Vaishya, Vaiṣya, Vaisya, ղśⲹ, ղś: 35 definitions
Introduction:
Vaishya means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit terms Vaiṣya and ղśⲹ and ղś can be transliterated into English as Vaisya or Vaishya, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Alternative spellings of this word include Vaishy.
Images (photo gallery)
In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nṭya-śstraղśⲹ (वैश्�).—The ղśⲹs should always be represented by a deep blue (ś峾) color when painting the limbs (ṅg), according to Nṭyaśstra chapter 23. The painting is a component of nepathya (costumes and make-up) and is to be done in accordance with the science of Բⲹ (extraneous representation).
: archive.org: The mirror of gesture (abhinaya-darpana)One of the Hands denoting the Four Castes.—Vaiṣya: left hand–Ჹṃsⲹ, right hand–ṭa첹.

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, ṭyśٰ) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
: ISKCON Press: Glossaryղśⲹ (वैश्�).—Member of the mercantile or agricultural class, according to the system of four social orders and four spiritual orders.
: Prabhupada Books: Sri Caitanya Caritamrtaղśⲹ (वैश्�).—Those who tend to produce food by agricultural methods, protect cows and other animals and engage in trade are called śⲹ, or merchants. The divisions of ṇa, ṣaٰⲹ, śⲹ and śū are natural divisions within society. Indeed, everyone has a prescribed duty according to the ṇſ-. Those who properly execute their prescribed duties live peacefully and are not disturbed by material conditions.
: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)ղśⲹ (वैश्�) refers to “agriculturalists, cowherds, businessmen�. (cf. Glossary page from Śī--ī).
: Pure Bhakti: Bhajana-rahasya - 2nd Editionղśⲹ (वैश्�) refers to:—The third of the four castes (ṇa) in the ṇſ system; agriculturalists or businessmen. (cf. Glossary page from Bhajana-Rahasya).
: Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtamղśⲹ (वैश्�) refers to:—Agriculturalist or businessman; the third of the four ṇa (occupational orders of life) in the ṇſ system. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhgavatmṛta).

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu�).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopediaղśⲹ (वैश्�).—One of the four castes. (For further details see under Varṇa and Cturvarṇya).
: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary studyղśⲹ (वैश्�) is the name of a caste (ṇa) mentioned in the Nīlamatapurṇa.—The ղśⲹs are described as engaged in �ṛtپ�, the term denoting agriculture, cattle-rearing and trade.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) ղśⲹ (वैश्�).—Represents Dvparayuga.*
- * Vyu-purṇa 78. 36.
1b) Created from the thighs of Brahm; the less powerful, but are engaged in agriculture and commerce;1 for doing their svadharma they go to the abode of Vyu.2 propitiate Ājyapa Pitṛs;3 selling and buying, their duties;4 protected by Yati;5 for the sake of 100 ղśⲹs one Brahman may be killed;6 profession originated in the time of Pṛthu;7 meditate on Devī's 108 names;8 observe 15 days' pollution for father's death;9 to be much in numbers in a State.10
- 1) Vyu-purṇa 30. 232; 34. 17; 45. 83 and 117; 54. 111; 57. 52; 78. 29; 93. 66; 100. 246; 101. 5 and 352; 104. 13; Viṣṇu-purṇa I. 6. 6, 35.
- 2) Brahmṇḍa-purṇa I. 5. 108; 7. 157, 166; Viṣṇu-purṇa III. 8. 30-31, 39.
- 3) Brahmṇḍa-purṇa III. 10. 94; Matsya-purṇa 15. 21.
- 4) Brahmṇḍa-purṇa III. 15. 51.
- 5) Ib. III. 68. 67.
- 6) Ib. IV. 6. 43.
- 7) Ib. II. 37. 10.
- 8) Matsya-purṇa 13. 63.
- 9) Ib. 18. 2.
- 10) Ib. 114. 12; 217. 2.
2) ղś (वैश्या).—A wife of Vasudeva.*
- * Matsya-purṇa 46. 20.
ղśⲹ (वैश्�) is a name mentioned in the Ѳٲ (cf. VI.10.65, VIII.30.53) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Ѳٲ (mentioning ղśⲹ) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 śǰ첹 (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

The Purana (पुरा�, purṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Dharmashastra (religious law)
: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study (dharma)ղśⲹ (वैश्�) refers to one of the “four castes� (ṇa) of ancient India, according to the 10th century ܰܰṇa: one of the various Upapurṇas depicting Śaivism.—In ancient India the society was divided into four principal castes, namely ṇa, ṣaٰⲹ, ղśⲹ and Śū; and the śٰ employ the term ṇa to designate these castes.—The first three ṇa [viz.
ղśⲹ], who had the right to perform the upanayana and to study the Vedas, were called dvijas (twice-born).

Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्�, dharmaśstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihiraղśⲹ (वैश्�) refers to a country belonging to “Apara or Aparadeśa (western divisions)� classified under the constellations of Jyeṣṭh, Mūla and Pūrvṣḍha, according to the system of ū岵, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhit (chapter 14), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “The countries of the Earth beginning from the centre of Bhratavarṣa and going round the east, south-east, south, etc., are divided into 9 divisions corresponding to the 27 lunar asterisms at the rate of 3 for each division and beginning from Kṛttik. The constellations of Jyeṣṭh, Mūla and Pūrvṣḍha represent the western divisions consisting of [i.e., ղśⲹ] [...]�.

Jyotisha (ज्योति�, dzپṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy� or “Vedic astrology� and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantraղśⲹ (वैश्�) is the name of a Caste considered of equal nature as any other caste, according to the Svacchanda-tantra.—Accordingly, [verse 4.539c-545]—“O fair-faced one, all those who have been initiated by this ritual are of equal nature, whether they be Brahmins, ṣaٰⲹs, ղśⲹs, Śūs, or others [of lower castes]. [For] they have been brought into a state of fusion with the nature of Śiva. All are said to be [Śivas,] wearers of [his] braids, their bodies dusted [like his] with ash. All Samayins should sit in a single row. Putrakas, Sdhakas, and Cumbakas [Ācryas] should do the same. They may not sit according to the divisions of their former castes [e.g., ղśⲹs]. [For] they are said to form but a single caste of Bhairava, auspicious and eternal. [...]�.

Shaiva (शै�, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Pancaratra (worship of Nryaṇa)
: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Textsղśⲹ (वैश्�) refers to one of the four castes (Varṇa), as discussed in chapter 5 of the Brahmartra section of the Բٰܳṃh: an encyclopedic Sanskrit text written in over 3500 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as yoga, temple-building, consecration ceremonies, initiation and dhanurveda (martial arts).—Description of the chapter [ṇa-cra-vidhi]: There are mentioned four Varṇas (castes)—ṇas, ṣaٰⲹs, ղśⲹs and Śūs. Sanatkumra declares that these came originally from different parts of the Lord Viṣṇu’s body. He says that only five groups—these four, plus those who are members of the pratiloma-group called Sūtas—are eligible for īṣ�-initiation. [...]

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pñcartra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
: archive.org: The Elephant Lore of the Hindusղśⲹ (वैश्�) refers to the “ղś�-like character� (of certain elephants), according to the 15th century ٲṅgī composed by Nīlakaṇṭha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.—[Cf. chapter 8, “on marks of character”]: �11. Who has the odor of Pentapetes phoenicea, rice, sesame, keketaka-flowers (Pandanus odoratissimus) , or ī (a jasmine), whose uvula is adorned (with spots), patient of pain, flesh-eating, fond of kind words, who even if angered is quickly appeased, he is (like) the ղśⲹ (artisan) caste�.

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
General definition (in Hinduism)
: Apam Napat: Indian MythologyMerchants and artisans are classified as Vaishyas according to the Varna system. They are the third among the four classes in the Varna classification. According to the Purusha-Suktha, they are said to have originated in the thighs of the primordial Purusha.
: WikiPedia: HinduismVaishya (वैश्�): One of the four fundamental varnas (colours) in Hindu tradition comprising merchants, artisans, and landowners.
: India Facts: Exploring the World of VarnaA śⲹ (वैश्�) is a person with natural aptitude for managing money, trading, farming, and skilled labour.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
: academia.edu: The Structure and Meanings of the Heruka Maṇḍalaղśⲹ (वैश्�) is the name of a Vīra (hero) who, together with the Ḍkinī named Vaiśyī forms one of the 36 pairs situated in the ҳṇa, according to the 10th century Ḍkṇa chapter 15. Accordingly, the ṇa refers to one of the four divisions of the Ჹ-ṭa (‘innate layer�), situated within the padma (lotus) in the middle of the ܰ첹ṇḍ. The 36 pairs of Ḍkinīs and Vīras [viz., ղśⲹ] are whitish red in color; they each have one face and four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum, and a knife.

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (Բ) are collected indepently.
General definition (in Buddhism)
: Buddhist Door: GlossaryVaisya in Sanskrit, Vaishya in Pali. The third of the four Indian Castes at the time of Shakyamuni. They were merchant, entrepreneurs, traders, farmers, manufacturers, etc., but not well educated.India history and geography
: Wisdom Library: India HistoryVaishya (or, ղśⲹ) refers to one of the 84 castes (gaccha) in the Jain community according to Prof. H. H. Wilson. The Jain caste and sub-caste system was a comparatively later development within their community, and it may have arisen from the ancient classification of ṇa, ṣaٰⲹ, ղśⲹ and Śū. Before distinction of these classes (such as Vaishya), the society was not divided into distinct separate sections, but all were considered as different ways of life and utmost importance was attached to individual chartacter and mode of behaviour.
According to Dr. Vilas Adinath Sangava, �Jainism does not recognise castes (viz., Vaishya) as such and at the same time the Jaina books do not specifically obstruct the observance of caste rules by the members of the Jaina community. The attitude of Jainism towards caste is that it is one of the social practices, unconnected with religion, observed by people; and it was none of its business to regulate the working of the caste system� ().
The legendary account of the origin of these 84 Jain castes (e.g., Vaishya) relate that once a rich Jain invited members of the Jain community in order to establish a śⲹ-mahsabh (i.e. Central Association of Traders). In response, 84 representatives came from different places, and they were later seen as the progenitors of these castes. Various sources however mention differences in the list.

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryśⲹ (वैश्�).—m (S) The Vyshya, the agricultural and mercantile tribe, the third of the four grand divisions of the Hindu people. 2 An individual of it. 3 This word is prefixed to certain words signifying things of which there are varieties, in order to designate the tawny, dusky, or dim variety. And thus it designates the third order, as the word Brahman designates the first; e.g. Prefixed to , it expresses A diamond of inferior lustre, not of the first water; to bhṅga, sabajī, pimpaḷa &c., it expresses The yellow or tawny variety.
: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishśⲹ (वैश्�).�m The agricultural and mercantile tribe.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryղśⲹ (वैश्�).—A man of the third tribe, his business being trade and agriculture; a peasant; विशत्याश� पशुभ्यश्� कृष्यादावरुचिः शुचि� � वेदाध्ययनसंपन्नः � वैश्� इत� संज्ञितः (śatśu paśubhyaśca kṛṣdvaruci� śuci� | veddhyayanasaṃpanna� sa śⲹ iti saṃjñita�) || Padma Purṇa. (He is supposed to have sprung from the thighs of ʳܰṣa;. cf. ūrū tadasya yadśⲹ� Ṛv.1.9.)
Derivable forms: śⲹ� (वैश्यः).
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionaryղśⲹ (वैश्�).—m.
(-śⲹ�) The ղśⲹ or man of the third or agricultural and mercantile tribe. f.
(-ś) A woman of the ղśⲹ caste. E. ś to enter, (fields, &c.) kvip aff., ⲹñ pleonasm added.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionaryղśⲹ (वैश्�).—i. e. ś + ya, I. m. A man of the third caste, [Բśٰ] 1, 116; [ᾱٴDZ貹ś] iv. [distich] 21. Ii. f. , A woman of the ղśⲹ caste.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionaryղśⲹ (वैश्�).�1. [masculine] [feminine] a man & woman of the third caste; [neuter] śⲹ condition of a V., dependence.
--- OR ---
ղśⲹ (वैश्�).�2. [adjective] relating to a ղśⲹ (v. [preceding]).
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) ղśⲹ (वैश्�):�m. ([from] 2. ś) ‘a man who settles on the soil�, a peasant, or ‘working man�, agriculturist, man of the third class or caste (whose business was trade as well as agriculture), [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.
2) [plural] Name of a people, [Varha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhit]
3) ղś (वैश्या):—[from śⲹ] a f. See below
4) ղśⲹ (वैश्�):�n. vassalage, dependance, [Taittirīya-saṃhit]
5) mfn. belonging to a man of the third caste, [Ѳٲ]
6) ղś (वैश्या):—[from śⲹ] b f. a woman of the ղśⲹ caste, [Manu-smṛti; Yjñavalkya] etc.
7) [v.s. ...] Name of a deity, [Buddhist literature]
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionaryղśⲹ (वैश्�):�(śya�) m. Man of the 3d class.
: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)ղśⲹ (वैश्�) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Vaissa, ձī.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम� (ṃsṛt), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Hindi dictionary
: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryղśⲹ (वैश्�) [Also spelled vaishy]:�(nm) the third [ṇa] (caste) in the traditional Hindu hierarchical caste set-up with trade as its main profession; a trader; -[karma] trade, business.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
: Alar: Kannada-English corpusղśⲹ (ವೈಶ್�):—[adjective] of or connectedwith trade and commerce.
--- OR ---
ղśⲹ (ವೈಶ್�):�
1) [noun] one of the four main social classes of the Hindu society, the members of which are engaged in trade and commerce; the merchant community.
2) [noun] a male member of this class.
3) [noun] a variety of gem.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionaryղśⲹ (वैश्�):—n. (Hinduism) a man of the third tribe; his tribe being trade and agriculture; merchant; race according to the Vedic classification of society;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: The, The, Vaishya, Te.
Starts with (+6): Vaishyabhadra, Vaishyabhava, Vaishyacarita, Vaishyacaritra, Vaishyadatti, Vaishyadhvamsin, Vaishyaghna, Vaishyaja, Vaishyajati, Vaishyajatiya, Vaishyakanya, Vaishyakarmapustaka, Vaishyakriya, Vaishyakula, Vaishyantara, Vaishyapura, Vaishyaputra, Vaishyarata, Vaishyasava, Vaishyastoma.
Full-text (+1070): Vaishyaja, Vaishyavritti, Nishtavaishya, Vaishyabhava, Vaishyatva, Vaishyata, Vaishyaputra, Vaishyabhadra, Mahishya, Bhumijivin, Danavajra, Vaishyakriya, Uravya, Vaishyacaritra, Vaishyasava, Vaishyakarman, Vaishyastoma, Varna, Vaishyadhvamsin, Ajyapa.
Relevant text
Search found 275 books and stories containing Vaishya, The vaishya, The vaisya, Vaiṣya, Vaisya, ղśⲹ, ղś, Vaisyas; (plurals include: Vaishyas, The vaishyas, The vaisyas, Vaiṣyas, Vaisyas, ղśⲹs, ղśs, Vaisyases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Sun-Worshipping Sakadvipiya Brahmanas (by Martina Palladino)
3. The Other Purṇas and the Ѳٲ < [Chapter 1 - The Purṇic Sections]
Brahma Purana (critical study) (by Surabhi H. Trivedi)
4. Varna system (c): Vaisyas < [Social Structure]
6. Social Mobility < [Social Structure]
3. Theory of the origin of the four social orders < [Social Structure]
History of Indian Medicine (and Ayurveda) (by Shree Gulabkunverba Ayurvedic Society)
Chapter 2 - The Purpose of the Study of Medicine < [Part 2-3 - Medical Institutions in Ancient India]
Chapter 23 - Fees, Presents and Remuneration to Medical Men < [Part 2-3 - Medical Institutions in Ancient India]
Chapter 18 - People and their Professions < [Part 4 - Some Aspects of Life in Caraka’s Times]
Vasudevahindi (cultural history) (by A. P. Jamkhedkar)
5. Caste description of Vaisyas < [Chapter 3 - Social Conditions]
1. Social Conditions in ancient India (introduction) < [Chapter 3 - Social Conditions]
17. Position of Women (in Jainism and ancient India) < [Chapter 3 - Social Conditions]
Jnaneshwari (Bhavartha Dipika) (by Ramchandra Keshav Bhagwat)
Verse 18.44 < [Chapter 18 - Moksha-sannyasa-yoga]
Verse 18.41 < [Chapter 18 - Moksha-sannyasa-yoga]
Verse 18.43 < [Chapter 18 - Moksha-sannyasa-yoga]
Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri) (by Hari Prasad Shastri)
Chapter 74 - Narada’s Discourse < [Book 7 - Uttara-kanda]
Chapter 14 - Jatayu reveals his Lineage to Rama < [Book 3 - Aranya-kanda]
Chapter 13 - The Sacrifice is commenced < [Book 1 - Bala-kanda]
Related products