स्तोत्रं येनास्य कुर्याव प्रोचुस्तेजस्विनो द्विजाः
By what hymn might we praise him? The radiant twice-born asked.
ज्ञानशीलो वदान्यश्च संग्रामेष्वपरजितः
He is wise, virtuous, generous in speech, and undefeated in battle.
यानि कर्माणि कृतवान् पृथुः पश्चान्महाबलः
The mighty Pṛthu performed these deeds afterwards.
ततस्तवान्ते सुप्रीतः पृथुः प्रादात्प्रजेश्वरः
Then, at the end, Pṛthu, the lord of subjects, gave with great satisfaction.
तदादि पृथिवीपालाः स्तूयन्ते सूतमागधैः
From that time, the rulers of the earth are praised by charioteers and Māgadhas.
तं दृष्ट्वा परमप्रीताः प्रजा ऊचुर्महर्षयः
Seeing him, the people and great sages spoke with utmost delight.
ततो वैन्यं महाभागं प्रजाः समभिदुद्रुवुः
Then, O illustrious one, the people rushed toward Vainya.
सो ऽभिद्रुतः प्रजाभिस्तु प्रजाहितचिकीर्षया
He, pursued by the people, sought to act for their welfare.
ततो वैन्यभयत्रस्ता गौर्भूत्वा प्राद्रवन्मही
Then, terrified by Vainya, the Earth assumed the form of a cow and fled.
सा लोकान्ब्रह्मलोकादीन्गत्वा वैन्यभयात्तदा
She, out of fear of Vainya, went to the worlds, including Brahma's realm.
ज्वलद्भिर्निशितैर्बाणैर्दीप्ततेजसमच्युतम्
With blazing, sharp arrows and radiant energy, he pursued her relentlessly.
अलबन्ती तु सा त्राणं वैन्यमेवान्वपद्यत
Unable to find protection, she finally approached Vainya himself.
उवाच वैनं नाधर्मः स्त्रीवधे परिपश्यति
She said to Vainya: 'There is no unrighteousness in striking a woman.'
मयि लोकाः स्थिता राजन्मयेदं धार्यते जगत्
'O king, the worlds are established in me; by me this universe is sustained.'
स मां नर्हसि वै हन्तुं श्रेयस्त्वं च चिकीर्षसि
'You ought not to kill me; you wish for what is best.'
उपायतः समारब्धा सर्वे सिद्ध्यन्त्युपक्रमाः
'When the proper means are undertaken, all endeavors succeed.'
अन्तर्भूता भविष्यामि जहि कोपं महाद्युते
'I will dwell within beings; abandon your anger, O mighty one.'
सत्त्वषु पृथिवीपाल धम न त्यक्तुमर्हसि
'O protector of the earth, uphold righteousness among creatures; you must not forsake it.'
क्रोधं निगृह्य धर्मात्मा वसुधामिदमब्रवीत्
Suppressing his anger, the righteous king spoke to the Earth.
एकं प्राणी बहून्वापि कर्म तस्यास्ति पातकम्
'Whether one or many living beings, the act of killing brings sin.'
तस्मिन्हते नास्ति शुभे पातकं चोपपातकम्
'If the one slain is not virtuous, there is neither sin nor secondary fault.'
यदि मे वचनं नाद्य करिष्यसि जगद्धितम्
'If today you do not carry out my words for the welfare of the world—'
आत्मानं प्रथयित्वेह प्रजा धारयिता स्वयम्
'Having established yourself here, you must yourself sustain the people.'
संजीवय प्रजा नित्यं शक्ता ह्यसि न संशयः
'Revive the people continually; you are indeed capable, there is no doubt.'
नियच्छेयं त्वद्वधार्थमुद्यन्तं घोरदर्शनम्
I would restrain that terrifying being who has arisen with the intent to kill you.
सर्वमेतदहं राजन्विधास्यामि न संशयः
All this, O King, I shall accomplish—there is no doubt.
यथा विस्पन्दमानं मे क्षीरं सर्वत्र भावयेत्
Just as milk, when stirred, spreads everywhere for me,
धनुष्कोट्या तथा वैन्यस्तेन शैला विवर्द्धिताः
so too, by the tip of Vena’s bow, the mountains were increased.
स्वभावेना भवत्तस्याः समानि विषमाणि च
By her own nature, she became for him both even and uneven.
प्रविभागः पुराणां वा ग्रामाणां वापि विद्यते
There is division, whether of ancient lands or of villages.