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Pani (Samskrit : पणिकः) is basically a community of tradesmen often travelling to distant lands for international trade referred to in vedic literature. Ample references in the vedic literature are available about trade for profit in distant lands by travelling over the seas. Merchants in the vedic period prayed and offered oblations to seek divine grace for success in trade.  These commercial people believed in a materialistic philosophy of life.  Mostly these traders and merchants were the Asuras or Dasyus and for trade moved in all directions including foreign countries. The international trade was confined to a certain section of Dasyu society called the Panis.  

Pani (Samskrit : पणिकः पणिः) is basically a community of tradesmen often travelling to distant lands for international trade referred to in vedic literature. Ample references in the vedic literature are available about trade for profit in distant lands by travelling over the seas. Merchants in the vedic period prayed and offered oblations to seek divine grace for success in trade.  These commercial people believed in a materialistic philosophy of life.  Mostly these traders and merchants were the Asuras or Dasyus and for trade moved in all directions including foreign countries. The international trade was confined to a certain section of Dasyu society called the Panis.  

Pani ||पणिकः is referred to as a tradesman of extremely miserly nature. They are deplored in many mantras of the Rig veda (RV 6.53.02 to 07).  They are the rich and enterprising merchant class solely devoted to the cause of gain either through trade or usury.  They have been designated as Bekanatas or usurers. These panis can be classified as the ancestors of Vanika of later times who formed the Vaisya caste in Aryan conception.<ref name=":1">Prasad, Prakash Charan. (1977) ''[https://books.google.co.in/books?id=RSW8az3Q_dEC&lpg=PA7&pg=PA21#v=onepage&q&f=false Foreign Trade and Commerce in Ancient India.]'' New Delhi : Abhinav Publications </ref> They have enmity with Indra, Soma, Agni, Brihaspathi and Angiras. They are called इन्द्रशत्रृ || Indra Sathru or enemies of Indra headed by Panis named Vala and Bala.<ref name=":0">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya, Part I''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>   

Pani ||पणिकः is referred to as a tradesman of extremely miserly nature. They are deplored in many mantras of the Rig veda (RV 6.53.02 to 07).  They are the rich and enterprising merchant class solely devoted to the cause of gain either through trade or usury.  They have been designated as Bekanatas or usurers. These panis can be classified as the ancestors of Vanika of later times who formed the Vaisya caste in Aryan conception.<ref name=":1">Prasad, Prakash Charan. (1977) ''[https://books.google.co.in/books?id=RSW8az3Q_dEC&lpg=PA7&pg=PA21#v=onepage&q&f=false Foreign Trade and Commerce in Ancient India.]'' New Delhi : Abhinav Publications </ref> They have enmity with Indra, Soma, Agni, Brihaspathi and Angiras. They are called इन्द्रशत्रृ || Indra Sathru or enemies of Indra headed by Panis named Vala and Bala.<ref name=":0">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya, Part I''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>   

== व्युत्पत्ति || Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्ति || Etymology ==

Here the term Pani || पणिकः refers to a miserly, tight-fisted person.  

Here the term Pani || पणिः refers to a miserly, tight-fisted person.  

*Maharshi Yaska describes that panis are वर्तकः || varthaka (business people) who sell things for profits.  

*Maharshi Yaska describes that panis are वर्तकः || varthaka (business people) who sell things for profits.  

<blockquote>पणिः वणिक् भवति ।पणिः पणनात् । वणिक् पण्यं नेनेक्ति । (Nirukti 2.17)<ref>Nirukta ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 2])</ref></blockquote>Meaning : Panis are vaniks or tradesmen.   

<blockquote>पणिः वणिक् भवति ।पणिः पणनात् । वणिक् पण्यं नेनेक्ति । (Nirukti 2.17)<ref>Nirukta ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 2])</ref></blockquote>Meaning : Panis are vaniks or tradesmen.   

Sayanaacharya explains in his commentary for the Rig mantra as follows<ref name=":0" />  <blockquote>kincha panayaha vyaya ahisnavaha vanijaha panihi vanika bhvathi thi yaskaha panayaha iti lubdakaha abhi yuddavanaha yugadinam akurvanaha adanashilaha asmat shatravaha (Commentary for Rig. Veda. 1.12.4 – 10)</blockquote>Panis were wealthy people who hoarded money with a very miserly business attitude, lacking in intellectual stability and had very little regard for any Vedic ritual.

Sayanaacharya explains in his commentary for the Rig mantra as follows<ref name=":0" />  <blockquote>kincha panayaha vyaya ahisnavaha vanijaha panihi vanika bhvathi thi yaskaha panayaha iti lubdakaha abhi yuddavanaha yugadinam akurvanaha adanashilaha asmat shatravaha (Commentary for Rig. Veda. 1.12.4 – 10)</blockquote>Panis were wealthy people who hoarded money with a very miserly business attitude, lacking in intellectual stability and had very little regard for any Vedic ritual.