Pranam Economic Aspects of ancient India Yagnavalkya smrithi VYAVAHARADYAYA by Kalita Nabanita chap 3.7
1 The *Yājñavalkyasmṛti* marks the growth and development in various spheres of economic activities of that time. A greater part of the *Yājñavalkyasmṛti* is devoted to the topic relating to debt, wages, regulation for keepers of cattle, sale and purchase, socio-economic crimes, partnership, corporations, etc., which throws ample light on the economic life of the people. The mention of the title of law called *svāmipālavivāda* <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/svamipalavivada#dharmashastra> in *Vyavahārādhyāya* shows the importance attached to animal husbandry and agriculture. Cattle rearing is closely related to agriculture. 2 Various kinds of domestic animals mentioned in the *Vyavahārādhyāya* are: - buffalo (*mahiṣi* <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mahishi#hinduism>), - cow (*gau*), - goat or lamb (*ajā*), - ass (*khara* <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/khara#dharmashastra> ), · camel (*uṣṭa* <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ushta#dharmashastra>),etc (Yājñavalkyasmṛti, 2.159-160) 3 Apart from other purposes, animals have been used for carrying carts, carriages, etc.(2.298-299) There are references to the construction of dykes in the field, which may indicate the existence of irrigation system. (2.156-157) With the extension of economic activities, people are found to earn their livelihood by various means or occupations. In one instance, people appear to have taken the profession of milkman, wine-seller, washerman, actor, hunter, etc. Metal workers, who manufacture articles or utensils of various metals, viz. gold, silver, tin, lead, copper, iron are mentioned. (agnau suvarṇamakṣīṇam rajate dvipalaṃ śate/ aṣṭau trapuṇi sīse ca tāmre pañca <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/panca#hinduism> daśāyasi// ) The *Vyavahārādhyāya* informs the development of the art of spinning and weaving as a commercial occupation or activity.(śate daśapalā vṛddhiraurṇe kārpāsasautrike/ madhye pañcaptā vṛddhiḥ <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vriddhi#dharmashastra> sūkṣme tu tripalā// kārmike romavaddhe ca triṃśadbhāgaḥ kṣayo mataḥ <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mata#hinduism>/ na kṣayo na ca vṛddhiśca kauśeye vālkaleṣu ca// Ibid., 2.179-180). Reference is available that the big trees yield livelihood to the owner. The profession of physician is recognised as one of the important professions, which is necessary for welfare of people. The service provided by the physician to the patient has been made accountable. There is provision to punish the physician who without any knowledge of healing art poses himself as competent and administers wrong Treatment. “( bhiṣaṅmithyācarandaṇḍayastiryakṣu prathamaṃ <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/prathama#hinduism> damam/ mānuṣe madhyamaṃ <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/madhyama#dharmashastra> rājapuruṣesūthamaṃ damam// Ibid., 2.242). “ 4 The concept of hiring workers or labours by wage is found in existence from the title of law called *vetanādāna* <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vetanadana#dharmashastra>, i.e. non-payment of wages (2.193-198). The growth of trade and commerce in the country results in other economic activities like currency, credit, exchange, etc. Money lending on interest appears to be one of the sources of income and the traders borrowed it for the purpose of conducting business. Therefore, Yājñavalkya <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/yajnavalkya#hinduism> has laid down regulation concerning debt as an independent subject of law (2.37-64).(upajī vyadrumāṇāṃ ca viṃśatedrviguṇo damaḥ <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dama#hinduism>// Ibid., 2.227). 5 The *Vyavahārādhyāya* contains many instances, which are evident of the fact that during that time, trade and commerce were not confined within the state, people had commercial dealings with other countries even living beyond the sea. For example, the rate of interest was different from them, who after taking loan went to other countries through dangerous passage for business purpose Likewise, the seller is liable to pay double the profit that the purchaser would have made when the purchaser belongs to another country. (gṛhītamulyaṃ yaḥ paṇyaṃ <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/pa%E1%B9%87ya#hinduism> kreturnaiva prayacchati/ sodayaṃ tasya dāpyo’sau diglābhaṃ vā digāgate// Ibid., 2.254). There is also reference to different rate of profit for indigenous article and those coming from other countries. The trader is allowed to earn five per cent profit on indigenous articles and then per cent on those coming from other countries. (svadeśapaṇye tu śataṃ <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shata#hinduism> vaṇiggṛhṇīta pañcakam/ daśakaṃ <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dasaka#hinduism> pāradeśye tu yaḥ sadyaḥ <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sadya#hinduism> krayavikrayī// Ibid., 2.252) Due to development of trade and commerce, carrier’s business has become distinct and important.(2.197). 6 Formation of trading association by the merchants for doing business jointly, with the motive of profit making within the country and abroad suggest the advanced condition of trade and commerce. It resembles the present-day partnership business ( 259 to 263) ulius Jolly opines that the laws of trading associations are based on foundations much more real than the theory of four varṇas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/varna#dharmashastra> and from it, a very interesting sidelight into development of castes may be obtained. In the *Manusmṛti* <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/manusmriti#hinduism>, the rule relating to the shares of fees, payable to the priest, jointly performing a sacrifice, is extended to all those who similarly do their work jointly (Manusmṛti, 8.206-211){ Perhaps only some Vadhyars do parnership businesses even in vedic rituals}. It may be assumed that up to the time of the *Manusmṛti*, partnership in secular sense has not attained sufficient importance, whereas, the *Yājñavalkyasmṛti* shows the shift of law of partnership from priest to trade. 7 Yājñavalkya proposes to apply the general rules about partnership in trade for merchants and foreign traders to sacrificial priests, cultivators, husbandmen and craftsmen or artisans. (anena <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/anena#hinduism> vidhirākhyāta ṛtrikkarṣakakarmiṇām/ Yājñavalkyasmṛti, 2.265) 8 ( Regarding this observation, Kane P V rightfully remarks that the complicated sacrifices, requiring a large number of priests have become rare in Yājñavalkya’s days and partnership of traders and artisans have assumed great importance (Kane, P.V., Op. cit., Volume 3, page 470.). In the *Vyavahārādhyāya*, the numerous fines and penalties imposed by the king appear to have been collected in the shape of coins expressed in terms of paṇas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/pana#dharmashastra>. Thus, it is derived that in matters of social aspect, the *Vyavahārādhyāya* marks somewhat liberal and progressive outlook. During the age of the *Yājñavalkyasmṛti*, the society was regulated lawfully, and it was not devoid of ethics. All social and economic aspects were laid in a well directed manner and people were guided in every aspects for the growth of a rich set up of the society. KR IRS 18322 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZoqAaUyzWuV7mU%2BPFeBTOWK_U6F9B7AjxVwzkRjfDT-VKA%40mail.gmail.com.
