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The word "vyavahar" is formed from the combination of the prefixes "vi" and "av" and the root "har". "Vi" indicates diversity or method, "av" indicates doubt, and "har" indicates the action of removing. Therefore, "vyavahar" refers to the removal of various doubts related to a matter of dispute. This is the specific meaning of the word "vyavahar".
The main topics of the "vyavahar sutra" are: 1. "vyavahar" (conduct), 2. "vyavahari" (one who conducts), and 3. "vyavahartavya" (that which is to be conducted).
The last sutra of the tenth uddeśaka states that there are five "vyavahar karan" (means of conduct). The "vyavahari" (those who conduct the action of conduct) are the "geetarth" (teachers, etc.) who purify the "gan" (community). The "shraman" and "shramanis" (monks and nuns) are the "vyavahartavya" (those who are to be conducted). This means that the "vyavaharajna" (one who knows conduct) conducts the action of purifying the "gan" from transgressions. Just as a potter (doer) uses a wheel, a stick, clay, and a thread, etc. (means) to make a pot (action), similarly, the "vyavaharajna" uses "vyavahar" (conduct) to purify the "vyavahartavya" (community) from transgressions.
There are two main interpretations of "vyavahar": 1. "laukika" (worldly) and 2. "lokoत्तर" (transcendental). The "laukika" interpretation is of two types: 1. "samanya" (general) and 2. "vishesh" (specific). The general interpretation is conduct with others or the exchange of money. The specific interpretation is the entire process of litigation, i.e., justice.
There are some words related to this specific interpretation that have been in use since ancient times in the Vedic tradition of "shruti" (revealed knowledge) and "smriti" (remembered knowledge). These include:
1. "vyavaharshastra" (law code): This deals with the rules and regulations made collectively by the state government on a particular subject, as well as the punishment for violating those rules.
1. "Vi" for "nanartha" (various meanings), "av" for "sandeha" (doubt), "haran" is called "har" (removal). "Nana sandehaharanad, vyavahar iti sthitih" (From the removal of various doubts, the state of "vyavahar" arises). - Katyayana
2. "Nana vivad vishaya sanśayo hiyate'nena iti vyavaharah" (This removes doubts related to various matters of dispute, hence "vyavahar").
3. "Chattari purisajaya pannatta, tam jahaganasohi kare nama ege no manakare..." (There are four types of people, and among them, the "ganasohi kare" is not a "manakare" (a person who is not a monk)). - Vyavahar Purushaprakar Sutra
4. "Gaha-vahari khalu katta, vavaharo hoi karanbhuto u. Vahiravvam kajja, kubhadi tiyassa jah siddi" (The "gaha-vahari" (householder) is the doer, and "vyavahar" is the means. The "vahiravvam kajja" (work to be done) is like the making of a pot, etc., which is achieved through the means). - Vyavahar Bhadyapithika Gatha 2
5. "Na kashchit kasyachit mitram, na kashchit kasyachid ripuh / Vyavaharena jayante, mitrani ripavastatha" (No one is a friend of anyone, and no one is an enemy of anyone. Friends and enemies are created through "vyavahar"). - Hitopadeśa, Mitralabdha, 72
6. "Parasparam manushyanam, svarthavipratipattishu / Vakyanayaad vyavasthan, vyavahar udahritah" (Among humans, in matters of conflicting interests, "vyavahar" is described as the establishment of a settlement through words). - Mitakshara [16]