Vaishya Dharma (वैश्यधर्मः)
 |
This article needs editing.
Add and improvise the content from reliable sources. |
वैश्यः ॥ Vaishya
पशूनां रक्षणं दानं इज्याध्ययनं एव च । वणिक्पथं कुसीदं च वैश्यस्य कृषिं एव च । । १.९० । ।[1] paśūnāṁ rakṣaṇaṁ dānaṁ ijyādhyayanaṁ eva ca । vaṇikpathaṁ kusīdaṁ ca vaiśyasya kr̥ṣiṁ eva ca । । 1.90 । ।
Meaning: For the Vaishya, tending of cattle, giving of gifts, sacrificing and studying; as also trade, money-lending and cultivating of land (1.90).[2] According to the Bhagavata Purana, the Vaishya is to maintain himself by agriculture (cattle-breeding) and trade, and should follow the Brahmanas.[3]
वैश्यस्तु वार्तावृत्तिश्च नित्यं ब्रह्मकुलानुगः । (Bh. Pu. Skanda 7, Adhyaya 11, Verse 15)[4] vaiśyastu vārtāvr̥ttiśca nityaṁ brahmakulānugaḥ ।
And devotion to deities, teachers and Lord Vishnu, maintenance (and achievement) of the three objectives in life (viz. dharma, artha and kama), faith in Shastras, constant effort (in making money) and skill in transactions, form the characteristics of the Vaishyas.[3]
देवगुर्वच्युते भक्तिस्त्रिवर्गपरिपोषणम् । आस्तिक्यमुद्यमो नित्यं नैपुण्यं वैश्यलक्षणम् ॥ २३॥[4] devagurvacyute bhaktistrivargaparipoṣaṇam । āstikyamudyamo nityaṁ naipuṇyaṁ vaiśyalakṣaṇam ॥ 23॥
Mahabharata
वैश्यस्यापि हि यो धर्मस्तं ते वक्ष्यामि शाश्वतम्। दानमध्ययनं यज्ञः शौचेन धनसंचयः।।12.59.23 (60.21)
पितृवत्पालयेद्वैश्यो युक्तः सर्वान्पशूनिह। 24
रक्षया स हि तेषां वै महत्सुखमवाप्नुयात्। प्रजापतिर्हि वैश्याय सृष्ट्वा परिददौ पशून्।। 25
The Vaishyas were created from the stomach of the creator and hence, they resort to various modes related to earning a living like agriculture and trading in their lifetime.[5]
ऊरुभ्यामुद्गता वैश्यास्तस्माद्वार्तोपजीविनः।13.208.5[6]
Enumerating the importance of the Vaishyas in the society the Mahabharata says,
तथैव देवि वैश्याश्च लोकयात्राहिताः स्मृताः। अन्ये तानुपजीवन्ति प्रत्यक्षफलदा हि ते।।13.208.27
यदि न स्युस्तथा वैश्या न भवेयुस्तथा परे।13.208.28[6]
The Vaishyas facilitate the life journey of the other people. The people of other varnas manage their living with the aid of the Vaishyas. For, they are the fruit-bearers. If there are no vaishyas, the people of other varnas will also not exist.[5]
वैश्यस्य सततं धर्मः पाशुपाल्यं कृषिस्तथा। अग्निहोत्रपरिस्पन्दास्त्रयो वर्णा द्विजातयः।।13.208.29
वाणिज्यं सत्पथे स्थानमातिथेयत्वमेव च। विप्राणां स्वागतन्यायो वैश्यधर्मः सनातनः।।13.208.30[6]
Meaning: Animal husbandry, agriculture, trading, Agnihotra, Dana, learning, resorting to virtuous path and upholding virtuous code of conduct, honouring guests, tranquility, self-control welcoming brahmanas and renunciation (detachment) are the eternal duties of all vaishyas.[5]
तिलगन्धरसाश्चैव न विक्रेयाः कथञ्चन। वणिक्पथमुपासद्भिर्वैश्यैर्वैश्यपथि स्थितैः।।13.208.31
सर्वातिथ्यं त्रिवर्गस्य यथाशक्ति दिवानिशम्।13.208.32[6]
Meaning: A virtuous Vaishya involved in trading should not sell Sesame, sandalwood and juices. And one should offer appropriate hospitality to the trivarga (ie. brahmanas, kshatriyas and vaishyas) as per one's abilities.[5]
Modes of living
पण्णामेकां पिबेद्धेनुं शताच्च मिथुनं हरेत्। लये च सप्तमो भागस्तथा शृङ्गे कला खुरे।। 27
सस्यानां सर्वबीजानामेषा सांवत्सरी भृतिः।। 28[7]
The Agni Purana also mentions Agriculture, protecting the cows and trade as (the duties) of a vaishya apart from munificence, engaging in study and perform vedic rites as laid down.[8]
दानमध्ययनञ्चैव यजनञ्च यथाविधिः ॥१५१.७
कृषिगोरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं वैश्यस्य परिकीर्तितं ।१५१.९[9]
References
- ↑ Manusmriti, Adhyaya 1.
- ↑ Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti (Vol.3), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare, The Bhagavata Purana (Part III), Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology (Volume 9), Edited by J.L.Shastri, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, P.no.964-965.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 7, Adhyaya 11.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Shastri, Ramnarayanadatta Pandey, Mahabharata Volume 6 (With Hindi Translation), Gorakhpur:Gita Press.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva, Adhyaya 208
- ↑ Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, Adhyaya 59
- ↑ The Agni Purana (Part 2), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.
- ↑ Agni Purana, Adhyaya 151