When the king Vena, blinded by delusion and pride, could not be removed from his throne, the great sages, angered by his unrighteousness, took matters into their own hands. With their wrath fully aroused, these noble sages restrained the mighty and struggling Vena. Then, in their anger, they vigorously churned his left thigh. From this churning, there emerged a man—exceedingly short and dark in complexion. Frightened, this man stood before the assembled sages, his hands folded in humility. Seeing his distress, the sage Atri compassionately said to him, “Sit down.” Thus, he became the progenitor of the Nishada lineage, and also gave rise to the fishermen, born from the impurity of Vena. Those who dwell in the Vindhya mountains and other highlands, delighting in unrighteousness, were likewise tainted by Vena’s sin. Not yet satisfied, the great-souled sages, their wrath still burning, churned Vena’s right hand as one would churn 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 donned a radiant armor. At the moment of 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 called Put. Then, the oceans and rivers approached Prithu, bringing all kinds of jewels and waters for his consecration. The blessed Grandfather, along with the gods, the Angirases, and all stationary and moving beings, assembled for this auspicious occasion. Together, they anointed Prithu, 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 became the sovereign of kings. His subjects, who had been displeased with his father, were won over by Prithu’s virtue and care. From their affection, he became known simply 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. During the auspicious 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 were pronounced in praises by Sūtas, Māgadhas, and bards. At the end of their praise, Prithu, pleased, granted the Sūta the land of Anūpa and the Māgadha the land of Magadha. Seeing Prithu, the wise among the people, filled with utmost joy, proclaimed, “This king will be the giver of your livelihoods.” Then the people approached Prithu, the great-souled son of Vena, and said, as the sages had instructed, “You must provide for our sustenance.” Thus urged by the people, desiring their welfare, Prithu took up his bow and arrows and set out upon the earth. Terrified by Vena’s son, the earth herself assumed the form of a cow and fled. Prithu, seizing his bow, pursued her as she ran. Out of fear, she fled to all the worlds, even to Brahmā’s realm, but everywhere she saw Vena’s son before her, armed with his drawn bow. With blazing, sharp arrows and radiant splendor, Prithu appeared everywhere—a great yogin, a great soul, unconquerable even by the immortals. Finding no refuge, the earth turned back to Prithu, joining her palms in reverence, honored by the three worlds. She spoke to him, “You do not see unrighteousness in slaying a woman; how will you sustain the people, O king, without me? The worlds exist in me; by me this universe is supported. Know, O ruler of men, that if I perish, the people would also perish. You ought not to kill me; if you wish for the welfare of the people, O protector of the earth, listen to these words of mine. All undertakings succeed when begun with proper means; find a way by which you may sustain these people. Even if you kill me, you will not be able to nourish the people, O king. I will be favorable to you; restrain your anger, O great-minded one. It is said that a woman must not be slain, even among animals. If this is so, O protector of the earth, you should not abandon righteousness.” Hearing these many words, the great-minded king, self-controlled and righteous, restrained his anger and spoke to the earth.