Step 1: Understanding the statement.
The sentence highlights the supreme importance of agriculture, declaring it to be the basis of prosperity, intelligence, and life itself.
Step 2: Attribution.
This verse is attributed to Parāśara, one of the ancient sages who contributed to agricultural texts and is regarded as the father of agricultural sciences in Vedic literature.
Step 3: Elimination of options.
- Bharadvāja: Associated with Ayurveda and military sciences, not with this specific quote.
- Kanāda: Founder of the Vaiśeṣika school of philosophy, not linked to agriculture.
- Kapila: Founder of Sāṅkhya philosophy, unrelated to this verse.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Thus, the verse was said by Parāśara.