From the lineage of the great sage Atri was born a Prajāpati named Aṅga, who took Sunīthā, the daughter of Mṛtyu, as his wife. Their son was Vena. In the beginning, Aṅga performed righteousness to the utmost, but later, swayed by desire, he turned away from the path of virtue among the worlds. Transgressing the Vedas and sacred scriptures, he became devoted to unrighteousness. When Vena came to power, the consequences of his unrighteousness became apparent. In the great sacrifices, the gods themselves ceased to drink soma, and a cruel vow loomed when destruction was near at hand. Vena declared, “Sacrifices must be performed for me, offerings must be made to me.” The great sages, led by Marīci, tried to counsel him, saying, “Do not act unrighteously; this is not the eternal dharma. You once promised, ‘I will protect the people.’” But Vena, with a wicked mind, laughed and boasted, “By my power, austerity, and truth, who on earth is equal to me? I am the origin of all worlds, and especially of their laws of righteousness. Whether I create or destroy, there is no need for deliberation here.” Seeing that Vena could not be restrained, the sages became angry. In their wrath, they churned his left hand, and from it emerged a man who was exceedingly short and dark in color. The sages, seeing him distressed and bewildered, said to him, “Sit down.” From Vena’s impurity, this being produced fishermen, and those born of Vena’s impurity were known to be inclined toward unrighteousness. Still determined to restore righteousness, the sages, like those churning fire-sticks, now churned Vena’s right hand. From this churning, they produced for him a son—Pṛthu, famed for his manliness. He was born armed with a bow and armor, as if burning with brilliance. Because he was born from Vena’s palm, he was called Pṛthu. Pṛthu, the son of Vena, became the elder among the Kṣatriyas and protected the worlds. For his praise, the skilled Sūtas and Māgadhas were produced. For the livelihood of the people, along with the gods, groups of seers, serpents, virtuous beings, mountains, trees, and plants, Pṛthu gave them the milk they desired, and by that, they sustained their lives. Thus, by that great soul, the earth was first milked. In ancient times, the Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, Gandharvas, and Apsarases, each with their particular vessels and milkers, received their own kinds of milk in due order, just as all the various forms of milk are described by the ancient great sages. The cause and details of this have been analyzed by those ancient seers. O best of the twice-born, listen attentively and with single-minded diligence. This path, O Brahman, must never be told to one without vows. This secret was spoken by the sages; let one without envy hear it. Having bowed to the Brāhmaṇas, one does not grieve for what is done or undone. Thus is the story of Vena, Pṛthu, and the restoration of righteousness in the world.