("Exalted
Brahman") A degraded class of brahmins who preside at ceremonies for the
deceased, particularly those done soon after death, in traditional Indian
culture.
In several of these ceremonies, the Mahabrahman is connected
with the departed individual, and he is fed and given gifts in order to support
the deceased's soul.
These actions are said to shift the unluckiness of death
from the family to the Mahabrahman.
Despite being brahmins by birth, Mahabrahmans have
exceedingly low social position due to their persistent association with death
and its unfavorable aspects.
Mahabrahmans frequently demand a large payment from a
household in exchange for taking on such inauspiciousness.
For further detail, read Jonathan Parry's article in Man,
Vol. 15, 1980, "Ghosts, Greed, and Sin: The Occupational Identity of the
Benares Funeral Priests."
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