Varta, aka: Vārtā, Vārta; 10 Definition(s)

Introduction

Varta means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi. 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.

In Hinduism

Dharmashastra (religious law)

Vārtā (वार्ता) refers to “trade-agriculture”. It represents a branch of knowledge, dealing with the acquiring and spending of wealth, of which the King should be familiar with. The word is used throughout Dharmaśāstra literature such as the Manusmṛti. (also see the Manubhāṣya verse 7.43)

Vārtā (वार्ता, “agriculture”) refers to “animal husbandry” and “trade and commerce” and represents one of the nine divisions of the Paurūṣeya classification of Śāstra knowledge; all part of the ancient Indian education system, which aimed at both the inner and the outer dimension of a person.

context information

Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Vārta (वार्त).—A King of ancient India. This King stays in the palace of Yama praising and worshipping him. (Mahābhārata Sabhā Parva, Chapter 8, Stanza 10).

Vārtā (वार्ता).—Produced by Brahmā; according to Prahlāda, should be a means to realise Hari; profession of Vaiśyas. Fourfold—kṛṣi, vāṇijyam, go-rakṣa, and kusīda (usury).¹ Began in the Tretāyuga and disappears towards the close of the Kali; not known in Puṣkaradvīpa.² Origin of commerce; came into being after the beginning of the Tretāyuga when the grāmāraṇya corns were not enough and when people wanted something more to live on; with vārtā came maryādā and conventions of society;³ symbolical of Devī;⁴ a vidyā.⁵

• 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 12. 44; VII. 6. 26; 11. 16; X. 24. 21. Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa I. 1. 92; Vāyu-purāṇa 49. 117; 57. 89; 58. 25; 59. 36; 61. 160 and 166.
• 2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 19. 121. 30. 3 and 8; 32. 40; 35. 187 and 195; III. 74. 210-2. Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 4. 83.
• 3) Vāyu-purāṇa 8. 159, 202; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 7. 151. Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 6. 20 and 22.
• 4) Ib. I. 9. 121.
• 5) Ib. V. 10. 27-28.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)

Varta (वर्त).—A term used by ancient grammarians and later on by commentators for compound words; cf. वर्तनं वर्तः समासः (vartanaṃ vartaḥ samāsaḥ) Nyasa on Kas. II.4.15.

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Vārta (वार्त).—Of no use; serving no purpose; the word is possibly derived from वार्ता (vārtā) (लेकवाती (lekavātī)) meaning people's gossip; cf एतच्च वार्तम् (etacca vārtam) M.Bh.on P.I.2. 64 Vart. 25; also on P. II.2.24, II. 4.13 etc.

Arthashastra (politics and welfare)

Vārta (वार्त, “economics”) refers to one of the four classes of knowledge needed to run a state according to Kauṭilya’s Arthaśāstra (4th century BCE): one of the most influential treatises of political science. Vārta refers to economics, specifically agriculture, cattle breeding, and trade.

context information

Arthashastra (अर्थशास्त्र, arthaśāstra) literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.

India history and geogprahy

Vārta.—(CII 4; IA 14), same as Vṛtti-bhuj, ‘one who enjoys a grant or the share of a grant’; a person in possession of a vṛtti. Note: vārta is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

See also (synonyms): Vartta.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as 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.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

vārtā (वार्ता).—f Tidings. Rumour. Conversation. vārtāhī nasaṇēṃ To exist not even in name.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Varta (वर्त).—(Usually at the end of comp.) Living, livelihood; as in कल्यवर्त (kalyavarta) q. v.

Derivable forms: vartaḥ (वर्तः).

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