What is the difference between Brahman, Brahma, Brahmin?
1. Brahman is not a name, but rather a way to refer to the Absolute, the Supreme Reality of the Vedanta philosophy.
In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, the Sri-Bhasya, Ramanuja says:
1. Brahman is not a name, but rather a way to refer to the Absolute, the Supreme Reality of the Vedanta philosophy.
In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, the Sri-Bhasya, Ramanuja says:
"The word Brahman is derived from the root 'brh' which denotes greatness, and is therefore applicable to all objects which have the quality of greatness, but more aptly to that object which by nature and qualities possesses this greatness to an infinite degree..."
2. The word Brahma can refer to two things depending upon where it is being used. First, Brahma is the first being created with every new cycle. All beings in a particular cycle are created by Brahma. A different soul becomes Brahma in every new cycle.
Brahma is a god, but the gods are office holders so to speak and new souls take the stations in every new cycle.
Second, Brahma is one of the three gods making up the Hindu trinity, called the Trimurti, which can be collectively thought of as Brahman (Isvara).
Second, Brahma is one of the three gods making up the Hindu trinity, called the Trimurti, which can be collectively thought of as Brahman (Isvara).
3. A Brahmin is a member of the first of the four Varna whose members have the dharma (sacred life-duty) of theology.
