Having established the order of righteousness in the world, the great ones attain the supreme state. Now, let me recount the future era of Sāvarṇi Manu. In that coming age, the sages remembered are Aśvatthāman, Śaradvān, Kauśika, Gālava, Śatānanda, Kāśyapa, and Rāma. The sons of the future Manu, Arka Sāvarṇi, are declared to be Dhṛti, Varīyān, Yavasu, Suvarṇa, another Dhṛti, Variṣṇuvīrya, Sumati, Vasu, and the mighty Śukra. Along with them, others such as Raucyā and the rest are also named as Manus. Ruci, the lord of creatures, will have a son named Raucyā, and Manu, the son of Bhūti, will be known as Bhautyā. Then, Merusāvarṇi, born of Brahmā himself, is remembered as a Manu, as are Ṛbhu, Ṛtudhāmā, and Viṣvaksena. Thus, both past and future Manus have been described, and through their reigns, a thousand great ages are encompassed. In each of these vast intervals, all that exists—both moving and unmoving—is created anew. Yet, at the end of a kalpa, when dissolution arrives, all beings are released along with Brahmā. At the close of these thousands of ages, Brahmā and the others perish again and again, and then, O king, they attain union with Viṣṇu. At this point, Bhīṣma inquired, “It is said that in ancient times, many kings ruled and enjoyed the earth. Now that those kings have passed, to whom does the earth belong? And why is the earth known by the names ‘Bhūmi’ and ‘Gaurī’? Please tell me the reason for these names.” Pulastya replied, “In the earliest age, there was a lord of creatures named Aṅga. He married the daughter of Death, who was exceedingly ill-favored. From their union was born a son named Vena, a powerful ruler of the earth, but devoted to unrighteousness and desire. He committed many evil deeds and even abducted the wives of others. For the sake of peace and the welfare of the world, the great sages tried to counsel him, but even when entreated, that king did not grant safety or justice. Afflicted by fear and seeing no other way, the sinless Brahmins killed him with a curse. Then, the Brahmins, pure of heart, forcibly churned Vena’s body. From this churning, the races of Mlecchas were born. From the mother’s portion in the body, beings with a complexion like black collyrium arose; but from the union with the father’s portion, a righteous one, a true doer of dharma, was born. From the right hand appeared a son, armed with bow, arrow, and mace, radiant with divine splendor, adorned in jeweled armor and bracelets. He became known as Prithu, a manifestation of Viṣṇu himself. Consecrated by the Brahmins, Prithu performed severe and difficult austerities. By the boon of Viṣṇu, he attained sovereignty over all. Observing the earth devoid of sacred recitation, offerings, and dharma, Prithu—of immeasurable valor—became angry and prepared to pierce the earth with his arrow. Fearing him, the earth took the form of a cow and attempted to flee. Prithu, with bow and arrow, pursued her. At last, standing in one place, the earth turned and asked, ‘What should I do?’ Prithu replied, ‘O virtuous one, quickly yield what is needed for all the world, for both the immovable and the moving.’ The earth agreed, saying, ‘So be it.’ Thereupon, the king milked her, using Svayambhuva Manu as the calf, held in his own hand. The milk thus obtained became the food by which people live. Then, the sages milked her, with Soma as the calf. Brihaspati acted as the milker, the vessel was the Veda, and the essence obtained was austerity. The gods too milked the earth, with Marut as the milker, Indra as the calf, and the milk was strength, full of vigor. The vessel for the gods was gold, and for the ancestors, it was silver. Antaka became the milker for the ancestors, with Yama as the calf, and the essence was svadha, the sacred offering. For the Nagas, the vessel was a hole in the earth, and Takshaka was the calf. Then, poison became the milk, and Dhritarashtra was the milker. The Asuras also milked the earth, using an iron vessel to produce the torment of enemies. For them, Maya was the vessel, Prahlada and Virocana the calves, and Trimurti the milker, who drew forth magical powers. The Yakshas milked the earth desiring hidden treasures, with Vishvavasu as the calf and a jewel as the vessel. The Pretas and Rakshasas milked fat and fierce blood, with Sumali as the milker, a silver vessel, and a fitting calf. The Gandharvas and Apsaras milked fragrances upon lotus leaves, making Citraratha the calf. Dogdha, known as Surucir and master of the Atharva Veda, milked the earth with the mountains as the calf, obtaining various gems. Meru, the great mountain, milked the earth for divine herbs, with Himavat as the calf and a vessel of stone. The trees milked the earth for sap, with palāśa leaves as the vessel and the sāla tree, abundant with flowers, as the milker. Plakṣa became the calf for the trees, lord of all forests. Thus, the earth was milked by others as they wished, each according to their nature and desire. When Prithu ruled the kingdom, there was long life, wealth, and happiness. There was no poverty or disease, no one was destitute or sinful. Under his governance, calamities and injuries were unknown; people were always joyful, free from sorrow and suffering. With his mighty bow, Prithu drove away the mountain lords and made the earth’s surface level, desiring the welfare of all the worlds.