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==  Textual References ==

==  Textual References ==

[[श्वेतकेतु|Shwetaketu]] (Aruneya or son of Aruna), a Brahmin, came to the assembly of Panchalas, whose reigning monarch was  Pravahana Jaivali to understand Brahmavidya. This story clearly reveals that in the Vedic period, Kshatriyas were well versed in ब्रह्मविद्य debunking the Caste-system hierarchies of the East India Company Indologists’ insinuation that Brahmins were the only custodians of knowledge.

[[श्वेतकेतु|Shwetaketu]] (Aruneya or son of Aruna), a Brahmin, came to the assembly of Panchalas, whose reigning monarch was  Pravahana Jaivali, to understand Brahmavidya.

[[श्वेतकेतु|Shwetaketu]] thought himself to be a ब्रह्मज्ञानिन् (brahma jnanin) yet did not have a clue to the King’s questions about Brahmavidya or vedanta. The King pointed out that mere initiation or Brahmopadesa doesnt make one a ब्रह्मज्ञानिन्.  Humiliated, [[श्वेतकेतु|Shwetaketu]] returns home and relating the incident, rebukes his father [[उद्दालक|Uddalaka]]. [[श्वेतकेतु|Shwetaketu]] and [[उद्दालक|Uddalaka]]'s conversation reveals their lack of knowledge in the subject and hence their inability to answer any question of the kshatrabandhu or the King.   

[[श्वेतकेतु|Shwetaketu]] thought himself to be a ब्रह्मज्ञानिन् (brahma jnanin) yet did not have a clue to the King’s questions about Brahmavidya or vedanta. The King pointed out that mere initiation or Brahmopadesa doesnt make one a ब्रह्मज्ञानिन्.  Humiliated, [[श्वेतकेतु|Shwetaketu]] returns home and relating the incident, rebukes his father [[उद्दालक|Uddalaka]]. [[श्वेतकेतु|Shwetaketu]] and [[उद्दालक|Uddalaka]]'s conversation reveals their lack of knowledge in the subject and hence their inability to answer any question of the kshatrabandhu or the King.   

In all humility, both [[उद्दालक|Uddalaka]] and [[श्वेतकेतु|Shwetaketu]] go to King Pravahna’s assembly to seek knowledge. Offering all hospitality, the King humbly addresses [[उद्दालक|Uddalaka]] thus: "Bhagavan (as a brahmin usually was addressed), you can ask for any kind of wealth that is within the means of a human being". But [[श्वेतकेतु|Shwetaketu]] and his father requested the [[Kshatriya (क्षत्रिय) | क्षत्रिय || Kshatriya]] to impart ब्रह्मविद्या to them and accordingly the King lays down the rules or अधिकार (aptitude) to acquire knowledge.   

In all humility, both [[उद्दालक|Uddalaka]] and [[श्वेतकेतु|Shwetaketu]] go to King Pravahna’s assembly to seek knowledge. Offering all hospitality, the King humbly addresses [[उद्दालक|Uddalaka]] thus: "Bhagavan (as a brahmin usually was addressed), you can ask for any kind of wealth that is within the means of a human being". But [[श्वेतकेतु|Shwetaketu]] and his father requested the [[Kshatriya (क्षत्रिय) | क्षत्रिय || Kshatriya]] to impart ब्रह्मविद्या to them and accordingly the King lays down the rules or अधिकार (aptitude) to acquire knowledge.   

Here the implication is that the ruler, Kshatriya, according to his dharma is bound to provide material wealth to a Brahmana for Yagnas but ब्रह्मविद्या as per the prevailing वर्णव्यवस्था (social order) was usually respected to be in the brahmana’s domain. Notably, this is view is contrary to the presently continuing popular perception invented by the East India Company Indologists and their Indian Sepoys, Varna  (translated wrongly as caste) was determined by संस्कार and not parentage.

Here the implication is that the ruler, Kshatriya, according to his dharma is bound to provide material wealth to a Brahmana for Yagnas but ब्रह्मविद्या as per the prevailing वर्णव्यवस्था (social order) was usually respected to be in the brahmana’s domain. Notably, this is view is contrary to the presently continuing popular perception invented by the East India Company Indologists and their Indian Sepoys, Varna  (translated wrongly as caste) was determined by संस्कार and not parentage.  

Through the explanation of [[पञ्चाग्नि विद्या|Panchagni vidya]], which included explanations of  [[देवयान|devayan (journey to the deva loka post death)]] and  [[पित्रयान|pitruyan (journey to Pitr loka post death)]] as well as of [[पञ्च महा यज्ञ|panca maha yajna]] the king imparted the essence of [[Brahmavidya]].  As an introduction to पञ्चाग्निविद्या, the [[Kshatriya (क्षत्रिय) | क्षत्रिय || Kshatriya]] King told [[उद्दालक|Uddalaka]], "You are the first one amongst the Brahmans to receive the knowledge of this ब्रह्मविद्या, up until now it was known only to Kshatriyas".  Within the Bharatiya tradition, everyone irrespective of their [[वर्ण|Varna]] (social or economic status) had access to Divine Knowledge.     

Through the explanation of [[पञ्चाग्नि विद्या|Panchagni vidya]], which included explanations of  [[देवयान|devayan (journey to the deva loka post death)]] and  [[पित्रयान|pitruyan (journey to Pitr loka post death)]] as well as of [[पञ्च महा यज्ञ|panca maha yajna]] the king imparted the essence of [[Brahmavidya]].  As an introduction to पञ्चाग्निविद्या, the [[Kshatriya (क्षत्रिय) | क्षत्रिय || Kshatriya]] King told [[उद्दालक|Uddalaka]], "You are the first one amongst the Brahmans to receive the knowledge of this ब्रह्मविद्या, up until now it was known only to Kshatriyas".  Within the Bharatiya tradition, everyone irrespective of their [[वर्ण|Varna]] (social or economic status) had access to Divine Knowledge.     

Hence "Brahmavid brahmana" was the definition given, One who knows Brahmavidya is a brahmana irrespective of the varna or gender.   

Hence "Brahmavid brahmana" was the definition given, One who knows Brahmavidya is a brahmana irrespective of the varna or gender.   

== References ==

== References ==

# Veda Sanskrita Parichaya by Dr. K. S. Narayanana   

# Veda Sanskrita Parichaya by Dr. K. S. Narayanana   

# Bhagavad Geeta Chapter 4

# Bhagavad Geeta Chapter 4