Once, in ancient times, there lived a woman whose son was named Vena. Vena was a powerful lord of the earth, but he was devoted to unrighteousness. Even in his worldly life, he became known as a doer of wrong, taking what belonged to others, including their wives. To restore righteousness in the world, the great sages intervened. Despite their entreaties, Vena refused to grant permission for the establishment of dharma. Therefore, the sages, through the power of a curse, ended his life. With the king gone, the land suffered, afflicted by the absence of leadership. The sinless Brahmins then took action: they forcibly churned Vena’s body. From this churning, the Mleccha races emerged. From the portion of the body belonging to Vena’s mother, those with a luster like black collyrium were born. From the father’s portion, a righteous one appeared—a follower of dharma. This being emerged from the right hand, holding a bow and arrow, bearing a mace, his body shining with divine splendor, adorned with armor and jewel-set bracelets. He was Pṛthu, born with great effort. After his birth, Pṛthu was consecrated by the Brahmins and undertook severe austerities. By the boon of Vishnu, Pṛthu regained lordship over all. When he saw the earth devoid of the sound of Vedic recitation and sacrifice, and lacking righteousness, his valor knew no bounds. In anger, he prepared to burn the earth with his arrow. The earth, sensing his wrath, took the form of a cow and tried to flee. Pṛthu, with his blazing bow, pursued her. Standing firm, he asked himself, “What should I do?” Then, he spoke to the earth: “O virtuous one, grant what is desired—quickly—for all the world, both immovable and moving.” The earth replied in kind, and Pṛthu milked her, making Svāyambhuva Manu the calf, and collected the milk in his own hand. This milk became pure food, by which all creatures live. Next, the sages milked her, using Soma as the calf. Bṛhaspati was the milker, the vessel was the Veda, and the essence was austerity. The gods also milked the earth, with Mitra as the milker. Indra became the calf, and the milk was strength-giving nectar for the gods, gathered in a golden vessel. For the ancestors, the vessel was silver; Antaka was the milker, Yama the calf, and the essence was svadhā. For the nāgas, the vessel was a gourd, and Takṣaka was the calf, yielding poison as the milk. Dhṛtarāṣṭra became the milker again. The asuras milked her too, using an iron vessel, causing distress to Indra. Their vessel was illusion, the calf was Virocana, son of Prahlāda, and Dvimūrdhā was the milker, producing illusion. The yakṣas, desiring disappearance, milked the earth with Vaiśravaṇa as the calf, and the vessel was raw. The hosts of pretas and rākṣasas milked the earth, yielding fierce blood; Sumālī was the milker, with a silver vessel, and the calf was the same. Gandharvas and apsarases milked her, making Citraratha the calf, and the essence was fragrance, collected on lotus leaves. Vararuci, master of the Nāṭyaveda, was the milker; the earth was milked by the mountains, yielding various gems. Meru, the great mountain, was the milker of divine herbs, with Himavat as the calf and a stone vessel. The trees milked the earth, yielding sap for cut shoots; the vessel was made of palāśa, and the milker was Śāla, full of flowering creepers. Plakṣa then became the calf; the lord of all trees was the milker. Thus, the earth was milked by others, each as desired. While Pṛthu ruled the kingdom, there was long life, wealth, and happiness. No one was poor, sick, or wicked. There was no fear of calamity; people were always joyful, free from suffering and sorrow. With the tip of his bow, Pṛthu leveled the earth, driving away the great mountains for the welfare of the people. At that time, there were no cities, villages, or fortresses, nor men bearing arms. There was no excessive suffering from decay, nor concern for the science of wealth. Under Pṛthu’s rule, people were inclined only toward righteousness, and all the vessels and milk described were given to them. Whatever their desire was, Pṛthu, the discerning one, granted it. In all sacrifices and ancestral offerings, everything was presented. Because Pṛthu accepted the earth as his daughter, and due to their mutual affection, the earth became renowned among the wise as Pṛthivī. Then, a sage addressed Sūta: “O Sūta, recount the entire lineage of the Sun, in order, and also the lineage of the Moon. You, who know the truth, should narrate it properly.” Vivasvān was born from Kaśyapa and Aditi. He had three wives: Saṃjñā, the queen, and Prabhā. The queen, daughter of Raivata, gave birth to a son named Revata. Prabhā bore Prabhāta, and Tvaṣṭrī Saṃjñā bore Manu. Yama and Yamunā were twins. Unable to endure the blazing form of Vivasvān, Tvaṣṭrī created an unblemished woman from her own body, resembling herself, a radiant one named Chāyā. Seeing Chāyā standing before her, Saṃjñā spoke: “O beautiful one, serve my husband as your own. Care for my children with a mother’s affection.” Then, that virtuous lady departed somewhere to the gods. The god, thinking Chāyā was Saṃjñā, desired her and, with affection, begot in her a son resembling Manu.