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Pani (Sankrit : पणिकः) basically belongs to a community of tradesmen referred to vedic literature. 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.

Pani (Samskrit : पणिकः) is basically a community of tradesmen often travelling to distant lands for international trade referred to in vedic literature. 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>Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya, Part I''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>

== परिचय || Introduction ==

== परिचय || Introduction ==

Ample references in the vedic literature are available about trade for profit in distant lands by travelling over the seas (Rig Ved 1.562). Merchants in the vedic period prayed and offered oblations to seek divine grace for success in trade (RV 3.183).  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.     

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.   

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>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>    

== व्युत्पत्ति || Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्ति || Etymology ==

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

Here the term Pani || पणिकः 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>"पणिर्वणिग्भवति panihi vanika bhavathi'''"'''</blockquote><blockquote>'''"'''panihi pananatha vanika panyam nenakthi (Nirukti 2.17) '''"'''</blockquote>Sayanaacharya explains in his commentary for the Rig mantra as follows  <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.

<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  <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.

*Maharshi Yaska also refers to 'Panis' as business minded people or tradesmen.  panimsca vanijaha(Niruktha 6.26) The Vedas also talk of बेकनाटा || bekanatas who are known to be shrewd money lenders who impose heavy interest for their profits. These ‘bekanatas’ supposedly can see only during the day and when night befalls they argue that those visible things do not exist. Therefore they are considered to be नास्तिक || nasthika or atheists like the Charvaka philosophers. To reaffirm this, Yaska maharshi quotes the following Rig mantra  

*Maharshi Yaska also refers to 'Panis' as business minded people or tradesmen.  panimsca vanijaha(Niruktha 6.26) The Vedas also talk of बेकनाटा || bekanatas who are known to be shrewd money lenders who impose heavy interest for their profits. These ‘bekanatas’ supposedly can see only during the day and when night befalls they argue that those visible things do not exist. Therefore they are considered to be नास्तिक || nasthika or atheists like the Charvaka philosophers. To reaffirm this, Yaska maharshi quotes the following Rig mantra  

<blockquote>कदू महीरध्र्ष्टा अस्य तविषीः कदु वर्त्रघ्नो अस्त्र्तम | <br> इन्द्रो विश्वान बेकनाटानहर्द्र्श उत करत्वा पणीन्रभि || (Rig. Veda. 8.66.10)</blockquote><blockquote>Here the word अहर्द्र्श || ahardrisha has been explained in detail by Sayanaacharya as follows by Dr. K. L. Narayanacharya</blockquote><blockquote>"''nanu sarve suryam pasyanthi ko atra tishaya iti ucyathe ihaiva janmani suryam pasyanthina janmanthare lubdaka ayushtarondhe tamasimajansthi athva laukika neva ahani pasyanthi na para laukikanthyath drishtani dishta pradanahini nastikaha"''</blockquote>Meaning : A question arises that if everyone can see the Sun why panis are called ahardrihaha. It is said that panis see the Sun only in this lifetime and because of their miserliness and disengagement in Yajna, they attain the land of ‘andha tamasa’ or complete darkness in their future births. Panis view the world with a materialistic or physical light and do not experience the light of spirituality or the higher realms. Thus they remain in the land of ‘andha tamasa’ or in complete darkness for their understanding is that of the atheists who only believe in what they see with their eyes.

<blockquote>कदू महीरध्र्ष्टा अस्य तविषीः कदु वर्त्रघ्नो अस्त्र्तम | <br> इन्द्रो विश्वान बेकनाटानहर्द्र्श उत करत्वा पणीन्रभि || (Rig. Veda. 8.66.10)</blockquote><blockquote>Here the word अहर्द्र्श || ahardrisha has been explained in detail by Sayanaacharya as follows by Dr. K. L. Narayanacharya</blockquote><blockquote>"''nanu sarve suryam pasyanthi ko atra tishaya iti ucyathe ihaiva janmani suryam pasyanthina janmanthare lubdaka ayushtarondhe tamasimajansthi athva laukika neva ahani pasyanthi na para laukikanthyath drishtani dishta pradanahini nastikaha"''</blockquote>Meaning : A question arises that if everyone can see the Sun why panis are called ahardrihaha. It is said that panis see the Sun only in this lifetime and because of their miserliness and disengagement in Yajna, they attain the land of ‘andha tamasa’ or complete darkness in their future births. Panis view the world with a materialistic or physical light and do not experience the light of spirituality or the higher realms. Thus they remain in the land of ‘andha tamasa’ or in complete darkness for their understanding is that of the atheists who only believe in what they see with their eyes.

== References ==

== References ==

# Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Samskrita Parichaya''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.

# Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Samskrita Parichaya''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.

#Prakash Charan Prasad, Foreign Trade and Commerce in Ancient India

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