Ramanisblog

Tag: Brahmin History

  • Brahmins Neither Masters Nor Servants, First In Dignity Greek Historian Diodorous 1 BC

    Brahmins Neither Masters Nor Servants, First In Dignity Greek Historian Diodorous 1 BC

    While Indian History was doctored after the arrival of the British, it continues even today, Greek Historians seem to have recorded Indian History with an amount of integrity.

    I shall be writing on the description of India by Greek Historians from antiquity.

    Herebelow I am quoting the Greek Historian DIODORUS SICULUS, first century BC.

    I am quoting the portion that speaks of Brahmins of India.

    Brahmins are being vilified for everything in India.

    Be it the hiding of the Vedas from Non Brahmin(the same people say Vedas are rubbish!),

    Be it the oppression of some communities in India.

    And Brahmins are accused of usurping power!

    My answer to this is that if Brahmins wanted power, Sage Vasishta could have assumed power when Lord Rama was banished to Forest and his brother Bharatha was unwilling to assume charge,

    Chanakya, Kautilya did not usurp power from Chandragupta, who would have willingly given kingdom to Kautilya,

    Nor did Aniruddha Brahmaraya usurp power from Sundara Chola who was the father of Rajaraja Chola.

    They were class mates and close friends.

    Aniruddha was the Prime Minister of Sundara Chola.

    Sundara Chola was quite ill in Thanjavur , his eldest son Aditha Karikala was in Kanchipuram his younger son Arulmozhi who later became Rajaraja, was in Lanka fighting enemies.

    The smaller kingdoms under Cholas were in turmoil and were intent on breaking up Chola empire, by aligning with Pandy as.

    IT was Aniruddha who was instrumental in getting Rajaraja coronoted. Aniruddha was not the only one who was instrumental in Rajaraja there were many including Sembian Madevi, Kundavai,:Aniruddha s contribution was exceptional.

    Now let us see what Diodorous Siculus has to say on Brahmins in his work,Bibliotheca historica

    ‘The whole multitude of the Indians is divided into seven castes,14 the first of which is formed of the order of the philosophers, which in number is smaller than the rest of the castes, but in dignity ranks first. For being exempt from any service to the state the philosophers are neither the masters nor the servants of the others. 2 But they are called upon by the private citizens both to offer the sacrifices which are required in their lifetime and to perform the rites for the dead, as having proved themselves to be most dear to the gods and as being especially experienced in the matters that relate to the underworld, and for this service they receive both notable p21 gifts and honours. Moreover, they furnish great services to the whole body of the Indians, since they are invited at the beginning of the year to the Great Synod and foretell to the multitude droughts and rains, as well as the favourable blowing of winds, and epidemics, and whatever else can be of aid to their auditors. 3 For both the common folk and the king, by learning in advance what is going to take place, store up from time to time that of which there will be a shortage and prepare beforehand from time to time anything that will be needed. And the philosopher who has erred in his predictions is subjected to no other punishment than obloquy and keeps silence for the remainder of his life.‘

    Reference and Citation

    http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Diodorus_Siculus/2B*.html

  • Aaruvelu Brahmins History

    Aaruvelu Brahmins History

    Brahmins whose duty was priesthood, took to other vocations over a period of time.

    Some took to other professions fully while some continued both priestly duties and other professions.

    Yet some remained only with priestly duties, like the Vaidika Brahmins.

    Brahmins, contrary to what is being projected as outsiders, were a part of Sanatana Dharma and were present throughout Bharatavarsha.

    Yet there were migrations of the community from one part of Bharatavarsha to another.

    As Sanatana Dharma extended throughout the world there is no question of anyone coming from outside into India.

    For instance the migration of Niyogi Brahmins from Multan, now in Pakistan into India is not real migration into India as Brahmins were living in Bharatavarsha earlier to this period as part of Pancha Dravidas.

    One of the Brahmin groups is the Aaruvelu Brahmins.

    They speak Telugu but are spread throughout India.

    Aaruvelu means six thousand.

    Six thousand Brahmins are grouped to form Aaruvelu Brahmins.

    Essentially there is no difference among Brahmins.

    Different names have been assigned based on the geographical locations where they settled, the additional duties they undertook, and number of families that constitute a group.

    Thus we have Vadamas of Tamil Nadu who settled on the Northern banks of River Cauvery,

    Vaathima a, who took primarily to priestly duties like Vaidika Brahmins and Astasahasram which consists of Eight Thousand families of Brahmins like the Aaruvelu Brahmins….

    ‘The Smarta Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh can be grouped into two major divisions formed about a thousand to 700 years ago (most probably during Kakatiya rule), Niyogi and Vaidiki, besides the smaller group of Bhatt. This classification is based on their inherent ability and Masterity in Administration, Spiritual Practices and cooking respectively.

    Traditionally believed to have descended from Lord Parasurama, Niyogi Brahmins are those Brahmins who are into various secular vocations including military activities and gave up religious vocation, especially the priesthood just like Bhumihar Brahmins in north India who largely gave up priesthood. There is a lot of brotherhood between Niyogi Brahmins and Bhumihar Brahmins. The Bhumihar Brahmins, of whom many, though not all, belong to the Saryupareen Brahmin division of Kanyakubja Brahmins. The Bhumihar Brahmins were established when Parashurama destroyed the Kshatriya race, and he set up in their place the descendants of Brahmins, who, after a time, having mostly abandoned their priestly functions (although some still perform), took to land-owning.’

    Pancha Dravidas

    There are some references.

    One states that Sage Viswamitra had his fifty sons ostracised to Dravida Desa for questioning his authority and these people intermarried with the Dravidas.

    One of their descendants, Apasthamba compiled the Vedas in yet another form in the form of Sutras, called the Apasthamba Sutras.

    This sutra incorporates some practices of the Dravidians like the wearing of Mangal Sutra in a Marriage.

    https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/ramanan50.wordpress.com/2014/12/31/who-are-south-indian-brahmins-five-vedic-families/amp/

    Reference and Citation.

    Aarama Brahmins

    http://www.ahladam.com/en-US/uncategorized/ancestorage-and-the-niyogi-brahmins-umasankar-vadrevus-web-page.php/7