Vaishya
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In the Hindu varna (class) system, a Vaishya (Sanskrit वैश्य vaiśya) is a member of the second of the four classes of traditional Indian society. It is comprised of 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 them master those parts of the four Vedas concerning their occupation[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 derived from this word. In Buddhist literature, they are termed as Grihapati.
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
- Omar Banias
- Banias
- Arya Vysyas
- kalinga vysyas
- Agarwals
- Agraharis
- Sangis
- Guptas
- Luthras
- Mahajans
- Keshris
- Barnwals
- Shah/Sahu/Saus
- Komatis
- Baisya Sahas
- Batham Vaishyas
[edit] Famous members
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi - Leader of the Indian independence movement
Potti Sri Ramulu - fast-unto-death for achieving the state of Andhra
Annapoorna Kuppuswamy - Neuroscientist
Meghnad Saha- Physicist
Aditya Birla - Business Man
Ambanis' - one of the biggest business groups in india. Lakshmi Mittal - Business Tycoon Rajat Mahajan - Upcoming Business Tycoon
[edit] See also
- Forward Castes
- Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar
- Jāti
- Varna
- Caste
- Artisan
- Tarkhan (tribe)
- List of Vysya communities
[edit] External links
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