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Line 1: − == content in word doc sent by prji ==+ − == PANIS( ENEMIES OF INDRA) ==+ − Panis are basically the enemies of Indra, Soma, Agni, Brihaspathi and Angiras and their residential place is the Vayu Mandal. If you accept as truth that the Vedas descriptions of the dogs, then why is the Vedic description of the Panis residential place seen as untruth? Why this selective acceptance of truth? Here “Pani” word can be used as a miserly, tight-fisted person. They are called “Indra Sathru” enemies of Indra: vala, bala. If we accept cows as defined in the previous chapter, then it could be said that Panis are the powers that can stop the progress of knowledge. The suktas we can understand that the panis are the “jnana apaharaka Shakti (the robbers of knowledge). This indicates the struggle to acquire the knowledge. The dog that comes here is nothing but devaduthi (agent of the devatas) or the chitta (consciousness) which is always conscious in every living entity. The dog of the devathas is always alert and awake and has the power to know everything. She symbolically represents finding out the inner difficulties of living entities. − == Who are the Panis? ==+ − Where do the Panis reside and what do they do? If seen from a symbolic perspective, many concepts are unravelled by the Vedas. Yaska maharshi explains that Pani means people with a mentality of business mindedness, “panims ca vani ja ha”(Niruktha 6.26). The Vedas also talks of ‘beka natas’ who are known to be shrewd money lenders who focus on doubling their money by getting more interest. The ‘beka natas’ are supposedly able to see only in the day, and when night arrives, they would argue that such things that were seen in sun light, doesn’t exist. Therefore they are considered to be ||nasthika (atheists) Charvaka philosophers. To reaffirm this, Yaska maharshi quotes Rk Samhita (8.66.10) − + + − Here the word “ahardrisha” has been explained in detail by Sayana Acarya+ − + − ||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||+ − − It is explained beautifully by raising the question, that if everyone can see the Sun why for panis called “ahardrihaha” it is exaggeration? It is explained that panis can see the Sun only in this lifetime. However, in the next lifetime, because of their murderous mentality, miserliness and not engaged in Yajna, they will fall into the land of ‘andha tamasa’. (complete darkness). Thus in future, the Panis will only experience darkness as they only see the material or physical light. As they are unable to see the light of spirituality or the land beyond this world, their understanding is that of atheists who only believe what they see with their eyes. Indra’s army is indicated as very powerful, always alert and unconquerable. Indra, who defeated Vrithra can face any enemy. Therefore, Lord Indra with his invincible army can destroy the panis, who see only in the day time and he can destroy those who are into bekanata and other people who are cheating in their propensity. That is the essence of this verse. Yaska in another nirukti (2.17 “ panihi vanika bhavathi panihi pananatha vanika panyam nenakthi” says that panis are varthaka (business people) who sells things for money. Sayana acarya further explains “kincha panayaha vyaya ahisnavaha vanijaha panihi vanika bhvathi thi yaskaha panayaha iti lubdakaha abhi yuddavanaha yugadinam akurvanaha adanashilaha asmat shatravaha “ Rk Samhita 1.12.4 – 10. In that he explains the commentary. Panis are the one who do not like to see money getting exhausted. Having a very stingy business mentality. People without intellectual stability. Having a desire to understand intellectually, not performing any Vedic ritual. This same kind of sukta also comes during the description of Usha Devi. When the air which is offered to Usha Devi from the Vedas, who is the personification of the sukta abhimani devatha. − − In the above Sukta the word “pani” has mentioned prayers are offered to Usha Devi (deity for the Suktas). “Hey Devi, you are magnanimous one who gives whatever we ask, and what do we ask? We only ask you for the ingredients to perform the Yajna. We appeal to to make the performers of yajnas, especially, those who are generous—make them broader in their intelligence. Similarly the Panis who are our enemies, who are cheaters, greedy and bereft of intelligence, please make them go to sleep. He Devi, those who are charitable, the initiators of yajnas, please give them all the benefits. Ye Devi, of the compassionate eyes, and have the power to give old age those who perform yajnas with all the stotras, you offer them unlimited happiness and prosperity”. In this word (which) Pani is explained in similar fashion. Panis are demonic. And in this word panis is used in plural, the panis who are indicated here are still existing in the present society also. This pani does not indicate the community which was existing previously alone. But these are the people or they indicate certain action: wherever there are positive activities which are meant for enhancing dharma or favoring the devathas that “go samuha” herd of the cows. So they steal cows and create obstacles in the progress of the devathas and society, which neither benefits them nor the society. They have only materialistic aspirations and do not understand the value of spiritual knowledge. They steal the knowledge or imprison the Brahma Nishtas to ensure that the knowledge is not spread. When our spiritual knowledge is kept in darkness it gives rise to wrongful transactions and ||nasthik (atheism). In the Srimad Bhagavatham, the ministers of Kamsa are shown to have the same mentality of the Panis as they want to control the devatas and the Lord. So they give the message of the Panis to Kamsa. They gave this strategy. From Srimad Bhagavatham (10.4.39-42) − ||mūlaṁ hi viṣṇur devānāṁ yatra dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ tasya ca+ + + + − brahma-go-viprās tapo yajñāḥ sa-dakṣiṇāḥ+ + − tasmāt sarvātmanā rājan brāhmaṇān brahma-vādinaḥ+ − tapasvino yajña-śīlān gāś ca hanmo havir-dughāḥ+ − + − viprā gāvaś ca vedāś ca tapaḥ satyaṁ damaḥ śamaḥ − − śraddhā dayā titikṣā ca kratavaś ca hares tanūḥ − − sa hi sarva-suradhyakso hy asura-dvid guha-sayah tan-mula devatah sarvah − − sesvarah sa-catur-mukhah ayam vai tad-vadhopayo yad rsinam vihimsanam|| − − Translation: “The foundation of all the devatas is Lord Viṣhṇu, who resides wherever there are dharmic principles, culture, the Vedas, cows, brāhmaṇas, austerities and sacrifices with proper remuneration. − − O King, we, who are your adherents in all respects, shall therefore kill the Vedic brahmanas, the persons engaged in offering sacrifices and austerities, and the cows that supply milk, from which clarified butter is obtained for the ingredients of sacrifice.” − − The panis are the enemies of wisdom. They take their main occupation as envy of the jnanis. Be living in the visible world, trying to exploit the society, going in the name of socialism--these are asuric and destructive energies--Conscious efforts were made to say that they were original residence of Bharata, the panis, and the Aryas chased them away. This is illogical and has a wrong motivation. Panis could have been born in Aryan culture, they might have been the relatives of Aryans. Now also they could be Aryas. Nobody needs to say that. The society or the world is generally filled with Anaryas—those who are like Panis or Dasyues. If we see in that sense, Dasyue also has similar understanding like Pani. It comes from the root word: “Dus” those who take business as their goal. The alternative word given by Yaska in Nirukti is: “dasaha dassyathe upadasayathi “of course that doesn’t mean that the business and farming or transaction is useless. No. But wherever there is no connection to the jnana of the other world : “para” but only for the sake of earning money and consciously being envious of the wisdom, and therefore those who minimize the consciousness of advancing in spiritual perfection, such people will see the panis and dasyues with a contempt. Therefore wherever we experience such qualities which is bereft of perfection, they are panis or dasyues. Therefore vedas rather than speaking an historical perspective alone, they are establishing an eternal truth. And this is indicating that the jnana shakti is constantly in war with such opposite elements, indicating that such ajananis or unintelligent people were exiting in large numbers in previous time also and therefore such people caused harm to the knowledge bank of Vedas and thus it could be historical perspective also. Therefore those ajanis or panis they could be from any kula or race. They could be from any civilization, but that is not an important consideration for the Vedas. What is important is that they were against the wisdom or knowledge and therefore if we are bereft of such vision then what is there to say in Vedas? − − <nowiki>-----------</nowiki> prji content till here ------------- − − == Introduction == − If seen from a symbolic perspective, many concepts are unravelled by the Vedas. Yaska maharshi explains that Pani means people with a mentality of business mindedness, “panims ca vani ja ha”(Niruktha 6.26). The Vedas also talks of ‘beka natas’ who are known to be shrewd money lenders who focus on doubling their money by getting more interest. The ‘beka natas’ are supposedly able to see only in the day, and when night arrives, they would argue that such things that were seen in sun light, doesn’t exist. Therefore they are considered to be ||nasthika (atheists) Charvaka philosophers. To reaffirm this, Yaska maharshi quotes Rk Samhita (8.66.10) − − ||kadu mahirdrishta asatvishaha kadu vruthagno askritham, indrovishvan beka natam ahardrisha utha krithva panikam rabhihi|| + + + + − ||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||+ − It is explained beautifully by raising the question, that if everyone can see the Sun why for panis called “ahardrihaha” it is exaggeration? It is explained that panis can see the Sun only in this lifetime. However, in the next lifetime, because of their murderous mentality, miserliness and not engaged in Yajna, they will fall into the land of ‘andha tamasa’. (complete darkness). Thus in future, the Panis will only experience darkness as they only see the material or physical light. As they are unable to see the light of spirituality or the land beyond this world, their understanding is that of atheists who only believe what they see with their eyes. Indra’s army is indicated as very powerful, always alert and unconquerable. Indra, who defeated Vrithra can face any enemy. Therefore, Lord Indra with his invincible army can destroy the panis, who see only in the day time and he can destroy those who are into bekanata and other people who are cheating in their propensity. That is the essence of this verse. Yaska in another nirukti (2.17 “ panihi vanika bhavathi panihi pananatha vanika panyam nenakthi” says that panis are varthaka (business people) who sells things for money. Sayana acarya further explains “kincha panayaha vyaya ahisnavaha vanijaha panihi vanika bhvathi thi yaskaha panayaha iti lubdakaha abhi yuddavanaha yugadinam akurvanaha adanashilaha asmat shatravaha “ Rk Samhita 1.12.4 – 10. In that he explains the commentary. Panis are the one who do not like to see money getting exhausted. Having a very stingy business mentality. People without intellectual stability. Having a desire to understand intellectually, not performing any Vedic ritual. This same kind of sukta also comes during the description of Usha Devi. When the air which is offered to Usha Devi from the Vedas, who is the personification of the sukta abhimani devatha.+ − Till here + − Volume 3 Chapter 1B part 7+ − In the above Sukta the word “pani” has mentioned prayers are offered to Usha Devi (deity for the Suktas). “Hey Devi, you are magnanimous one who gives whatever we ask, and what do we ask? We only ask you for the ingredients to perform the Yajna. We appeal to to make the performers of yajnas, especially, those who are generous—make them broader in their intelligence. Similarly the Panis who are our enemies, who are cheaters, greedy and bereft of intelligence, please make them go to sleep. He Devi, those who are charitable, the initiators of yajnas, please give them all the benefits. Ye Devi, of the compassionate eyes, and have the power to give old age those who perform yajnas with all the stotras, you offer them unlimited happiness and prosperity”. In this word (which) Pani is explained in similar fashion. Panis are demonic. And in this word panis is used in plural, the panis who are indicated here are still existing in the present society also. This pani does not indicate the community which was existing previously alone. But these are the people or they indicate certain action: wherever there are positive activities which are meant for enhancing dharma or favoring the devathas that “go samuha” herd of the cows. So they steal cows and create obstacles in the progress of the devathas and society, which neither benefits them nor the society. They have only materialistic aspirations and do not understand the value of spiritual knowledge. They steal the knowledge or imprison the Brahma Nishtas to ensure that the knowledge is not spread. When our spiritual knowledge is kept in darkness it gives rise to wrongful transactions and ||nasthik (atheism). In the Srimad Bhagavatham, the ministers of Kamsa are shown to have the same mentality of the Panis as they want to control the devatas and the Lord. So they give the message of the Panis to Kamsa. They gave this strategy. From Srimad Bhagavatham (10.4.39-42)+ + + + − − − + − + − sesvarah sa-catur-mukhah ayam vai tad-vadhopayo yad rsinam vihimsanam||+ + + + + + + + + − Translation: “The foundation of all the devatas is Lord Viṣhṇu, who resides wherever there are dharmic principles, culture, the Vedas, cows, brāhmaṇas, austerities and sacrifices with proper remuneration. − O King, we, who are your adherents in all respects, shall therefore kill the Vedic brahmanas, the persons engaged in offering sacrifices and austerities, and the cows that supply milk, from which clarified butter is obtained for the ingredients of sacrifice.” − The panis are the enemies of wisdom. They take their main occupation as envy of the jnanis. Be living in the visible world, trying to exploit the society, going in the name of socialism--these are asuric and destructive energies--Conscious efforts were made to say that they were original residence of Bharata, the panis, and the Aryas chased them away. This is illogical and has a wrong motivation. Panis could have been born in Aryan culture, they might have been the relatives of Aryans. Now also they could be Aryas. Nobody needs to say that. The society or the world is generally filled with Anaryas—those who are like Panis or Dasyues. If we see in that sense, Dasyue also has similar understanding like Pani. It comes from the root word: “Dus” those who take business as their goal. The alternative word given by Yaska in Nirukti is: “dasaha dassyathe upadasayathi “of course that doesn’t mean that the business and farming or transaction is useless. No. But wherever there is no connection to the jnana of the other world : “para” but only for the sake of earning money and consciously being envious of the wisdom, and therefore those who minimize the consciousness of advancing in spiritual perfection, such people will see the panis and dasyues with a contempt. Therefore wherever we experience such qualities which is bereft of perfection, they are panis or dasyues. Therefore vedas rather than speaking an historical perspective alone, they are establishing an eternal truth. And this is indicating that the jnana shakti is constantly in war with such opposite elements, indicating that such ajananis or unintelligent people were exiting in large numbers in previous time also and therefore such people caused harm to the knowledge bank of Vedas and thus it could be historical perspective also. Therefore those ajanis or panis they could be from any kula or race. They could be from any civilization, but that is not an important consideration for the Vedas. What is important is that they were against the wisdom or knowledge and therefore if we are bereft of such vision then what is there to say in Vedas?+ + + +
edits by N
Pani (Sankrit : पणिकः) are basically the enemies of Indra, Soma, Agni, Brihaspathi and Angiras and their residential place is the Vayu Mandal. They are called “Indra Sathru” or enemies of Indra headed by Panis called Vala and Bala.
Introduction
Ample references in the vedic literature are available about trade for profit in distant landsby travelling over the seas (RV 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 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 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.
||kadu mahirdrishta asatvishaha kadu vruthagno askritham, indrovishvan beka natam ahardrisha utha krithva panikam rabhihi||
Etymology
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.
‘पणिर्वणिग्भवति panihi vanika bhavathi
panihi pananatha vanika panyam nenakthi’ (Nirukti 2.17)
Sayana acarya explains
“kincha panayaha vyaya ahisnavaha vanijaha panihi vanika bhvathi thi yaskaha panayaha iti lubdakaha abhi yuddavanaha yugadinam akurvanaha adanashilaha asmat shatravaha”. In that he explains the commentary. (Rk Samhita 1.12.4 – 10)
(Gji Is the above the commentary of Sayanacharya for the Rik samhita 1.12.4-10)
Panis were wealthy people who hoarded money with a very miserly business attitude, lacking in intellectual stability and disregarded any Vedic ritual.
Maharshi Yaska also refers to Panis as “business minded people or tradesmen”.
“panims ca vanijaha”(Niruktha 6.26 Have to add Sanskrit words also).
The Vedas also talk of ‘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
kadu mahirdrishta asatvishaha kadu vruthagno askritham,
indrovishvan beka natam ahardrisha utha krithva panikam rabhihi|| Rk Samhita (8.66.10)
Here the word “ahardrisha” has been explained in detail by Sayana Acarya
Here the word “ahardrisha” has been explained in detail by Sayana Acarya
“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|| (Gji can you pls quote Sayanacharya’s work here)
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.
This same kind of sukta also comes during the description of Usha Devi. In Rig Veda the word “pani” has been mentioned in the prayers offered to Usha Devi. (Gji can you pls give me the Usha mantra here and reference Rig number for it)
“Hey Devi, you are magnanimous, one who gives whatever we ask, and what do we ask? We only ask you for the ingredients to perform the Yajna. We appeal to make the performers of yajnas, especially, those who are generous greater in their intelligence. Similarly the Panis who are our enemies, cheaters, greedy, and bereft of intelligence, please make them go to sleep. Hey Devi, to those who are charitable, the initiators of yajnas, please give them all the benefits. Ye Devi, with compassionate eyes, offer those who perform yajnas with all the stotras, unlimited happiness and prosperity”.
Conflict between Indra and Panis
Economically, commercial production was in the hands of rest of the society and exchange was controlled by Panis, Dasyus, and Asuras who traded them. Material dissatisfaction brought about conflict between these two sections of the society or Gana. Materially Indra believes in social control over the production and promoted distribution of wealth back to the community. Society or the Gana participated in Yagna, and offers and oblations were made by the individuals in the name of their respective leaders so that the vigour and strength of the Gana may be well maintained. Wealth thus during the Vedic times was a social asset rather than personal possession. Yagna and material prosperity go together.
On the other hand, Panis, Asuras, Dasyus believed in completely different principles of economics. They were individualistic in their economic approach. They were on the higher strata of the society, and did everything in their own interest, never offered any part of their income to the community. They never believed in Yagna and were famous for their greed. They never united with the society in any matters. As a result these two factions of the society had different economic policies, leading to enemity. The refusal of Panis to contribute Dana and Dakshina for Yagna brought about enmity between them. Wealth in those days was mainly the strength of cattle and property. All sections of the Gana united against Panis, while they took away the cattle wealth of the Angiras. Indra as their leader defeated the Panis and brought back the wealth. (page no 22 of Ref 1) Indra’s army is indicated as very powerful, always alert and unconquerable as he who defeated Vrithra can face any enemy. Therefore, Indra with his invincible army can destroy the panis or the bekanatas.
Panis and Gograhana
Panis are demonic and used here as panis indicating not just one person but many such who existed during the vedic period. From the Gograhana story if we accept cows as Vedas or knowledge, then it could be said that Panis are the powers that hinder the progress of knowledge. Thus from the suktas we can understand that the panis are the “jnana apaharaka shakti” (the thieves of knowledge).
They are people who create obstacles wherever there are positive activities which are meant for enhancing dharma or favouring the devathas that revere the “go samuha” herd of the cows. They steal cows and create obstacles in the progress of the devathas and society, which neither benefits them nor the society. They have only materialistic aspirations and do not understand the spiritual knowledge. They steal the knowledge or imprison the Brahma Nishtas to ensure that the knowledge is not spread. Angirasa who was knowledgeable about the characteristics of cows rescues them from the caves where they were hidden by the Panis.
In the Srimad Bhagavatham, the ministers of Kamsa are shown to have the same mentality of the Panis as they want to control the devatas and the Lord. From Srimad Bhagavatham (10.4.39-42) (Can we find the following verses in Sanskrit)
||mūlaṁ hi viṣṇur devānāṁ yatra dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ tasya ca
||mūlaṁ hi viṣṇur devānāṁ yatra dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ tasya ca
brahma-go-viprās tapo yajñāḥ sa-dakṣiṇāḥ
brahma-go-viprās tapo yajñāḥ sa-dakṣiṇāḥ
tasmāt sarvātmanā rājan brāhmaṇān brahma-vādinaḥ
tasmāt sarvātmanā rājan brāhmaṇān brahma-vādinaḥ
tapasvino yajña-śīlān gāś ca hanmo havir-dughāḥ
tapasvino yajña-śīlān gāś ca hanmo havir-dughāḥ
viprā gāvaś ca vedāś ca tapaḥ satyaṁ damaḥ śamaḥ
viprā gāvaś ca vedāś ca tapaḥ satyaṁ damaḥśamaḥ
śraddhā dayā titikṣā ca kratavaś ca hares tanūḥ
śraddhā dayā titikṣā ca kratavaś ca hares tanūḥ
sa hi sarva-suradhyakso hy asura-dvid guha-sayah tan-mula devatah sarvah
sa hi sarva-suradhyakso hy asura-dvid guha-sayah tan-mula devatah sarvah
sesvarah sa-catur-mukhah ayam vai tad-vadhopayo yad rsinam vihimsanam||
Translation: “The Devatas and Bhagavan Viṣhṇu, reside wherever there are dharmic principles, culture, the Vedas, cows, brāhmaṇas, austerities and sacrifices with proper donations. O King, we, who are your adherents in all respects, shall therefore kill the Vedic brahmanas, the persons engaged in offering sacrifices and austerities, and the cows that supply milk, from which clarified butter is obtained for the ingredients of sacrifice (to cause harm to Vishnu)”
Discussion
The panis are the materialistic people and enemies of wisdom who envy the jnanis. Living in the materialistic world, trying to exploit the society, going in the name of socialism -- these are asuric and destructive energies. Many mantras of the Rg veda prove that Panis were the original residents of Bharatavarsha, though the Aryan myth claims that the panis were chased away by the Aryas.
The society or the world is generally filled with Anaryas—those who are like Panis or Dasyus. Dasyus are traders like Pani. It comes from the root word: “Dus” those who take business as their goal. The alternative word given by Yaska in Nirukti is: “dasaha dassyathe upadasayathi’. The point is that business and farming or transactions is required and not to be viewed in negative sense. But the purely materialistic attitude with business only for personal profits, without connection to the jnana of the other world:“para” is not a Vedic practice. Therefore Panis who hinder the advancement of Consciousness in Spiritual realm, are viewed with contempt as seen in Rig Veda mantras. Therefore vedas rather than speaking from a historical perspective alone, are establishing an eternal truth. And this indicates that since times immemorial jnana shakti is constantly in war with ajananis or unintelligent people. Panis could be from any kula or race or any civilization, but that is not an important consideration for the Vedas.
Panis exist in the present society also. Panis do not indicate just the community, but are the people or their actions and behaviour. When our spiritual knowledge is kept in darkness it gives rise to wrongful transactions and ||nasthik (atheism).
References
#K. L. Narayanacharya, Veda Sanskrita Parichaya
#Prakash Charan Prasad, Foreign Trade and Commerce in Ancient India