Why most Kayasthas are not in business?

Why are the Kayasthas generally not in business? It is believed that a goddess once appeared before a poor peasant and offered him a boon. He wanted the riches for himself but he thought of consulting his blind mother and barren wife, and asked the goddess to give him a day to decide.

The mother wanted the sight for herself, and the wife, a child. While the three thus sat mulling over the matter, in walked a neighbour, a Kayastha, and as per his advice, when the goddess appeared the next night before the peasant, he said, "I want my mother to see her grandson eat from a gold bowl."

The boon (three-in-one) was granted, but the goddess asked the peasant to disclose whose idea it was. Upon hearing that the advice came from a Kayastha, she cursed, "Kayasthas shall have brains but not wealth".