Sambodhi 2005 Vol 29

Author(s): J B Shah, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 11

Vol-1, XX1X
KŞETRAPĀLA - HIS VEDIC AND PURĀŅIC CONNECTIONS
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work Kșetrapālaprakarana which enumerates as many as 51 varieties of Ksetrapāla. These varieties are based on the alphabet (mātskopabheda). These areAjara, Apakumbha, Indrastuti, idācāra, Uktasañjña, Ūsmāda, Rddhisūddha, Rmukto, Lrtpakeśa, Ekakadamstraka, Airāvata, Ougabandhu, Ousadhiša, Añjana, Aśvavāra, Kavala, Kharukhābala, Gāmukhya, Ghanțādoșmanā, Candavāraṇa, Chațātopa, Jatāla, Jhangiva, Nanañcara, Tankapāņi, Șthānyabandhu, Dāmara, Dhakkārava, Navārna, Tadiddehasthira, Dantura, Dhanada, Naktikānta, Parcandaka, Phatkāra, Bīransangha, Bhrnga, Meghabhāsura, Yugānta, Raugyavañca, Lambaustha, Vasava, Śūkananda, Şaļāla, Sunāma and Hambuka. (Śabdakalpadruma. pt.II, p.260)
Connection with Indra is evident even in this later tradition of deciphering different names of Ksetrapāla, as a name Indrastuti occurs there. Sabdakalpadruma also quotes Mantradevaprakāsīni for indentifying the mantras and the method of worshipping Ksetrapāla. It also prescribes the balividhāna for Ksetrapāla, quoting from Tantrasāra.
The worship of Ksetrapāla remained popular amongst the tribes and the sections of the society that depended on agriculture. In the third book of Pañcatantra (Kākollūkıyam), a brahmin named Haridatta, who is a farmer by profession sees a cobra in his field and thinks it to be the Ksetrapāla. Yogeśvara, a prominent Sanskrit poet, who flourished in ninth century A. D. or before that, describes the worship of Ksetrapāla by the barbaras which are tribal people, by the offering of blood. According to this description, the idol of Ksetrapāla was placed near a tree in the field. After offering bali to Kșetrapāla the barbaras drank wine with their beloveds.
Kşetrapāla in Archaeology
Indian Sculpture brings out several forms of Ksētrapāla as minor gurdian of fields and villages. The iconography of Ksētrapāla depicts him with three eyes and two, four, six or eight hands. The objects he holds in his hands are - trident, skull-cup, bell, drum, Javelin, sword, Khetaka (shield), noose of serpent, bow and arrow etc. Kșētrapāla is most popular in South India Archaeology. His images are placed in the north eastern quarter of the village to face westwards. They are generally large and nude. Ksētrapāla is depicted with a ferocious expression and carrying the emblems of Śiva. The images are mostly made of stone and clay and they are brightly coloured.?