अङ्गात्सुनीथापत्यंवै वेनमेकं व्यजायत
From Aṅga, the son named Vena was born, the offspring of Sunītha.
प्रजार्थमृषयो यस्यममन्थुर्दक्षिणां करम्
For the sake of progeny, the sages churned his right hand.
जनयित्वा सुतं तस्य पृथुं प्रथितपौरुषम्
Having produced a son for him, Pṛthu, famed for his manliness,
स धन्वी कवची जज्ञे तेजसा निर्दहन्निव
He was born armed with a bow and armor, as if burning with brilliance.
पृथुर्वैन्यस्तदा लोकान्ररक्ष क्षत्रपूर्वजः
That Pṛthu, son of Vena, elder among the Kṣatriyas, protected the worlds.
तस्य स्तवार्थमुत्पन्नौ निपुणौ सूतमागधौ
For his praise, the skilled Sūtas and Māgadhas were produced.
प्रजानां वृत्तिकामानां देवैश्चर्षिगणैः सह
For the livelihood of the people, along with the gods and groups of seers,
सर्पैः पुण्यजनैश्चैव पर्वतैर्वृक्षवीरुधैः
With serpents, virtuous beings, mountains, trees, and plants,
प्रादाद्यथेप्सि तं क्षीरं तेन प्राणानधारयन्
He gave them the milk as they desired, and by that they sustained their lives.
यथा महात्मना तेन पूर्वं दुग्धा वसुंधरा
Thus, by that great soul, the earth was first milked.
यक्षै राक्षसगन्धर्वैरप्सरोभिर्यथा पुरा
By Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, Gandharvas, and Apsarases, as in ancient times,
तेषां पात्रविशेषांश्च दोग्धारं क्षीरमेव च
Their particular vessels, the milkers, and the milk itself—
यथा क्षीरविशेषांश्च सर्वानेवानुपूर्वशः
Just as all the various forms of milk are, in due order,
कुद्धैर्महर्षिभिः पूर्वैः कारणं ब्रूहि तद्धि नः
analyzed by the ancient great sages—tell us, therefore, the cause of this.
एकाग्राः प्रयताश्चैव शुश्रूषध्वं द्विजोत्तमाः
Be single-minded and diligent, O best of twice-born, and listen attentively.
वर्त्तनीयमिदं ब्रह्म नाव्रताय कथञ्चन
This path, O Brahman, must never be told to one without vows.
रहस्यमृषिभिः प्रोक्तं शृणुयाद्यो ऽनसूयकः
This secret was spoken by the sages; let one without envy hear it.
ब्राह्मणेभ्यो नमस्कृत्य न स शोचेत्कृताकृतम्
Having bowed to the Brāhmaṇas, he does not grieve for what is done or undone.
अत्रिवंशसमुत्पन्नो ह्यङ्गो नाम प्रजापतिः
From the lineage of Atri was born a Prajāpati named Aṅga.
जातो मृत्युसुतायां वै सुनीथायां प्रजापतिः
The Prajāpati was born from Mṛtyu's daughter, Sunīthā.
स धर्मं वृष्ठतः कृत्वा कामाल्लोकेष्वर्तत
He, having performed righteousness to the utmost, then turned to desire among the worlds.
वेदशास्त्राण्यतिक्रम्य सो ऽधर्मे निरतो ऽभवत्
Transgressing the Vedas and scriptures, he became devoted to unrighteousness.
न पिबन्ति तदा सोमं महायज्ञेषु देवताः
Then, in the great sacrifices, the gods did not drink soma.
आसीत्प्रतिज्ञा क्रूरेयं विनाशे प्रत्युपस्थिते
There was a cruel vow when destruction was at hand.
मयि यज्ञा विधातव्या मयि होतव्यमित्यपि
'Sacrifices must be performed for me, offerings must be made to me'—so it was declared.
ऊचुर्महर्षयः सर्वे मरीचिप्रमुखास्तदा
Then all the great sages, led by Marīci, spoke thus:
त्वं मा कार्षीरधर्मं वै नैष धर्मः सनातनः
'Do not act unrighteously; this is not the eternal dharma.'
पालयिष्ये प्रजाश्चेति पूर्वं ते समयः कृतः
'I will protect the people'—such was your promise before.
वेनः प्रहस्य दुर्बुद्धिर्विदितेन च कोविदः
Vena, of wicked mind, laughed and, though knowledgeable, spoke knowingly.
वीर्यण तपसा सत्यैर्मया वा कः समो भुवि
'By my power, austerity, and truth, who on earth is equal to me?'