In the Brahminical tradition, the Brahmin stands at the apex of creation, born from the mouth of Prajapati, custodian of the sacred fire by divine right. Jainism offers a different account entirely. It does not deny the Brahmin’s existence; it explains his origins. It explains his origins. And in doing so, it places him firmly below the Tirthankara and the Kshatriya.

The story begins at Mount Ashtapada. When Lord Rishabha, the first Tirthankara, attained liberation along with ten thousand monks, the gods prepared three funeral pyres. Each was distinct in shape and purpose. A round pyre facing east received the body of Rishabha himself. A triangular pyre facing south held the monks of the Ikshvaku lineage, his sons and grandsons. A rectangular pyre facing west received all remaining monks. The Agnikumara gods lit the flames. The Vayukumara gods fanned them. When the cremation was complete and the rain gods had extinguished what remained, certain laymen approached the three sacred pits and took the fire home. These men became the first Brahmanas, the first Agnihotrin. They did not inherit the sacred fire from Brahma. They collected embers from a cremation ground. This became the three Vedic fires.