Sarma (surname)
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- For other usages, see Sarma (disambiguation)
Sarma is a common surname used by people in India, particularly from the Southern Iyer community of Tamil Brahmins who follow the Smartha philosophy based on Sri Adi Shankara's teachings. Also, another commonly known surname is "Sharma", prevalent in the (Gangetic) Plains, Central and North-Eastern States in India.
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[edit] Meaning of the Surname
Sarma is derived from the Sanskrit 'Sarman' which means teacher. According to Sanskrit scholar Dr. Charan Das Shastri, the word 'Sarman' refers to a universal well-wisher or sublime personality who has achieved the highest state of concentration. According to scholars Pt. Raghunath Prashad Shastri and Yaskacharya the word Sarma refers to 'Srinatehimsayam-dhatu' — the sacred person who eradicates his own sins and those of mankind with acquired powers of self-consciousness.
[edit] Demographic Distribution
Sarma is a common surname of the Brahmin community in Assam. Another variation in the way the surname is spelled in Assam is Sarmah, while a few assamese tend to spell it as Sharma, consistent with the way the surname is spelled in most parts of India.
Many Sarmas particularly from the south originate from Southern Iyer community of Tamil Brahmins who follow the Smartha philosophy based on Sri Adi Shankara's teachings. Many Sarmas are also found in Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. In South India, many brahmins have dropped their surnames as the surnames indicate their caste in favour of family names.
[edit] Theories of Origin
[edit] From Brahmksatryas
According to Bherumal Maherchand, a Sindhi historian the Brahmksatrya clan came into existence during the time of the sage Parshuram, who is said to have stayed in Sindh for five days during a campaign he had undertaken to weed out anti-social elements from society. The ruler of the state was King Rattan Sen. When the news of Parshuram's arrival reached the king, he fled along with his queens to seek asylum in the ashram of Rishi Deghichi, situated on the bank of the Saraswati river. Each queen bore a son there. They were called Brahmans by virtue of birth and were brought up in the ashram. The legend continues that subsquently Parshuram killed the king who was hunting in the forest.
[edit] From Shakuntala
According to another school of thought, the surname Sarma finds its origin in the commentary of Shakuntala by Kalidasa.
[edit] From Manusmriti
Manu, in Hindu mythology is a title accorded the progenitor of humankind and first holy king to rule this earth, was the author of Manusmriti, regarded as a foundational work of Hindu law and ancient Indian society. Manusmriti suggests that the Brahmin should use 'Sarman' with their names and the Kshatriya, a warrior clan, should use 'Verman' as they wear 'Verm' or 'Kawach' (i.e., armour) with their name.
[edit] Sub-castes
The Brahmin community has many sub-castes. This means that not all Sarmas will have the same sub-caste. See main article: Brahmins
