Marathi Brahmin in India

The Marathi Brahmin have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

Brahmins are the highest of the four varna (major caste groupings) in Hinduism. The historical developments of various Brahmin castes are not clear, as the history of the caste system itself is unclear. There was perhaps a caste system based on personal merit at one time before the hereditary caste system became dominant, as is seen in modern history. Brahmin castes became powerful in the early centuries of the Christian Era through alliances with kings, who granted them landed estates related to temples and temple service. There has never been a comprehensive analysis of all the different types and subgroups of Brahmins.

Traditionally Brahmins have five daily duties; to the gods, to ancestors, to all creatures, to humans, and to study. Thus daily worship (duty to gods) and chanting of sacred texts (duty to study) are an integral part of many Brahmins' lives, even if this is only a token routine for many.


Where Are they Located?

Marathi refers to a language spoken in a region that is now India's state of Maharashtra. Marathi Brahmins are scattered all over India where they must be able to speak the local language as well as English, India's language of higher education.

Brahmins are disproportionately represented among overseas Indians due to their higher educational attainments, so those who reach out to Indian nationals in the West are very likely reaching out to people who are extremely difficult to reach in South Asia.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Traditionally in the varna system Brahmins are considered as priests, but a temple priest is a lowly position that no Marathi Brahmin family wants their sons to aspire towards. Rather, there is strong pressure for higher education, particularly in computer science and engineering. Marathi Brahmins have a strong work ethic and are often leaders, whether politically, intellectually, spiritually or socially.

Marathi Brahmins are still deeply influenced by the traditional four stages of life; the first student stage is followed by the householder stage, where marriage, raising a family and being a productive member of society is the primary obligation of an individual. Once children are married there is time for spiritual concerns in the third stage of reclusiveness, which is followed (this is rarely practiced) by itinerant homeless wandering (sannyasa).

Often a busy Brahmin will put off spiritual discussions as an issue for later in life. The famous Bhagavad Gita text does not support this, however, as it calls for all humanity to engage in doing good to all without thought of merit or reward for such actions.


What Are Their Beliefs?

In some cases Brahmin subgroups are defined by their theological distinctions such as Madhva Brahmins, who are defined by their dualist theology, though everyone does not actually hold those beliefs. However, many Brahmin castes are made up of people who adhere to all the various philosophical and theological options espoused by modern Hindus, including hard core secularists and atheists. One can never predict what an individual Brahmin might believe or disbelieve!


What Are Their Needs?

Marathi Brahmins as an influential and generally well-to-do community are not unlike the middle classes of most places. Their main needs involve relational strains that are usually kept behind closed doors. Modernization is breaking down family units which have been the glue to society for many generations, and loneliness is increasingly a problem. They are expected to "achieve it all," but ironically, achieving it all can be empty.


Prayer Points

Pray for Christ to reveal Himself to Marathi Brahmin leaders.
Pray for the eyes of Marathi Brahmin hearts to be open to Jesus Christ as Lord and king.
Pray for Holy Spirit directed Christ followers to go to Marathi Brahmin communities.
Pray for a disciple making movement to emerge among every Brahmin community.
Pray for many to be prompted to faithfully pray for Brahmins.


Scripture Prayers for the Brahmin Marathi in India.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19962/IN
https://www.quora.com/When-it-comes-to-nationalism-why-are-Marathi-Brahmins-poles-apart-from-Tamil-or-Kashmiri-Brahmins
https://erraticanonrants.wordpress.com/2016/08/18/how-to-find-a-marathi-brahmin-in-a-crowd-so-that-you-can-kidnap-them/


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Brahmin Marathi
People Name in Country Brahmin Marathi
Natural Name Marathi Brahmin
Pronunciation mah-RAH-tee BRAH-min
Alternate Names ब्रामिन, मराठी
Population this Country 122,000
Population all Countries 122,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 19962
ROP3 Code 115739
ROP25 Code 301405
ROP25 Name Brahmin
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 18
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Karnataka
60,000
Telangana
24,000
Gujarat
19,000
Goa
6,900
Tamil Nadu
3,700
Andhra Pradesh
3,500
Delhi
1,500
Rajasthan
800
West Bengal
700
Kerala
500
Dadra and Nagar Have
400
Odisha
300
Jharkhand
300
Punjab
200
Haryana
200
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 18
  Karnataka 60,000
  Telangana 24,000
  Gujarat 19,000
  Goa 6,900
  Tamil Nadu 3,700
  Andhra Pradesh 3,500
  Delhi 1,500
  Rajasthan 800
  West Bengal 700
  Kerala 500
  Dadra and Nagar Have 400
  Odisha 300
  Jharkhand 300
  Punjab 200
  Haryana 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Marathi (99,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Hindi
2,300
Konkani, Goan
900
Kannada
700
Gujarati
200
Bengali
100
Primary Language Marathi (99,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 2,300
  Konkani, Goan 900
  Kannada 700
  Gujarati 200
  Bengali 100
People Groups Speaking Marathi

Primary Language:  Marathi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1807-1957)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1982)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1821-2022)
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General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Marathi YouVersion Bibles
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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