Vaishya

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The Hindu varna (class) system, a Vaishya (Sanskrit वैश्य vaiśya) is a member of the third of the four classes of traditional Indian society. It comprises merchants, artisans, and landowners. A person born into a Brahmin/Kshatriya/Vaishya family becomes twice-born (dvija) when he undergoes upanayanam, initiation into Vedic education or education helping him master those parts of the four Vedas concerning his occupation. They are the third in the caste system and are the merchants and traders.[citation needed].

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[edit] Etymologically

The word derives from the root vish meaning "to live". Latin villa and the English wich, as in Greenwich, are also cognate to this word. In Buddhist literature, they are termed as Grihapati.

Sri Krishna in Bhagwat Gita says 'CHATUR VARNA MAYA SRISTIM GUNA KARMA VIBHAG SHAH' He says that on the inquiry of self realization, people undergo different step by step stages of awareness, and with it comes purity in their character. There are four steps or divisions of 'varna' according to ones' state of identifying with the self. SHUDRA (KAM)- VAISHYA (ARTH)- CHHARIA(DHARMA) and BRAHMAN (MOXA)

VAISHYA are those whose mind is engaged by the VISHAYA. VISHAYA means, subject or specialization or professional knowledge. Physics, Chemistry, Technology, Law, Economics, Politics, Management are example of the Vishaya. .

Over a period, these 'professional' or practicing specialists or experts came to organize themselves as a community. Their system of work is called VYAVSAYA or acts of business by mutual free will, and not by force. VAISHYA is most popular form of a market society.

The colour associated with this Varna is yellow, symbolizing Rajas/Tamas, meaning quality in general. Some traditional north Indian surnames for Vaishyas are Gupta, Bhuti, Agarwal,Garg.

According to the Manu-smriti, the Vaishyas arose from the belly of Brahma.

[edit] Vaishya Varna

This article does not cite any references or sources. (June 2007)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

es:Vaisia eo:Vaiŝjo fr:Vaisya gl:Vaishia hi:वैश्य id:Waisya mr:वैश्य nl:Vaishya simple:Vaishya sv:Vaishya uk:Вайшії zh:吠舍

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