dvija

[dvee-jah]

noun

Hinduism.

1. a person who is twice-born: a distinction made between the first three classes of society and the lowest class, the Shudra. Only the dvijas may study the Vedas.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dvija¹

From Sanskrit

Example Sentences

Hence, in the later classical Sanskrit literature, the term dvija, or twice-born, is used simply as a synonym for a Brahman.

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Other titles of Brāhmans are Dvija, or twice-born, that is, one who has had the thread ceremony performed; Bipra, applied to a Brāhman learned in the Shāstras or scriptures; and Srotriya, a learned Brāhman who is engaged in the performance of Vedic rites.

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By its performance he becomes Dvija or twice-born, and the highest importance is attached to the change or initiation.

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