Indian Antiquary Vol 47

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 255

SEPTEMBER, 1918 ]
VÄRTTA-THE ANCIENT HINDU ECONOMICS
239
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primary. In the Devi-Purd na 35 varilâ as a branch of learning appears to include karmânta, i.e. manufactures. Though trade is omitted in the bloka, the inclusion of trade within v drttá does not admit of any doubt in view of the many evidences already cited. The subsumption of manufactures under vårttà or, in short, any occupation or accomplishment that had an economic value follows from the fact that varttâ was not merely a subclass but the highest class of learning dealing with wealth. Arthasastra, according to the Prasthanabhedah 36 of Madhu-sûdana Sarasvati, is an Upa-Veda 37 and includes nitikastra (political ethics, or morals), asva-sastra (veterinary science), silpa-bastra (mechanical and fine arts), súpakâra-sastra (cookery), and chatuhshashţikala édetra (sixty-four 38 kalás, i.e., practical, mechanical or fine arts).39 But as vartta is the highest category of learning relating to the material interests, arthasastra in its economic aspects cannot but fall under the same. The whole field of human knowledge is, as we have already pointed out, divided among four categories of knowledge, viz., anvikshiki, relating to philosophy and reasoning, trayi to the Vedas, ie, to theology, dandaniti to polity, and varttâ to wealth both public and private. 40 Hence vártta was the branch of learning of ancient India devoted to the systematic study of the material interests of the people with a view to their acquisition, preservation and development. 25 Devi-Poranna, ch. 37; alk. 61–
Pasvadi-palanaddevi krishi-karmánta-karanát,
Varttanad våranád våpi vårtta så eva giyate. 36 The Prasthanabhedah of Madhusodana Sarasvati in Indische Studien, vol. I, pp. 2,13. [A Bengali translation of the piece together with the Sanskrit text appeared in the Sarvdrtha-Parnachandra (7th Samkhyd, A.D. 1855, pp. 217-224) edited by Advaitya Charan Adhya.] The eighteen divisions of learning are 4 Vedas + 6 Angas + 4 U pagas + 4 Upa-Verlas, viz. Ayurveda, Gandharva Veda, Dhanur-Veda, and Artha sastra). The texts that mention the divisions as fourteen leave out of account the four Upa. Vedan. For the mention of the divisions either as fourteen or eighteen, see Siva-Purdna (Vayaviya. Samhita, pt. I. ch. 1, alks 22, 23; Brahma-Purdna, ch, 179, alk. 40 ; Skanda-Purdna (Vishnu-khanda), ch. 9, alk. 54; ch. 11, élks. 15-20 ; ch. 32, lk 21 ; ch. 38 ; blk. 68; ch. 46, blk. 11; Kasi-khanda, ch. 2, sk. 100 ch. 9, 49.
The highest categories of learning are generally mentioned as four, of which vartta is one. In this case, the whole Vedic lore falls under Trayi. A paslamba's law.code (II, 11, 29, 11 and 12 (S.B.E.) 1 says, “ The knowledge which sadras and women possess is the completion of all study. They declare that this knowledge is a supplement of the Atharva Veda." The footnote following the commentator (see also Bühler's Introduction, XXXII) adds that "men ought not to study solely or at first suck Bastras as women or gdras also learn, but at first they must study the Vedo. The knowledge which women and gudras possess is dancing, music, and other branches of the Arthasdatra." The lo t sentence makes & confusion between Gandharva Veda, which like Arthasastra is also an Upa-Veda, but treats of dancing, musio, &c., whilo Arthasastra treats of quite different matters. The expression “ other branches " wrongly conveys the implication that dancing and music are also branches of Arthafdstra.
It will be noticed that the position of Arthagâ era as an Upa-Veda has geen put put here as proceeding from its relation to the Atharta. Veda, but according the Kautiliya, its position as such comes from its relation to the fifth, i.e., the Itihafa.Veda.
ST Cf. Vishnu-Purana, pt. III, ch. 6, alkb. 28, 29,
38 Jayamangala, the annotator of the Kamasutram of Vatay Ayana, computos kalas with their sub-division to be as many as 518, and refers to a set of them called Panchalik (see VAtayâyana's Kamasutram, pp. 32, 40).
59 Madhusudana Sarasvati, op. cit., pp. 10, 13, 22.
40 Prof. H. H. Wilson writes the following note on “vdria" in his translation of the Vishnu Purana [Bk, I, ch. 9, alk. 119 (=vol. I, p. 148, Hell's od. 1864)]: " udrud explained to mean the Silna. Sagtra (moohanics, sculpture, and architecture ); Ayur. Veda (medicine ). &c.