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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 made collectively by the state government on a particular subject, the decisions made on those rules, and the punishments given for breaking those rules.
1. "Vi" for "nanartha" (various meanings), "av" for "sandeha" (doubt), "haran" is called "har" (removal). "Vyavahar" is the situation because of the removal of various doubts. - Katyayana
2. "There are four types of men, as stated in the "ganasohikare" (community purification) sutra. One of them is not a "manakare" (one who is not a monk). - "Vyavahar" (conduct) "purushaprakar" (types of men) sutra
3. "The "vahari" (one who conducts) is the doer, the "vyavahar" is the means. The "vahariyavva" (that which is to be conducted) is the action, like the making of a pot. - "Vyavahar" "bhadyapithika" (commentary) "gatha" (verse) 2
4. "No one is a friend of anyone, and no one is an enemy of anyone. Friends and enemies are created through conduct. - "Hitopadeśa" (moral stories) "Mitra" (friend) 72
5. "The arrangement of words in the case of mutual disagreement among humans regarding their own interests is called "vyavahar". - "Mitakshara" (commentary on the Yajnavalkya Smriti) [16]