Pulastya, the sage, was asked about the reasons behind the names given to the earth—why she is called Bhūmi and also Gaurī. Pulastya began his narration, recounting the events of the earliest age. In those primordial times, there lived a lord of creatures named Aṅga. He married the daughter of Death, who was exceedingly ill-favored. Their union produced a son named Vena, who became a powerful ruler of the earth. However, Vena was devoted to unrighteousness and driven by desire. He committed many wicked deeds, even abducting the wives of others. For the sake of appeasing him and ensuring the welfare of the world, the great sages intervened. Despite their entreaties, Vena would not grant safety to his subjects. Afflicted by the king’s tyranny and fearing for the world, the pure-hearted Brahmins killed him with a curse. Then, the sinless Brahmins 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. By union with the father’s portion, a righteous one, a doer of dharma, was born. From Vena’s right hand emerged a son, armed with bow, arrow, and mace, radiant with divine splendor and adorned with jeweled armor and bracelets. He was known as Prithu, and his birth was regarded as an incarnation of Vishnu. Consecrated by the Brahmins, Prithu undertook a most difficult austerity. By the boon of Vishnu, Prithu attained sovereignty over all. Observing the earth devoid of recitation and oblation, bereft of dharma, Prithu’s immeasurable valor was stirred, and he grew angry, preparing to pierce the earth with his arrow. Sensing danger, the earth took the form of a cow and sought to flee. Prithu, with bow and arrows in hand, pursued her. When she finally stood still, she asked, “What should I do?” Prithu replied, “O virtuous one, quickly give what is desired for all the world—both the immovable and the moving.” The earth consented, saying, “So be it,” and Prithu milked her, making Svayambhuva Manu the calf in his own hand. The milk thus obtained became the food by which people live. Then, the sages approached and milked her, with Soma as the calf. Brihaspati was the milker, the vessel was the Veda, and the essence drawn 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. Their vessel was gold, while the ancestors used silver. Antaka became the milker for the ancestors, Yama the calf, and the essence was svadha. For the Nagas, the vessel was a hole, Takshaka was the calf, and poison became their milk, with Dhritarashtra as the milker. The Asuras milked the earth with an iron vessel, producing the torment of enemies; Maya was their vessel, Prahlada and Virocana the calves, and Trimurti the milker, yielding magic. The Yakshas milked the earth desiring hidden treasures, making Vishvavasu the calf and a jewel as the vessel. Pretas and Rakshasas milked fat and fierce blood, with Sumali as the milker, a silver vessel, and a calf as well. Gandharvas and Apsaras milked fragrances on lotus leaves, with Citraratha as the calf. Dogdha, renowned as Surucir and master of the Atharva Veda, milked the earth with 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 made of stone. The trees also milked the earth for sap, using palāśa leaves as the vessel, with the sāla tree, abundant with flowers, as the milker. Plakṣa became the calf thereafter, lord of all forests and trees. Thus, the earth was milked by others as they wished. When Prithu ruled the kingdom, there was long life, wealth, and happiness—no poverty, no disease, no one destitute or sinful. Calamities and injuries disappeared, and 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 worlds. In his reign, there were no cities, villages, or fortresses, nor men bearing weapons—there was no suffering, nor respect for the science of wealth. People were devoted solely to righteousness. The vessels and the milk have been described as asked, and gifts were given according to the preferences of each. All the splendors of sacrifice have been offered. Because the earth became the daughter of Prithu, and by following his guidance, she is renowned among the learned as Pṛthivī. At this point, Bhīṣma inquired about the entire lineage of the Adityas, and also the Soma dynasty. Pulastya replied: In former times, Vivasvān was born from Kaśyapa and Aditi. He had three wives: Saṃjñā, Rājñī, and Prabhā. Rājñī, daughter of Raivata, gave birth to Revata; Prabhā gave birth to Prabhāta; and Saṃjñā gave birth to Tvaṣṭṛ and Manu. Yama and Yamunā were born, as well as the twins Yamala. Unable to bear the intense radiance of Vivasvān, they assumed other forms. Vivasvān then produced a flawless woman from his own body, with a form like his own, named Chāyā, radiant in beauty. Standing before her, he spoke, “Chāyā, serve my husband, O beautiful one.