 The careers of Brahmins usually related to education , the judiciary , astrology , mathematics , poetry and philosophy or the occupation of hereditary administrative posts . Also Brahmins increasingly practiced non @-@ Brahminical professions ( agriculture , trade in betel nuts and martial posts ) . Capital punishment , although widespread , was not given to the royal Kshatriya sub @-@ castes or to Brahmins found guilty of heinous crimes ( as the killing of a Brahmin in medieval Hindu India was itself considered a heinous crime ) . As an alternate punishment to enforce the law a Brahmin 's right hand and left foot was severed , leaving that person disabled . 
