Brahmanism

Brahmanism, Indian religion based on belief in Brahma. It developed about 500 B.C. from Dravidian and Aryan beliefs. Its ritual, symbolism, and theosophy came from the Brahmanas, sacred writings of the priestly caste, and from the Upanishads. It developed the “divinely ordered” caste system and gave rise to modern Hinduism.

See also: Hinduism.