Life of a Brahmin 2200 years ago

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Life of a Brahmin - as per Megasthenes who was an ambassador of Seleukos Nikator who often visited Sandrakuttos (Chandraketu?) and Porus (302-288 BCE) after Alex returned demotivated. Megasthenes called Brahmans as 'Philosophers'.

He may have been confused between a Pupil and a Brahmin or may be Brahmin was the one who 'studied' at that time.

Megasthenes noted that Brahmans were small in nos., but pre-eminent in dignity and exempt from public duties They were engaged as priests. Their duty was to 'forecast droughts and rains'. Wrong forecast thrice would render him lose his job. This sect was prob 'RajPurohit'

They observe also certain customs which were 'Bacchanalian'. Thus they dress in muslin, wear the turban, use perfumes, array themselves in garments dyed of bright colours ; and their kings, when they appear in public, are preceded by the music of drums and gongs.

From the time of their conception in the womb they are under guardian care of learned men, who go to the mother and, give her prudent bints and counsels. The women who listen most willingly arc thought to be the most fortunate in their children

After their birth the children are under the care of one person after another, and as they advance in age each succeeding master is more advanced than his predecessor. This was the way 'Gurukul' runs may be. Having lived this way for 37 years they retire to home to marry

Brahmans have their abode in a grove in front of the city within a moderate sized enclosure. They live in a simple style, and lie on beds of rushes or deer skins. They don't eat non-veg foods and spent time imparting knowledge under strict conditions.

There was another class of Brahmins "Modern Pundits" who worship Herakles 'Indian Krishna'. twitter.com/GemsOfIndology/status/1512249401133367299?s=20&t=by7bJm3ZZSN9hKyZUfZPfg

Besides these there are diviners and sorcerers, and adepts in the rites and customs relating to the dead, who go about begging both in villages and towns.

Very Important By Megasthenes time, Both Greek and Indian civilisation knew that the world had a beginning, and is liable to destruction, and is in shape 'spherical', and that the Deity who made it, and who governs it, is diffused through all its parts.

Megasthenes talks of another class of Brahmin whom Kings consult 'Spiritually'? or 'Politically'? This class continued until 200 years ago. twitter.com/GemsOfIndology/status/1594726150600683520?t=xsjBZdLzB6eMZWlw68n8Cg&s=19

Though most of the part of Megasthenes were based on hearsay. But this much part on Brahmins which we observed till today can be highly reliable.

Src: AS-2638 Megasthenes and Arrian; A bird's Eye view of their accounts Ancient India as Described by Megasthenes and Arrian Pictures used are owned by their respective owners and are representative in this thread.