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?'
प्रभवं सर्वलोकानां धर्माणां च विशेषतः
The origin of all worlds, and especially of their laws of righteousness.
सृजेयं वा ग्रसेयं वा नात्र कार्या विचारणा
Whether I create or destroy, there is no need for deliberation here.
अनुनेतुं तदा वेनस्ततः क्रुद्धा महर्षयः
Then, to restrain Vena, the great sages became angry.
ततो ऽस्य वामहस्तं ते ममन्थुर्भृशकोपिताः
Thereupon, greatly enraged, they churned his left hand.
ह्रस्वो ऽतिमात्रं पुरुषः कृष्णश्चापि बभूव ह
A man emerged, exceedingly short and dark in color.
तमार्त्तं विह्वलं दृष्ट्वा निषीदेत्यब्रुवन्किल
Seeing him distressed and bewildered, they said, 'Sit down.'
धीवरानसृजच्चापि वेनकल्मषसंभवान्
And from Vena's impurity, he produced fishermen.
अधर्मरुचयश्चापि विद्धि तान्वेनकल्मषान्
Know that those born of Vena's impurity are inclined toward unrighteousness.
अरणीमिव संरब्धा ममन्थुर्जातमन्यवः
Like churning fire-sticks, they churned with fierce anger.
पृथोः करतलाद्वापि यस्माज्जातः पृषुस्ततः
Because he was born from Prithu's palm, he was called Prithu.
आद्यमाजगवं नाम धनुर्गृह्य महारवम्
He took up the primordial bow named Ajagava, which resounded greatly.
तस्मिञ्जा ते ऽथ भूतानि संप्रहृष्टानि सर्वशः
Then all beings rejoiced at his birth.
समुत्पन्नेन राजर्षिः सत्पुत्रेण महात्मना
A royal sage arose, endowed with a noble son.
तं नद्यश्च समुद्राश्च रत्नान्यादाय सर्वशः
Rivers and oceans brought him all kinds of jewels.
पितामहश्च भगवानङ्गिरोभिः सहामरैः
The blessed Pitamaha, together with Angiras and the gods,
समागम्य तदा वैन्यमभ्य षिञ्चन्नराधिपम्
Having assembled, they anointed the descendant of Vena as king.
सो ऽभिषिक्तो महाराजो देवैरङ्गिरसः सुतैः
Thus, the great king was consecrated by the sons of Angiras among the gods.
पित्रापरञ्जितास्तस्य प्रजास्तेनानुरञ्जिताः
His subjects, previously estranged from their father, were won over by him.
आपस्तस्तंभिरे तस्य समुद्रमभियास्यतः
The waters restrained him as he approached the ocean.
अकृष्टपच्या पृथिवी सिद्ध्यन्त्यन्नानि चिन्तया
The earth yields crops without plowing; food is produced by mere thought.