Merchant: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Merchant means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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.
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In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (natya)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)
Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (shilpa)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
Source: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri’s Kuvalayamala-katha (history)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)
Full-text (+1218): Vanija, Vanij, Mahajana, Shetasavakara, Krayavikrayika, Vipanin, Seth, Vaishya, Prehivanija, Settavatta, Arthavarman, Vaidehaka, Sarthavaha, Sagatuvyapari, Samyatrika, Vikpati, Dhanadatta, Danavarman, Shetha, Gavare.
Relevant text
Search found 255 books and stories containing Merchant, Merchants; (plurals include: Merchants, Merchantses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 2.3.134 < [Chapter 3 - The Lord Manifests His Varāha Form in the House of Murāri and Meets with Nityānanda]
Verse 3.5.458 < [Chapter 5 - The Pastimes of Nityānanda]
Verse 2.23.428 < [Chapter 23 - Wandering about Navadvīpa On the Day the Lord Delivered the Kazi]
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 IX(a) - The Five Hundred Merchants (prose) < [Volume III]
Kathasaritsagara (cultural study) (by S. W. Chitale)
Sea-Borne Trade < [Chapter 3 - Economic Conditions]
Trade in Ancient India < [Chapter 3 - Economic Conditions]
Coinage in ancient India < [Chapter 3 - Economic Conditions]
Dhammapada (Illustrated) (by Ven. Weagoda Sarada Maha Thero)
Verse 123 - The Story of Mahādhana < [Chapter 9 - Pāpa Vagga (Evil)]
Verse 79 - The Story of Venerable Mahākappina < [Chapter 6 - Paṇḍita Vagga (The Wise)]
Verse 101 - The Story of Bāhiyadārucīriya < [Chapter 8 - Sahassa Vagga (Thousands)]
Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology (by Sreyashi Ray chowdhuri)
Epigraphs from Amarāvatī (b) The Vāṇīyas or Merchants < [Chapter 4 - Survival of Amarāvatī in the Context of Andhra Art]
Offering of food by Trapusa and Bhallika < [Chapter 3 - Amarāvatī and the Formative Stage of the Buddhist Art]
Epigraphs from Amarāvatī (d) The Tulakica or Banker < [Chapter 4 - Survival of Amarāvatī in the Context of Andhra Art]
Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Cūḷaseṭṭhi Jātaka < [Chapter 43 - Forty-one Arahat-Mahatheras and their Respective Etadagga titles]
Chapter 12 - Yasa, Son of a Rich Merchant, becoming a Bhikkhu < [Volume 2.2]
Biography (38): Mahā Kappina Mahāthera < [Chapter 43 - Forty-one Arahat-Mahatheras and their Respective Etadagga titles]
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