Kuruksetra in the Later Sanskrit Literature

The article traces the evolving perception of Kurukshetra (Kuruksetra) in later Sanskrit literature. It begins by noting that early Vedic texts treat the region as part of the sacred geography of north India. The Manusmriti describes Brahmavarta—the land of the Brahmin seers—as lying between the Sarasvati and Drishadvati rivers; this region includes Kurukshetra and neighboring countries such as the Matsya and Pancala. In the Mahabharata, Kurukshetra is portrayed as a battlefield where the Pandavas and Kauravas fought; in the Bhagavad Gita it becomes the stage for a philosophical discourse. Later Puranas and kshetra-mahatmya texts transformed Kurukshetra from a battlefield into a tīrtha (pilgrimage site) associated with creation myths, cosmic cycles, and rituals. The article surveys texts like the Vamana Purana, Skanda Purana, and regional mahatmyas to show how they expand the boundaries of Kurukshetra, subsuming adjacent tracts and associating them with numerous lakes, temples, and sages. The author discusses how later commentators identified Kurukshetra with Brahmavarta and emphasised its sanctity, and how the toponym also came to signify ethical ideals such as truth and non-violence. He notes that by the early medieval period the region was equated with dharmakshetra (field of righteousness) rather than a literal battlefield. The article also examines historical references to Kurukshetra in inscriptions and travelogues to show the continuity of pilgrimage. In conclusion, the author argues that while Kurukshetra’s topographical boundaries expanded in later literature, the core idea persisted: the region symbolised a cosmic field where dharma is tested and renewed.

Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.