Nagars are among the oldest Brahmin communities. 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.
Nagar Brahmins are scattered across 11 states in India where seven different major languages are spoken. They must speak the local language as well as English since it is the language of higher learning in India.
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 Nagar Brahmin family wants their sons to aspire towards. Rather, there is strong pressure for higher education, particularly in computer science and engineering. Nagar Brahmins have a strong work ethic and are often leaders, whether politically, intellectually, spiritually or socially.
Nagar 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.
Nagar Brahmins are noted for focusing their worship in Shiva, one of the three most important gods in Hinduism. Shiva called beautiful by his followers, and they believe he is omnipresent, meaning he is everywhere.
Nagars 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.
* Scripture Prayers for the Brahmin Nagar in India.
* Pray for Christ to reveal Himself to Nagar 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 Nagar 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.
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19966/IN
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
Global Prayer Digest: 2018-09-05 |
People Name General | Brahmin Nagar |
People Name in Country | Brahmin Nagar |
Natural Name | Nagar Brahmin |
Population this Country | 109,000 |
Population all Countries | 109,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 2 |
Alternate Names | ब्रामिन, नगर |
People ID | 19966 |
ROP3 Code | 115744 |
Country | India | |||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||||||||
Total States on file | 7 | |||||||||
Largest States |
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|||||||||
Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 7 |
Gujarat 89,000 | |
Maharashtra 12,000 | |
Madhya Pradesh 3,900 | |
Karnataka 2,100 | |
Delhi 1,200 | |
Daman and Diu 100 | |
Dadra and Nagar Have 40 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Language | Gujarati (102,000 speakers) | |||
Language Code | guj Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 3 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Gujarati (102,000 speakers) |
Language Code | guj Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 3 |
Secondary Languages | |
Hindi 7,000 | |
Chhattisgarhi 100 | |
People Groups | Speaking Gujarati |
Primary Language: Gujarati
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1809-1965) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1820-1985) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1823-2016) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching (GRN) |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament (FCBH) |
Audio Recordings | Online Scripture / Bible |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | Creation to Christ |
Film / Video | Following Jesus (India, JF Project) |
Film / Video | God's Story Video |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Gujarati |
Film / Video | Magdalena (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | Story of Jesus for Children (JF Project) |
General | Bible Visuals |
General | Four Spiritual Laws |
General | God's Simple Plan |
General | Gospel website in this language |
General | Got Questions Ministry |
Mobile App | Download Bible from Google Play Store |
Text / Printed Matter | Bible: ગુજરાતી - Gujarati |
Text / Printed Matter | Bibles, Bible League |
Text / Printed Matter | Father's Love Letter |
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. |