Changes in Brahmins' Social Life in the Contemporary Environment

Abstract

Manu Dharma taught the occupations of castes based on the caste division of Brahmins. Tolkappiyam divided Brahmins based on occupation. It is not specified as a caste. Brahmins were regarded as wise men. Traditions like reciting the Vedas, cultivating pearls, etc., have existed since the Sangam period. Among them were priests who never knew the northern vernacular. Due to the importance given to northern priests, Tamil priests did not gain influence during the Pallava period. The influence of northern priests began to decline only after the emergence of the Tamil priest, Thirugnasambandar. An attempt to prioritise the Tamil priests during the Chola period is also seen in the Periyapuranam. Brahmins meant ascetics and later referred to Brahmins without ascendancy. Since then, Brahmins have been living without any major changes in their lives till today in terms of recitation of Vedas, following Vedic methods, clan discipline, self-control, self-renunciation, religious belief, character interests, etc. through tradition, environment, and family ties. They are giving advice to the rulers now as they used to do in those times, and they are helping them in administration without any manual labor. Since independence, the Brahmins who have been involved in various fields have made a great contribution to Tamil culture. Even today, they have been passing through many struggles against them in society and are quietly doing their work for society.