When Vena, the lord of creatures, ruled the world, a strange silence fell upon the land. No one uttered the sacred svadhyaya or the vashat call; the gods ceased to drink soma, and offerings were no longer made in sacrifices. In Vena’s heart, a cruel resolve took shape: “Let there be no sacrifices, let there be no offerings,” he declared, as the shadow of destruction approached. Vena proclaimed to the sages, “O best of Bhrigus, I am the worship, the worshipper, and the sacrifice itself. Sacrifices must be performed for me, and offerings must be made to me.” Alarmed by his arrogance and unrighteousness, all the great sages, led by Marichi, approached him, for he had overstepped all bounds. They said, “We shall undertake a 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 Vena, lacking understanding, laughed at them and spoke 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? You are surely 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, due to his delusion and pride, Vena could not be removed, the great sages, angered, acted against him. Their wrath aroused, they restrained the mighty, struggling Vena and churned his left thigh with vigor. From the king’s thigh emerged a man, exceedingly short and dark in complexion. Frightened, he stood with folded hands before the best of the twice-born; seeing his distress, Atri said, “Sit down.” Thus, he became the progenitor of the Nishada lineage and also created the fishermen, born from Vena’s impurity. Those others who dwell in the Vindhya and on mountains, who delight in unrighteousness, were also tainted by Vena’s sin. Then, again, the great-souled sages, their wrath still aroused, churned Vena’s right hand like a fire-stick. From that hand arose Prithu, blazing like fire, shining with his own radiance, as if Agni himself had manifested. Prithu took up the great-sounding bow named Ajagava, along with divine arrows for protection and a radiant armor. At his birth, all beings everywhere rejoiced, and the illustrious Vena ascended to heaven. By the birth of this noble son, Vena was saved from the hell named Put. The oceans and rivers, bringing all kinds of jewels and waters for the consecration, approached Prithu. The blessed Grandfather, together with the gods, the Angirases, and all stationary and moving beings, assembled. They anointed the son of Vena as king of men with the great royal consecration, and the people were pleased by him. Thus consecrated with proper rites by those skilled in dharma, the mighty Prithu, son of Vena, became the sovereign of kings. His subjects, once displeased with his father, were won over by him; from their affection, he became known as “the king.” As he approached the ocean, the waters held back for him, the mountains made a path, and no banners were broken. The earth yielded crops without plowing, food was produced by mere thought, cows granted every wish, and honey was found in every hollow. At that auspicious time, during the ancestral sacrifice, a wise Sūta was born on the day of the Sūti rite. In that great sacrifice, a learned Māgadha was also born, and both were summoned by the sages to praise Prithu. The sages said to them, “Let this king be praised; this deed suits you both, and this lord of men is worthy.” The Sūta and Māgadha replied, “We please the gods and seers with our own deeds. But we do not know his deeds, his name, or his qualities, O Brahmins, by which we might compose a praise for this glorious king.” The sages instructed them, “Let him be praised for future deeds—whatever great acts Prithu will later accomplish.” From that time onward, blessings have been pronounced in praises by Sūtas, Māgadhas, and bards. At the end of their praise, well pleased, Prithu, lord of the people, granted the Sūta the land of Anūpa and the Māgadha the land of Magadha. Seeing him, the wise among the people, filled with utmost joy, said: “This king will be the giver of your livelihoods.” Then the people approached the great-souled son of Vena and said, in accordance with the words of the sages, “You must provide for our sustenance.” Thus urged by the people, desiring their welfare, the mighty Prithu took up his bow and arrows and set out upon the earth. Terrified by Vena’s son, the earth assumed the form of a cow and fled; Prithu, seizing his bow, pursued her as she ran.