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.
Kannada is the language of India's southwestern state of Karnataka. This is the home of most of the Kannada Brahmins, though there are many of them in nearby states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. Each of these states have their own language, so this Brahmin community must learn that language along with English. English is the language of India's higher education system.
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.
Traditionally in the varna system Brahmins are considered as priests, but a temple priest is a lowly position that no Kannada Brahmin family wants their sons to aspire towards. Rather, there is strong pressure for higher education, particularly in computer science and engineering. Kannada Brahmins have a strong work ethic and are often leaders, whether politically, intellectually, spiritually or socially.
Kannada 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.
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!
Kannada 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.
Pray for Christ to reveal Himself to Kannada Brahmin leaders.
Pray for the eyes of Brahmin hearts to be open to Jesus Christ as Lord and king.
Pray for Holy Spirit directed Christ followers to go to Kannada 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 Kannada in India.
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19952/IN
https://www.revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=Kannada%20Brahmins
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kannada_Brahmins
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Brahmin Kannada |
People Name in Country | Brahmin Kannada |
Natural Name | Kannada Brahmin |
Pronunciation |
KAH-nuh-duh BRAH-min
|
Alternate Names | ब्रामिन, कन्नडा |
Population this Country | 544,000 |
Population all Countries | 544,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 11 |
People ID | 19952 |
ROP3 Code | 115728 |
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 | 14 | |||||||||||||||
Largest States |
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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 | 14 |
Karnataka 347,000 | |
Tamil Nadu 82,000 | |
Maharashtra 49,000 | |
Andhra Pradesh 47,000 | |
Telangana 7,500 | |
Kerala 5,200 | |
Puducherry 1,400 | |
Uttar Pradesh 1,200 | |
Goa 1,100 | |
Uttarakhand 800 | |
Delhi 500 | |
Gujarat 300 | |
Madhya Pradesh 200 | |
Chhattisgarh 30 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.99 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.01 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Kannada (446,000 speakers) | |||
Language Code | kan Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 3 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Kannada (446,000 speakers) |
Language Code | kan Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 3 |
Secondary Languages | |
Konkani 11,000 | |
Konkani, Goan 1,200 | |
People Groups | Speaking Kannada |
Primary Language: Kannada
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1812-1988) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1823-2023) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1827-2023) |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
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Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 Nila Newsom - Shutterstock All rights reserved. Used with permission |
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. |