# The Brahman — Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit character guide

> The Brahman in Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit by S. M. Mitra.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** XII The Brahman

**First appearance:** 0009-vii

## Snapshot

A Brahman whose priestly standing and human frailty collide, showing how easily the learned can be fooled by their own cleverness.

## Who they are

The Brahman appears across these tales as a figure of learning and ritual authority, the kind of man others consult and respect. Yet his stories often turn on a flaw, whether greed, pride, or misplaced trust, that exposes how knowledge without self-control becomes a trap. He matters because his failures dramatize the collection's recurring question: what good is wisdom if the mind that holds it is not master of itself?

## Relationships

### [Putraka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/putraka)

_professional_

Putraka serves as a student or disciple to the Brahman, learning wisdom and magic from him.

### [Prasnajit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/prasnajit)

_rivalry_

Prasnajit and the Brahman are antagonists, often competing or clashing over power or knowledge.

### [Hari-Sarman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/hari_sarman)

_professional_

Hari-Sarman works as a servant or assistant to the Brahman, though he often schemes against him.

### [Prasnajit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/prasnajit)

_rivalry_

Prasnajit and the Brahman are antagonists, often competing or clashing over power or knowledge.

### [Hari-Sarman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/hari_sarman)

_professional_

Hari-Sarman works as a servant or assistant to the Brahman, though he often schemes against him.

## In the story

### [The Story of a Cat, a Mouse, a Lizard and an Owl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/the-story-of-a-cat-a-mouse-a-lizard-and-an-owl)

The Brahman appears as a character who may be involved in the story's events.

### [A Royal Thief-Catcher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/a-royal-thief-catcher)

May appear as a wise or cunning character assisting in the thief-catching.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/i)

A weary, ascetic Brahman who arrives in Sravasti, accepting only rice, water, and money.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/ii)

The Brahman becomes well-known and wealthy in Sravasti, but turns into a selfish miser, secretly hoarding his money and jewels in the forest.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/iii)

Discovers his hidden money and jewels are missing, leading to intense grief and anger.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/iv)

Returns to Sravasti, grieving the loss of his treasure, and resolves to starve himself at a pilgrimage site.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/v)

The Brahman is distraught over his loss and threatens to starve himself to death, prompting the townspeople to intervene.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/vi)

Resolved to kill himself, but is stopped by King Prasnajit's intervention and promise to restore his treasure.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/vii)

Sent back to his house to wait for the king's message; provided for by a merchant.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/xii)

Recovers his treasure but is offended by the king's advice and demands punishment for the thief.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/i)

The three brothers are of noble birth, likely Brahmans, who abandon their wives during famine.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/viii)

Implied as the wicked woman among the ladies who caused the mischief out of jealousy.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/the_brahman
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters