Vaishya

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In the Hindu varna system, a Vaishya (Sanskrit वैश्य vaiśya) is a member of the third of the four only varnas of the varna system 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]}.

1 Etymologically
2 Vaishya Varna
3 Famous members
4 See also
5 External link

[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 surnames for Vaishyas are Gupta, Bhuti, Agarwal,Garg.

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

[edit] Vaishya Varna

[edit] Famous members

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Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi - Leader of the Indian independence movement

Annapoorna Kuppuswamy - Neuroscientist
Meghnad Saha- Physicist
Aditya Birla - Business Man
Lakshmi Mittal - Business Tycoon