Vaishnav Sect Members of
vaishnava sampradayas are called Bairagi or Vairagi. And these members are divided into three categories – renunciant (
Virakt),
warrior (
Naga) and temple-dwelling (temple priest) ascetics. The most of renunciant and warrior are unmarried ascetics. Anyone can be member of these communities. But there are evidences of different meetings of vaishnava mahants who have decided that member of anyone caste could not be member of the community. "Decision was taken by all the vaishnava
mahants that no one would be member of the community except
Brahmin and
Kshatriya. And other castes excluded from the community." –
Galta Temple Meeting, 1713. Another case was of
Maharaja Jai Singh II,
king of
Jaipur State held a meeting with all Vaishnavas mahants. "Decision was taken that other castes would not be part of bairagis except
Brahmin and
Kshatriya." – Meeting of
Maharaja Jai Singh II with Ramanandi mahants and other vaishnava to maintain strict
caste rules, 1720. Maharaja Jai Singh II obtained pledges from Ramanandi mahants and other vaishnava to maintain strict
caste rules. Senugupta describes them as a High caste group. According to
H.A. Rose, in the
Punjab and
Haryana, most of Bairagis were recruited from
Jats. Bairagi Sect in bengal is mainly formed by
Poundra,
Kayastha,
Rajbanshi Castes in
Gaudiya Sampradaya. Vaishnavas were liberals but in the practice
Brahmin Vaishnavas (Vaishnava Brahmins) took
food only from another
Brahmins.
Bairagi Brahmin Caste Bairagi Brahmin caste is formed of sedentary rasik (temple dwelling or temple priest)
Brahmin members of the
vaishnava sampradayas especially the
Ramanandi Sampradaya. They are the members of
vaishnava sampradayas. They are married and they have families. And rights of
priesthood pass to their
descendants. It is found that Bairagi
Brahmins are priest in the most of villages and cities. According to Mayer, Status of Bairagis is equal with other
Brahmins. ==Structure of Bairagi Brahmins==