O Brahmins, when this noble son was born, that tiger among men—Vena—was saved from the hell called Put by virtue of his offspring. Then, as if to mark this momentous occasion, the oceans and rivers themselves approached, carrying all manner of precious jewels and sacred waters for the royal consecration. The blessed Grandfather Brahmā, together with the gods, the Angirases, and all beings—both moving and unmoving—gathered there. Having assembled, they anointed Vena’s son as the king of men with a grand and solemn ceremony, and all the people rejoiced in him. Thus, consecrated with proper rites by those skilled in dharma, the mighty Pṛthu, son of Vena, became the sovereign of kings. The subjects, who had once been displeased with his father, were won over by Pṛthu’s virtue and care; out of their affection, he became known simply as “the king.” When he approached the ocean, the waters respectfully drew back for him, the mountains parted to make a path, and not a single royal banner was broken. The earth, in his reign, yielded crops without the need for plowing; food was produced by mere thought, cows granted every wish, and honey was found in every hollow. At that auspicious time, during the great ancestral sacrifice, a wise Sūta was born on the day of the Sūti rite. In that same sacrifice, a learned Māgadha was also born, and both were summoned by the great sages to sing the praises of Pṛthu. All the sages said to them, “Let this king be praised; this task befits you both, and this lord of men is truly worthy.” But the Sūta and Māgadha replied respectfully, “We please the gods and seers with our own deeds, but we do not yet know this king’s actions, his name, or his qualities by which we might compose his praise.” The sages instructed them, “Praise him for the great deeds he will accomplish in the future.” From that time onward, O best of sages, it became custom that Sūtas, Māgadhas, and bards pronounce blessings and praises. At the end of their praise, well pleased, Pṛthu, 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 joy, proclaimed, “This king will be the giver of your livelihoods!” Then the people approached the great-souled son of Vena and said, as the sages had advised, “You must provide for our sustenance.” Thus urged by the people and desiring their welfare, the mighty Pṛthu took up his bow and arrows and set forth upon the earth. But the earth, terrified by Vena’s son, assumed the form of a cow and fled. Pṛthu, armed with his bow, pursued her as she ran. She, out of fear, fled to all the worlds—even to the realm of Brahmā—but everywhere she looked, Vena’s son stood before her, bow drawn. Radiant in his splendor, with blazing, sharp arrows, Pṛthu appeared everywhere—a great yogin, a great soul, unconquerable even by the immortals. Finding no refuge, the earth turned back to Vena’s son, joined her palms in reverence, and was honored by the three worlds. She spoke to Pṛthu, “O king, you do not see unrighteousness in slaying a woman; but how will you sustain the people without me? The worlds exist within me; by me, this universe is supported. If I perish, the people would also perish.” “You ought not to kill me; if you desire the people’s welfare, listen to my words. 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 them. 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 forsake righteousness.” Hearing her many words, the great-minded and self-controlled king restrained his anger and addressed the earth: “If, for the sake of one—oneself or another—or for many beings, one kills, endless sin accrues. But if, by killing one wicked being, many prosper, then there is no sin, nor even a minor fault, in slaying that evil one.” “Therefore, for the sake of the people, I will slay you, O earth, if today you do not act for the good of the world as I command. If you disregard my command, I will make my name renowned and sustain the people myself, even if I must slay you. Therefore, uphold my command, most righteous one; revive all beings, for you are capable of sustaining them. And become my daughter; then I will restrain this terrible and fearsome dart, which has arisen for your destruction.” The earth replied, “All this, O hero, I shall accomplish—there is no doubt; but see my calf, O loving one, for whose sake I might perish. And make me equal everywhere, O best of the righteous, so that my milk may flow and be present to all.” Then, with the tip of his bow, Pṛthu drove away mountains by the hundred-thousand, and by his power those mountains grew. For, in the previous creation, the surface of the earth was uneven and there was no division of ancient lands or villages. Thus, through wisdom, compassion, and strength, King Pṛthu brought order, abundance, and sustenance to all beings, establishing the earth as a nurturing mother for all.