 It has been documented that some Bracharanam who lived in places like Mangudi were such rigid saivaites that they would not even utter Govinda's name and lived a life of stern austerity.The traditional function of Brahacharanams is to study and impart Vedic knowledge or officiate as priests in religious functions.However, there is evidence that in ancient times, they might have also served in the army or in civil and administrative services.