With blazing, sharp arrows and a radiant energy, the mighty king pursued the Earth herself relentlessly. She fled before him, but nowhere could she find protection from his determined advance. At last, with no refuge remaining, the Earth approached Vainya—King Pṛthu—himself. In a voice both pleading and wise, she addressed him: “O king, there is no unrighteousness in striking a woman. The worlds are established in me; by me, this universe is sustained. You ought not to kill me, for you desire what is best. When the proper means are undertaken, all endeavors succeed. I will dwell within beings; abandon your anger, O mighty one. O protector of the earth, uphold righteousness among creatures; you must not forsake it.” Hearing her words, the righteous king suppressed his anger and spoke gravely to the Earth: “Whether it is one being or many, the act of killing brings sin. If the one slain is not virtuous, there is neither sin nor secondary fault. If today you do not carry out my words for the welfare of the world, then, having established yourself here, you must yourself sustain the people. Revive the people continually—you are indeed capable, there is no doubt. I would restrain that terrifying being who has arisen with the intent to kill you. All this, O Earth, I shall accomplish—there is no doubt.” Then, just as milk spreads everywhere when stirred, so too, by the tip of Vena’s bow, did the mountains grow and multiply. By her own nature, the Earth became both even and uneven, creating the variety of landforms. There was division—of ancient lands and of villages. In the time before the Cākṣuṣa Manvantara, this was the state of the earth. Wherever the land was equal, it is said, the food of the people was roots and fruits. But from the time of Vainya onward, all this changed. Pṛthu himself milked the earth for crops with his own hands, and thus, food abounded. It is also heard from the seers that the earth was milked again and again. The vessel used was the meter, including the Gāyatrī and other meters. Then, the hosts of gods, with Purandara at their head, took their turn: Maghavan became the calf, and the mighty Savitṛ was the one who milked. The ancestors, too, are said to have milked the earth. Among them, powerful Vaivasvata Yama was the calf. The Asuras also milked the earth: Virocana was their calf, and Prahrada, renowned for his greatness, was also among them. All the Asuras, skilled in illusion, drew milk by magical arts. It is said as well that the Nagas milked the earth, making Takshaka the calf. Among them, Vasuki, the powerful son of Kadru, was the milker. With this, the fierce, massive-bodied, poison-filled Nagas sustained themselves. Again, the earth was milked into a raw vessel for the beloved of hidden wealth. The one with a silver navel, the father of Manidhara, was the milker. By him, they are sustained, so it is said in truth. Thus, through the resolve of Pṛthu and the cooperation of the Earth, nourishment and prosperity flowed forth for all beings, each according to their nature and need.