In the days of old, after establishing his sovereignty over the earth, the noble king Pṛthu appointed mighty rulers in each direction to uphold righteousness. In the south, he anointed Śaṅkhapada, the illustrious son of Kardama Prajāpati, as king. In the west, he entrusted the kingdom to Ketumanta, the great-souled son of Rajasa. In the north, he installed Hiraṇyaroman, the indomitable son of Parjanya Prajāpati, as king. Through the just rule of these kings, the entire earth—its seven continents and countless cities—was maintained in righteousness, and even today, each region stands firm because of their virtue. Thus, consecrated with the solemn rājasūya by these lords of men, Pṛthu himself ruled as king, always following the procedures laid down in the Vedas. In the course of time, after the Cākṣuṣa Manvantara had passed, the mighty Vaivasvata Manu was appointed to govern the earth. Now, I shall recount for your benefit, if you wish to listen, the lineage of Vaivasvata Manu, for this is the great foundation set forth in the Purāṇas. O Lomaharṣaṇa, hear in detail about the birth of Pṛthu and how this great soul “milked” the earth, bringing forth her gifts. Listen too of how the earth was milked not only by men, but also by gods and great sages, by demons and serpents, by yakṣas and by trees; how she was milked by mountains, piśācas, gandharvas, the best of the twice-born, rākṣasas, and other great beings. You should also hear of the particular vessels they used, the various calves they chose, and the milkers themselves, in proper order. Moreover, I will tell you for what reason the great sages, angered, once churned the hand of Vena—listen to the cause of this as well. Attend carefully as I narrate in detail the story of Pṛthu, son of Vena; be attentive, O best of the twice-born, for this account brings merit. This sacred tale is not to be recited to the impure, the small-minded, the undisciplined, the ungrateful, or the hostile. It is heavenly, brings fame, long life, and prosperity, and is approved by the Vedas—a secret taught by the sages. Listen to it as it truly is. Whoever, after bowing to the brāhmaṇas, always recites this account of Pṛthu, son of Vena, does not grieve for what is done or left undone. Long ago, there was a protector of righteousness, a lord equal to Atri, born in Atri’s own lineage, named Aṅga, a Prajāpati. To him was born a son, Vena, through Sunīthā, the daughter of Death. Yet Vena, because of his maternal grandfather’s fault, turned away from his own duty and was consumed by desire and greed. He broke the boundaries of righteousness, transgressed the laws of the Veda, and became devoted to unrighteousness. Under Vena’s rule, the people ceased their sacred recitations and the svadhyaya; the vashat call was no longer heard, the gods did not receive soma, and no offerings were made in sacrifice. A cruel resolve arose in Vena’s heart: “Let there be no sacrifices, let there be no offerings,” as destruction loomed. He declared, “I am the worship, the worshipper, and the sacrifice itself; all sacrifices and offerings must be made to me alone.” The great sages, led by Marichi, seeing that Vena had overstepped all bounds and acted wrongly, addressed him: “We shall undertake a vow for many years; do not commit unrighteousness, O Vena, for this is the eternal law. You were born at the end of Atri’s line, and are indeed lord of creatures; you agreed to protect the people.” But Vena, lacking wisdom, laughed at the sages and replied with harmful words: “Who else is the creator of righteousness? Whose words should I heed? Who on earth is my equal in learning, heroism, austerity, and truth? 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.” When the king, blinded by delusion and pride, could not be swayed, the great sages became angry and acted against Vena. Their wrath aroused, they restrained the mighty, struggling Vena and vigorously churned his left thigh. From the churning of the king’s thigh arose a man, exceedingly short and dark in complexion. Frightened, he stood with folded hands before the sages. Seeing his distress, Atri said to him, “Sit down.” Thus, he became the progenitor of the Niṣāda lineage, and from Vena’s impurity were also born the fishermen. Those others who dwell in the Vindhya and on the mountains, delighting in unrighteousness, are likewise tainted by Vena’s sin. Then, once more, the great-souled sages, their anger not yet spent, churned Vena’s right hand as one would churn a fire-stick. From that hand arose Pṛthu, blazing like fire, radiant with his own light, as if Agni himself had manifested. He took up the great-sounding bow named Ajagava, divine arrows for protection, and a shining suit of armor. At his birth, all beings everywhere rejoiced, and the illustrious Vena ascended to heaven.