Vaisya

[vahys-yuh, vahysh-]

noun

1. a member of the Hindu mercantile and professional class, above the Shudras and below the Kshatriyas.

Vaisya

/ ˈvaɪsjə, ˈvaɪʃjə /

noun

1. the third of the four main Hindu castes, the traders

Word History and Origins

Origin of Vaisya¹

First recorded in 1785–95, Vaisya is from the Sanskrit word vaiśya

Word History and Origins

Origin of Vaisya¹

C18: from Sanskrit, literally: settler, from viś settlement

Example Sentences

In this enumeration they assign the first rank to the Brachmans, or wise men; and by the artisans, they no doubt understood the trading and manufacturing class of the Vaisyas.

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They form a class of the Vaisya caste, wear a peculiar dress, and are strict in the observance of fasts and in abstaining from the use of flesh.

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Thus, a Sudra cannot, even by the most rigorous self-mortification, become righteous in the period proper to the salvation of the Vaisyas.

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To keep herds of cattle, to bestow largesses, to sacrifice, to read the scripture, to carry on trade, to lend at interest, and to cultivate land, are prescribed or permitted to a Vaisya.

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The second caste is that of the Kshatriyas, warriors or rulers, the third that of the Vaisyas or farmers.

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