Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu
Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu (CKP) or historically and commonly known as Chandraseniya Prabhu or just Prabhu is an ethnic group mainly found in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Historically, they made equally good warriors, statesmen as well as writers. They held the posts such as Deshpande and Gadkari according to the historian, B.R. Sunthankar, produced some of the best warriors in Maharashtrian history.
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Goa | |
| Languages | |
| Marathi, Konkani, Gujarati, Hindi | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Pathare Prabhu, Gaud Saraswat Brahmin |
Traditionally, in Maharashtra, the caste structure was headed by the Deshasthas, Chitpawans, Karhade, Saraswats and the CKPs. Other than the Brahmins, the Prabhus (CKPs and Pathare Prabhus) were the communities advanced in education.
The CKPs have the upanayana ( janeu or thread ceremony) and have been granted the rights to study the Vedas and perform Vedic rituals along with the Brahmins. The CKP performed three Vedic karmas or duties which in sanskrit are called: Adhyayan- studying of the Vedas, yajna- ritual done in front of a sacred fire, often with mantras and dāna – alms or charity. Ritually ranked high (along with the Brahmins), the caste may be considered socially proximate to the Brahmin community. They have traditionally been an elite and literate but a numerically small community.
More formally, in Maharashtra, they are one of the Prabhu Communities and a sister caste of the Pathare Prabhu. The CKP traditionally follow the Advaita Vedanta, as propounded by Adi Shankara.