Sambodhi 2005 Vol 29

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

Page 9

KŞETRAPĀLA - HIS VEDIC AND PURĀNIC
CONNECTIONS
RADHAVALLABH TRIPATHI , S.K. BAJPAI+
Ksetrapati has been described as the presiding deity of an agricultural land in Rgveda. He is supposed to look after the cattle and the animals and bestow wealth and prosperity on the farmers by increasing the harvest. In three of the mantras in Rgveda, the deity has been named as Kþetrapati
क्षेत्रस्य पतिना वयं हितेनेव जयामसि । गामश्वं पोषयिन्त्वा स नो मृळातीदृशे ॥ क्षेत्रस्य पते मधुमन्तमूर्मि धेनुरिव पयो अस्मासु धुक्ष्व । मधुश्चुतं घृतमिव सुपूतमृतस्य न पतयो मृळयन्तु ॥ मधुमतीरौषधीाव आपोमधुमन्नो भवत्वन्तरिक्षम् । क्षेत्रस्य पतिर्मधुमानो अस्त्वरिष्यन्तो अन्वेनं चरेम ॥
_ (Rg. IV.57.1-3) This sūkta also refers to Indra and Pusan urging upon them to look after Sītā or the furrow, and to make her capable of producing rich harvest. Evidently, Ksetrapati, Indra and Pūsan these are interrelated, and all of them have links with the life of the farmers or the agriculturists. The Mahābhārata refers to a sage called Krsivala who lived under the patronage of Indra. Krsivala also means a farmer. Indra is thus the god of the farmers and Ksetrapati is a minor deity worshipped by those who depend on agriculture and rearing of the cattle.
Macdonnel Says- “The deity ksetrasyapati - Lord of the field - should
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Professor, Sanskrit Department, Dr. H.S.Gour University, SAGAR (M.P.) Reader, Department of Ancient Indian History, Archaeology and Indian Culture, Dr. H.S.Gour University, Sagar.