If a person kills another—whether for his own sake, for someone else, or even for the benefit of many—he incurs endless sin in this world. Yet, if by slaying one wicked being, the welfare of many is secured, then such an act brings neither sin nor even the slightest fault. Thus, for the good of all, I am prepared to act: O Earth, if you do not do as I command for the world’s benefit, I will not hesitate to strike you down for the sake of the people. If you disregard my command, I will shoot you with my arrow today. By doing so, I will make my name renowned and ensure the people’s welfare myself. Therefore, uphold my command, O Earth—foremost among the upholders of righteousness—revive all beings, for you alone are capable of sustaining them. Become my daughter, and I will restrain this terrible and fearsome weapon that I have raised for your destruction. All of this, O hero, I will accomplish without doubt. But see, O loving one, my calf, for whose sake I would even risk my life. Make me equal everywhere, O best of the righteous, so that my milk may flow freely and nourish all. Then, with the tip of his bow, Vainya—King Prithu—drove away hundreds of thousands of mountains, and under his hand, those mountains grew. In the previous creation, the earth’s surface was uneven, with no divisions of ancient lands or villages. There were no crops, no cattle, no farming, no trade routes; neither truth nor falsehood existed, nor greed, nor envy. But when the era of Vaivasvata arrived, beginning with Vainya, the origin of all these things was set in motion. Wherever there was equality on earth, there all beings chose to dwell. At that time, people survived only on fruits and roots, which they obtained with great difficulty. Then, King Prithu, appointing Manu Svāyambhuva as the calf, milked the Earth himself, like a tiger among men. Through his efforts, all kinds of crops were produced, and from that food, all creatures have subsisted ever since. Afterward, the seers, gods, ancestors, serpents, demons, yakṣas, virtuous beings, gandharvas, mountains, and trees—all these beings, O best of Brāhmaṇas, also milked the Earth. Each had a specific calf, a vessel, and a milker. For the seers, Soma was the calf, Bṛhaspati the milker, their milk was austerity and Brahman, and the vessel was the Vedas. For the gods, the vessel was gold, Indra was the calf, the blessed Sun was the milker, and their milk was vigor. The ancestors used a silver vessel, with Yama as the calf and Antaka as the milker; their milk is said to be nectar. For the serpents, Takṣaka was the calf, their vessel was called Alābu, Airāvata was the milker, and their milk was poison. Among the Asuras, the cowherd was the Sweet One, their milk was illusory in nature, Virocana was the calf, and the vessel was iron. For the Yakṣas, the vessel was unbaked clay, mighty Vaiśravaṇa was the calf, the milker was of silver hue, and the milk was hidden away. Sumali was the calf among the Rakṣasas, their milk was blood, the milker was silver-hued, and the vessel was a skull. For the Gandharvas, Citraratha was the calf, the vessel was a lotus, Suruchi was the milker, and their milk was pure fragrance. For the mountains, the vessel was stone, the milk was precious herbs and gems, Himavan was the calf, and Meru was the milker. Among the trees, Plaksha was the calf, the blossoming Shala was the milker, the vessel was the leaf of the Palasha, and the milk was the sprouts that had been cut, burned, or regrown. This Earth is the supporter, the creator, and the purifier; she is the foundation and womb of all that moves and does not move. She became the wish-fulfilling cow, yielding all desires and causing all crops to grow. This Earth, stretching to the ocean, is renowned everywhere. Having been saturated by the fat of Madhu and Kaitabha, this goddess Earth is called Medini by the wise. Then, by the acceptance of King Prithu, O twice-born ones, the goddess attained the status of daughter and is thus called Prithvi. By Prithu’s hand, the earth was divided and purified; she became rich in crops, prosperous, and filled with cities and towns. Such was the greatness of Vainya, king among kings, that he is worthy of worship and honor by all beings. Even the most fortunate Brahmins, masters of the Vedas and Vedangas, should revere Prithu alone, for he is of the eternal Brahma lineage. Likewise, the most fortunate kings who desire sovereignty should honor Prithu Vainya, famed for his might. Valiant warriors seeking victory in battle should revere Prithu as the foremost among warriors, for any who praise him before entering battle emerge safely and gain fame. Even wealthy Vaisyas, engaged in their proper duties, should revere Prithu, the great and renowned giver of livelihood. Likewise, pure Shudras who serve the three higher classes should revere Prithu alone, if they seek the highest good in this life.