Significance of Vaishya
Synonyms: Merchant, Trader, Shopkeeper
In Dutch: Vaishya; In Finnish: Vaishya; In Spanish: Vaishya
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Vaishya'
In Buddhism, Vaishya represents the merchant or landowner class in ancient India, illustrating their role through the act of inviting the Buddha and his community for a meal, highlighting their importance in societal interactions.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) A merchant or landowner class in ancient Indian society, depicted here as one who invites the Buddha and the samgha for a meal.[1]
Hindu concept of 'Vaishya'
The Vaishya in Hinduism represents the merchant and agricultural class within the traditional caste system, engaged in trade, agriculture, and livestock management, ranked above the Shudra and below the Kshatriya, contributing significantly to the economy and society.
From: Skanda Purana
(1) One of the three main castes in Hindu society, often associated with commerce and agriculture, and regarded as one of the excellent twice-borns.[2] (2) The merchant class in ancient Indian society, attaining auspiciousness through self-sacrifice.[3] (3) The merchant or agricultural caste referred to in the cycle of rebirth of Dridhamati.[4] (4) A member of the merchant or agricultural caste known for wealth accumulation.[5] (5) The merchant class that is embarrassed about agriculture during Kaliyuga.[6]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) A primary social class that faces loss of property and relationships when consuming food with individuals of other classes.[7] (2) The merchant and agricultural class, tasked with acquiring wealth, performing sacrifices, and rearing animals.[8] (3) A member of the merchant class who contributes to society primarily through trade and agriculture.[9] (4) The merchant class, originating from the thighs of Brahman, responsible for supporting the other orders through cultivation and trade.[10] (5) A member of the class that normally engages in agriculture and the rearing of cattle for their sustenance.[11]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) The merchant caste who can also face punishments for certain actions against Vedic culture.[12] (2) The merchant class who receive wealth and corn through the blessings of hearing the narrative.[13] (3) The merchant and agricultural class in Vedic society.[14] (4) A person of the merchant class, who, alongside King Suratha, approached the Muni for guidance and relief from worldly sufferings.[15] (5) A caste responsible for using yellow cow dung and applying Tripundras.[16]
From: Garuda Purana
(1) The merchant class that engages in trade, agriculture, and cattle-rearing.[17] (2) A member of the trading class involved in agriculture, commerce, and the rearing of livestock.[18] (3) The merchant class in ancient India, traditionally involved in trade and commerce.[19] (4) A social class in Hindu society, often associated with commerce and agriculture.[20]
From: Padma Purana
(1) A merchant or business class individual, as demonstrated by various characters within their former lives.[21] (2) A merchant or farmer class who is promised wealth through the worship of the Sun.[22] (3) A member of the merchant caste who obtains wealth and prosperity through the hymn.[23]
From: Markandeya Purana (Study)
(1) A caste that can marry only within their own caste, as outlined in the Paraskaragrihyasutra.[24] (2) The Vaishya occupied the third position in the society and is associated with trade, cattle-rearing, and agriculture.[25] (3) The varna associated with trade, agriculture, and commerce within the varnashrama framework.[26]
From: Harivamsha Purana
(1) The merchant class who are said to amass riches by engaging with the stories recited about Vishnu.[27] (2) The merchant class that some sons of Nabhagarishtha were designated to, despite their Kshatriya heritage.[28] (3) The merchant caste associated with Raja-Tamas quality, responsible for commerce and agriculture.[29]
From: Shiva Purana
(1) An individual from the merchant caste, who must also engage in spiritual practices for purification and advancement.[30] (2) A member of one of the four castes, who meditates on Shiva and faces danger from the Rakshasas.[31]
From: Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra)
(1) The merchant or producer caste in Hindu society, involved in agriculture and commerce.[32] (2) 'Vaishya' denotes the merchant class in Hindu society tasked with commerce, agriculture, and trade.[33]
From: Brahmanda Purana
(1) Traders and agriculturists born from Manu, engaged in commerce and livelihood.[34] (2) The merchant and agricultural caste engaged in trade, farming, and economic prosperity.[35]
From: Markandeya Purana
(1) A character who, along with king Suratha, practised austerities and received knowledge from the goddess Candika.[36]
From: Brihaddharma Purana (abridged)
(1) Merchants and farmers who emerged from Vishnu's thighs, responsible for trading and accumulating wealth.[37]
From: Vishnu Purana (Taylor)
(1) The community of merchants and farmers.[38]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) A member of the third Hindu caste, traditionally associated with agriculture, commerce, and trade.[39] (2) The merchant caste in Hindu society, that also has set age limits for initiation rites.[40] (3) A social class in Hindu society primarily engaged in commerce, agriculture, and caring for livestock.[41] (4) A social class in the caste system that may subsist through the occupations of the Shudra if they are unable to support themselves.[42] (5) Refers to a trader or agriculturalist class in society; similar to kshatriya, the rules for ultra-elongation of vowels may or may not apply.[43]
From: Baudhayana Dharmasutra
(1) A member of the merchant class in ancient Indian society, whose murder incurs a different period of penance.[44] (2) The merchant and agricultural caste in the varna system, associated with trade and commerce.[45] (3) A class or group within the Hindu social structure, traditionally merchants and landowners.[46]
From: Sankhayana-grihya-sutra
(1) A merchant caste in Hindu society, the Cudakarman for which is performed in the seventh year.[47] (2) A member of the merchant class to whom the Jagati is recited.[48] (3) A Vaishya is a class or caste referred to as one who is rich in cattle and is significant as a place where a fire can be lit.[49]
From: Yajnavalkya-smriti (Vyavaharadhyaya)—Critical study
(1) The merchant or business caste in Hindu society, which has specific inheritance rights determined in the context of intercaste marriages.[50] (2) A varna in the caste system associated with trade, agriculture, and business activities.[51]
From: Paraskara-grihya-sutra
(1) The merchant or agricultural class in Vedic society, identified as the recipients of specialized verses.[52] (2) A member of the merchant or agricultural caste, entitled to have one wife according to the text.[53]
From: Apastamba Dharma-sutra
(1) The merchant and agricultural class in the Vedic social structure, contributing to the economy and trade.[54]
From: Vasistha Dharmasutra
(1) The merchant and agrarian caste, tasked with agriculture, trade, and managing livestock.[55]
From: Gobhila-grihya-sutra
(1) The merchant and agricultural caste in society.[56]
From: Apastamba Grihya-sutra
(1) Refers to a member of the merchant caste, linked to the materials for their staff.[57]
From: Apastamba Yajna-paribhasa-sutras
(1) The third caste mentioned in relation to sacrifices that excludes him from certain rituals performed by Brahmanas and Rajanyas.[58]
From: Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra
(1) A merchant or agricultural class in Vedic society, recognized by the unique sacrificial formula in their honor.[59]
From: Asvalayana-grihya-sutra
(1) A member of the merchant class, who salves his belly during rituals.[60]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) A community of people mentioned in the text who are in a dialogue with Krishna.[61] (2) Referring to a member of the vaisya class in society, characterized here by experiencing hardship due to food scarcity.[62] (3) A group of people in the social order who are involved in trade and agriculture, demonstrating their respect towards Lord Krishna in this context.[63] (4) vaicyah; refers to the merchant or agricultural class in Hindu society, typically associated with trade and wealth generation.[64]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) A caste that emerged from the thighs of the virat-purusha, representing the merchant class.[65] (2) Members of the merchant class who are involved in trade and commerce, whose ego is also set aside by devotees pursuing spiritual goals.[66] (3) The merchant and agricultural class in the traditional Hindu social hierarchy.[67]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) the third of the four castes in the varnashrama system.[68]
From: Dasarupaka (critical study)
(1) The merchant caste in Candel society, recognized as leaders of trade and business.[69] (2) The caste of traders, engaged in commerce of jewelry, iron, gold, and other professions such as florists and painters.[70]
From: Abhinaya-darpana (English)
(1) The merchant caste, represented by the left hand gesture Hamsasya and the right hand gesture Kataka.[71]
From: History of Indian Medicine (and Ayurveda)
(1) The merchant class in ancient India who study medicine as a means of livelihood.[72] (2) The third class in ancient Aryan society, traditionally associated with commerce and agriculture, and known for participating in the medical profession.[73]
From: Matangalila and Hastyayurveda (study)
(1) The merchant class in ancient India recognized as having the ability to study Hastyayurveda.[74]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) Another of the four original castes in Hindu society, whose members can participate in specific marriage rites along with Kshatriyas and Shudras.[75]
From: Harshacharita (socio-cultural Study)
(1) One of the four castes, traditionally associated with the thighs of the Creator, tasked with agriculture and trade.[76]
From: Malatimadhava (study)
(1) The third caste associated with trade, agriculture, and cattle tending, tasked with providing for the community.[77]
From: Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study)
(1) A category of items in the Amarakosha that pertains to the merchant or trading community.[78]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) A reference to another class of individuals, used in comparison with 'brahmana' in expressions concerning actions like giving and receiving.[79]
From: Kamashastra Discourse (Life in Ancient India)
(1) The merchant and agrarian caste in the varna system, vital for trade and economic activities.[80] (2) The merchant caste in Hindu society emphasized in the Dharmasutras with specific instructions regarding social life and obligations.[81]
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) The 'Vaishya' represents the merchant or peasant class within the sacrifice, indicating a connection to the agrarian and economic aspects of society.[82] (2) A social class in ancient Indian society, linked to trade and agriculture, associated with the Ashvattha vessel.[83]
From: Brihat Samhita
(1) The merchant class that will suffer if the rainbow appears yellow at night.[84] (2) Merchant class individuals who will endure suffering if the fall of thunderbolt occurs within three hours after midday.[85]
From: Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana
(1) Vit is a term for 'Vaishya' that may evoke disgust when connected to meanings of excrement.[86]
From: Manasara (English translation)
(1) The merchant and landowner caste within the Hindu social hierarchy.[87]
From: Shukra Niti by Shukracharya
(1) Members of the merchant or agricultural caste that may be appointed in legal matters when necessary but deemed less preferable than Brahmanas and Kshatriyas.[88]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) The merchant class in Hindu society, who can perform rituals but under the guidance of Brahmins.[89]
The concept of Vaishya in local and regional sources
Vaishya denotes the merchant and agriculture class, emphasizing practical knowledge and engagement in agriculture, trade, and animal husbandry, while studying Varttashastras relevant to their economic roles.
From: Formal Education System in Ancient India
(1) A class of individuals engaged in agriculture, trade, and animal husbandry, studying Varttashastras relevant to their occupations.[90] (2) The merchant and agriculture class that had opportunities to study the Vedas, focusing more on practical knowledge related to their functions.[91]
The concept of Vaishya in scientific sources
Vaishya relates to the ancient practice of birth control as it highlights the role of this societal segment, traditionally associated with commerce and agriculture, in demographic control within historical and cultural contexts.
From: International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
(1) The ancient reference to the practice of birth control in relation to different societal segments.[92]