Who is a Brahmin

A very simple definition by saint for a Brahmin is given by Thiruvalluvar in Tamil
"ANDHANAR enbor aravor,marraveyuirkkum sendhanmai poondolukalan"
meaning ""The virtuous are called as bhramins,since they help all living beings""


It's interesting that he quotes "marappinum othuk kolalaagum paarppaan pirappu ozhukkam kunrak kedum". Paarppan by the way is Brahmin. The meaning of the kural is:


"The Brahmin who has forgotten his scriptures could read them up again;But if he neglects right conduct he will lose his birth-right."



http://dazedandconfused-dabbler.blog...-religion.html

Bagavat Gita says:

“The duties of the brahmins, the kshatriyas, the vaishyas, and of the shudras, are distributed according to the gunas arising from their own nature.” (Bhagavad Gita 18:41)

“Tranquility, restraint, austerity, purity, forgiveness, and uprightness, knowledge, wisdom, and faith in God are the duties of the brahmins, born of their innate nature.” (Bhagavad Gita 18:42)

A brahmin is one striving for brahmajnana, so we must cultivate the qualities listed for them assiduously if we really plan to succeed in our spiritual quest. Here they are:

  • Shama is calmness, tranquility, and control of the internal sense organs.
  • Dama is self-control, control of the senses, and restraint.
  • Tapas (tapasya) is austerity, practical (i.e., result-producing) spiritual discipline; spiritual force.
  • Shaucha is purity and cleanliness, including physical and mental purity. Physical shaucha involves purity of diet–abstinence from meat, fish, eggs, alcohol, nicotine, and any mind-altering drugs.
  • Kshama is forgiveness, patience, and forbearance.
  • Arjava is straightforwardness, honesty, and rectitude.
  • Jnana is knowledge, especially knowledge of (or about) Reality or Brahman, the Absolute.
  • Vijnana is the highest knowledge, beyond mere theoretical knowledge. It is transcendental knowledge or knowing, a high state of spiritual realization in which all is seen as manifestations of Brahman. It is final knowledge of the Self.
  • Astikyam is piety and belief in God.


“Heroism, majesty, firmness, skill, not fleeing in battle, generosity, and lordly spirit are the duties of the kshatriyas, born of their nature.” (Bhagavad Gita 18:43)

“Plowing, cow-herding, and trade are the duties of the vaishyas, born of their innate nature. Service is the duty of the shudras, born of their innate nature.” (Bhagavad Gita 18:41




http://www.atmajyoti.org/hi_gita_commentary_84.asp

No one's body is by itself a Brahmin, because it is constituted of the five gross elements,- earth, water, fire, air and ether.
Says the late Swami Krishnananda, a foremost disciple of Swami Sivananda

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varna_(Hinduism)


This post is for sharing knowledge only, no intention to violate any copy rights