Stories of the Brahma Purana Part-II

In the lineage of Dhruva, King Anga was known for his righteousness, but his son Vena inherited evil qualities from his maternal grandfather, Mrityu. Vena abandoned Vedic religion, halted rituals, and declared himself the sole deity to be worshiped. Sage Marichi and others tried to counsel him, but he remained arrogant, claiming unmatched superiority.

The sages, realizing Vena's incorrigibility, physically confronted him, kneading his thigh. From this emerged a grotesque dwarf known as Nishada. The Nishadas became hunters and fishermen, residing in the Vindhya mountains, with uncivilized descendants like the Tusharas and Tunduras.

Continuing to knead Vena, a radiant figure named Prithu emerged from his right arm, wielding a bow and clad in splendid armor. Vena perished at this moment.

Rivers, oceans, gods, sages, and other beings gathered to anoint Prithu as the Earth's king. Brahma crowned him, and other lords were appointed for various realms. Soma ruled over numerous aspects, Varuna over oceans, Kubera over kings, Vishnu over adityas, and more.

To the East, Sudhanva; to the South, Shankhapada; to the West, Ketumana; and to the North, Hiranyaroma were appointed as overlords (dikapalas) for the four directions.

King Prithu's reign brought prosperity to the Earth. Food was abundant, cows yielded ample milk, and the populace was content. The sages performed a sacrifice in his honor, and from it emerged two races, the Sutas and Magadhas, designated to sing praises of Prithu's future accomplishments.

However, the Sutas and Magadhas questioned what praises they could sing for the young Prithu who hadn't yet achieved great deeds. The sages assured them that Prithu would perform remarkable acts in the future.

The Sutas and Magadhas then began composing songs and praises for Prithu, which spread throughout the Earth. Some subjects approached Prithu, expressing their difficulties in making a living. Prithu, determined to ensure his subjects' well-being, took up his bow and arrow to compel the Earth to yield food.

The Earth transformed into a cow and tried to escape, but Prithu pursued her relentlessly. Eventually, the Earth pleaded for mercy, reminding Prithu of her feminine nature and suggesting an alternative solution.

Listening to the Earth's plea, Prithu spared her life and instead leveled the Earth with his bow, creating plains suitable for villages, cities, agriculture, and animal husbandry. He also gathered mountains into select places. Prithu then "milked" the Earth, symbolically represented as a cow, to obtain the seeds of food grains. This transformation of the Earth earned her the name "prithivi."

In this captivating narrative, Prithu's wise and benevolent rule not only saved the Earth but also established the foundation for human civilization and agriculture.