dvija

American  

[dvee-jah] / ˈdvi dʒɑ /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of dvija

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg