different between kshatriya vs brahmin

English

Alternative forms

• Kshatriya, k?atriya, cshatriya, kshatri, Khatri, chittery

Etymology

From Sanskrit ???????? (k?atriya, “protector of gentle people”), from ?????? (k?atra, “rule, dominion, authority”). Akin to satrap.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?k?at.?i.?/

Noun

kshatriya (plural kshatriyas)

1. The second-highest of the four castes or varnas in traditional Hindu society: the warrior or military caste.
2. A member of this caste.
   • 2006, Karen Armstrong, The Great Transformation, Atlantic Books 2007, p. 307:

     The kshatriya could only hope to become a monk in his next life, but given the nature of his daily karma, it seemed unlikely that he could achieve even this limited goal.

   • "B?hanna?? said, 'It is not the habit of a k?atriya to flee like this; death in battle is preferable to flight in fear.'" (Mah?bh?rata: "Vir??a Parva")

Translations

References

• https://web.archive.org/web/20060813215707/http://www.hindubooks.org/sudheer_birodkar/hindu_history/castekshatriya.html
• https://web.archive.org/web/20060707232229/http://www.gurjari.net/ico/Mystica/html/khatriya.htm

English

Alternative forms

• Brahmin, brahman
• Bramin (dated)

Etymology

From Sanskrit ???????? (br??hma?a).

Noun

brahmin (plural brahmins)

1. A member of the Hindu priestly caste, one of the four varnas or social groups based on occupation in ancient Hindu society.

   Synonym: brahmana

2. One who has realized or attempts to realize Brahman, i.e. God or supreme knowledge.
3. A scholar, teacher, priest, intellectual, researcher, scientist, knowledge-seeker, or knowledge worker.
4. A member of a social and cultural elite, especially in the New England region of the USA.
   • 2018, Zach Dorfman, "How to Kill a Presidential Scandal," Foreign Policy:

     In Iran-Contra, the independent counsel investigating the scandal, Lawrence Walsh, was a deadly serious Brahmin lawyer with a sterling Republican pedigree; he nevertheless faced withering criticism from members of his own party, just as special counsel Robert Mueller has as he investigates Trump and his circle.

5. A learned person of refined taste and mild manners.

Related terms

• Boston Brahmin
• brahminical

Translations

Adjective

brahmin (not comparable)

1. Scholarly.

Synonyms

• brahminic
• brahminical

Translations