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Bhojaka
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bhojaka is a class of Brahmin priests in Western India.
The Bhojakas are historically associated with several Jain temples in Gujarat and Rajasthan, where they serve as priests and attendants [1], [2].
In Gujarat, many of the prominent theater personalities have belonged to the Bhojaka community [3] .
Some Kadamba dynasty copperplates found in Karnataka mention Bhojakas as manages of Jain institutions.
The most detailed account of the origin of Bhojakas occrrs in Bhavishya Purana, where they are mentioned as the descendants of the Maga priests (Magi) from Shakadvipa[4] . The Shakadvipi Brahmins of Bihar are considered to be closely related. These communities have historically served as the priests of the Sun god (Mitra in Sanskrit or Mihr in Persian, Mithra in Avestan).
Bhojas (or Bhojakas) are mentioned in the inscriptions of Maurya Ashoka and Kharavela. Their connection with the present Bhojaka community is not clearly known [5] .
Scholars like Varahamihira, Magha etc. are thouhgt ot have belonged to this community.
- ^ People of India By Kumar Suresh Singh, N. N. Vyas, B. K. Lavania, Dipak Kumar Samanta, S. K. Mandal, published 1998, Popular Prakashan, ISBN 8171547699
- ^ Jains in the World: Religious Values and Ideology in India By John E. Cort, Published 2001 Oxford University Press, ISBN 0195132343
- ^ http://www.webindia123.com/GUJARAT/Arts/danmusic.htm
- ^ http://shakaldwipi.emmessrealtor.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=63&FORUM_ID=1&CAT_ID=1&Forum_Title=Sakadwipi+Web+System&Topic_Title=History+of+Shakdwipi+Brahmins
- ^ http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/Nanded/his1.html