Brahmin (ब्राह्मण)
A Brahmin traditionally studies and teaches the Vedas and performs prescribed rituals, while the term also has a spiritual meaning.
Brahmin (ब्राह्मण | brāhmaṇa) has two meanings in Vedic teachings: a member of the priestly class within the Vedic social system, and one who has realized God.
1. Brahmin as a Vedic Social Class
A Brahmin is a member of one of the four Vedic social classes, known as Varna.
The prescribed duties of a Brahmin include:
- Studying and teaching the Vedas.
- Performing Vedic rituals for oneself and others.
- Receiving charity and giving charity.
This is the commonly used social meaning of Brahmin.
2. Brahmin as One Who Knows God
The word Brahmin also has a spiritual meaning: one who knows Brahm (God).
ब्रह्म जानाति इति ब्राह्मणः।
brahma jānāti iti brāhmaṇaḥ.
“One who knows Brahm is a Brahmin.”
In this sense, Brahmin refers to a person who has realized God, rather than merely belonging to a particular social class.
These two meanings are distinct. Being a member of the Brahmin varna does not, by itself, mean that a person has realized God.
Also written as: Brahman (ब्राह्मण)
Go Deeper
JKP Literature
Understand the Vedic system of duties associated with social roles and stages of life.
JKP Literature
Explore who Brahm is and what it means to realize the Supreme God.
Reference
Prema Rasa Siddhanta — Philosophy of Divine Love, Chapter 8
Brahmin (ब्राह्मण | brāhmaṇa) has a commonly used meaning. It also has a less used meaning. Both of these are found in the Vedas.
- One of the four Vedic social classes: the priestly class or the class who dedicates their life the study and teaching of scripture, live on charity and give charity, perform Vedic injunction for themselves and for others. See varna.
- According to Sanskrit grammar the word brahmin means one who knows Brahm -God.
Also written as Brahman
