Merchant: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Merchant means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Christianity, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
Images (photo gallery)
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In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Merchants (in Indian dramas) should be presented as “calm and brave”, as dictated by the Dhīroddhata classification of Heroes (nāyaka), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, it is narrated that Brahmins and merchants should be dhīrodātta i.e., brave and noble minded.
Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Shilpashastra (iconography)
The Merchant refers to a certain class of personalities which follows specific guidelines in the tradition of ancient Indian Painting (citra), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, the rules of Painting of different classes have been elaborately discussed. Like cloths, accessories of different character also vary in their pictures. The ornaments of ministers, astrologers and family priests should not be very gaudy and they should have uṣṇīṣa i.e., turbans in their heads instead of crowns in their picture. The portrait of merchants also should have turbans in their heads.
Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.
India history and geography
Merchants in ancient India had a tradition to hold a reception in honour of merchants from outside, according to Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—The Kuvalayamala (779 A.D.) is full of cultural material which gains in value because of the firm date of its composition. [...] At Sūrpāraka there was the merchant Bhaddaseṭṭhi whose wealth lasted for several generations, and there was also a guild of local merchants. It was their custom to hold a reception in honour of merchants from outside and to learn from them the country of their origin, the destination, field of trade, the nature, value and volume of commodity in which he is interested and all such matters relating to his business. [...]
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: The, The, Merchant, Te.
Full-text (+1681): Vanija, Vanij, Mahajana, Sarthavaha, Vanijaka, Samyatrika, Vaishya, Krayavikrayika, Vyapari, Seth, Sarthika, Saudagara, Potavanij, Vikpati, Vaidehaka, Vyavaharin, Simhala, Vanigjana, Karpura, Apanika.
Relevant text
Search found 336 books and stories containing Merchant, Merchants, The merchant; (plurals include: Merchants, Merchantses, The merchants). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)
Chapter XXXII - The five monks < [Volume III]
Chapter IX(b) - The Five Hundred Merchants (metrical) < [Volume III]
Chapter XXV - The Dharmalabdha Jātaka < [Volume III]
Dhammapada (Illustrated) (by Ven. Weagoda Sarada Maha Thero)
Verse 123 - The Story of Mahādhana < [Chapter 9 - Pāpa Vagga (Evil)]
Verse 286 - The Story of Mahādhana, a Merchant < [Chapter 20 - Magga Vagga (The Path)]
Verse 102-103 - The Story of Nun Kuṇḍalakesī < [Chapter 8 - Sahassa Vagga (Thousands)]
South-Indian Horizons (by Jean-Luc Chevillard)
Chapter 10 - Eṟivīrapaṭṭiṉam, Warriors and the State in Medieval South India < [Section 3 - Studies in History, Epigraphy and Archaeology]
Chapter 1 - Krishnadevaraya and his political theory of Vijayanagara < [Section 4 - Mixed-song or Paripāṭal or Satura]
Chapter 9 - Funerary Steles in Tamil Country < [Section 3 - Studies in History, Epigraphy and Archaeology]
Research on Takeaway Delivery Route Optimization Problem Considering Merchant... < [Volume 16, Issue 24 (2024)]
Research on Value Co-Creation Strategies for Stakeholders of Takeaway... < [Volume 15, Issue 17 (2023)]
Pricing Strategies for O2O Catering Merchants Considering Reference Price... < [Volume 16, Issue 20 (2024)]
Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story) (by Somadeva)
Notes on the story of Devasmitā < [Notes]
Chapter XIII < [Book II - Kathāmukha]
Chapter XXIX < [Book VI - Madanamañcukā]
Padma Purana (by N.A. Deshpande)
Chapter 217 - The Greatness of Haridvāra < [Section 6 - Uttara-Khaṇḍa (Concluding Section)]
Chapter 204 - The Story of a Merchant Śarabha and a Demon Vikaṭa < [Section 6 - Uttara-Khaṇḍa (Concluding Section)]
Chapter 201 - Śarabha’s Story < [Section 6 - Uttara-Khaṇḍa (Concluding Section)]
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