Many prevailing narratives in India are rooted in ancient religious texts. This article delves into one such text, the Manusmriti, to examine its impact on the Vaishya community. We’ll explore how the Manusmriti, often associated with Brahminical traditions, has affected various social groups, including the Vaishyas, and discuss its rejection by marginalised communities and even some within the Brahminical fold.
Table of Contents:
- Introduction: Unveiling the Truth About Manusmriti and the Vaishya Community
- The Vaishya Class: A Second-Class Status in Manusmriti
- Historical Research on Manusmriti
- Origin and Occupation
- Education and Discrimination
- Economic Exploitation
- Social Restrictions and Discrimination
- Punishments and Legal Discrimination
- Love and Relationship
- The Vaishya as Paap Yoni (Sinful Origin)
- Historical Examples of Discrimination
- What can you do?
- Conclusion
- Disclaimer
Introduction: Unveiling the Truth About Manusmriti and the Vaishya Community
The Manusmriti, an ancient Indian legal text, has been a subject of intense debate and scrutiny. While often associated with bestowing privileges upon certain groups, its impact on the Vaishya community, traditionally the merchant class, reveals a different story.
This article explores how the Manusmriti has historically disadvantaged Vaishyas, challenging the notion that it benefited all but the lowest castes. We aim to expose the plight that Vaishya community faced. The Manusmriti and Vaishya Discrimination is a topic that needs to be discussed to bring social change.
The Vaishya Class: A Second-Class Status in Manusmriti
Denial of Equal Status
According to the Manusmriti, the Vaishya community is relegated to a second-class status, not just in comparison to Brahmins, but also in the overall societal hierarchy. The text establishes a social order where Vaishyas are considered inferior, impacting their rights and opportunities.
Impact on Social Mobility
The rigid social structure prescribed by the Manusmriti limited the social mobility of Vaishyas. Despite their economic contributions, they were often denied access to education and positions of power, hindering their advancement in society.
A Threat to All: Beyond the Dalit Perspective
It’s crucial to consider the Manusmriti’s implications not only from the perspective of marginalized groups but also from the viewpoint of the so-called upper castes. Examining the text reveals that it is detrimental to Brahmins, Kshatriyas, women, and indeed, the entire Indian society.
Historical Research on Manusmriti
To better understand the origins of manusmriti, lets dive into some historical research.
2685 Shlokas
According to research by Dr. Surendra Kumar Sharma, out of the total of 2685 shlokas present in Manusmriti around 1200 of them are incorrect. He re-evaluated to filter out correct verses and created Vishuddha Manusmriti to find the original ones.
Origin and Occupation
Born from the Thigh
The Manusmriti states that the Vaishya class originated from the thighs of Brahma, the creator. This origin story, while seemingly innocuous, places them lower in the divine hierarchy compared to Brahmins, who are said to have originated from Brahma’s head, and Kshatriyas, who came from his arms.
Designated Occupations
The Vaishyas are designated occupations including trade, commerce, agriculture, and cattle rearing. While these professions are essential to society, the Manusmriti limits Vaishyas to these roles, preventing them from pursuing other avenues of social and economic advancement. It also says that they are supposed to give donations to Brahmins.
Education and Discrimination
Delayed Education
According to the Manusmriti, the initiation ceremony (Upanayana) for Vaishya boys should be delayed compared to Brahmin and Kshatriya boys.
Where the son of a Brahmin must have his christening done in the fifth or eight year, the son of Kshatriya at the age of sixth or eleventh year and that of Vaishya’s son at the age of eight or twelfth year. This delay further marginalized Vaishya children. This is detailed in Manusmriti 12/2 and page 132 of Sanskar Vidhi.
Also, according to Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj, the son of a Bania must be kept 3 years behind the son of a Brahmin and 2 years behind the son of a Kshatriya.
Differential Treatment in Gurukuls
Vaishya students in Gurukuls (traditional schools) were subjected to differential treatment. Their clothing, food, and even the way they begged for alms were different from those of Brahmin and Kshatriya students, reinforcing their lower status. Reference
Limited Access to Knowledge
The Manusmriti restricted Vaishyas from teaching the Vedas, limiting their access to higher knowledge and preventing them from becoming religious or intellectual leaders. They could study vedas but cannot preach it.
Economic Exploitation
Allowed to Charge Interest
The Manusmriti permits Vaishyas to lend money and charge interest.
While seemingly granting them economic power, this provision also opens the door to exploitation and social stigma, as moneylending was often viewed negatively in society.
Third Class Status
Vaishyas are regarded as 3rd class in society and must loan money to the other caste members for a higher price to make up for the loss that they would be undergoing.
Restrictions on Wealth Accumulation
While Vaishyas were involved in trade and commerce, the Manusmriti imposed restrictions on their ability to accumulate wealth. This ensured that they remained subservient to the higher castes, who controlled land and political power. If they didn’t do what was prescribed by the Manusmriti, they would be forced to do so.
Social Restrictions and Discrimination
Marriage Restrictions
The Manusmriti imposed strict rules on inter-caste marriages. While a man of a higher caste could marry a woman of a lower caste, the reverse was prohibited. A Vaishya man was not allowed to marry a woman from a Brahmin or Kshatriya family.
But the Brahmins and Kshatriyas can marry a Vaishya’s daughter and keep them as mistresses. This is mentioned in Manusmriti 12/13, Gita Press.
Treatment as Guests
Even as guests in a Brahmin household, Vaishyas were to be treated as servants, highlighting their inferior social standing. This cultural degradation made the Vaishya community feel inferior and like second class citizens.
Discrimination in Employment
The text limited Vaishyas’ access to administrative positions, reserving them for Brahmins and Kshatriyas. This further marginalized the Vaishya community and prevented them from participating in governance.
Punishments and Legal Discrimination
Stricter Penalties
The Manusmriti prescribed harsher punishments for Vaishyas compared to Brahmins for similar offenses.
This discriminatory legal system further reinforced their lower status and limited their access to justice. In case of theft, the penalty is least for Shudras and most for Brahmins.
Forced Labor
Vaishyas could be forced to perform the duties of Shudras if they deviated from their prescribed occupations. This forced labor further undermined their dignity and economic independence.
Love and Relationship
Affairs and Punishments
If a Vaishya has an affair with a Brahmin women, they are to be burned alive. According to Manusmriti a Vaishya does not have consent to have relationships with Brahmin, Kshatriya, or vaishya girl. On the other hand, if a Brahmin has an affair with a Vaishya girl then he will not get any punishment but the Vaishya girl must be punished with death.
The Vaishya as Paap Yoni (Sinful Origin)
Past Sins
According to ancient Brahminical texts, Vaishyas were considered to be born of sin and this birth is a punishment for their past sins. It is said in Gita that all vaishyas were of sinful origin.
Gita and Shankaracharya
Even in the Gita, often revered by the Vaishya community, Shankaracharya, a prominent philosopher, interpreted a verse to mean that Vaishyas, along with women and Shudras, are of sinful origin.
According to Shankaracharya, one is born as shudra because of bad deeds.
Historical Examples of Discrimination
Panipat War
During the Second Battle of Panipat in 1556, Rajputs refused to fight under the leadership of Hemu, a Vaishya general, because they considered it beneath their dignity to be led by someone of a lower caste.
Gandhi
Even Mahatma Gandhi, revered as the father of the nation, faced opposition from orthodox Brahmins who could not accept a Vaishya leading the freedom movement. Nathuram Godse, a Chitpavan Brahmin, assassinated Gandhi for this reason.
What can you do?
To counter the historical injustices perpetuated by texts like the Manusmriti, it is crucial to:
- Educate yourself about the true nature of these texts and their impact on different communities.
- Challenge the distorted interpretations and selective application of religious texts to justify social inequality.
- Promote a society based on equality, justice, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their caste or social background.
- Take Action: Stand against caste discrimination and support the people in need.
Conclusion
The Manusmriti, while often portrayed as a source of social order and righteousness, has historically been used to oppress and marginalize various communities, including the Vaishyas. By understanding the true implications of this text, we can work towards building a more equitable and just society, free from the shackles of caste-based discrimination. And, it is our duty to make Brahmin and Kshatriya communities aware of the truth so they know that this is harmful for them as well.
Read the book yourself!!
HINDI EXPOSITION WITH INTERPOLATED SHLOKAS POINTED OUT, ALONGWITH ANUSHEELAN COMMENTARY EMBELISHED WITH AUTHORITY FROM SHASHTRAS, AND A CRITICAL STUDY OF THE MANUSMRITI
Disclaimer
To ensure clarity, here are some common terms used in this article and their meanings within the context of the discussion:
- Manusmriti: An ancient legal text in Hinduism.
- Vaishya: The merchant or business class in the traditional Hindu caste system.
- Shudra: The laborer class in the traditional Hindu caste system.
- Brahmin: The priestly class in the traditional Hindu caste system.
- Kshatriya: The warrior class in the traditional Hindu caste system.
- OBC: Other Backward Classes, a collective term used by the Government of India to classify castes which are socially and educationally disadvantaged.
- SC/ST: Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, official designations for historically disadvantaged groups in India.
Read more about the Allah Upanishad.
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