5.11. The Tradesman (vaṇik)

The tradesman is also another target of Kṣemendra. He satirizes the tradesman who out of greed robs people applying different trickeries. He ridicules the crafty and deceitful traders. Kṣemendra says that such traders have fallen from the high ideals of satya, praśama and tapa. For him, greed is deep rooted in their hearts.^[1]

For the author, the tradesman is none but a day thief (divasacaura) as he loots people at the time of selling and purchasing objects.^[2] Applying various tricks the tradesman robs people but he gets pain in his heart if he has to spend only three coppers for his own house hold work.^[3] The author satirizes such businessman who listens to religious books but never donates anything.^[4] The tradesman also takes interest in money lending. Kṣemendra calls him a rogue, who remains silent during the time of selling but if someone comes with a deposit in hand welcomes him.^[5] With the deposited money the cunning tradesman makes a large profit in his business.^[6] But he never returns that deposited money. He conceals deposits of numerous people. Kṣemendra compares his wickedness with a snake which dances at the time of measury.^[7] The miser tradesman only hoards money and never spends in the name of charity and enjoyments. Kṣemendra expresses his anguish calling him haṭṭapiśāca.^[8] He also ridicules him calling him a rat of ruined temple.^[9]