Which are the eight kinds of brahmin?

Although descriptions of Brahmins are found in numerous texts, the most authoritative are found in the Vedas and smritis. Everyone has the right to be a Brahmin, regardless of whichever jati, province, or sampradaya they belong to. However, to be a Brahmin, certain rules must be observed. It is through the observance of these very rules that eight levels or eight types of Brahmins are formed, which we shall examine in this article.

In the smriti-Puranas, eight divisions of Brahmins are described:

Matra, Brahmana, Shrotriya, Anuchana, Bhruna, Rishikalpa, Rishi, and Muni. These 8 types of Brahmins are expounded in the shruti. Furthermore, Brahmins who have elevated themselves through lineage, knowledge, and virtuous conduct are called 'Trishukla'. Brahmins are also referred to as Vipra and Dvija.

1. Matra: A person who is a Brahmin by birth but does not perform duties fitting for a Brahmin is called Matra. One does not become a Brahmin merely by being born into a Brahmin family. Many Brahmins are far removed from Brahminical upanayana sanskara and Vedic rites, so they are such Matras. Some among them are not even that. They are simply Shudras. They worship various kinds of deities and engage in nocturnal rituals. They are all of a rakshasa dharma (demonic nature).

2. Brahmana: Theistic, reciters of the Vedas, seekers of Brahman, simple, fond of solitude, truthful, and firm in intellect are called Brahmanas. Forsaking various Pauranika ritualistic worships, he who acts in accordance with the Vedas is called a Brahmana.

3. Shrotriya: According to the smritis, any person who studies a single recension of the Veda along with the kalpa and all six Vedangas and remains engaged in the 6 duties befitting a Brahmin is called a 'Shrotriya'.

4. Anuchana: Any person who is a knower of the inner essence of the Vedas and Vedangas, sinless, pure-hearted, eminent, a teacher of Shrotriya students, and a scholar is considered an 'Anuchana'.

5. Bhruna: One who is endowed with all the qualities of an Anuchana and remains exclusively engaged in yajna and svadhyaya, such an individual with self-control over the senses is called Bhruna.

6. Rishikalpa: Any person who acquires knowledge of all the Vedas, smritis, and worldly subjects, controls his mind and senses, and resides in an ashrama constantly practicing brahmacharya is called Rishikalpa.

7. Rishi: Such a person who, practicing right diet, lifestyle, etc., remains a brahmachari and is beyond doubt and uncertainty, and whose curses and blessings begin to come to pass—that truth-bound and capable individual is called a Rishi.

8. Muni: A person who is established on the path of renunciation, a knower of all tattvas, absorbed in meditation, master of his senses, and accomplished is called a 'Muni'.

– Shri Ajesht Tripathi, the author resides in Melbourne, Australia, and is a deep scholar and researcher of Hindu dharma, culture, and history.

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