Brahmans

The term "Brahman" originates from the Sanskrit word "brahman," meaning "to grow, to expand, to develop." It is deeply connected to "Brahma," the creator deity in Hinduism, and refers to the ultimate reality or cosmic spirit. The concept evolved over millennia of Vedic and Upanishadic thought.

This shows, however, the deep occult meaning of the Avatar; a meaning which only esoteric philosophy can exj)lain. A glos.sary is no fit place for such explanations; but it may be useful to remind those who know, and teach those who do not, that in Occultism, man is called GLOSvSARY 71 a solar-lunar being, solar in his higlu-r triad, and lunar in his quarternary. Moreover, it is the Sun who imparts his light to the Moon, in the same way as the human triad sheds its divine light on the mortal shell of sinful man. Life celestial quickens life terrestrial. Krishna stands metaphysically for the Ego made one with Atma-Huddhi, and performs mystically the same function as the Christ os of tlit- Gnostics, both being "the inner god in the temple" — man. Lucifer is "the l)right morning star", a well known symbol in Revelations, and, as a planet, corresponds to the Ego. Now Lucifer (or the planet Venus) is the Sukra-Usauas of the Hindus; and Usanas is the Daitya-guru, i.e., the spiritual guide and instructor of the Danavas and the Daityas. The latter are the giantdemons in the Furdnas, and in the esoteric interpretations, the antetypal symbol of the man of flesh, physical mankind. Tlie l)aityas can raise themselves, it is said, through knowledge "austerities and devotion" to "the rank of the gods and of the Ahsolute". All tliis is very suggestive in the legend of Krishna; and what is more suggestive still is that just as Krishna, the Avatar of a great God in India, is of the race of Yadu, so is another incarnation," "God incarnate himself" — or the "Godraan Christ", also of the race ladoo — the name for the Jews all over

In the intricate cosmology of Hinduism, the term "Brahman" points to more than just a social stratification; it signifies a profound connection to the cosmic principle of growth and expansion, the very essence of existence. While the caste system, with its designated roles for Brahmans as priests and scholars, has been a subject of much critique and re-evaluation, the underlying concept of Brahmans as stewards of sacred knowledge offers a powerful lens through which to view the transmission of wisdom across generations.

Mircea Eliade, in his exploration of sacred and profane time, would likely see the Brahmanic role as an attempt to anchor the temporal world within the eternal, through ritual and the recitation of Vedic texts. This performance of sacred acts is not merely symbolic; it is considered efficacious, maintaining the cosmic balance. The Brahman, in this view, is a mediator, bridging the gap between the human and the divine, the manifest and the unmanifest.

The esoteric interpretations, hinted at in Blavatsky's fragmented definition, suggest a deeper layer where "Brahman" might allude to the ultimate reality itself, the all-pervading consciousness from which all existence, including the social order, emanates. This aligns with the Upanishadic concept of Brahman as the supreme, unchanging reality, the source of all phenomena. The human Brahmans, by dedicating their lives to spiritual study and ritual, are thus seen as embodying this cosmic principle in their earthly existence, striving for union with the ultimate.

The challenge for the modern seeker lies in disentangling the spiritual ideal from its historical social manifestations. The pursuit of knowledge, the dedication to practice, and the aspiration towards understanding the ultimate reality are universal human endeavors. The concept of the Brahman, stripped of its rigid caste connotations, can serve as a reminder of the vital importance of those who dedicate themselves to the preservation and transmission of profound spiritual insights, ensuring that the "growth and expansion" of consciousness can continue. It prompts us to consider who, in our contemporary world, acts as the guardian of timeless wisdom, and how that wisdom is sustained.