Jāpakānāṃ Gatiḥ — The Destinies of Japa-Practitioners (Śānti Parva 12.190)
वणिज्या पशुरक्षा च कृष्यादानरति: शुचि: । वेदाध्ययनसम्पन्न: स वैश्य इति संज्ञित:
vaṇijyā paśurakṣā ca kṛṣyādānaratiḥ śuciḥ | vedādhyayanasampannaḥ sa vaiśya iti saṃjñitaḥ ||
ଭରଦ୍ୱାଜ କହିଲେ—ଯେ ବଣିଜ୍ୟ, ପଶୁରକ୍ଷା, କୃଷି ଓ ଦାନରେ ରତ, ଆଚରଣରେ ଶୁଚି, ଏବଂ ବେଦାଧ୍ୟୟନରେ ସମ୍ପନ୍ନ—ସେଇ ବୈଶ୍ୟ ବୋଲି ସଂଜ୍ଞିତ।
भरद्वाज उवाच
The verse defines the ethical and occupational markers of a Vaiśya: engaging in commerce, safeguarding livestock, practicing agriculture, being inclined to charitable giving, maintaining purity of conduct, and being grounded in Vedic study.
In the Śānti Parva’s dharma-discourse, Bharadvāja is explaining characteristics (lakṣaṇas) by which a person is recognized as belonging to the Vaiśya varṇa, emphasizing both livelihood and moral-religious discipline.