Jyoti Brahmin in India

The Jyoti Brahmin have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

Brahmins are the highest of the four varna (major caste groupings) in Hinduism. The historical developments of various Brahmin castes are not clear, as the history of the caste system itself is unclear. There was perhaps a caste system based on personal merit at one time before the hereditary caste system became dominant, as is seen in modern history. Brahmin castes became powerful in the early centuries of the Christian Era through alliances with kings, who granted them landed estates related to temples and temple service. There has never been a comprehensive analysis of all the different types and subgroups of Brahmins.

Traditionally Brahmins have five daily duties; to the gods, to ancestors, to all creatures, to humans, and to study. Thus daily worship (duty to gods) and chanting of sacred texts (duty to study) are an integral part of many Brahmins' lives, even if this is only a token routine for many.


Where Are they Located?

Jyoti Brahmins live in all of India's northeastern and central states. Many of India's states have their own languages, so they must learn these along with English, India's language of higher learning.

Brahmins are disproportionately represented among overseas Indians due to their higher educational attainments, so those who reach out to Indian nationals in the West are very likely reaching out to people who are extremely difficult to reach in South Asia.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Traditionally in the varna system Brahmins are considered as priests, but a temple priest is a lowly position that no Jyoti Brahmin family wants their sons to aspire towards. Rather, there is strong pressure for higher education, particularly in computer science and engineering. Jyoti Brahmins have a strong work ethic and are often leaders, whether politically, intellectually, spiritually or socially.

Jyoti Brahmins are still deeply influenced by the traditional four stages of life; the first student stage is followed by the householder stage, where marriage, raising a family and being a productive member of society is the primary obligation of an individual. Once children are married there is time for spiritual concerns in the third stage of reclusiveness, which is followed (this is rarely practiced) by itinerant homeless wandering (sannyasa).

Often a busy Brahmin will put off spiritual discussions as an issue for later in life. The famous Bhagavad Gita text does not support this, however, as it calls for all humanity to engage in doing good to all without thought of merit or reward for such actions.


What Are Their Beliefs?

In some cases Brahmin subgroups are defined by their theological distinctions such as Madhva Brahmins, who are defined by their dualist theology, though everyone does not actually hold those beliefs. However, many Brahmin castes are made up of people who adhere to all the various philosophical and theological options espoused by modern Hindus, including hard core secularists and atheists. One can never predict what an individual Brahmin might believe or disbelieve!


What Are Their Needs?

Jyoti Brahmins as an influential and generally well-to-do community are not unlike the middle classes of most places. Their main needs involve relational strains that are usually kept behind closed doors. Modernization is breaking down family units which have been the glue to society for many generations, and loneliness is increasingly a problem. They are expected to "achieve it all," but ironically, achieving it all can be empty.


Prayer Points

Pray for Christ to reveal Himself to Jyoti Brahmin leaders.
Pray for the eyes of Jyoti Brahmin hearts to be open to Jesus Christ as Lord and king.
Pray for Holy Spirit directed Christ followers to go to Jyoti Brahmin communities.
Pray for a disciple making movement to emerge among every Brahmin community.
Pray for many to be prompted to faithfully pray for Brahmins.


Scripture Prayers for the Brahmin Jyoti in India.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19950/IN
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Jyoti-Brahmin-seeks-to-bury-the-past/articleshow/614119.cms
http://beautypageants.indiatimes.com/miss-india-winners-2012-1964/2010-2001/Jyoti-Brahmin/articleshow/7283056.cms


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Brahmin Jyoti
People Name in Country Brahmin Jyoti
Natural Name Jyoti Brahmin
Alternate Names Brahman Terai; Brahmin Terai; Deshantri; Jyoti; Jyotish; Sakaldwipi; ब्रह्मन, ज्योति
Population this Country 152,000
Population all Countries 152,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
People ID 19950
ROP3 Code 115726
ROP25 Code 301405
ROP25 Name Brahmin
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 8
Largest States
Odisha
74,000
Bihar
45,000
Jharkhand
12,000
West Bengal
8,400
Uttar Pradesh
7,800
Uttarakhand
3,300
Madhya Pradesh
800
Assam
500
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 8
  Odisha 74,000
  Bihar 45,000
  Jharkhand 12,000
  West Bengal 8,400
  Uttar Pradesh 7,800
  Uttarakhand 3,300
  Madhya Pradesh 800
  Assam 500
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Odia (61,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
Hindi
40,000
Bhojpuri
13,000
Maithili
7,000
Bengali
5,300
Garhwali
500
Kanauji
100
Kumaoni
100
Magahi
80
Assamese
60
Awadhi
40
Telugu
20
Primary Language Odia (61,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 40,000
  Bhojpuri 13,000
  Maithili 7,000
  Bengali 5,300
  Garhwali 500
  Kanauji 100
  Kumaoni 100
  Magahi 80
  Assamese 60
  Awadhi 40
  Telugu 20
People Groups Speaking Odia

Primary Language:  Odia

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1811-1956)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1809-2000)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1815-2021)
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Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Odia Jesus Film Project
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Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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