Agriculture in Rigveda: Seeds of India's Civilizational Prosperity

Rigveda, a compilation of Mantras visualized by India's ancient Rishis, is mankind's universal heritage. Messages from the Rigveda have an appeal and relevance, which is universal and time independent. Rigveda has several Richas devoted to agriculture. These have relevance not only in the historical times but also for modern times. The Vaidic knowledge system including the agricultural practices laid a robust foundation for India's historical economic prosperity. The enunciation of agriculture in Rigveda places agriculture on a divine platform, organized around Yajnas. In Rigveda, Sukta 57 of Mandal 4 consisting of 8 Mantras, is devoted entirely to agriculture. Sukta 17 in Kanda 3 of Atharvaveda is also devoted to agriculture. In Yajurveda, Mantras pertaining to agriculture are given in Chapter 12, ranging from 67 to 73. In understanding agriculture in Rigveda, the concepts of Kshetra (field) and Kshetrapati (owner or knower of the field) are critical. The word 'Khet' derives from the word 'Kshetra'. All participants in the agricultural activity including farmers, animals, and Devtas are engaged in a mutually complementary role. Rigveda envisages an interlinked cycle of seeds, water, rainfall, rivers, soil, sun, wind, and mankind and various other life forms as engaged together in a common endeavour of mutual sustenance and growth. India's ancient Rishis recognized the key role of water and its sources for agriculture. They identified rivers, riverbeds, streams, underground wells, and ponds as the main sources of water for the agricultural fields. India's Vaidic agriculture developed around the river Saraswati, whose historicity is not in doubt anymore. Rigveda recognizes various seasons linked to which are different crops. Herbs and plants including medicinal plants are equally important. The fertility of soil and the maintenance of soil quality year after year, is of critical importance. Modern agriculture is degenerating fast with the intensive use of chemicals, fertilizers and other polluting agents, leading to erosion of soil fertility and eroding the nourishing quality of the output. Rigvaidic Richas devoted to agriculture have specific Chandas whose vibrations are critical for all stages of agriculture including sowing, irrigating, supervising growth of the plants, and reaping the harvest. Even in modern times, the Vaidic vibrations can play a positive role in the growth of plants. Rigvaidic agriculture and industry were tightly intertwined. Industrial activities provided agricultural implements, means of storage, and transport. Often towns developed in the place where large rivers flowed into the sea. The surrounding areas served as a junction to link domestically produced output from various inland towns that may be brought over the rivers which can then be loaded on to larger ships for global trade.