ब्राह्मण

Etymology

From Sanskrit ब्राह्मण (brāhmaṇa).

Noun

ब्राह्मण • (brāhmaṇ) m

1. a Brahmin (member of the highest caste of Hinduism traditionally regarded as priests)

Etymology

From Proto-Indo-Aryan *bʰŕ̥źʰmaṇas, from Proto-Indo-Iranian *bʰŕ̥ĵʰmanas, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerǵʰ- (“to become high, rise, elevate”).

Pronunciation

• (Vedic) IPA^(key): /bɽɑ́ːɦ.mɐ.ɳɐ/
• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈbɽɑːɦ.mɐ.ɳɐ/

Adjective

ब्राह्मण • (brā́hmaṇa)

1. relating to or given by a Brahmin, befitting or becoming a Brahmin.

Noun

ब्राह्मण • (brā́hmaṇá) m

1. one who has divine knowledge (sometimes applied to Agni), a Brahmin, a man belonging to the 1st of the 3 twice-born classes and of the 4 original divisions of the Hindu body (generally a priest, but often in the present day a layman engaged in non-priestly occupations although the name is strictly only applicable to one who knows and repeats the veda)
   • RV 6.75.10

     बराह्मणासः पितरः सोम्यासः शिवे नो दयावाप्र्थिवी अनेहसा |

     पूषा नः पातु दुरिताद रताव्र्धो रक्षा माकिर्नो अघशंस ईशत ||

     brāhmaṇāsaḥ pitaraḥ somyāsaḥ śive no dyāvāpṛthivī anehasā |

     pūṣā naḥ pātu duritād ṛtāvṛdho rakṣā mākirno aghaśaṃsa īśata ||

     The Brahmans, and the Fathers meet for Soma-draughts, and, graciously inclined, unequalled Heaven and Earth.

     Guard us trom evil, Pūṣan, guard us strengtheners of Law: let not the evil-wisher master us.

2. a Brahmin in the second stage (between मात्र (mātra) and श्रोत्रिय (śrotriya)).
3. name of the 28th lunar mansion

Noun

ब्राह्मण • (brā́hmaṇa) n

1. that which is divine, the divine
2. sacred or divine power
3. the Brahmana portion of the veda (as distinct from its mantra and Upanishad portion)
4. the soma vessel of the Brahmin priest
5. a society or assemblage of Brahmins, a conclave

Descendants

• Assamese: বামুণ (bamun)
• Nepali: बाहुन (bāhuna)