Panini

Brahmin (ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣ, ब्राह्मण, Sanskrit pronunciation- braahmaNa) Brahmin is a derivative of Sanskrit words "Brahman" (pronounced brahman or brahman) and "Brahmana" (pronounced brähmaņa). Definitions: 1) The Supreme Being, the God, the Creator - one of the trinity (Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara(Siva). 2) Part of Veda, explanatory remarks, each Veda has its own Brahmana portion distinct from Mantra and Upanishad portions, containing rules of employment of Mantras or hymns at various sacrifices, with detailed explanations of their origin and meaning and numerous legends, each containing two parts 1) 'vidhi', rules or directions for rites and 2) 'artha-väda', explanatory remarks. The Rigveda has Aitareya Brahmana and Kaushitaki or Sankhayana Brahmana, The Sukla (white) Yajurveda has Satapatha Brahmana, the Krishna (dark) Yajurveda has Taittiriya Brahmana, Samaveda has 8 Brahmanas of which best known are Panchavinsa and Shadvinsa Brahmanas, and Atharvaveda has Gopatha Brahmana. 3) One of the four classes called varnas (pronounced varņa) the Vedic society was classified into: Brahmana - the religious and priest class, Kshatriya-the ruling and warrior class, Vaishya-the agriculture and business class, and Shudra- the artisan and working class, which are not supposed to interfere in each others affairs, duties and responsibilities, similar to the modern secular democracy. 4) A person belonging to Brahmin tribe or caste into which he or she is born, further divided into sub-castes, follows Brahminism or Sanatana Dharma based on Vedas, further explained below. 5) A person of high social standing and cultivated intellect and taste. 6) Any of the Indian breed of humped cattle, Zebu, a large vigorous heat resistant and tick resistant, usually silvery gray animal developed in the Southern USA by interbreeding Indian cattle usually used for cross breeding. To suggest a relevant news story for the main page, refer to the criteria then add your suggestion at the candidates page. ... Image File history File links Panini_stamp. ... Image File history File links Panini_stamp. ... Panini can refer to: Pāṇini, the 5th century BC Sanskrit grammarian Panini (sandwich), a type of Italian sandwich Panini (stickers), a brand of collectible stickers Giovanni Paolo Panini, an Italian artist This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Candidates for regular freemasonry are required to declare a belief in a Supreme Being; a generic description allowing the candidate to adhere to whichever deity or concept he holds to be appropriate. ... Image:Http://www. ... The creator god is the divine being that created the universe, according to various traditions and faiths. ... Brahma carving at a temple in Halebid. ... For other uses of the name Vishnu, see Vishnu (disambiguation). ... This article is about the Hindu God. ... The Vedas are part of the Hindu Shruti; these religious scriptures form part of the core of the Brahminical and Vedic traditions within Hinduism and are the inspirational, metaphysical and mythological foundation for later Vedanta, Yoga, Tantra and even Bhakti forms of Hinduism. ... A mantra is a religious syllable or poem, typically from the Sanskrit language. ... The Upanishads (; Devanagari ) are part of the Hindu Shruti scriptures which primarily discuss meditation and philosophy and are seen as religious instructions by most schools of Hinduism. ... In Tibet, many Buddhists carve mantras into rocks as a form of devotion. ... The Rigveda (Sanskrit: , a tatpurusha compound of praise, verse and knowledge) is a collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns counted among the four Hindu religious texts known as the Vedas. ... The Aitareya Upanishad is one of the older, primary Upanishads commented upon by Shankara. ... The Kauśītāki Upanishad is one of the older, primary Upanishads. ... The Yajurveda (Sanskrit , a tatpurusha compound of sacrifice + veda knowledge) is one of the four Hindu Vedas. ... The Yajurveda (Sanskrit , a tatpurusha compound of sacrifice + veda knowledge) is one of the four Hindu Vedas. ... The Yajur Veda यजुर्वेद is one of the four Hindu Vedas; it contains religious texts focussing on liturgy and ritual. ... The Samaveda (Sanskrit: सामवेद, sāmaveda, a tatpurusha compound of ritual chant + knowledge ), is third in the usual order of enumeration of the four Vedas, the ancient core Hindu scriptures. ... The Atharvaveda (Sanskrit: अथर्ववेद, , a tatpurusha compound of , a type of priest, and meaning knowledge) is a sacred text of Hinduism, and one of the four Vedas, often called the fourth Veda. According to tradition, the Atharvaveda was mainly composed by two groups of rishis known as the Bhrigus and the... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The adjective Vedic may refer to The Vedas, the oldest preserved Indo-Aryan texts. ... Kshatriya is the title of the military order within the Hindu varna system. ... In the Hindu caste system, a Vaishya (Sanskrit वैश्य vaiÅ›ya) is a member of the third of the four major castes of the varna system of traditional Indian society, comprising of merchants, farmers, landowners and artisans. ... Shudra or Sudra is the fourth caste or varna in the traditional four-caste division in Indian society. ... Viewed historically or developmentally, a tribe consists of a social formation existing before the development of, or outside of, states. ... Caste systems are traditional, hereditary systems of social stratification. ... Young Indian brahmachari Brahmin A Brahmin (less often Brahman) is a member of the Hindu priestly caste. ... This article is about the Hindu religion; for other meanings of the word, see Hindu (disambiguation). ... The Vedas (Sanskrit: वेद), collectively refers to a corpus of ancient Indo-Aryan religious literature that are associated with the Vedic civilization and are considered by adherents of Hinduism to be revealed knowledge. ... Trinomial name Bos taurus indicus Linnaeus, 1758 Zebus (Bos taurus indicus), sometimes known as humped cattle, are better-adapted to tropical environments than other domestic cattle. ...

Brahmin is a member of a priestly section of Hindu socienty. The Hindu community has been divided into four transient sections (varnas) : Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra based on occupation. The Brahmins are believed to be responsible for society's spiritual progress. A person born into a Brahmin/Kshatriya/Vaishya family becomes twice-born (dvija) when he undergoes upanayana, initiation into Vedic education.

The caste system was transient until social stagnation made it intransient by segregating Hindus into four catses based on birth. The Vedas clearly state that the castes are based on occupation and virtues of people. Vishwamitra, a Kashtriya (as he was a ruler), became a Brahmin after doing Tapas (pennance) and achieving Brahma Gyana (Knowledge of God). Valmiki, originally a thief, later, came to be regarded as a Brahmin when he became an ascetic and studied the Vedas. In recent times in Karnataka (a southern state in India), Kanakadasa born to shudra parents is regarded as a great saint and Brahmin by the most orthodox Brahmin community - the Madhwa Brahmins.

The 'Nirukta' of 'Yask' says "Brahmam Janati eti Brahmanam" meaning a person who knows Brahman is a Brahmin. Some texts refer to Brahma to mean Vedas. Some texts refer to Brahman as the creator of the universe as we know it. Some verses also refer to the transcendent and immanent supreme soul as "Brahman" (ब्रह्म, Sanskrit pronunciation- brahma). Brahman is different from Brahmana (or brahmin). Brahman means God and Brahmana (or Brahmin) means knower of God.

The Brahmins are one of the many minority groups in India. In 1931, Brahmins were 4.32% of the total population. The Brahmins, even in Uttar Pradesh, where they are most numerous, constitute just 9% of the total populace. In Tamil Nadu they form less than 3% and in Andhra Pradesh they are less than 2%.

Practices of the Brahmins

Most practising Brahmins adhere to the principles of Hinduism, such as acceptance of the Vedas with reverence; adherence to the position that the means or ways to salvation and realization of the ultimate truth are diverse; God is one, but has innumerable names and forms to chant and worship due to our varied perceptions, cultures and languages; that a Brahmin works for the welfare of the entire society (sarvejanaassukhinobhavanti), belief in vasudhaiva kutumbam (the whole world is one family); and so on. Daily practices of Brahmins include sandhyavandana (Gayatri prayer to Sun God), prayer to ishtadaiva or ilavelpu (personal God), yoga, ahimsa (non-violence), vegetarianism etc. Everything in the daily life of a Brahmin is a sacred ritual. However, special rituals include marriage, ritual of conception and consummation of the wedding, rituals of childbirth, naming ceremony, first feeding ceremony, the child’s first tonsure, upanayana (the sacred-thread ceremony - initiation into vedic learning and ritual), ritual baths, cremation rituals, shraaddha, etc. All of these rituals are very important for a practicing Brahmin. Hinduism (Sanskrit/Hindi —, also known as , and ) is a religion originating in the Indian subcontinent, based on the Vedas and the beliefs of other people of India. ... The Vedas (Sanskrit: वेद), collectively refers to a corpus of ancient Indo-Aryan religious literature that are associated with the Vedic civilization and are considered by adherents of Hinduism to be revealed knowledge. ... Image:Http://www. ... Gayatri (gāyatrÄ« Sanskrit: गायत्री) is the feminine form of gāyatra, a Sanskrit word for a song or a hymn. ... A solar deity is a deity who represents the Sun. ... The phrase personal God is religious term used far more often by laypeople than by theologians due to its numerous connotations. ... Yoga is a family of ancient spiritual practices that originated in India, where it remains a vibrant living tradition and is seen as a means to enlightenment. ... Ahimsa is a religious concept which advocates non-violence and a respect for all life. ... Nonviolence (or non-violence) is a set of assumptions about morality, power and conflict that leads its proponents to reject the use of violence in efforts to attain social or political goals. ... Vegetarianism is the practice of not eating meat, including beef, poultry, fish, or their by-products, with or without the use of dairy products or eggs. ... In various religions, sacred (from Latin, sacrum, sacrifice) or holy, objects, places or concepts are believed by followers to be intimately connected with the supernatural, or divinity, and are thus greatly revered. ... A ritual is a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value, which is prescribed by a religion or by the traditions of a community. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... As a verb, consummate means to bring something to its completion, such as a transaction, concept, plan or action. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... Tonsure is the practice of some Christian churches of cutting the hair from the scalp of clerics as a symbol of their renunciation of worldly fashion and esteem. ... Upanayana is a Hindu samskara for children of the three highest castes. ... Coming from the Latin, initiation implies a beginning. ... A ritual is a formalised, predetermined set of symbolic actions generally performed in a particular environment at a regular, recurring interval. ...

Also see Deivatthin Kural's "A Day in the Life of a Brahmin".

Brahmin scholarship

The Vedas are the primary source of knowledge for all Hindu traditions, both orthodox & heterodox. All religions of Brahmins and all traditions, in one way or other, take inspiration from the Vedas. Traditional Hindu accepts Vedas as apaurusheyam and (not composed by human) and "Anaadhi" (with no origins), but revealed truths and of eternal validity or relevance and hence the Vedas are considered Srutis that which have been heard and are the paramount source of Brahmin traditions and is believed to be divine. These Srutis include not only the four Vedas (the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda and the Atharvaveda), but also their respective Brahmanas. Brahmins also give tremendous importance to purity of body and mind and hence attach importance to ritual baths and cleanliness. The Vedas (Sanskrit: वेद), collectively refers to a corpus of ancient Indo-Aryan religious literature that are associated with the Vedic civilization and are considered by adherents of Hinduism to be revealed knowledge. ... The Vedas (Sanskrit: वेद), collectively refers to a corpus of ancient Indo-Aryan religious literature that are associated with the Vedic civilization and are considered by adherents of Hinduism to be revealed knowledge. ... The Rigveda (Sanskrit: , a tatpurusha compound of praise, verse and knowledge) is a collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns counted among the four Hindu religious texts known as the Vedas. ... The Yajurveda (Sanskrit , a tatpurusha compound of sacrifice + veda knowledge) is one of the four Hindu Vedas. ... The Samaveda (Sanskrit: सामवेद, sāmaveda, a tatpurusha compound of ritual chant + knowledge ), is third in the usual order of enumeration of the four Vedas, the ancient core Hindu scriptures. ... The Atharvaveda (Sanskrit: अथर्ववेद, , a tatpurusha compound of , a type of priest, and meaning knowledge) is a sacred text of Hinduism, and one of the four Vedas, often called the fourth Veda. According to tradition, the Atharvaveda was mainly composed by two groups of rishis known as the Bhrigus and the... The Brahmanas (Brahmin Books) are part of the Hindu Shruti; these religious scriptures focus on sacrifice -- particularly that of horses and soma. ...

Due to the diversity in religious and cultural traditions and practices, and the Vedic schools which they belong to, Brahmins are further divided into various subcastes. During the sutra period, roughly between 1000 BCE to 200 BCE, Brahmins became divided into various Sakhas or branches, based on the adoption of different Vedas and different readings and interpretations of Vedas. Sects or schools for different denominations of the same Veda were formed, under the leadership of distinguished teachers among Brahmins. The teachings of these distinguished rishis are called sutras. Every Veda has its own sutras. The sutras that deal with social, moral and legal precepts are called dharma sutras, whereas those sutras that deal with ceremonials are called Srauta sutras and domestic rituals are called gruhya sutras. Sutras are generally written in prose or in mixed prose and verse. These sutras are based on divine Vedas and are manmade and hence are called Smritis, meaning “recollected or remembered.” The Vedas (Sanskrit: वेद), collectively refers to a corpus of ancient Indo-Aryan religious literature that are associated with the Vedic civilization and are considered by adherents of Hinduism to be revealed knowledge. ... A sect is a small religious group that has branched off of a larger established religion. ... school, see School (disambiguation). ... Note that this kind of denomination is not that of a coin or banknote. ... The Vedas are part of the Hindu Shruti; these religious scriptures form part of the core of the Brahminical and Vedic traditions within Hinduism and are the inspirational, metaphysical and mythological foundation for later Vedanta, Yoga, Tantra and even Bhakti forms of Hinduism. ... In Hinduism, the Rishis are sages and/or seers who heard the hymns of the Devas; and then wrote them down as Vedic scriptures. ... Sutra (सूत्र) in Sanskrit is derived from the verb √siv, meaning to sew. ... The Vedas are part of the Hindu Shruti; these religious scriptures form part of the core of the Brahminical and Vedic traditions within Hinduism and are the inspirational, metaphysical and mythological foundation for later Vedanta, Yoga, Tantra and even Bhakti forms of Hinduism. ... Sutra (सूत्र) in Sanskrit is derived from the verb √siv, meaning to sew. ... Dharma (Sanskrit धर्म) or Dhamma (Pāli) means Natural Law or Reality, and with respect to its significance for spirituality and religion might be considered the Way of the Higher Truths. ... Sutra (सूत्र) in Sanskrit is derived from the verb √siv, meaning to sew. ... Sutra (सूत्र) in Sanskrit is derived from the verb √siv, meaning to sew. ... Sutra (सूत्र) in Sanskrit is derived from the verb √siv, meaning to sew. ... The concept of the divine or of The Divine, meaning matters relating to a god, forms an important ingredient in many religious faiths (but compare Buddhism, for example, or Scientology). ... The Vedas (Sanskrit: वेद), collectively refers to a corpus of ancient Indo-Aryan religious literature that are associated with the Vedic civilization and are considered by adherents of Hinduism to be revealed knowledge. ... Smriti (what is fit/deserves to be remembered) refers to a canon of Hindu religious scripture. ...

There are several Brahmin law givers such as Angirasa, Apasthambha, Atri, Brihaspati, Boudhayana, Daksha, Gautama, Harita, Katyayana, Likhita, Manu, Parasara, Samvarta, Sankha, Satatapa, Usanasa, Vasishta, Vishnu, Vyasa, Yajnavalkya and Yama. These twenty-one rishis were the propounders of Dharma Sastras or sutras. There is a lot of contradiction among these Dharma Sastras, even within one Smriti. These differences in the rules and rituals resulted in the rigid stratification of subcastes among Brahmins. None of these smritis is supreme and universally applicable. The oldest among these Dharma sutras are Apasthambha, Baudhayana, Gautama, and Vasishta Sutras. In Hinduism, Angirasa is one of the seven sages, the SaptaRishis. ... In Hinduism, Atri is a legendary bard and scholar, and a son of Brahma. ... In Hinduism, Brihaspati is the god of magic and prayer. ... In Hinduism, Daksha is an ancient creator god, one of the Prajapatis, the Rishis and the Adityas, and a son of Aditi and Brahma. ... Harit (Harita) Rishi was a sage of the lakulish cult and was a devotee of Lord Shiva (Shri Eklingji). ... Katyayana was probably a priest who lived in India around 200 BC. Like Baudhayana, he composed Shulba Sutra, or sacred mathematical texts. ... Manu has several meanings: *Manu in Indo-European mythology was the first man, hero and first Holy King to rule this earth, see Manu (Hinduism), Germanic Mannus, Mannaz. ... Vasishta, in Hindu mythology was chief of the seven venerated sages (or Saptharishi) and the Rajaguru of the Suryavamsha or Solar Dynasty. ... For other uses of the name Vishnu, see Vishnu (disambiguation). ... Veda Vyasa(Contemporary painting) Vyasa (Vyāsa in IAST transliteration) is an important and much revered figure in the Hindu tradition and its literature. ... Sage Yajnavalkya of Mithila (perhaps 1800 BC) advanced a 95-year cycle to synchronize the motions of the sun and the moon. ... This article is about the deity Yama in Hinduism. ... Dharma (Sanskrit धर्म) or Dhamma (Pāli) means Natural Law or Reality, and with respect to its significance for spirituality and religion might be considered the Way of the Higher Truths. ... Sutra (सूत्र) in Sanskrit is derived from the verb √siv, meaning to sew. ... Dharma (Sanskrit धर्म) or Dhamma (Pāli) means Natural Law or Reality, and with respect to its significance for spirituality and religion might be considered the Way of the Higher Truths. ... Smriti (Sanskrit स्मॄति, that which is remembered) refers to a specific canon of Hindu religious scripture. ... Smriti (what is fit/deserves to be remembered) refers to a canon of Hindu religious scripture. ... Dharma (Sanskrit धर्म) or Dhamma (Pāli) means Natural Law or Reality, and with respect to its significance for spirituality and religion might be considered the Way of the Higher Truths. ... Sutra (सूत्र) in Sanskrit is derived from the verb √siv, meaning to sew. ... Baudhayana, (circa 800 BC), was a Vedic Indian mathematician/scribe. ... Standing Buddha, ancient region of Gandhara, northern Pakistan, 1st century CE, Musée Guimet. ... Vasishta, in Hindu mythology was chief of the seven venerated sages (or Saptharishi) and the Rajaguru of the Suryavamsha or Solar Dynasty. ... Sutra (सूत्र) in Sanskrit is derived from the verb √siv, meaning to sew. ...

Also see Manu Smriti' "Learning of Vedas"

Brahmin communities

Rabindranath Tagore

Major Brahmin castes in the Indian Continent are divided into two regional groups, as divided by Kalhana in Rajatarangini. Image File history File links Tagore3. ... Image File history File links Tagore3. ... Rabindranath Tagore in Kolkata, c. ... Kalhana (c. ... Rajtarangini (River of Kings), a book written in Sanskrit by Kalhan, contains an account of the life and history of Kashmir. ...

Pancha-Gauda: Those from North or Eastern India:

• Kanyakubja Brahmins
• Saryupareen Brahmins
• Sanadhya Brahmins
• Gouda Saraswat Brahmins
• Shrimali Brahmins
• Khandelwal Brahmins
• Kota Brahmins
• Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins
• Saraswat Brahmins
• Bhumihar Brahmins
• Maithili Brahmins
• Bengali Brahmins
• Dadhich Brahmin
• Gaur Brahmin
• Kashmiri Pandits
• khedaval
• Kulin Brahmins
• Mohyal Brahmins

Pancha-Dravida: Living in Dakshinapatha (including Gujarat): Kanauj, or Kannauj, is an ancient city of Uttar Pradesh state of India (1991 pop. ... Sarupareen Brahmins or Saryuparin are a caste of North Indian Brahmins who reside on the eastern plain of the Saryu River. ... The Gaud Saraswat Brahmins represent a relatively small group of Brahmins who have firmly established their identity as a unified community. ... Shrimal a place in Indias Rajasthan State . ... The Saraswat Brahmins claim descent from a Brahmin caste mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures as inhabiting the Saraswati River valley, the geographic location of which is unknown. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Maithil Brahmins This article does not cite its references or sources. ... This page meets Wikipedias criteria for speedy deletion. ... The Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus) are the original inhabitants of the Valley of Kashmir. ... KHEDAVAL or KHEDAWAL Khedaval is a leading Brahmin community better known as Baj Khedaval Brahmin. ... Mohyal (sometimes Muhiyal or Mahjal) is the name of a subcaste of Brahmins, the top caste of the Hindu caste system. ...

• Bardai Brahmins
• Chitpavan Brahmins (Konkanasth)
• Daivajna Brahmins
• Deshastha
• Dhima Brahmins
• Koota Brahmins
• Havyaka Brahmins
• Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins
• Iyers, Iyengar (Vadakalai Thenkalai )
• Kandavara Brahmins
• Kannada Brahmins
• Karhade Brahmins
• Koteshwara Brahmins
• Nagar Brahmins
• Namboothiri (Namboodiri, Namboodiripad, Bhatathiripad)
• AmbalavasiSemi Brahmins (Variar, Marar, Pisharedy, Nambidi etc)
• Padia Brahmins
• Saklapuri Brahmins
• Sanketi Brahmins
• Shivalli Brahmins
• Sthanika Brahmins
• Telugu Brahmins (Vaidiki, Niyogi)
• Tuluva Brahmins

There is also a non-priestly caste of Brahmins which is called the Ambalavasi caste. They are low or semi-Brahmins who assisted the Namboodiris in the temples of Kerala. They include Variar, Marayar, Pisharody, and Moosad. Some of these wear the sacred thread while some of them do not. They all belong to different Gotras. For instance Variar and Marayar are of the Kailasa Gotra, which adheres to the Maha-Namah-Shivaya Mantra.^{[citation needed]} Konkanastha (or Kokanastha) Brahmins, are the Brahmins who hail from the Konkan region of Maharashtra, India. ... Deshastha Brahmins (Kannada: ದೇಶಸ್ತ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣರು) are a Brahmin sub-caste primarily from the Indian state of Maharashtra, but have spread throughout South India. ... The Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins are a well known subject of Smarta Brahmins, which has produced many eminent scholars, musicians, philosophers, generals and religious pontiffs, over the centuries. ... Iyer is the name given to a community of Brahmins (members of the priestly class / caste) of India whose members profess the advaita philosophy propounded by sri Shankaracharya and whose ancestors have had strong ties with the Tamil region,for many centuries. ... Iyengar (or Aiyangar) is the name of a community of Tamil Brahmins of South India whose members profess the Visishtadvaita philosophy codified by Ramanuja. ... Vadagalai Iyengars are a subset of Iyengars. ... Therkku in the Tamil language means South. ... Kannada Brahmins are Brahmins who hail from the southern Indian region state Karnataka. ... Karhade Brahmins (Karhádé Bráhmeņ) form one of the three major sub-castes of Maharashtrian Brahmins, the other two being Deshastha Brahmins and Konkanastha Brahmins. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Ambalavasi is a caste found only in the caste system of Kerala. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Telugu Brahmins are members of the Indian Brahmin caste whose native language is Telugu. ... Niyogis are a sect of brahmins and are predominantly telugu speakers. ... Ambalavasi is a caste found only in the caste system of Kerala. ...

The Brahmin goals have been the spiritual enlightenment, peace and prosperity of the whole society. Brahmins played an extraordinary role in the spread of knowledge and vitalizing the Indian society for millennia and resulted into extraordinary diversity of Indian cultures and religious traditions.

Brahmin sampradayas

Brahmins have three main sampradayas or traditions. They are:

• Smartas- These brahmins follow Shankaracharya and Smarta sampradya
• Shri Vaishnavas- These brahmins follow Ramanujacharya and Shri Vaishanava sampradaya
• Maadhvas- These brahmins follow Madhvacharya and Madhva sampradaya

Smarta is a Hindu follower of Smartism. ... Adi Shankara with the Four Disciples Adi Shankara (Åšankara, Shri Shankaracharya, Adhi Shankaracharya, Ä€di Åšhankarācārya; the first Shankara in his lineage), reverentially called Bhagavatpada Acharya (the teacher at the feet of the Lord) (approximately 8th century, but see below) was the most famous advaita philosopher, who had a... Smarta is a Hindu follower of Smartism. ... Vaishnavism is one of the principal divisions of Hinduism. ... Sri Ramanuja Acharya (1017 - 1137 AD) was an Indian philosopher and is recognized as the most important saint of Sri Vaishnavism. ... Vaishnavism is one of the principal divisions of Hinduism. ... Madhva can refer to: Shri Madhvacharya, Vaishnavite saint and founder of Dvaita school of thought, at Pajaka, Udupi a person belonging to the Dvaita school of thought This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Madhva can refer to: Shri Madhvacharya, Vaishnavite saint and founder of Dvaita school of thought, at Pajaka, Udupi a person belonging to the Dvaita school of thought This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

Scholars and authors

Sanskrit Sanskrit ( संस्कृतम् ; pronunciation: ) is an Indo-European classical language of India and a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. ...

• Vishnu Sharma (the author of Panchatantra)
• Chanakya
• Magh
• Kalidas
• Aryabhatta
• Varahamihira
• Kumaril Bhatt
• Kalhana
• Bhaskaracharya
• Banabhatta
• Dandin
• Bharavi

Telugu Vishnu Sarma was the author of the anthropomorphic political treatise called Panchatantra. ... The Panchatantra (also spelled Pañcatantra, Sanskrit पञ्चतन्त्र Five Chapters , Kelileh va Demneh or Kalilag and Damnag in Persian) is a collection of Sanskrit fables in prose and verse. ... Chanakya (c. ... Maagh is the 10th month in the Bangla Calendar. ... Kalidas (कालिदास) is considered one of Indias greatest Sanskrit poets and dramatists. ... Aryabhata (आर्यभट) (Āryabhaṭa) is the first of the great astronomers of the classical age of India. ... Varahamihira (505 – 587) was an Indian astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer born in Ujjain. ... Kalhana (c. ... Bhāskara (1114-1185), also called Bhāskara II and Bhāskarācārya (Bhaskara the teacher) was an Indian mathematician. ... Banabhatta, also known as Bana, was a Sanskrit scholar of 7th century India. ... Dandi (flourished 6th century) was an Indian poet and writer on poetry, the author of Kavyadarsha. ... Telugu may refer to: TELUGU PORTAL Telugu language Telugu script Telugu people This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ...

• Adikavi Nannayya
• Tikkana
• Yerrapragada

Bengali Kavitrayam is a Telugu expression for trinity of poets. ... Kavitrayam is a Telugu expression for trinity of poets. ... Kavitrayam is a Telugu expression for trinity of poets. ... Bengali or Bangla (বাংলা ) is an Indo-Aryan language of South Asia that evolved as a successor to Sanskrit, Pali, and Prakrit. ...

• Bankim Chandra Chatterji

Hindi To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Hindi (हिन्दी hind), an Indo-European language spoken mainly in North, Central, and West India, is the official language of the Indian Union. ...

• Tulsidas
• Surdas
• Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan
• Pundit Hajari Prasad Dwivedi
• Suryakant Tripathi Nirala
• Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar' gyanpith award winner, member of rajya sabha for his contribution to literature.
• Sumitra Nandan Pant
• Pundit Ramchandra Shukla
• Ram Briksh Benipuri : Great writer from Muzaffarpur.

English Goswami Tulsidas (1532-1623; Hindi: तुलसीदास) was a Awadhi poet and philosopher. ... Surdas was a Hindu poet, saint and musician of India. ... Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan He was born Kedarnath Pande on 9 April 1893. ... Suryakant Tripathi Nirala (1896-October 15, 1961) was one of the most famous figures of the modern Hindi literature. ... Ramdhari Singh Dinkar (रामधारी सिंह दिनकर) (1908 - April 24, 1974) was one of the most famous modern Hindi poets. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

• Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan (September 5, 1888 – April 17, 1975) is best known as the man who introduced the thinking of western idealist philosophers into Indian thought. ...

Spiritual leaders

• Adi Shankara
• Ramanuja
• Nimbikachrya
• Ramananda

Adi Shankara with the Four Disciples Adi Shankara (Śankara, Shri Shankaracharya, Adhi Shankaracharya, Ādi Śhankarācārya; the first Shankara in his lineage), reverentially called Bhagavatpada Acharya (the teacher at the feet of the Lord) (approximately 8th century, but see below) was the most famous advaita philosopher, who had a... Sri Ramanuja Acharya (traditionally dated 1017–1137 CE) was an Indian philosopher and is recognized as the most important saint of Sri Vaishnavism. ... Ramananda was a vaishnava saint, a Ramayat - devotee of Lord Rama. ...

National leaders

Ancient

• Vishnugupta Chanakya
• Parshuram "The Great conqueror of Earth"
• Pushyamitra Sunga
• Gautamiputra Satkarni
• Vashistha Putra Pulomavi

Recent: Chanakya (c. ... Parashurama Bhargava or Parasurama (Axe-wielding Rama), is the Sixth avatara of Vishnu, and a son of Jamadagni. ... Gautamiputra Satkarni (c. ...

• Baji Rao The great Peshva
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak
• Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
• Gopal Krishna Gokhale
• Rani Lakshmi Bai
• Chandra Shekher Azad
• Pundit Ramaprasad Bismil
• Jawahar Lal Nehru
• Sri Krishna Sinha First chief minister of Bihar
• Shri Basawon Singh, Great Nationalist, Trade Unionist and First Leader of Opposition in Bihar; earlier active with HSRA (Hindustan Socialist Republican Army) and later joined Congress Socialist Party. The government of India issued a commemorative stamp on him on 23/03/2000.
• Yogendra Shukla, among the greatest nationalist the country has produced and who also served in the Cellular Jail, Andamans(Kalapani), among the founders of HSRA (Hindustan Socialist Republican Army)
• Baikuntha Shukla, great nationalist who was hanged for murdering Phanindrananth Ghosh who had become a government approver which led to hanging of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru. He was a nephew of Yogendra Shukla.
• Ganga Sharan Singh, Littrateur and Nationalist.
• Kishori Prassana Sinha (Singh), nationalist
• Mithilesh Narayan Singh, Nationalist
• Ram Nandan Mishra, Nationalist and Socialist leader who spent years in jail in British India.

Bajirao (1700-1740), was Peshwa (Prime Minister) to the Maratha king Chhatrapati Shahu. ... Bal Gangadhar Tilak, was an Indian nationalist, social reformer and freedom fighter who was the first popular leader of the Indian Independence Movement. ... Veer Savarkar on a stamp issued by Government of India. ... Gopal Krishna Gokhale (गोपाल कृष्‍ण गोखले) was born on May 9, 1866, in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. ... Jawaharlal Nehru (जवाहरलाल नेहरू) (November 14, 1889 - May 27, 1964), also called Pandit (Teacher) Nehru, was the leader of the (moderately) socialist wing of the Indian National Congress during and after Indias struggle for independence from the British Empire. ... Sri Krishna Singh (1887 – 1961) was Chief Minister of the Indian state of Bihar (1946 – 1961). ... For other uses, see Bihar (disambiguation). ...

Reformers and independent thinkers

• Raja Rammohan Rao
• Keshav Chandra Sen
• Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar
• Swami Sahajanand Saraswati Social worker, saint, founder of the first kisan sabha, led to the emancipation of agricultural workers.
• Swami Dayanand Saraswati
• Veeresalingam Kandukuri
• Jiddu Krishnamurti

Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820 - 1891) was an Indian Bengali author, writer and reformer. ... Swami Sahajananad Saraswati (1889-1950), born in a Jujhoutia Brahmin later converted to Bhumihar Brahmin family of Gazipur of Uttar Pradesh state of India, was an ascetic Dandi sanyasi as well as a peasant leader of eastern India. ... Jiddu Krishnamurti (జిడ్డు కృష్ణమూర్తి in Telugu) (May 12, 1895 Madanapalle, India–February 17, 1986 Ojai, California), often written as J. Krishnamurti, was discovered, in 1909, as a teenager by C.W. Leadbeater in India on the private beach at the Theosophical headquarters at Adyar in Chennai. ...

Others

• Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru: India's first Prime Minister
• Rani Lakshmi Bai: Rani of Jhansi, hero of 1857
• Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak: nationalist leader; journalist
• Goswami Tulsi Das: author of Ram-charita-Manas
• Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: President of India; philosopher
• Shankar Dayal Sharma: President of India
• Peshva Baji Rao: leader of Maratha Expansion
• Nana Phadnvees
• Tantya Tope
• Mangal Pandey
• Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
• Chander shekhar Azad
• Ramprasad Bismil
• Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya: founder of Banaras Hindu University
• Ravindranath Tagore
• Gopal Krishna Gokhle
• Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
• Birbal and Tansen
• P.V. Narsimha Rao
• Shankar Dayal Sharma
• V.V. Giri
• Tanguturi Prakasam: Andhra Kesari
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Prime Minister of India
• Jayant Narlikar: has made important contributions to theoretical physics, astrophysics, and cosmology.
• Morarji Desai: a Prime Minister of India
• Somnath Sharma: first recipeint of "Param Veer Chakra"'
• Raja Ram mohan Rai: founder of Brahamo samaj
• Keshav Chandra sen
• Ishwari Chandra Vidhyasagar: social reformer
• Surendra Nath Banerjee: congress President
• Adi Guru Shankaracharya
• Indira Nehru Gandhi: first woman prime minister of India
• Ram Krishna Paramhans
• Swamin Dyanand Sarswati: founder of Arya Samaj
• Rahul Sankratyayan: "the Maha Pandit"
• Sarojni Chattopadya Nayadu: freedom fighter and Congress President
• Bankim Chandra Chaterjee: writer of vande Matram
• Vishnu Gupt "Chankya": politician
• Kashi Naresh: Banaras Maharaja
• Vishnu Sharma: writer of Panchtanra
• Pt. Ravishanker: "Bharat Ratna"
• Purushottam Das Tandon: "Bharat Ratna"
• Sham Nandan Mishra: Congress Leader, who was also in the ministry of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Digvijay Narayan Singh: Congress Leader.
• Sir Ganesh Dutt: Bihar first Education Minister.
• Sheel Bhadra Yajee
• Mahesh Prasad Sinha: leader from Muzaffarpur.
• Prof G R Sharma: historian and archaeologist from Ghazipur
• Prof Ram Sharan Sharma: historian

Jawaharlal Nehru (जवाहरलाल नेहरू, Javāharlāl Nehrū) (November 14, 1889 – May 27, 1964), also called Pandit (Scholar, Teacher) Nehru, was one of the most important leaders of the Indian Independence Movement and, as the head of the Indian National Congress, became the first Prime Minister of India when India won its... Equestrian statue of Jhansi ki Rani Rani Lakshmi Bai also known as Jhansi Ki Rani, was the queen of Jhansi, a Maratha-ruled princely state of northern India, was one of the great nationalist heroes of the War of Independence of 1857, and a symbol of resistance to British rule... Bal Gangadhar Tilak, was an Indian nationalist, social reformer and freedom fighter who was the first popular leader of the Indian Independence Movement. ... Goswami Tulsidas (1532-1623; Hindi: तुलसीदास) was a Awadhi poet and philosopher. ... Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan (September 5, 1888 – April 17, 1975) is best known as the man who introduced the thinking of western idealist philosophers into Indian thought. ... Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma (August 19, 1918 - December 26, 1999) was an Indian scholar and politician, most notable for serving as President of India from 1992 until 1997. ... Bajirao (1700-1740), was Peshwa (Prime Minister) to the Maratha king Chhatrapati Shahu. ... Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya was a national leader and a freedom fighter of India. ... Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu (23 August 1872 – 20 May 1957) was an Indian freedom fighter and the first Chief Minister of the state of Andhra. ... Atal Bihari Vajpayee (अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी in Devanagari) (born December 25, 1924) was the Prime Minister of India in 1996 and again from October 13, 1998 until May 19, 2004. ... The eminent astrophysicist Jayant Vishnu Narlikar was born in Kolhapur, in the state of Maharashtra, India on July 19, 1938. ... Morarji Ranchhodji Desai (मोरारजी देसाई) (February 29, 1896 – April 10, 1995) was an Indian freedom fighter and the first non-Congress Party Prime Minister of India. ...

References, Sources and external links

• Definitions: A Sanskrit English Dictionary by Sir Monier Monier-Williams; Dictionary.com ([1]), and Webster's Dictinary.)
• Mayne's "Treatise on Hindu Law and Usage.
• Hindu Castes and Sects Jogendranath Bhattacharya.
• Andhra Viprula Gotramulu, Indla Perlu, Sakhalu by Emmesroy Sastri.
• History and Culture of Andhra Pradesh Rao PR.
• History of India Herman Kulke and Dietmar Rothermund.
• Acharalu sastriyataNarayanareddi Patil.
• Hindu Manners, Customs, and Ceremonies Abbe J. A. Dubois
• Brahmins
• Brahmins of Andhra Pradesh
• Poverty Stricken Brahmins
• Source: Vepachedu Educational Foundation Inc.
• Permission
• Brahmin Sages and Branches (Gotras and Subcastes)
• A Long List of Brahmin Castes and Sub-castes

See also

• Brahman (cattle)
• Brahmanism
• Dvaita
• Havyaka
• Iyer (Tamil Brahmins)
• Iyengar (Tamil Nadu)
• Khedaval
• Madhva
• Madhvacharya
• Mulukanadu community
• Namboothiri
• Shri Madhvacharya
• Smartha

Bos indica bull, likely a crossbreed, but showing Brahman physical characteristics Paxville, South Carolina The Brahman breed of cattle originated from the Bos indicus cattle originally brought to the US from India. ... Brahmanism, popularly known as Hinduism, developed its ritual, worship and philosophy from Aryan scriptures the Vedas. ... Dvaita, a school of Vedanta (the most widespread Hindu philosophy) founded by Shri Madhvacharya, stresses a strict distinction between God and souls. ... Havyaka is the name of a subsect of Brahmins in Karnataka and northern Kerala. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Iyengar (or Aiyangar) is the name of a community of Tamil Brahmins of South India whose members profess the Visishtadvaita philosophy codified by Ramanuja. ... KHEDAVAL or KHEDAWAL Khedaval is a leading Brahmin community better known as Baj Khedaval Brahmin. ... Madhva can refer to: Shri Madhvacharya, Vaishnavite saint and founder of Dvaita school of thought, at Pajaka, Udupi a person belonging to the Dvaita school of thought This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Mulukanadu community is a sub-caste of Telugu speaking Vaidiki Smartha Brahmins. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Shri Madhvacharya,(1238-1317), was the chief propounder of the Dvaita or dualistic school of Hindu philosophy, one of the three influential Vedanta philosophies. ... // Introduction The term Smartha refers to those who accept and profess the Advaitha or non-dualistic philosophy propounded by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. ...

Related

• Upanayanam
• Anti-Brahmanism