Word

Vaisya

Sanskrit

वैश्य

IAST

vaiśya

In General

The traders and Agriculture elites are called as Vaisyas. Their duty is to manage the wealth of the society for the betterment of all. Vaisyas are the third of the four Varnas, the other three being Brahmin , Ksatriya and Sudra .

The qualities of a Vaisya according to B.G. (18.44): Agriculture, tending cattle and trade are the duties of Vaisyas born of his nature

Veda

During the Vedic period the four castes were recognized, but their hierarchy was not established. The R.V. says the knowledge in it should be spread to all human kind without any reservation. The Purushasuktam says the Brahmana was created from the face of the Purusha, Ksatriyas (Rajanyam) from the hands, Vaisya from the body and Sudra from the legs.