In the earliest days, the Grandfather of all beings, with wisdom and care, established order throughout creation by appointing rulers over every domain. He installed Soma as the sovereign over the Brahmins, the plants, the stars, the planets, the sacrifices, and all forms of austerity. Varuṇa was made lord of the waters, Vaiśravaṇa was set as the chief among kings, Viṣṇu presided over the Ādityas, and Pāvaka was given lordship of the Vasus. Dakṣa was entrusted as the ruler of the progenitors, while Vāsava became the lord of the Maruts. Prahrāda, whose strength was beyond measure, was made the chief of the Daityas and Dānavas. Vaivasvata Yama was installed as ruler of the ancestors, and he was also made king over the Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, and all earthly kings. Girīśa, the trident-wielder, was made lord of all beings and spirits. Himavat was appointed for the mountains, and the mighty ocean was set over the rivers. Citraratha became chief of the Gandharvas, Vāsuki was given the Nāgas, and Takṣaka was made lord of the serpents. Airāvata was established as king of the elephants, Uccaiḥśravas as lord of horses, and Garuḍa as the ruler of birds. The tiger was made lord of the beasts, the bull was appointed master of cattle, and Plakṣa was set as king of the trees. Thus, the Grandfather divided all realms, establishing guardians for each direction. In the east, he anointed Sudhanvan, son of Vairāja Prajāpati, as king and guardian. In the south, Śaṅkhapada, son of Kardama Prajāpati, was appointed king. In the west, Ketumanta, the noble son of Rajasa, was made king. In the north, Hiraṇyaroman, son of Parjanya Prajāpati, became the indomitable king. By the rule of these kings, the whole earth with its seven continents and myriad cities has been maintained in righteousness, each region upheld according to its own order, even to this day. It was by these lords of men that Pṛthu was consecrated with the rājasūya sacrifice, and he ruled as king, following the procedures revealed in the Vedas. After the passing of the Cākṣuṣa Manvantara, the mighty Vaivasvata Manu was appointed to rule the earth. Now, I shall recount for you the lineage of Vaivasvata Manu, for this is the great foundation established in the Purāṇa, should you wish to hear. O Lomaharṣaṇa, tell in detail of the birth of Pṛthu, and how that noble soul milked the earth. Tell also how the earth was milked by men, by gods and great sages, by demons and serpents, by yakṣas and by trees; how it was milked by mountains, by piśācas, by gandharvas, by the best of the twice-born, by rākṣasas, and by other great beings. You should describe the particular vessels each used, the kinds of calves, and the milkers, in their proper order. And do not omit the reason why, in ages past, the hand of Vena was churned by the angry great sages—recount that cause as well. Now, listen as I narrate in detail the account of Pṛthu, son of Vena. Be attentive and diligent, O best of the twice-born, for this brings merit. O brāhmaṇas, this tale is not to be recited to the impure, to those of small mind, to the undisciplined, the ungrateful, or the hostile. It is heavenly, brings fame, long life, prosperity, and is approved by the Vedas; it is a secret taught by the sages—hear it as it truly is. Whoever always recites this account of Pṛthu, son of Vena, after bowing to the brāhmaṇas, will not grieve for what is done or left undone. In former times, there was a protector of righteousness, a great lord equal to Atri, born in Atri’s lineage and named Aṅga, a Prajāpati. His son was Vena, born to him by Sunīthā, daughter of Death, O Prajāpati. Because of his maternal grandfather’s fault, Vena, the son of the daughter of Time, turned away from his own duty and became consumed by desire and greed. This king broke the righteous boundaries, transgressed the laws of the Veda, and devoted himself to unrighteousness. Under his rule, people no longer recited the svadhyaya or uttered the vashat call; the gods did not drink soma, nor were offerings made in sacrifice. A cruel resolve arose in that lord of creatures: “Let there be no sacrifices, let there be no offerings,” as destruction approached. He declared, “I am the worship, the worshipper, and the sacrifice itself; all sacrifices must be performed for me, and all offerings made to me.” Then, all the great sages, led by Marichi, addressed Vena, who had overstepped all bounds and behaved inappropriately. They said, “We shall undertake the vow for many years; do not commit unrighteousness, O Vena, for this is the eternal law. You are born at the death of Atri and are indeed the lord of creatures; I will protect the people—such was the agreement made here.” But as the sages spoke thus, Vena, lacking understanding, laughed and replied with these harmful words: “Who else is the creator of righteousness? Whose words should I hear? Who on earth is equal to me in learning, heroism, austerity, and truth? Surely, you are deluded and lack discernment, for you do not know my true nature as the origin of all beings and especially of righteousness. If I wished, I could burn the earth, flood it with waters, or block the heavens and the earth—there is no need for deliberation here.