ब्राह्मण

Hindi

Etymology

Inherited from Sanskrit ब्राह्मण (brāhmaṇa).

Pronunciation

• (Delhi Hindi) IPA^(key): /bɾɑːɦ.məɳ/, [bɾäːɦ.mə̃ɳ]

Noun

ब्राह्मण • (brāhmaṇ) m (Urdu spelling بْراہْمَن‎)

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

Declension

Declension of ब्राह्मण (masc cons-stem)

	singular	plural
direct	ब्राह्मण brāhmaṇ	ब्राह्मण brāhmaṇ
oblique	ब्राह्मण brāhmaṇ	ब्राह्मणों brāhmaṇõ
vocative	ब्राह्मण brāhmaṇ	ब्राह्मणो brāhmaṇo

Related terms

• जाति (jāti, “caste”)

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Sanskrit

Alternative forms

Alternative scripts

• ᬩ᭄ᬭᬵᬳ᭄ᬫᬡ (Balinese script)
• ব্ৰাহ্মণ (Assamese script)
• ব্রাহ্মণ (Bengali script)
• 𑰤𑰿𑰨𑰯𑰮𑰿𑰦𑰜 (Bhaiksuki script)
• 𑀩𑁆𑀭𑀸𑀳𑁆𑀫𑀡 (Brahmi script)
• 𑌬𑍍𑌰𑌾𑌹𑍍𑌮𑌣 (Grantha script)
• બ્રાહ્મણ (Gujarati script)
• ꦧꦿꦴꦲ꧀ꦩꦟ (Javanese script)
• ព្រាហ្មណ (Khmer script)
• ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣ (Kannada script)
• ພ຺ຣາຫ຺ມຓ (Lao script)
• 𑘤𑘿𑘨𑘰𑘮𑘿𑘦𑘜 (Modi script)
• ဗြာဟ္မဏ (Burmese script)
• 𑧄𑧠𑧈𑧑𑧎𑧠𑧆𑦼 (Nandinagari script)
• 𑐧𑑂𑐬𑐵𑐴𑑂𑐩𑐞 (Newa script)
• ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣ (Oriya script)
• ꢨ꣄ꢬꢵꢲ꣄ꢪꢠ (Saurashtra script)
• 𑆧𑇀𑆫𑆳𑆲𑇀𑆩𑆟 (Sharada script)
• 𑖤𑖿𑖨𑖯𑖮𑖿𑖦𑖜 (Siddham script)
• బ్రాహ్మణ (Telugu script)
• พฺราหฺมณ (Thai script)
• བྲཱཧྨཎ (Tibetan script)
• 𑒥𑓂𑒩𑒰𑒯𑓂𑒧𑒝 (Tirhuta script)

Etymology

Vṛddhi derivative of ब्रह्मन् (brahman), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerǵʰ- (“to become high, rise, elevate”). Alternatively, cognate with Latin flāmen (“priest”) via a hypothetical root *bʰlag-, but this presents phonetic problems. In any case, synchronically equivalent to the root √bṛh (“to grow, swell”).

Pronunciation

• (Vedic) IPA^(key): /bɾɑ́ːɦ.mɐ.ɳɐ/
• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈbɾɑːɦ.mɐ.ɳɐ/

Adjective

ब्राह्मण • (brāhmaṇa)

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

Declension

Masculine a-stem declension of ब्राह्मण (brā́hmaṇa)
	Singular	Dual	Plural
Nominative	ब्राह्मणः brā́hmaṇaḥ	ब्राह्मणौ brā́hmaṇau	ब्राह्मणाः / ब्राह्मणासः¹ brā́hmaṇāḥ / brā́hmaṇāsaḥ¹
Vocative	ब्राह्मण brā́hmaṇa	ब्राह्मणौ brā́hmaṇau	ब्राह्मणाः / ब्राह्मणासः¹ brā́hmaṇāḥ / brā́hmaṇāsaḥ¹
Accusative	ब्राह्मणम् brā́hmaṇam	ब्राह्मणौ brā́hmaṇau	ब्राह्मणान् brā́hmaṇān
Instrumental	ब्राह्मणेन brā́hmaṇena	ब्राह्मणाभ्याम् brā́hmaṇābhyām	ब्राह्मणैः / ब्राह्मणेभिः¹ brā́hmaṇaiḥ / brā́hmaṇebhiḥ¹
Dative	ब्राह्मणाय brā́hmaṇāya	ब्राह्मणाभ्याम् brā́hmaṇābhyām	ब्राह्मणेभ्यः brā́hmaṇebhyaḥ
Ablative	ब्राह्मणात् brā́hmaṇāt	ब्राह्मणाभ्याम् brā́hmaṇābhyām	ब्राह्मणेभ्यः brā́hmaṇebhyaḥ
Genitive	ब्राह्मणस्य brā́hmaṇasya	ब्राह्मणयोः brā́hmaṇayoḥ	ब्राह्मणानाम् brā́hmaṇānām
Locative	ब्राह्मणे brā́hmaṇe	ब्राह्मणयोः brā́hmaṇayoḥ	ब्राह्मणेषु brā́hmaṇeṣu
Notes	¹Vedic

Feminine ā-stem declension of ब्राह्मणा (brā́hmaṇā)
	Singular	Dual	Plural
Nominative	ब्राह्मणा brā́hmaṇā	ब्राह्मणे brā́hmaṇe	ब्राह्मणाः brā́hmaṇāḥ
Vocative	ब्राह्मणे brā́hmaṇe	ब्राह्मणे brā́hmaṇe	ब्राह्मणाः brā́hmaṇāḥ
Accusative	ब्राह्मणाम् brā́hmaṇām	ब्राह्मणे brā́hmaṇe	ब्राह्मणाः brā́hmaṇāḥ
Instrumental	ब्राह्मणया / ब्राह्मणा¹ brā́hmaṇayā / brā́hmaṇā¹	ब्राह्मणाभ्याम् brā́hmaṇābhyām	ब्राह्मणाभिः brā́hmaṇābhiḥ
Dative	ब्राह्मणायै brā́hmaṇāyai	ब्राह्मणाभ्याम् brā́hmaṇābhyām	ब्राह्मणाभ्यः brā́hmaṇābhyaḥ
Ablative	ब्राह्मणायाः brā́hmaṇāyāḥ	ब्राह्मणाभ्याम् brā́hmaṇābhyām	ब्राह्मणाभ्यः brā́hmaṇābhyaḥ
Genitive	ब्राह्मणायाः brā́hmaṇāyāḥ	ब्राह्मणयोः brā́hmaṇayoḥ	ब्राह्मणानाम् brā́hmaṇānām
Locative	ब्राह्मणायाम् brā́hmaṇāyām	ब्राह्मणयोः brā́hmaṇayoḥ	ब्राह्मणासु brā́hmaṇāsu
Notes	¹Vedic

Neuter a-stem declension of ब्राह्मण (brā́hmaṇa)
	Singular	Dual	Plural
Nominative	ब्राह्मणम् brā́hmaṇam	ब्राह्मणे brā́hmaṇe	ब्राह्मणानि / ब्राह्मणा¹ brā́hmaṇāni / brā́hmaṇā¹
Vocative	ब्राह्मण brā́hmaṇa	ब्राह्मणे brā́hmaṇe	ब्राह्मणानि / ब्राह्मणा¹ brā́hmaṇāni / brā́hmaṇā¹
Accusative	ब्राह्मणम् brā́hmaṇam	ब्राह्मणे brā́hmaṇe	ब्राह्मणानि / ब्राह्मणा¹ brā́hmaṇāni / brā́hmaṇā¹
Instrumental	ब्राह्मणेन brā́hmaṇena	ब्राह्मणाभ्याम् brā́hmaṇābhyām	ब्राह्मणैः / ब्राह्मणेभिः¹ brā́hmaṇaiḥ / brā́hmaṇebhiḥ¹
Dative	ब्राह्मणाय brā́hmaṇāya	ब्राह्मणाभ्याम् brā́hmaṇābhyām	ब्राह्मणेभ्यः brā́hmaṇebhyaḥ
Ablative	ब्राह्मणात् brā́hmaṇāt	ब्राह्मणाभ्याम् brā́hmaṇābhyām	ब्राह्मणेभ्यः brā́hmaṇebhyaḥ
Genitive	ब्राह्मणस्य brā́hmaṇasya	ब्राह्मणयोः brā́hmaṇayoḥ	ब्राह्मणानाम् brā́hmaṇānām
Locative	ब्राह्मणे brā́hmaṇe	ब्राह्मणयोः brā́hmaṇayoḥ	ब्राह्मणेषु brā́hmaṇeṣu
Notes	¹Vedic

Noun

ब्राह्मण • (brāhmaṇa) m (feminine ब्राह्मणी)

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)
2. a part of the Aryan/Caucasoid race
   • 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.

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

Declension

Masculine a-stem declension of ब्राह्मण (brā́hmaṇá)
	Singular	Dual	Plural
Nominative	ब्राह्मणः brā́hmaṇaḥ	ब्राह्मणौ brā́hmaṇau	ब्राह्मणाः / ब्राह्मणासः¹ brā́hmaṇāḥ / brā́hmaṇāsaḥ¹
Vocative	ब्राह्मण brā́hmaṇa	ब्राह्मणौ brā́hmaṇau	ब्राह्मणाः / ब्राह्मणासः¹ brā́hmaṇāḥ / brā́hmaṇāsaḥ¹
Accusative	ब्राह्मणम् brā́hmaṇam	ब्राह्मणौ brā́hmaṇau	ब्राह्मणान् brā́hmaṇān
Instrumental	ब्राह्मणेन brā́hmaṇena	ब्राह्मणाभ्याम् brā́hmaṇābhyām	ब्राह्मणैः / ब्राह्मणेभिः¹ brā́hmaṇaiḥ / brā́hmaṇebhiḥ¹
Dative	ब्राह्मणाय brā́hmaṇāya	ब्राह्मणाभ्याम् brā́hmaṇābhyām	ब्राह्मणेभ्यः brā́hmaṇebhyaḥ
Ablative	ब्राह्मणात् brā́hmaṇāt	ब्राह्मणाभ्याम् brā́hmaṇābhyām	ब्राह्मणेभ्यः brā́hmaṇebhyaḥ
Genitive	ब्राह्मणस्य brā́hmaṇasya	ब्राह्मणयोः brā́hmaṇayoḥ	ब्राह्मणानाम् brā́hmaṇānām
Locative	ब्राह्मणे brā́hmaṇe	ब्राह्मणयोः brā́hmaṇayoḥ	ब्राह्मणेषु brā́hmaṇeṣu
Notes	¹Vedic

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

Declension

Neuter a-stem declension of ब्राह्मण (brā́hmaṇa)
	Singular	Dual	Plural
Nominative	ब्राह्मणम् brā́hmaṇam	ब्राह्मणे brā́hmaṇe	ब्राह्मणानि / ब्राह्मणा¹ brā́hmaṇāni / brā́hmaṇā¹
Vocative	ब्राह्मण brā́hmaṇa	ब्राह्मणे brā́hmaṇe	ब्राह्मणानि / ब्राह्मणा¹ brā́hmaṇāni / brā́hmaṇā¹
Accusative	ब्राह्मणम् brā́hmaṇam	ब्राह्मणे brā́hmaṇe	ब्राह्मणानि / ब्राह्मणा¹ brā́hmaṇāni / brā́hmaṇā¹
Instrumental	ब्राह्मणेन brā́hmaṇena	ब्राह्मणाभ्याम् brā́hmaṇābhyām	ब्राह्मणैः / ब्राह्मणेभिः¹ brā́hmaṇaiḥ / brā́hmaṇebhiḥ¹
Dative	ब्राह्मणाय brā́hmaṇāya	ब्राह्मणाभ्याम् brā́hmaṇābhyām	ब्राह्मणेभ्यः brā́hmaṇebhyaḥ
Ablative	ब्राह्मणात् brā́hmaṇāt	ब्राह्मणाभ्याम् brā́hmaṇābhyām	ब्राह्मणेभ्यः brā́hmaṇebhyaḥ
Genitive	ब्राह्मणस्य brā́hmaṇasya	ब्राह्मणयोः brā́hmaṇayoḥ	ब्राह्मणानाम् brā́hmaṇānām
Locative	ब्राह्मणे brā́hmaṇe	ब्राह्मणयोः brā́hmaṇayoḥ	ब्राह्मणेषु brā́hmaṇeṣu
Notes	¹Vedic

Descendants

• Assamese: বামুণ (bamun)
• Bengali: বামুন (bamun)
• Nepali: बाहुन (bāhun)
• Punjabi: ਬਾਹਮਣ (bāhmaṇ)/باہْمَݨ‎ (bāhmaṇ)