The story of Prithu

Narada said We heard also, O Srinjaya, that Vena's son Prithu, who was installed as the emperor of the world by the mighty sages on the celebration of his Rajasuya-sacrifice, had also to suffer death.

Having vanquished all his foes with great efforts, he consolidated his empire, for which he came to be called Prithu (or the celebrated). He became a true Kshatriya, owing to his protecting his subjects from wounds and injuries.

Beholding Vena's son Prithu, his subjects said, “We are delighted and in consequence of the affection of his subjects which he enjoyed, he came to be called Raja.

The Earth yielded corn without being cultivated and for Vena's son Prithu she fulfilled all his desires. The cows also yielded milk whenever desired and every lotus-bud was filled with honey.

The sacred Kusha grass were all made of gold and were delicate to the touch and otherwise delightful. The people used to wear cloths made of this grass and they used to lie down on beds composed of them.

Fruits, nectareous, tasteful and delicate, then became their chief edible; and none went without food.

In his kingdom men lived free from all diseases, their desires were all crowned with fruition, they entertained no fear. They lived on trees and in caves, as it pleased them.

His dominions and his cities were not divided into smaller sections and countries. There his subjects lived delightedly, as it suited their desire or convenience.

When king Prithu repaired to the sea, its waves become solidified. The very mountains opened a way for him and his standard never broke (being obstructed by any thing).

Him seated at his ease, the mighty trees of the forest, the gods of the mountains, the celestials, the Asuras, the men and the replies the seven sages, sages, the holy ascetics, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras and the ancestral manes, approaching said these words-"You are our Emperor, you protect us from injuries, you are ever our delighter, saviour and father. Give us, O mighty monarch, O Master, the boons we desire to have-boons through whose virtue we may live in happiness and plenty, for eternal years.

Then saying yea' to all their prayers, Vena's son Prithu took up his Ajagava bow and several dreadful arrows, whose equals existed not; then thinking for a while, he

"Come, come, O Earth, quickly give these my subjects the milk they desire. Good betide you; from the milk you shall shed, I desire to give my subjects the edibles they wish to have.

The Earth said "O Hero, it behoves you to look upon me as your own daughter." Saying, “So be it” the self-controlled Prithu, then arranged for (milking the Earth).

Then the whole assemblage of creatures begin to milk the Earth (successively). The mighty trees of the forest then first approached her, desirous of milking her.

There then stood the highly affectionate Earth (as a cow), looking for a calf, a milker and a pot wherein to keep the milk. Then the flowering Shala tree became the calf and the Plaksha became the milker.

Torn buds become the milk and the auspicious fig tree became the milk-pot. (Next the mountains appeared to milk her) The Eastern hill then became the calf and the mighty Meru-mountain became the milkman.

Jewels and precious stones and the Osadhis became the milk and the stones became the milk-jar. Next the celestials became the milkers and everything capable of imparting energy became the milk.

Next the Asuras milked urine from the Earth, in unbaked earthen jars. Dvimurdha (the two-headed) then became the milker and Virochana became the calf.

Next the men milked her when products of cultivation and crops became the milk; the selfcreate Manu became the calf and Prithu the milker, on this occasion.

Next the snakes milked her and they received poison for milk in in gourds. Dhritarashtra became the milker and Takshaka became the calf.

The seven sages untiring in work, next milked her and obtained the knowledge of the Supreme Brahma for the milk. Then Brihaspati became the milker the Vedas became the milkpot and the Somarat became the calf,

The Rakshasas milking her, in a jar of unbaked Earth, obtained the power of disappearing at will. Their milker Vaishravana and Vrishadhvaja was their calf.

The Apsaras and the Gandharvas milked her of holy fragrance and received it in lotuspetals. Chitraratha became their calf and the lord Visvaruchi became their milker.

The ancestral manes milked her of Svadhas in pots of silver. Vaivasvata became their calf and the Destroyer (Yama) himself became their milker.

Thus was the Earth milked by that entire host of creatures, who obtained for milk all objects of their respective desire. The very was calves and the pots, with whose help they milked could be seen even today.

Then Vena's son Prithu, possessed of prowess, celebrated various sacrifices and he gratified the hearts of creature with objects desired by them.

The king caused all objects obtaining of the face of the Earth to be made of gold and on the occasion of his great Horse-sacrifice, he gave them away to the Brahmanas.

The king caused sixty-six thousands images of elephants to be made of gold and he gave them away to the Brahmanas.

The entire Earth adorned with jewels and gems, the king caused to be covered over with gold and he then gave her away to the Brahmanas.

When, O Srinjaya, even such a king, who was superior to you in respect of the four virtues and consequently much more superior to your son, you should not lament for your son who performed no sacrifices and made no sacrificial gifts-saying, 'O Shvaitya'.