4. Varna system (c): Vaisyas

The terms used in the Brahma Purana to denote this order The vaisyas The Brahma Purana states are vis and vaisya which are of vedic antiquity. form the third order of the four classes. that they reside in the middle part of India and follow the occupation of vanijya (27.17,18). Various types of vaisyas are mentioned. Thus those residing in Plaksadvipa were called the vivisvas (20.17),

230 those in the salmaladvipa possessed the yellow colour (20.30), those residing in Kusadvipa were called Snehas (20.39), those of the Krauncadvipa were called Dhanyas (20.53,54) and those of Sakadvipa were called Manasas (20.71,72). Lord Brahma has prescribed three means of maintenance for the vaisyas, viz. cattle-breeding, mercantile and agriculture. The vaisya should study the vedas, perform the sacrifices, give dana, adhere to Dharma, and perform the Nitya and Naimittika Karmans (222.11-12). They were to give the They are 1/6th part of their income to the king (218.19-20). described as witnessing the sacrifice along with the members of other castes (1.8,9 They performed the sraddhas with the recitation of mantras following the rules of their own varna and the injunctions of their own kula (220.3,4). They followed kke Kukes µf kkekk king in the procession (44.27), In the place of a pilgrimage, the valsyas should take a bath and perform the rites according to the vedas (67.19-20). This shows that the vaisyas possessed the knowledge of vedas. The vaisyas were allowed to perform the sraddha with the accompaniment of vedic recital. They were to perform it following the rules of their own varna and the injunctions of their own family (220.3,4). This shows the participation of the vaisyas in the religious activities.

231 On the death of someone in the family, a vaisya remains unholy for 15 days and he is prohibited to perform his work during that period (220.63,64), (221.147,158). ☑ The vais as belonged to various religious creeds. Thus the vaisyas of Salmaladvipa worshipped Lord Visnu on the form of Vayu (20.30), those of the Kusadvipa perform all the rites enjoined by the sastras and perform the sacrifices in honour of lord Brahma to destroy their karmans (20.39); those of Sakadvipa worship lord Visnu in the form of Sun (20.71,72). Some other vaisyas worship lord Mahadeva (40.46,136). Some others worship lord Narayana, Nrsimha and krsna and Balarama (56.17-18), (65.9-10), (66.10-12), The vaisyas get the highest sidchi by devoting themselves to lord Narayana (178. 185-186). Stray references to the vaisyas show that they were peaceful, religious, adhering to their own karmans and having control over their senses (28.8-9). In eschatological matters also, the vaidyas do not seem to have suffered from any serious disabilities. The Brahma Purana states that they obtained the highest status if they worship Sun with pure faith and devotion (28.37) and Vismu (226.14); and on hearing the Sivastuti composed by Daksa, they attained the Rudraloka (40.136).

232 The vaisyas of the Ekamrakaksetra are said to follow their own Dharma (41.29), and some vaisyas are described as living in Ujjain (43.30). They lived happily in the reign of king Dasaratha (123.6) and in the kingdom of Rama, they respected the ksatriyas (213.148). The vaisyas who hoard wealth and adhere to Vaisyavrtti should bow down to king Prthu, the bestower of Vrtti (4.120). In ordinary circumstances, a vaisya was enjouned to follow his own functions but in times of difficulty he was allowed to perform the functions of the sudra (220.18-20).