Teaching, learning, performing Yajna, make performing Yajna, accept Daana, and give Daana are the six duties of a Brahmin.
Brahmins are also protectors of the religion. Hence, at times when religion was endangered by aggressors Brahmins took up arms to combat the threat of the enemy. Starting from the time of Parasurama, who was a mythical warrior brahmin and then to the time when all kshtriyas were trained in warfare by Brahmins, which is substantiated by mythological stories such as those from the Mahabharata.(e.g. Dronachraya and Kripacharaya). In actual life, Chanakya (also called Kautaliya) was another Brahmin who raised destitute and poor child (Chandragupta Maurya) and trained him in all spheres of life including warfare. Chandragupta created the largest empire of India ever. Under the able rule of Chandragupta, the majority of India, modern day Pakistan and south-eastern Afghanistan were united.
