Brahmin

Brahmin (also called Brahman) is an anglicised form of the Sanskrit brāhmana ब्राह्मण). The Brahmins are regarded as the highest of the four castes (varnas) in the traditional Hindu societies of Nepal and India, and it is composed by the priestly class.

Traditionally, however, Brahmin was the name given to persons who had attained the highest spiritual knowledge; to people who were dedicated to the difficult path of discipline of body, mind, and intellect irrespective of their birth or class. An example of this is the story of the sage Vishwamitra, who belonged to the caste of the warriors (Kshatriya), who became a Brahmin after attaining brahmavidya.