Śrī Parāśara continued his narration to the sage Maitreya, describing the wondrous deeds of King Vainya’s son, Pṛthu. In those ancient days, Pṛthu, with the tip of his mighty bow and even with his foot, cast aside countless mountains. By his strength, he caused the mountains to grow, shaping the very face of the earth. Before this, O Maitreya, in the previous creation, there had been no division of land, no villages, and the earth’s surface was uneven and wild. There were no crops, no cattle to tend, no agriculture, and no trade routes—none of these existed until Pṛthu came. Wherever the earth was level, the people gathered to dwell, seeking ease in the flat lands. Yet even then, their food was scarce, consisting only of fruits and roots, and even these were hard to obtain when the herbs had perished. Seeing the plight of his people, Pṛthu appointed Manu, the lord Svāyambhuva, as the calf, and himself, the lord of the earth, as the milker. With his own hand, he milked the earth, drawing forth all manner of crops for the welfare of the people. From that food, O dear one, people have continued to live without ceasing, even to this day. Pṛthu thus became the giver of life, the father of the earth. Because of his deeds, the earth, which supports all, came to be known as ‘Pṛthivī’, after him. Then, O sage, the gods, sages, demons, Rākṣasas, mountains, Gandharvas, serpents, Yakṣas, ancestors, and trees—each took their own vessel and, with their own chosen calf and milker, drew from the earth their own kind of milk. In this way, the earth nourished, supported, and sustained all beings; she, sprung from the sole of Viṣṇu’s foot, became the source of all. Such was the power of Pṛthu, the heroic son of Vainya, the first king, born for the delight and welfare of his people. Whoever recounts the story of Pṛthu’s birth, no evil deed will ever bear fruit for them. Hearing this account of his birth and greatness brings relief from bad dreams and suffering. Radiant in form, blazing like fire, Pṛthu had entered the sky as the primordial Ajagava and from there took up the bow. He performed deeds fitting his station and, as the protector of the earth, ruled the world with righteousness. Yet, when he had to subdue the earth for the benefit of the people, the earth herself asked, “If you destroy me for the sake of your subjects, who will be their support when I am gone?” Thus, the earth’s welfare and the people’s sustenance were always foremost in Pṛthu’s mind. In this way, Pṛthu’s reign became a time of order and abundance, and the gods, sages, demons, Rākṣasas, mountains, Gandharvas, serpents, Yakṣas, ancestors, and trees each received their share from the earth’s bounty. From Pṛthu, two sons of great might and preservers of prosperity were born—Śikhaṇḍinī and Havirddhāna, the latter also called Antarddhāna. From Havirddhāna and Dhiṣaṇā, the daughter of Agni, six sons were born: Prācīnabarhis, Śukra, Gaya, Kṛṣṇa, Vraja, and Ajina. Among them, Prācīnabarhis, blessed and mighty, became renowned as the great lord of creatures, raising the fortunate children of Havirddhāna. Because of Prācīnabarhis, the sacred kuśa grass with tips facing east became famous upon the earth, and he himself became widely known for his might. This king married Savarṇā, the wise daughter of the ocean, and established his household on the distant shore of the great darkness. From Savarṇā, Prācīnabarhis had ten sons, all called Pracetases, who were accomplished archers and steadfast in righteousness. These ten brothers, practicing the same noble conduct, undertook great austerities for ten thousand years, dwelling in the waters of the ocean. Maitreya, curious, asked Parāśara for what purpose these great-souled Pracetases performed such penance in the ocean’s depths. Parāśara explained that the Pracetases were instructed by their father for the sake of increasing progeny, as appointed by the lord of creatures. Prācīnabarhis had been commanded by Brahmā himself that his sons should multiply the race. He conveyed this message to his sons, and they agreed. He told them, “For my satisfaction, diligently promote the growth of progeny, for such is the command of the lord of creatures, which must be honored.” The sons then asked, “Father, by what means can we increase progeny? Please instruct us fully.” Their father replied, “By worshiping Viṣṇu, the bestower of boons, one attains all desired results—never otherwise. For the increase of progeny, worship Hari, the lord of all beings. If you desire success, worship Govinda. For those who seek righteousness, wealth, pleasure, and liberation, the blessed, primeval, supreme person is to be worshiped. By worshiping him, as even the lord of creatures did at the world’s beginning, you will surely attain the increase of progeny.” Thus instructed, the ten Pracetases entered the ocean’s waters and performed austerities with concentrated minds. For ten thousand years, their hearts fixed upon Nārāyaṇa, the supreme refuge of all worlds, they remained absorbed in penance. There, with one-pointed devotion, they praised Hari, the Lord who bestows the wishes of those who offer him hymns. Maitreya then requested Parāśara to recount the auspicious hymn composed by the Pracetases as they stood in the ocean’s waters. Parāśara agreed and prepared to narrate how the Pracetases, absorbed in devotion, praised Govinda while immersed in the ocean, just as it had happened in times of old. And so, the story of Pṛthu and his descendants, and the devotion and austerities of the Pracetases, stands as a testament to the power of righteousness, devotion, and the blessings of the Lord, which sustain and nourish the world to this very day.