History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c63.t1.124

v4.c63.t1.124

*Kṣetraja.* This kind of son arose from the practice of *niyoga.* The origin of this practice and the limitations under which it was allowed have been dealt with at length in H. of Dh. vol. II. pp. 599-607. One matter not mentioned therein is this that the Brahmapurāṇa states that kṣetraja sons were very common among kṣatriyas since they had no progeny either because they were cursed (by sages for their misdeeds) or bacause they were constantly engaged in war.¹²⁴⁹ The Baud. Dh. S. II. 2. 21-23 and Kauṭ. III. 7 declare the kṣetraja to be the son of two fathers, to have two *gotras* and to offer piṇḍas to both fathers (provided there is no aurasa son born subsequently) and to take their wealth and that in offering each piṇḍa they have to associate it with two names.¹²⁵⁰ It is to be noted that the Mit. on Yāj. II. 127 introduces the kṣetraja as dvyāmuṣyāyaṇa, although that word, as will be seen later on, has another significance also. The Madanapārijāta (p. 651) also regards kṣetraja and dvyāmuṣyāyaṇa as synonyms. The Vivādatāṇḍava (folio 122) states that the dvyāmuṣyāyaṇa and sons of intercaste marriages being forbidden in Kali it does not enter into any discussion about the rules of allotting shares to them.