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What is Brahman philosophy?
In Hinduism, Brahman (Sanskrit: ब्रह्म) connotes the highest universal principle, the ultimate reality in the universe. In major schools of Hindu philosophy, it is the material, efficient, formal and final cause of all that exists.
How is Brahman described?
brahman, in the Upanishads (Indian sacred writings), the supreme existence or absolute reality. Though a variety of views are expressed in the Upanishads, they concur in the definition of brahman as eternal, conscious, irreducible, infinite, omnipresent, and the spiritual core of the universe of finiteness and change.
What is the meaning of Brahmins in Hinduism?
Brahmin (/ ˈbrɑːmɪn /; Sanskrit: ब्राह्मण, romanized : brāhmaṇa) are a varna (class) in Hinduism. They specialised as intellectuals, priests (purohit, pandit, or pujari), teachers (acharya or guru), ayurvedic physicians and protectors of sacred learning across generations.
What are the duties and privileges of Brahmins according to Kulkarni?
According to Kulkarni, the Grhya-sutras state that Yajna, Adhyayana (studying the vedas and teaching), dana pratigraha (accepting and giving gifts) are the “peculiar duties and privileges of brahmins”. The term Brahmin in Indian texts has signified someone who is good and virtuous, not just someone of priestly class.
Theoretically, the Brahmins are the most respected of the four social classes. Their livelihood is prescribed to be one of strict austerity and voluntary poverty (” [A Brahmin] should acquire what just suffices for the time, what he earns he should spend all that the same day”).
What should a Brahmin not accept as a gift?
In 13.55, the Vasistha text states that a Brahmin must not accept weapons, poison or liquor as gifts. The Dharmasastras such as Manusmriti, like Dharmsutras, are codes primarily focussed on how a Brahmin must live his life, and their relationship with a king and warrior class.