names such as:
  • A अ – Acharya (आचार्य), Adhikari (अधिकारी), Arjel (अर्जेल)/Arjyal (अर्ज्याल)/Aryal (अर्याल), Awasthi (अवस्थी)
  • Ā आ – Atreya (आत्रेय),
  • B ब – Badal (बडाल), Banskota (बास्कोटा), Baral (बराल), Bastakoti (बस्ताकोटी), Bastola (बास्तोला), Basyal/Bashyal/Basel (बस्याल/ बश्याल/ बसेल)
  • Bh भ – Bhandari (भन्डारी), Bhatta (भट्ट), Bhattarai (भट्टराई), Bhetuwal (भेटुवाल), Bhurtel (भुर्तेल), Bhusal (भुसाल / भुषाल)
  • Ch च – Chalise (चालिसे), Chapagain (चापगाईँ), Chataut (चटौत), Chaulagain (चौलागाई)/चाम्लागांइ, Chiluwal (चिलुवाल)
  • D द – Dahal (दहाल), Devkota (देवकोटा)
  • D ड – Dallakoti (डल्लाकोटी), Dumre (डुम्रे)
  • Dh ढ – Dhakal (ढकाल), Dhungel (ढुंगेल), Dhital (धिताल)
  • G ग – Gajurel (गजुरेल), Gaudel (गौडेल), Gautam (गौतम), Gotame (गोतामे), Guragain/Gurangain (गुरागाईँ), Gyanwali (ज्ञवाली), Gaire (गैरे), Gauli (गौली)
  • Gh घ – Ghimire (घिमिरे)
  • H ह – Humagain (हुमगाईँ)
  • J ज – Jaisi(जैसी), Joshi (जोशी)
  • K क – Kafle (कफ्ले/काफ्ले), Kalakheti (कलाखेती), Kandel (कंडेल)/Kadel (कडेल), Koirala (कोइराला)
  • Kh ख – Khanal (खनाल), Kharel (खरेल), Khatiwada (खतिवडा)
  • L – Lamsal(लम्साल), Lekhak (लेखक), Lohani (लोहनी), Lamichhane
  • M म – Mainali (मैनाली), Maratha (मराठा), Mishra (मिश्र)
  • N – Nepal (नेपाल), Neupane (नेउपाने/न्यौपाने), Niroula (निरौला), Nyaupane (न्यौपाने)
  • O ओ – Ojha (ओझा), Oli (ऑळी)
  • P प – Prasai(n) (प्रसाईं), Parajuli(पराजुली), Pageni (पंगेनी), Pandey (पाँडे/पाण्डे), Pandit (पण्डित), Pant (पन्त), Pathak (पाठक), Pokhrel/Pokharel (पोखरेल), Paudyal (पौड्याल)/Poudyal/Paudel (पौडेल), Pudasiani (पुडासैनी), Pyakurel (प्याकुरेल), Panthi (पन्थि)
  • Ph फ – Phuyal (फुयाल)
  • R र – Regmi (रेग्मी), Rijal (रिजाल), Rimal (रिमाल), Rishal (रिशाल),Ruwali(रुवलि)
  • Sh श – Sharma (शर्मा), Shivakoti (शिवाकोटी)
  • S स – Sangraula (संग्रौला), Sapkota (सापकोटा), Satyal (सत्याल), Sedhain (सेढाई), Sigdel (सिग्देल), Simkhada (सिम्खडा), Subedi (सुवेदी),
  • T त – Timilsina (तिमल्सेना/तिमील्सिना), Tiwari (तिवारी), Tripathi (त्रिपाठी)
  • Th थ – Thapaliya (थपलिया)
  • W व – Wagle (वाग्ले)
  • U उ – Upadhyaya (उपाध्याय), Upreti/Uprety (उप्रेती)
The Audichya Brahmin community is connected with Parashurama (Bhargava-Gotra), and are said to have earned a good deal of confidence and respect among kings. 
Historically, Brahmins, known as ponna   in modern-day Burmese, formed an influential group in Burma prior to British colonialism. Until the 1900s, ponna referred to Indians who had arrived prior to colonial rule, distinct from kala, Indians who arrived during British rule. During theKonbaung dynasty, court Brahmins were consulted by kings before moving royal capitals, waging wars, making offerings to Buddhist sites like theMahamuni Buddha, and for astrology.  Burmese Brahmins can be divided into four general groups, depending on their origins:
  • Manipur Brahmins  : Brahmins who were sent to Burma after Manipur became a Burmese vassal state in the 1700s and ambassadors from Manipur
  • Arakanese Brahmins,   Brahmins brought to Burma from Arakan after it was conquered by the Konbaung kingBodawpaya
  • Sagaing Brahmins: the oldest Brahmins in Burmese society, who consulted the Pyu, Burman  and Mon kingdoms prior to the Konbaung dynasty
  • Indian Brahmins: Brahmins who arrived with British colonial rule when Burma became a part of the British Raj
According to Burmese chronicles, Brahmins in Burma were subject to the four-caste system, which included brahmanas  , kshatriyas  , vaishya  , and shudra.  Because the Burmese monarchy enforced the caste system for Indians, Brahmins who broke caste traditions and laws were subject to punishment. In the Arakanese kingdom, punished Brahmins often became kyun ponna  literally 'slave Brahmins', who made flower offerings to Buddha images and performed menial tasks. During the Konbaung dynasty, caste was indicated by the number of salwe (threads) worn; Brahmins wore nine, while the lowest caste wore none. Brahmins are also fundamental in the Nine-God cult, called the Nine Divinities    which is essentially a Burmese puja (puzaw in Burmese) for appeasing nine divinities, Buddha and the eight arahats, or a group of nine deities, five Hindu gods and four nat spirits. This practice continues to be practiced in modern-day Burma.
Brahmins in Thailand are known as 'Phram' or 'Paahm' and claim ancestry to Indian Brahmins who migrated to Thailand in the 6th century AD   There are fewer Brahmins in Thailand than in Burma.
One of the theories that orthodox Brahmins of Thailand believe in is that the earth shall be destroyed by fire, and that a new Earth will be created after the destruction. 
In the 19th century at Bangkok all the medical practitioners were Chinese or Cochin - Chinese, while astronomy and divination was in the hands of the Brahmins. 



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