Brahacharanam is a sub-sect of the Iyer community of Tamil Brahmins.[1] The word "Brahacharanam" is a corruption of the Sanskrit word Brhatcharanam (Sanskrit: बृहत्चरणम्). Many Brahacharanam follow the Advaita Vedanta philosophy propounded by Adi Shankara. Some Brahacharanam adhere to Shivadvaita. The Brahacharanams, along with the Vadamas, form the major portion of the Kerala Iyer[2][3] community.
A significant number of Brahacharanams have migrated to Kerala,[3] where they are part of the Kerala Iyer community. They have also migrated in large numbers to Puduru (meaning new town/village /place) in between Nellore and Chennai, Andhra Pradesh where they form the Puduru Dravida community.[5]
The word bruhatinSanskrit means "great", "vast" or "significant" and the word charanam refers to feet. The name Brahacharanam can be thus literally translated as "feet of the greats" referring to the status of a Guru, and the Brahacharanam being those who follow in the footsteps of the Greats.
Another interpretation for Brahacharanam provided by K.A Nilakanta Sastri in his 'History of South India' is the 'Great Migration'. Sastri notes that this could be taken as evidence of one of the earliest migrations of people from North India into South, especially given that many Brahacharanam sub-sects have names such as Satyamangalam, Mangudi etc. - all names of villages hugging Western Ghats, and thereby denoting the route taken from North to South. It is to be noted however that Sastri considers this interpretation to be too speculative, given there is no direct evidence for the same.
Their exact origins are not clear but their presence in the Tamil Kingdoms extends back at least to the reign of Parantaka Chola II, who is said to have brahmarayars as ministers. Many of the agraharam villages of the Brahacharanam also have very ancient origins.
According to some sources, they made their way into the Tamil country through the Satyamangalam Pass.[6]
The traditional function of Brahacharanams is to study and impart Vedic knowledge or officiate as priests in religious functions. However, there is evidence that in ancient times, they might have also served in the army or in civil and administrative services. During the Chola period, members of the community (especially the Pazhamaneri Brahacharanam) even served as army commanders. Senapathi Krishnan Raman was the Commander-in-chief of the Imperial Chola army of Rajendra Chola I.[7] Brahacharanam also consider themselves to be among the first followers of Adi Shankaracharya.[citation needed]
