In ancient times, the earth was like a wish-fulfilling cow, and the great ones of each realm came to her to receive their due. First, Brahmā himself milked the earth for the sake of the Brahmins, with Kubera, the lord of wealth, serving as their calf. When the Rakshasas sought their own share, they milked the earth using a skull as their vessel, drawing forth hidden treasures from her depths. The Gandharvas and Apsaras, too, wished to partake of the earth’s gifts. They used a lotus as their vessel, and the auspicious Vasuruci, son of a sage, became their milker, drawing forth that which was suited to their celestial nature. Even the mountains gathered together to milk the earth; Himavat became their calf, and the mighty Meru acted as the milker, extracting what the earth could offer to the peaks and stones. The trees and plants, not to be left behind, also milked the earth. The blossoming shala tree took the place of the wish-fulfilling cow, while the illustrious plaksha tree served as the calf. Thus, the earth yielded her bounty to all, each according to their nature and need. She is known by many names: Dhātrī, Vidhātrī, Dhāraṇī, and Vasundharā—the supporter, the creator, the bearer, and the earth rich in wealth. She is the very foundation and womb of all that moves and does not move, the ground upon which the world stands. Because she bears all wealth, she is called Vasudhā. By those learned in Brahman, she is also called Medinī, for she is the very soil of the world. When she attained the status of a daughter, she became known as Pṛthivī. Upon her surface, the earth was adorned with cities and towns belonging to the great King Ākaravat. In this lineage, there was a radiant king named Vainya, also called Pṛthu, whose fame spread far and wide. He was sought after by noble Brāhmaṇas, accomplished in the Vedas and their branches, and by illustrious kings who desired great renown. Even warriors approached him, seeking victory in battle, for it was said that any warrior who praised King Pṛthu before going to war would be blessed with success. Merchants, too, came to him for guidance in their pursuits. Thus, for each group, there were particular calves and milkers, and the milk—the gifts of the earth—was suited to their needs. In the very beginning, it was Brahmā, the great-souled one, who first milked the earth. Then, in each age and Manvantara—during the times of Svāyambhuva, Svārociṣa, Uttama, Tāmasa, Cāriṣṭa, Cākṣuṣa, and Vaivasvata—the earth was milked again and again by those worthy, each drawing out her treasures according to the age. You should understand, O wise one, that such events have occurred in ages past and will occur again in the future, for this is the way of the world. In the line of Pṛthu, two valiant sons were born, endowed with supernatural power. From Havirdhāna and Dhiṣaṇā, the daughter of Agni, sons were born, and among them was Prācīnabarhis, illustrious and renowned as a great lord of creatures. He was so named because he spread his sacred grass eastwards in his rites. After performing great austerities, Prācīnabarhis’s son, the lord of creatures, was born of Savarṇā. His sons, known as the Pracetas, were masters of archery. For ten thousand years, these Pracetas remained in the waters of the ocean, engaged in deep meditation. During their long absence, there was no one to tend or protect the earth’s forests. The trees grew unchecked, spreading everywhere, and as a result, living beings began to decline. The wind could not blow, and the sky itself was blocked by the dense growth of trees, casting the world into a state of stagnation and imbalance.