Correct Option
The correct option is B. Atharvaveda
[as per provisional answer key]Explanation
The term kshetra-patni (“mistress of the field”) is associated with agricultural fertility and the personification of cultivated land in Vedic literature. It appears in the Atharvaveda, where agricultural rites, fertility rituals, and invocations connected with fields and crops receive significant attention.
- Statement A: Incorrect. Although the Rigveda contains hymns related to agriculture and deities associated with prosperity, the term kshetra-patni is not regarded as originating in the Rigveda.
- Statement B: Correct. The Atharvaveda contains references to kshetra-patni in the context of agricultural rituals and prayers for the fertility and protection of cultivated land. The text is notable for its extensive treatment of everyday concerns such as farming, health, and prosperity, making it the source from which this term is traced.
- Statement C: Incorrect. Panini’s Ashtadhyayi is a foundational text on Sanskrit grammar. While it provides valuable insights into language and society, it is not the source of the term kshetra-patni.
- Statement D: Incorrect. Kautilya’s Arthashastra discusses agriculture, land administration, and revenue systems, but it does not originate this Vedic expression.
Key Takeaway: The term kshetra-patni (“mistress of the field”) originates in the Atharvaveda, where it is associated with agricultural fertility, protection of fields, and rituals connected with cultivation and prosperity.