Brahman is ... Brahmins in India

India is a country with an extremely interesting and ancient culture. In modern Indian society, the influence of that former culture is still palpable. The highest level of society in India has long been considered to be the brahmanas or, as they are also called, the Brahmins. Brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas, sudras - who are they? How much weight does one or another varna have in society? Who are the brahmanas? Let's consider these issues in more detail.

Indian legend

Indians tell a legend that explains the appearance of four varnas (estates). According to this story, the people were divided into classes by the god Brahma, dismembering the First-person Purusha. The Purusha's mouth has become a brahmana, his hands are in ksatriyas, the hips are the vaisya, and the legs are the sudra. Since then, the Indians have consistently divided people into castes, which largely determine the fate of every resident of this country.

Separation of castes in antiquity and their influence on society in modern times

Castes, or certain sections of society, still have a huge impact on the inhabitants of India, despite the fact that in 1950 the law on the division of residents into them was abolished. The manifestation of old laws is still present - and this is noticeable when two people who belong to the same caste meet. It is not only the behavior of the Indians, but also their surnames, that refers to the attribution to this or that stratum of society. For example, the name Gandhi, undoubtedly, belongs to a person from the trading caste from Gujarat, and the brahmana is Gupta, Dikshit, Bhattacharya.

Ksatriyas are a class of warriors

In addition to the brahmanas, Indian society is further divided into 3 classes - there are kshatriyas, vaisyas and sudras. Ksatriyas is the second caste after the brahmanas, which includes warriors, defenders of the state. The name of this caste means "power", so there is nothing surprising in the fact that it belonged to many Indian rulers. Kshatriyas can boast of having special rights - they are forgiven for such manifestations of emotions as anger, passion, etc., they can punish and pardon. The law for them is above all. Also from this caste are excellent military officers, officials, and even managers in the estates. Brahmins have long been ksatriya advisors - this cooperation was mutually beneficial, because the task of the brahmanas was to work with the mind, and the ksatriyas had to act. The philosophy of Hinduism also considers other castes, less status ones.

Craftsmen and merchants

Vaisyas are representatives of the third in the status of varna (according to one version, the word is translated as "dependence", on the other - "people"). It is considered to be the most numerous, since it includes artisans, merchants, usurers. True, recently it is considered a war merchant, because even in ancient times, many Christians lost their lands, beginning to be perceived as sudras - the fourth varna, the lowest in status (not counting the Untouchables - a special caste of Indians).

Sudras: Servants and Handymen

Sudras are people who are in subjection. If the highest varna are considered as representatives of the god of the brahmanas, the sudras occupy the lowest stage, and their duty is to serve the three higher varnas. Once they were divided into pure (brahmana could take food from their hands) and unclean. It is believed that this caste was formed later than others, and it consisted of people who lost land, as well as slaves and tenants. In our time, sudras can be called almost the entire population of India. There is also a caste of the Untouchables, which, in fact, do not belong to any varna. It includes fishermen, prostitutes, butchers, street artists and stray artisans. The separate jadi of the Untouchables is unique in general - it includes transvestites, eunuchs, etc. The Untouchables are almost completely isolated from the Indians belonging to other castes - they have no right not only to talk to them, but also to touch their clothes. They are also prohibited from visiting state institutions and traveling in transport. And, finally, let's talk about the brahmanas, which, unlike the Untouchables, are considered the most respected caste in India and enjoy special privileges.

Brahman is the representative of the highest caste in India, the analogue of a European spiritual mentor. These people are members of the highest varna. In ancient times all power was concentrated in the hands of the brahmanas. They were priests, counselors of kings, custodians of ancient manuscripts, teachers and scientists. Among the brahmanas there were also monks and judges. Previously, their tasks included raising children and subdividing them into varnas - for this the teacher analyzed the behavior of the child. In our time, varna is passed, as a rule, by inheritance, which is not entirely correct, for each caste has individual characteristics of character, as the god in Hinduism says. For example, the task of brahmanas is creation and liberation. The classical brahmana does not think about worldly problems, he is immersed in something deeper and more real. Kshatriyas are sure that the main thing for them is the fulfillment of duty, for vaisya - enrichment, for the sudra - carnal pleasures.

Let's turn to the dictionary

The word "brahman" in the translation from the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit means "spiritual beginning", symbolizing the highest impersonal being, to whom worldly affairs are alien and uninteresting. This word also means prayer.

According to another interpretation, brahmanas are called sacred books, which are comments on the Vedas (the so-called collection of the oldest scriptures in Sanskrit).

Brahman is a philosopher, a long-revered priest and even a ruler. They were associated with Indians with higher beings, the closest to religion, and therefore, to God. However, Hinduism does not endure the best of times, since the number of Hindus, according to statistics, is lower than that of Christians and Muslims. However, at present, many brahmanas in India are fully developed, never stop learning and grow intellectually. They try to maintain their status, preserving the ancient traditions. But is everything as rosy as it sounds, in fact? Let us consider the smooth transition of the Brahmins from antiquity to modernity.

Brahman is who? History and modernity

Brahmins are Magi (in Russian). Previously, brahmanas were revered even more than rulers, because they can be called spiritual guides who guided the people to the path of religion. Nowadays, they are also respected, despite the fact that not all people who have such a status live by the laws. Actually, the rite in our time can pass anyone and become a brahmana, but it is also important to observe the data during the event vows.

In our time, to Brahmanism, by and large, few come, because these people represent a more spiritual, and not a physical embodiment of man.

In modern India, many people of this varna represent the classes of the intelligentsia and the ruling classes. However, the need sometimes makes the brahmanas break the ancient foundations - choose work as servants or small employees. Also among the brahmanas there are peasants. A separate group (jadi) of the Brahmins lives only thanks to the alms of tourists.

People born in a caste of brahmanas have a number of restrictions imposed on them by status.

1. Brahman can not eat from the hands of representatives of other castes, because they are considered inferior. In this case, the Brahmin himself can share food with any person.
2. Brahman can not engage in physical labor, since his work is spiritual or intellectual.
3. A marriage between a brahmana and a representative of another varna is impossible. However, the Brahmin has the right to choose his soul mate from another Brahmin community.
4. Some brahmanas do not eat meat.

Foreigners joke that many Indian programmers are brahmanas.

The "atparty" of the brahmana is atman. This is an individual entity, a subjective mental principle. Atman and brahmana are different, but inseparable things. Indians are sure that in every person there is a deep essence, which is able to open the way to happiness for him. While the brahmana is something more unexplored, that is higher than human understanding and awareness, atman is hidden in every person, every external manifestation is guided by it.

The philosophy of Hinduism, in spite of the fact that there are not so many of its supporters in India, still has a significant influence on the multilayer system of separation of varn. In fact, even when the Indian king Ashok accepted Buddhism as the state religion, the system remained the same, which speaks of its incredible stability in the process of great changes.

In the philosophy of Hinduism there are several essences of God

1. God the brahmana is perceived as an impersonal entity. Having attained it, a person finds a blissful state, which can be called (in Buddhism) nirvana.
2. Paratigma is the omnipresent manifestation of God, which is found in every particle of the material world.
3. Bhagavan is the supreme personality of God manifested in various forms - Vishnu, Krishna, etc.

Moreover, different currents of Hinduism perceive religion in different ways, therefore the god in Hinduism does not have a single image.

Conclusion

In this article, we disassembled the concept of "brahmana," and also examined other castes, for which the population of India has been divided from time immemorial.