Having thus spoken, the assembly of sages, deeply offended by King Vena’s earlier blasphemy against the divine order, struck him down with blades of kuśa grass purified by sacred mantras. In the aftermath, a great disturbance arose: dust clouds swirled everywhere, catching the attention of the people nearby. Approaching the sages, the people anxiously inquired, “What is the cause of this commotion?” The people explained that, in the absence of a king, lawlessness had taken hold of the land. Thieves, emboldened by the lack of authority, had begun to seize the property of others, and robbery spread unchecked throughout the realm. The sages saw a vast cloud of dust rising from the tumult of these plunderers, stirred up by the fierce impulses of those who now preyed upon their neighbors. Recognizing the need for a ruler, the wise sages, after careful deliberation, resolved to seek an heir from Vena’s own line, for the king had died without a son. With great effort, they churned the thigh of Vena’s lifeless body. From this churning, a man emerged—his form dark as a burnt pillar, bald-headed and very short in stature. Approaching the sages, he asked with intelligence, “What shall I do?” The sages replied, “Sit down,” and thus he became known as Niṣāda. From him sprang the Niṣādas, a people who came to dwell in the Vindhya mountains, marked by unrighteous deeds. Through this act, the accumulated sin of King Vena was expelled from his line, and the birth of the Niṣādas was seen as the destruction of his wickedness. Yet, the sages were not finished; next, they churned Vena’s right hand. From this churning arose Pṛthu, son of Vena, radiant and powerful, blazing with his own splendor like fire itself. As he emerged, a primordial bow named Ājagava descended from the heavens, along with divine arrows and armor. At Pṛthu’s birth, joy spread everywhere among all beings. Even Vena, his father, was redeemed by the birth of such a virtuous son and ascended from the hell named Puṇ to the heavens. The oceans and rivers themselves approached, bearing their waters and precious jewels for Pṛthu’s consecration. The revered Pitamaha, accompanied by the gods, the descendants of Angiras, and all beings—moving and unmoving—gathered together to anoint Vainya, the son of Vena, as king. When Pitamaha beheld the discus mark on Pṛthu’s right hand, he recognized him as a portion of Vishnu and was supremely satisfied. Indeed, the mark of Vishnu’s discus is found on the hands of all universal emperors, whose power remains unchallenged even by the gods. Thus, Pṛthu, son of Vena, endowed with great energy and valor, was duly consecrated as king, possessing vast royal dominion and upholding righteousness. Whereas his father had alienated the people, Pṛthu won them over with his virtue and care, and they called him “king” out of genuine affection. The world itself responded to his rule: the waters stood still for him as he approached the ocean, mountains parted before him, and not a single banner was broken in his campaigns. The earth, without being plowed, yielded abundant crops; cows gave all that was desired, and honey could be found in every vessel. At the auspicious ancestral sacrifice performed at his birth, a wise Suta was born on the day of the Sutyā. At that same great sacrifice, a learned Magadha also appeared. The eminent sages proclaimed both Suta and Magadha, instructing them: “Let this king, Pṛthu, son of Vena and full of valor, be praised. Your actions are fitting, and you are the proper recipients of praise.” With hands joined in reverence, Suta and Magadha addressed all the Brahmins, saying, “The deeds of this newly born king are not yet known to us. His qualities are yet unmanifest, and his fame is not established. Upon what should we base our praise, and what should we declare?” The sages replied, “This mighty universal emperor will perform noble deeds; let him be praised for the virtues he will possess.” Hearing this, King Pṛthu was deeply pleased and reflected, “One is praised for good qualities; therefore, virtues are truly praiseworthy to me. Whatever qualities these two will describe in their praise today, I too will strive to embody. If they mention anything that should be avoided, I will avoid it.” Thus resolved in his heart, the king awaited their words. Suta and Magadha, skilled in speech and melodious in voice, composed a hymn for Pṛthu, son of Vena, describing the virtues and deeds he would come to possess. “This king,” they sang, “speaks the truth, is generous, steadfast in his promises, modest, friendly, patient, courageous, and a punisher of the wicked. He knows righteousness, is grateful, compassionate, speaks kindly, honors the honorable, performs sacrifices, reveres Brahmins, and is esteemed by the virtuous.” The king, impartial toward friend and foe in matters of governance, listened attentively to the virtues spoken by Suta and Magadha, held them in his heart, and made them the guide of his actions. Thereafter, the ruler of the earth, protecting his subjects, performed many great sacrifices and gave abundant gifts. Yet, a crisis arose: the people, afflicted by hunger, came before the king. All the plants had perished in the time when there was no king, and famine threatened the people’s lives. Bowing before Pṛthu, they explained, “In the absence of a king, O best of kings, O earth, all the plants have been consumed, and thus all the people, O lord of the people, are perishing. You have been appointed by the Creator as the protector of the people, the giver of livelihood. Grant us, who are afflicted by hunger, the life-giving plants.” Moved by their suffering, Pṛthu took up his divine bow and arrows. Righteously enraged, he pursued the earth herself, determined to restore abundance. In fear, the earth assumed the form of a cow and fled, racing through all the worlds—even to the realm of Brahma—terrified of the king’s wrath.