Prithu, a king of immeasurable valor, grew angry and prepared to pierce the earth with his arrow. Sensing his wrath, the earth took the form of a cow and tried to flee. But Prithu, armed with his bow and arrows, pursued her relentlessly. Finally, the earth stopped and, standing before him, asked, “What should I do?” Prithu addressed her: “O virtuous one, quickly give what is desired for all the world—both the immovable and the moving.” The earth agreed, saying, “So be it.” Prithu then milked her, making Svayambhuva Manu the calf, and held the milk in his own hand. This milk became the food by which people lived. The sages, too, milked the earth, with Soma as their calf. Brihaspati acted as their milker, the vessel was the Veda, and the essence they drew forth was austerity. The gods milked the earth as well, with Marut as their milker and Indra as the calf; their milk was strength, full of vigor, collected in a golden vessel. The ancestors received their share in a silver vessel, with Antaka as the milker, Yama as the calf, and the essence being svadha. For the Nagas, the vessel was a hole, with Takshaka as the calf. The milk they obtained was poison, milked by Dhritarashtra. The Asuras used an iron vessel, and what they received was the torment of enemies. Their vessel was Maya, Prahlada and Virocana were the calves, and Trimurti acted as the milker, producing magic. The Yakshas, desiring hidden treasures, milked the earth, making Vishvavasu the calf and using a jewel as their vessel. The hosts of Pretas and Rakshasas milked fat and fierce blood, with Sumali as the milker and a silver vessel, and the calf as well. The Gandharvas and Apsaras gathered fragrances upon lotus leaves, making Citraratha the calf. Dogdha, renowned 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 made of stone. The trees milked the earth for sap, using palāśa leaves as their vessel and the sāla tree, abundant with flowers, as the milker. Plakṣa became the calf for all forests and trees, and thus, others milked the earth according to their wishes. Under Prithu’s rule, the kingdom flourished: people enjoyed long life, wealth, and happiness. There was no poverty, no disease, and none were destitute or sinful. Calamities and injuries vanished, 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, seeking the welfare of all worlds. In those days, there were no cities, villages, or fortresses, nor did men bear weapons. Suffering was unknown, and even the science of wealth was not respected, for everyone was devoted solely to righteousness. The vessels and the milk by which all beings received their sustenance had been described as requested. Gifts were given according to each one’s preference, and all the splendors of sacrifice were offered. Because the earth became the daughter of Prithu and followed his guidance, she is renowned among the learned as Prithivi. Then Bhishma asked, “Tell me the entire lineage of the Adityas in order, and also the Soma dynasty, O knower of truth, as it should be told.” Pulastya replied: “In ancient times, Vivasvan was born from Kashyapa and Aditi. He had three wives: Samjna, Rajni, and Prabha. Rajni, daughter of Raivata, gave birth to Revata; Prabha gave birth to Prabhata; and Samjna bore Tvastr and Manu. Yama and Yamuna were born, as were the twins Yamala. Unable to bear the radiance of Vivasvan, they assumed other forms. Vivasvan then produced a woman from his own body, flawless and resembling himself, named Chaya, radiant in beauty. Standing before her, he said, ‘Chaya, serve my husband, O beautiful one. Protect my children with a mother’s affection.’ Chaya agreed and went to the god, desiring union. The god, believing her to be Samjna, desired her with respect. Chaya gave birth to Savarni Manu, who bore the form of Manu. Because of his similarity in class, he was called Savarni, the son of Vaivasvata Manu. In due order, she also bore the daughters Tapati and the daughter of Tvastr. In Chaya, the Sun begot a son named Samjneya, and Chaya showed greater affection for her own son than for Manu. Manu, the elder, could not tolerate this. Yama, overcome by anger, threatened her, raising his right foot. Chaya cursed him: ‘Let this foot of yours be afflicted with worms, and let it ooze with pus and blood.’ Yama, distressed by the curse, reported to his father: ‘O god, I have been cursed by my mother without cause, in anger. Because of my childishness, I only once raised my foot a little; even though Manu tried to restrain me, she gave me this curse, O lord. She is not truly our mother, for her affection is not equal to ours.’ The god replied to Yama, ‘What can I do, O wise one? Who does not experience suffering for the sake of happiness? Or, perhaps, it is the chain of actions; if even for beings like you suffering cannot be avoided, what of others?