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Bhūmi-khaṇḍa · Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Unit 110 of 693Bhūmi-khaṇḍa · Chapter 28Bhūmi-khaṇḍa · Chapter 281 source entries

Bhūmi-khaṇḍa · Chapter 28

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ऋषय ऊचुः- विस्तरेण समाख्याहि जन्म तस्य महात्मनः । पृथोश्चैव महाभाग श्रोतुकामा वयं पुनः १। राज्ञा तेन यथा दुग्धा इयं धात्री महात्मना । पुनर्देवैश्च पितृभिर्मुनिभस्तत्त्ववेदिभिः २। यथा दैत्यैश्च नागैश्च यथा यक्षैर्यथा द्रुमैः । शैलैश्चैव पिशाचैश्च गंधर्वैः पुण्यकर्मभिः ३। ब्राह्मणैश्च तथा सिद्धै राक्षसैर्भीमविक्रमैः । पूर्वमेव यथा दुग्धा अन्यैश्च सुमहात्मभिः ४। तेषामेव हि सर्वेषां विशेषं पात्रधारणम् । क्षीरस्यापि विधिं ब्रूहि विशेषं च महामते ५। वेनस्यापि नृपस्यैव पाणिरेव महात्मनः । ऋषिभिर्मथितः पूर्वं स कस्मादिह कारणात् ६। क्रुद्धश्चैव महापुण्यैः सूतपुत्र वदस्व नः । विचित्रेयं कथा पुण्या सर्वपापप्रणाशिनी ७। श्रोतुकामा महाभाग तृप्तिर्नैव प्रजायते । सूत उवाच- वैन्यस्य हि पृथोश्चैव तस्य विस्तरमेव च ८। जन्मवीर्यं तथा क्षेत्रं पौरुषं द्विजसत्तमाः । प्रवक्ष्यामि यथा सर्वं चरित्रं तस्य धीमतः ९। शुश्रूषध्वं महाभागा मामेवं द्विजसत्तमाः । अभक्ताय न वक्तव्यमश्रद्धाय शठाय च १०। सुमूर्खाय सुमोहाय कुशिष्याय तथैव च । श्रद्धाहीनाय कूटाय सर्वनाशाय मा द्विजाः ११। अन्यथा पठते यो हि निरयं च प्रयाति हि । भवंतो भावसंयुक्ताः सत्यधर्मपरायणाः १२। भवतामग्रतः सर्वं चरित्रं पापनाशनम् । संप्रवक्ष्याम्यशेषेण शृणुध्वं द्विजसत्तमाः १३। स्वर्ग्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं धन्यं वेदैश्च संमितम् । रहस्यमृषिभिः प्रोक्तं प्रवक्ष्यामि द्विजोत्तमाः १४। यश्चैनं कीर्तयेन्नित्यं पृथोर्वैन्यस्य विस्तरम् । ब्राह्मणेभ्यो नमस्कृत्वा न स शोचेत्कृताकृतम् १५। सप्तजन्मार्जितं पापं श्रुतमात्रेण नश्यति । ब्राह्मणो वेदविद्वांश्च क्षत्रियो विजयी भवेत् १६। वैश्यो धनसमृद्धः स्याच्छूद्रः सुखमवाप्नुयात् । एवं फलं समाप्नोति पठनाच्छ्रवणादपि १७। पृथोर्जन्मचरित्रं च पवित्रं पापनाशनम् । धर्मगोप्ता महाप्राज्ञो वेदशास्त्रार्थकोविदः १८। अत्रिवंशसमुत्पन्नः पूर्वमत्रिसमः प्रभुः । स्रष्टा सर्वस्य धर्मस्य अंगो नाम प्रजापतिः १९। य आसीत्तस्य पुत्रो वै वेनो नाम प्रजापतिः । धर्ममेवं परित्यज्य सर्वदैव प्रवर्तते २०। मृत्योः कन्या महाभागा सुनीथा नाम नामतः । तां तु अंगो महाभागः सुनीथामुपयेमिवान् २१। तस्यामुत्पादयामास वेनं धर्मप्रणाशनम् । मातामहस्य दोषेण वेनः कालात्मजात्मजः २२। निजधर्मं परित्यज्य अधर्मनिरतोभवत् । कामाल्लोभान्महामोहात्पापमेव समाचरत् २३। वेदाचारमयं धर्मं परित्यज्य नराधिपः । अन्ववर्तत पापेन मदमत्सरमोहितः २४। वेदाध्यायं विना लोके प्रावर्तंत तदा जनाः । निःस्वाध्यायवषट्काराः प्रजास्तस्मिन्प्रजापतौ २५। प्रवृत्तं न पपुः सोमं हुतं यज्ञेषु देवताः । इत्युवाच स दुष्टात्मा ब्राह्मणान्प्रति नित्यशः २६। नाध्येतव्यं न होतव्यं न देयं दानमेव च । न यष्टव्यं न होतव्यमिति तस्य प्रजापतेः २७। आसीत्प्रतिज्ञा क्रूरेयं विनाशे प्रत्युपस्थिते । अहमिज्यश्च यष्टा च यज्ञश्चेति पुनः पुनः २८। मयि यज्ञा विधातव्या मयि होतव्यमित्यपि । इत्यब्रवीत्सदा वेनो ह्यहं विष्णुः सनातनः २९। अहं ब्रह्मा अहं रुद्रो मित्र इंद्रः सदागतिः । अहमेव प्रभोक्ता च हव्यं कव्यं न संशयः ३०। अथ ते मुनयः क्रुद्धा वेनं प्रति महाबलाः । ऊचुस्ते संगताः सर्वे राजानं पापचेतनम् ३१। ऋषय ऊचुः- राजा हि पृथिवीनाथः प्रजां पालयते सदा । धर्ममूर्तिः स राजेंद्र तस्माद्धर्मं हि रक्षयेत् ३२। वयं दीक्षां प्रवेक्ष्यामो यज्ञे द्वादशवार्षिकीम् । अधर्मं कुरु मा यागे नैष धर्मः सतां गतिः ३३। कुरु धर्मं महाराज सत्यं पुण्यं समाचर । प्रजाहं पालयिष्यामि इति ते समयः कृतः ३४। तांस्तथाब्रुवतः सर्वान्महर्षीनब्रवीत्तदा । वेनः प्रहस्य दुर्बुद्धिरिममर्थमनर्थकम् ३५। वेन उवाच- स्रष्टा धर्मस्य कश्चान्यः श्रोतव्यं कस्य वा मया । श्रुतवीर्यतपः सत्ये मया वा कः समो भुवि ३६। प्रभवं सर्वभूतानां धर्माणां च विशेषतः । संमूढा न विदुर्नूनं भवंतो मां विचेतसः ३७। इच्छन्दहेयं पृथिवीं प्लावयेयं जलैस्तथा । द्यां भुवं चैव रुंधेयं नात्र कार्या विचारणा ३८। यदा न शक्यते मोहादवलेपाच्च पार्थिव । अपनेतुं तदा वेनं ततः क्रुद्धा महर्षयः ३९। विस्फुरंतं तदा वेनं बलाद्गृह्य ततो रुषा । वेनस्य तस्य सव्योरुं ममंथुर्जातमन्यवः ४०। कृष्णांजनचयोपेतमतिह्रस्वं विलक्षणम् । दीर्घास्यं च विरूपाक्षं नीलकंचुकवर्चसम् ४१। लंबोदरं व्यूढकर्णमतिभीतं दुरोदरम् । ददृशुस्ते महात्मानो निषीदेत्यब्रुवंस्ततः ४२। तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा निषसाद भयातुरः । पर्वतेषु वनेष्वेव तस्य वंशः प्रतिष्ठितः ४३। निषादाश्च किराताश्च भिल्लानाहलकास्तथा । भ्रमराश्च पुलिंदाश्च ये चान्ये म्लेच्छजातयः ४४। पापाचारास्तु ते सर्वे तस्मादंगात्प्रजज्ञिरे । अथ ते ऋषयः सर्वे प्रसन्नमनसस्ततः ४५। गतकल्मषमेवं तं जातं वेनं नृपोत्तमम् । ममंथुर्दक्षिणं पाणिं तस्यैव च महात्मनः ४६। मथिते तस्य पाणौ तु संजातं स्वेदमेव हि । पुनर्ममंथुस्ते विप्रा दक्षिणं पाणिमेव च ४७। सुकरात्पुरुषो जज्ञे द्वादशादित्यसन्निभः । तप्तकांचनवर्णांगो दिव्यमाल्यांबरावृतः ४८। दिव्याभरणशोभांगो दिव्यगंधानुलेपनः । मुकुटेनार्कवर्णेन कुंडलाभ्यां विराजते ४९। महाकायो महाबाहू रूपेणाप्रतिमो भुवि । खड्गबाणधरो धन्वी कवची च महाप्रभुः ५०। सर्वलक्षणसंपन्नः सर्वालंकारभूषणः । तेजसा रूपभावेन सुवर्णैश्च महामतिः ५१। दिवि इंद्रो यथा भाति भुवि वेनात्मजस्तथा । तस्मिञ्जाते महाभागे देवाश्च ऋषयोमलाः ५२। उत्सवं चक्रिरे सर्वे वेनस्य तनयं प्रति । दीप्यमानः स्ववपुषा साक्षादग्निरिवोज्ज्वलः ५३। आद्यमाजगवं नाम धनुर्गृह्य महावरम् । शरान्दिव्यांश्च रक्षार्थे कवचं च महाप्रभम् ५४। जाते सति महाभागे पृथौ वीरे महात्मनि । संप्रह्रष्टानि भूतानि समस्तानि द्विजोत्तम ५५। सर्वतीर्थानि तोयानि पुण्यानि विविधानि च । तस्याभिषेके विप्रेंद्राः सर्व एव प्रतस्थिरे ५६। पितामहाद्या देवास्तु भूतानि विविधानि च । स्थावराणि चराण्येव अभ्यषिंचन्नराधिपम् ५७। महावीरं प्रजापालं पृथुमेव द्विजोत्तम । पृथुर्वैन्यो राजराज्ये अभिगम्य चराचरैः ५८। देवैर्विप्रैस्तथा सर्वैरभिषिक्तो महामनाः । राज्ञां समधिराज्ये वै पृथुर्वैन्यः प्रतापवान् ५९। तस्य पित्रा प्रजाः सर्वाः कदा नैवानुरंजिताः । तेनानुरंजिताः सर्वा मुमुदिरे सुखेन वै ६०। अनुरागात्तस्य वीरस्य नाम राजेत्यजायत । प्रयातस्य सुवीरस्य समुद्रस्य द्विजोत्तम ६१। आपस्तस्तंभिरे सर्वा भयात्तस्य महात्मनः । दुर्गं मार्गं विलोप्यैव सुमार्गं पर्वता ददुः ६२। ध्वजभंगं न चक्रुस्ते गिरयः सर्व एव ते । अकृष्टपच्या पृथिवी सर्वत्र कामधेनवः ६३। पर्जन्यः कामवर्षी च वेदयज्ञान्महोत्सवान् । कुर्वंति ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे क्षत्रियाश्च तथा परे ६४। सर्वकामफला वृक्षास्तस्मिञ्छासति पार्थिवे । न दुर्भिक्षं न च व्याधिर्नाकालमरणं नृणाम् ६५। सर्वे सुखेन जीवंति लोका धर्मपरायणाः । तस्मिञ्छासति दुर्धर्षे राजराजे महात्मनि ६६। एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु यज्ञे पैतामहे शुभे । सूत सूत्यां समुत्पन्नः सौम्येहनि महात्मनि ६७। तस्मिन्नेव महायज्ञे जज्ञे प्राज्ञोऽथ मागधः । पृथोःस्तवार्थं तौ तत्र समाहूतौ महर्षिभिः ६८। सूतस्य लक्षणं वक्ष्ये महापुण्यं द्विजोत्तमाः । शिखासूत्रेण संयुक्तो वेदाध्ययनतत्परः ६९। सर्वशास्त्रार्थवेत्तासावग्निहोत्रमुपासते । दानाध्ययनसंपन्नो ब्रह्माचारपरायणः ७०। देवानां ब्राह्मणानां च पूजनाभिरतः सदा । याचकस्तावकैः पुण्यैर्वेदमंत्रैर्यजेत्किल ७१। ब्रह्माचारपरो नित्यं संबंधं ब्राह्मणैः सह । एवं स मागधो जज्ञे वेदाध्ययनवर्जितः ७२। बंदिनश्चारणाः सर्वे ब्रह्माचारविवर्जिताः । ज्ञेयास्ते च महाभागाः स्तावकाः प्रभवंति ते ७३। स्तवनार्थमुभौ सृष्टौ निपुणौ सूतमागधौ । तावूचुर्ऋषयः सर्वे स्तूयतामेष पार्थिवः ७४। कर्मैतदनुरूपं च यादृशोयं नराधिपः । तावूचतुस्तदा सर्वांस्तानृषीन्बंदिमागधौ ७५। आवां देवानृषींश्चैव प्रीणयावः स्वकर्मभिः । न चास्य विद्वो वै कर्म न तथा लक्षणं यशः ७६। कर्मणा येन कुर्यावः स्तोत्रमस्य महात्मनः । जानीवस्तन्न विप्रेंद्रा अविज्ञातगुणस्य हि ७७। भविष्यैस्तैर्गुणैः पुण्यैः स्तोतव्योयं नरोत्तमः । कृतवान्यानि कर्माणि पृथुरेव महायशाः ७८। ऊचुस्ते मुनयः सर्वे गुणान्दिव्यान्महात्मनः । सत्यवाञ्ज्ञानसंपन्नो बुद्धिमान्ख्यातविक्रमः ७९। सदा शूरो गुणग्राही पुण्यवांस्त्यागवान्गुणी । धार्मिकः सत्यवादी च यज्ञानां याजकोत्तमः ८०। प्रियवाक्सत्यवादी च धान्यवान्धनवान्गुणी । गुणज्ञः सगुणग्राही धर्मज्ञः सत्यवत्सलः ८१। सर्वगः सर्ववेत्ता च ब्रह्मण्यो वेदवित्सुधीः । प्रज्ञावान्सुस्वरश्चैव वेदवेदांगपारगः ८२। धाता गोप्ता प्रजानां स विजयी समरांगणे । राजसूयादिकानां तु यज्ञानां राजसत्तमः ८३। आहर्ता भूतले चैकः सर्वधर्मसमन्वितः । एते गुणा अस्य चांगे भविष्यंति महात्मनः ८४। ऋषिभिस्तौ नियुक्तौ तु कुर्वाणौ सूतमागधौ । गुणैश्चैव भविष्यैश्च स्तोत्रं तस्य महात्मनः ८५। तदा प्रभृति वै लोकास्तवैस्तुष्टा महामते । पुरतश्च भविष्यंति दातारः स्तावनैर्गुणैः ८६। ततः प्रभृति लोकेस्मिन्स्तवेषु द्विजसत्तमाः । आशीर्वादाः प्रयुज्यंते तेषां द्रविणमुत्तमम् ८७। सूताय मागधायैव बंदिने च महोदयम् । चारणाय ततः प्रादात्तैलंगं देशमुत्तमम् ८८। पृथुः प्रसादाद्धर्मात्मा हैहयं देशमेव च । रेवातीरे पुरं कृत्वा स्वनाम्ना नृपनंदनः ८९। ब्राह्मणेभ्यो द्विजश्रेष्ठ यजन्दाता पृथुः पुरा । सर्वज्ञं सर्वदातारं धर्मवीर्यं नरोत्तमम् ९०। तं ददृशुः प्रजाः सर्वा मुनयश्च तपोमलाः । ऊचुः परस्परं पुण्या एष राजा महामतिः ९१। देवादीनां वृत्तिदाता अस्माकं च विशेषतः । प्रजानां पालकश्चैव वृत्तिदो हि भविष्यति ९२। इयं धात्री महाप्राज्ञा उप्तं बीजं पुरा किल । जीवनार्थं प्रजाभिस्तु ग्रासयित्वा स्थिराभवत् ९३। ततः पृथुं द्विजश्रेष्ठ प्रजाः समभिदुद्रुवुः । विधत्स्वेति सुवृत्तिं नो मुनीनां वचनं तदा ९४। ग्रासयित्वा तदान्नानि पृथ्वी जाता सुनिश्चला । भयं प्रजानां सुमहत्स दृष्ट्वा राजसत्तमः ९५। महर्षिवचनात्सोपि प्रगृह्य सशरं धनुः । अभ्यधावत वेगेन पृथ्वीं क्रुद्धो नराधिपः ९६। कौंजरं रूपमास्थाय भयात्तस्य तु मेदिनी । वनेषु दुर्गदेशेषु गुप्ता भूत्वा चचार सा ९७। न पश्यति महाप्राज्ञः कुरूपं द्विजसत्तमाः । आचचक्षुर्महाप्राज्ञं कुंजरं रूपमास्थिता ९८। ततः कुंजररूपांतामभिदुद्राव पार्थिवः । ताड्यमाना च सा तेन निशितैर्मार्गणैस्ततः ९९। हरिरूपं समास्थाय पलायनपराभवत् । हरेरूपं समास्थाय अभिदुद्राव पार्थिवः १००। सोतिक्रुद्धो महाप्राज्ञो रोषारुणसुलोचनः । सुबाणैर्निशितैस्तीक्ष्णैराजघान स मेदिनीम् १०१। आकुलव्याकुला जाता बाणाघातहता तदा । माहिषं रूपमास्थाय पलायनपराभवत् १०२। अभ्यधावत वेगेन बाणपाणिर्धनुर्धरः । सा गौर्भूत्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठा स्वर्गमेव गता ध्रुवम् १०३। ब्रह्मणः शरणं प्राप्ता विष्णोश्चैव महात्मनः । रुद्रादीनां च देवानां त्राणस्थानं न विंदति १०४। अलभंती भृशं त्राणं वैन्यमेवान्वविंदत । तस्य पार्श्वं पुनः प्राप्ता बाणघातसमाकुला १०५। बद्धांजलिपुटाभूत्वा तं पृथुं वाक्यमब्रवीत् । त्राहित्राहीति राजेंद्र सा राजानमभाषत १०६। अहं धात्री महाभाग सर्वाधारा वसुंधरा । निहतायां मयि नृप निहतं लोकसप्तकम् १०७। कृतांजलिपुटा भूत्वा पूज्या लोकैस्त्रिभिः सदा । उवाच चैनं राजानमवध्या स्त्री सदा नृप १०८। स्त्रीणां वधे महत्पापं दृष्टमस्ति द्विजोत्तमैः । गवां वधे महत्पापं दृष्टमस्ति द्विजोत्तमैः १०९। मया विना महाराज कथं धारयसे प्रजाः । अहं यदास्थिरा राजंस्तदा लोकाश्चराचराः ११०। स्थिरत्वं यांति ते सर्वे स्थिरीभूता यदा ह्यहम् । मां विना तु इमे लोका विनश्येयुश्चराचराः १११। ततः प्रजा विनश्येयुर्मम नाशे समागते । कथं धारयिता चासि प्रजा राजन्मया विना ११२। मयि लोकाः स्थिरा राजन्मयेदं धार्यते जगत् । मद्विनाशे विनश्येयुः प्रजाः सर्वा न संशयः ११३। न मामर्हसि वै हंतुं श्रेयश्चेत्त्वं चिकीर्षसि । प्रजानां पृथिवीपाल शृणु देव वचो मम ११४। उपायैश्च महाभाग सुसिद्धिं यांत्युपक्रमाः । समालोक्य ह्युपायं त्वं प्रजा येन धरिष्यति ११५। मां हत्वा त्वं महाराज धारणे पालने सदा । पोषणे च महाप्राज्ञ मद्विना हि कथं नृप ११६। धरिष्यसि प्रजां चेमां कोपं यच्छ त्वमात्मनः । अन्नमयी भविष्यामि धरिष्यामि प्रजामिमाम् ११७। अहं नारी अवध्या च प्रायश्चित्ती भविष्यसि । अवध्यां तु स्त्रियं प्राहुस्तिर्यग्योनिगतामपि ११८। विचार्यैवं महाराज न धर्मं त्यक्तुमर्हसि । एवं नानाविधैर्वाक्यैरुक्तो धात्र्या नराधिपः ११९। कोपमेनं महाराज त्यज दारुणमेव हि । प्रसन्ने त्वयि राजेंद्र तदा स्वस्था भवाम्यहम् १२०। एवमुक्तस्तया राजा पृथुर्वैन्यः प्रजापतिः । तामुवाच महाभागां धरित्रीं द्विजसत्तमाः १२१।

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ- vistareṇa samākhyāhi janma tasya mahātmanaḥ | pṛthoścaiva mahābhāga śrotukāmā vayaṃ punaḥ 1| rājñā tena yathā dugdhā iyaṃ dhātrī mahātmanā | punardevaiśca pitṛbhirmunibhastattvavedibhiḥ 2| yathā daityaiśca nāgaiśca yathā yakṣairyathā drumaiḥ | śailaiścaiva piśācaiśca gaṃdharvaiḥ puṇyakarmabhiḥ 3| brāhmaṇaiśca tathā siddhai rākṣasairbhīmavikramaiḥ | pūrvameva yathā dugdhā anyaiśca sumahātmabhiḥ 4| teṣāmeva hi sarveṣāṃ viśeṣaṃ pātradhāraṇam | kṣīrasyāpi vidhiṃ brūhi viśeṣaṃ ca mahāmate 5| venasyāpi nṛpasyaiva pāṇireva mahātmanaḥ | ṛṣibhirmathitaḥ pūrvaṃ sa kasmādiha kāraṇāt 6| kruddhaścaiva mahāpuṇyaiḥ sūtaputra vadasva naḥ | vicitreyaṃ kathā puṇyā sarvapāpapraṇāśinī 7| śrotukāmā mahābhāga tṛptirnaiva prajāyate | sūta uvāca- vainyasya hi pṛthoścaiva tasya vistarameva ca 8| janmavīryaṃ tathā kṣetraṃ pauruṣaṃ dvijasattamāḥ | pravakṣyāmi yathā sarvaṃ caritraṃ tasya dhīmataḥ 9| śuśrūṣadhvaṃ mahābhāgā māmevaṃ dvijasattamāḥ | abhaktāya na vaktavyamaśraddhāya śaṭhāya ca 10| sumūrkhāya sumohāya kuśiṣyāya tathaiva ca | śraddhāhīnāya kūṭāya sarvanāśāya mā dvijāḥ 11| anyathā paṭhate yo hi nirayaṃ ca prayāti hi | bhavaṃto bhāvasaṃyuktāḥ satyadharmaparāyaṇāḥ 12| bhavatāmagrataḥ sarvaṃ caritraṃ pāpanāśanam | saṃpravakṣyāmyaśeṣeṇa śṛṇudhvaṃ dvijasattamāḥ 13| svargyaṃ yaśasyamāyuṣyaṃ dhanyaṃ vedaiśca saṃmitam | rahasyamṛṣibhiḥ proktaṃ pravakṣyāmi dvijottamāḥ 14| yaścainaṃ kīrtayennityaṃ pṛthorvainyasya vistaram | brāhmaṇebhyo namaskṛtvā na sa śocetkṛtākṛtam 15| saptajanmārjitaṃ pāpaṃ śrutamātreṇa naśyati | brāhmaṇo vedavidvāṃśca kṣatriyo vijayī bhavet 16| vaiśyo dhanasamṛddhaḥ syācchūdraḥ sukhamavāpnuyāt | evaṃ phalaṃ samāpnoti paṭhanācchravaṇādapi 17| pṛthorjanmacaritraṃ ca pavitraṃ pāpanāśanam | dharmagoptā mahāprājño vedaśāstrārthakovidaḥ 18| atrivaṃśasamutpannaḥ pūrvamatrisamaḥ prabhuḥ | sraṣṭā sarvasya dharmasya aṃgo nāma prajāpatiḥ 19| ya āsīttasya putro vai veno nāma prajāpatiḥ | dharmamevaṃ parityajya sarvadaiva pravartate 20| mṛtyoḥ kanyā mahābhāgā sunīthā nāma nāmataḥ | tāṃ tu aṃgo mahābhāgaḥ sunīthāmupayemivān 21| tasyāmutpādayāmāsa venaṃ dharmapraṇāśanam | mātāmahasya doṣeṇa venaḥ kālātmajātmajaḥ 22| nijadharmaṃ parityajya adharmaniratobhavat | kāmāllobhānmahāmohātpāpameva samācarat 23| vedācāramayaṃ dharmaṃ parityajya narādhipaḥ | anvavartata pāpena madamatsaramohitaḥ 24| vedādhyāyaṃ vinā loke prāvartaṃta tadā janāḥ | niḥsvādhyāyavaṣaṭkārāḥ prajāstasminprajāpatau 25| pravṛttaṃ na papuḥ somaṃ hutaṃ yajñeṣu devatāḥ | ityuvāca sa duṣṭātmā brāhmaṇānprati nityaśaḥ 26| nādhyetavyaṃ na hotavyaṃ na deyaṃ dānameva ca | na yaṣṭavyaṃ na hotavyamiti tasya prajāpateḥ 27| āsītpratijñā krūreyaṃ vināśe pratyupasthite | ahamijyaśca yaṣṭā ca yajñaśceti punaḥ punaḥ 28| mayi yajñā vidhātavyā mayi hotavyamityapi | ityabravītsadā veno hyahaṃ viṣṇuḥ sanātanaḥ 29| ahaṃ brahmā ahaṃ rudro mitra iṃdraḥ sadāgatiḥ | ahameva prabhoktā ca havyaṃ kavyaṃ na saṃśayaḥ 30| atha te munayaḥ kruddhā venaṃ prati mahābalāḥ | ūcuste saṃgatāḥ sarve rājānaṃ pāpacetanam 31| ṛṣaya ūcuḥ- rājā hi pṛthivīnāthaḥ prajāṃ pālayate sadā | dharmamūrtiḥ sa rājeṃdra tasmāddharmaṃ hi rakṣayet 32| vayaṃ dīkṣāṃ pravekṣyāmo yajñe dvādaśavārṣikīm | adharmaṃ kuru mā yāge naiṣa dharmaḥ satāṃ gatiḥ 33| kuru dharmaṃ mahārāja satyaṃ puṇyaṃ samācara | prajāhaṃ pālayiṣyāmi iti te samayaḥ kṛtaḥ 34| tāṃstathābruvataḥ sarvānmaharṣīnabravīttadā | venaḥ prahasya durbuddhirimamarthamanarthakam 35| vena uvāca- sraṣṭā dharmasya kaścānyaḥ śrotavyaṃ kasya vā mayā | śrutavīryatapaḥ satye mayā vā kaḥ samo bhuvi 36| prabhavaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ dharmāṇāṃ ca viśeṣataḥ | saṃmūḍhā na vidurnūnaṃ bhavaṃto māṃ vicetasaḥ 37| icchandaheyaṃ pṛthivīṃ plāvayeyaṃ jalaistathā | dyāṃ bhuvaṃ caiva ruṃdheyaṃ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā 38| yadā na śakyate mohādavalepācca pārthiva | apanetuṃ tadā venaṃ tataḥ kruddhā maharṣayaḥ 39| visphuraṃtaṃ tadā venaṃ balādgṛhya tato ruṣā | venasya tasya savyoruṃ mamaṃthurjātamanyavaḥ 40| kṛṣṇāṃjanacayopetamatihrasvaṃ vilakṣaṇam | dīrghāsyaṃ ca virūpākṣaṃ nīlakaṃcukavarcasam 41| laṃbodaraṃ vyūḍhakarṇamatibhītaṃ durodaram | dadṛśuste mahātmāno niṣīdetyabruvaṃstataḥ 42| teṣāṃ tadvacanaṃ śrutvā niṣasāda bhayāturaḥ | parvateṣu vaneṣveva tasya vaṃśaḥ pratiṣṭhitaḥ 43| niṣādāśca kirātāśca bhillānāhalakāstathā | bhramarāśca puliṃdāśca ye cānye mlecchajātayaḥ 44| pāpācārāstu te sarve tasmādaṃgātprajajñire | atha te ṛṣayaḥ sarve prasannamanasastataḥ 45| gatakalmaṣamevaṃ taṃ jātaṃ venaṃ nṛpottamam | mamaṃthurdakṣiṇaṃ pāṇiṃ tasyaiva ca mahātmanaḥ 46| mathite tasya pāṇau tu saṃjātaṃ svedameva hi | punarmamaṃthuste viprā dakṣiṇaṃ pāṇimeva ca 47| sukarātpuruṣo jajñe dvādaśādityasannibhaḥ | taptakāṃcanavarṇāṃgo divyamālyāṃbarāvṛtaḥ 48| divyābharaṇaśobhāṃgo divyagaṃdhānulepanaḥ | mukuṭenārkavarṇena kuṃḍalābhyāṃ virājate 49| mahākāyo mahābāhū rūpeṇāpratimo bhuvi | khaḍgabāṇadharo dhanvī kavacī ca mahāprabhuḥ 50| sarvalakṣaṇasaṃpannaḥ sarvālaṃkārabhūṣaṇaḥ | tejasā rūpabhāvena suvarṇaiśca mahāmatiḥ 51| divi iṃdro yathā bhāti bhuvi venātmajastathā | tasmiñjāte mahābhāge devāśca ṛṣayomalāḥ 52| utsavaṃ cakrire sarve venasya tanayaṃ prati | dīpyamānaḥ svavapuṣā sākṣādagnirivojjvalaḥ 53| ādyamājagavaṃ nāma dhanurgṛhya mahāvaram | śarāndivyāṃśca rakṣārthe kavacaṃ ca mahāprabham 54| jāte sati mahābhāge pṛthau vīre mahātmani | saṃprahraṣṭāni bhūtāni samastāni dvijottama 55| sarvatīrthāni toyāni puṇyāni vividhāni ca | tasyābhiṣeke vipreṃdrāḥ sarva eva pratasthire 56| pitāmahādyā devāstu bhūtāni vividhāni ca | sthāvarāṇi carāṇyeva abhyaṣiṃcannarādhipam 57| mahāvīraṃ prajāpālaṃ pṛthumeva dvijottama | pṛthurvainyo rājarājye abhigamya carācaraiḥ 58| devairvipraistathā sarvairabhiṣikto mahāmanāḥ | rājñāṃ samadhirājye vai pṛthurvainyaḥ pratāpavān 59| tasya pitrā prajāḥ sarvāḥ kadā naivānuraṃjitāḥ | tenānuraṃjitāḥ sarvā mumudire sukhena vai 60| anurāgāttasya vīrasya nāma rājetyajāyata | prayātasya suvīrasya samudrasya dvijottama 61| āpastastaṃbhire sarvā bhayāttasya mahātmanaḥ | durgaṃ mārgaṃ vilopyaiva sumārgaṃ parvatā daduḥ 62| dhvajabhaṃgaṃ na cakruste girayaḥ sarva eva te | akṛṣṭapacyā pṛthivī sarvatra kāmadhenavaḥ 63| parjanyaḥ kāmavarṣī ca vedayajñānmahotsavān | kurvaṃti brāhmaṇāḥ sarve kṣatriyāśca tathā pare 64| sarvakāmaphalā vṛkṣāstasmiñchāsati pārthive | na durbhikṣaṃ na ca vyādhirnākālamaraṇaṃ nṛṇām 65| sarve sukhena jīvaṃti lokā dharmaparāyaṇāḥ | tasmiñchāsati durdharṣe rājarāje mahātmani 66| etasminneva kāle tu yajñe paitāmahe śubhe | sūta sūtyāṃ samutpannaḥ saumyehani mahātmani 67| tasminneva mahāyajñe jajñe prājño'tha māgadhaḥ | pṛthoḥstavārthaṃ tau tatra samāhūtau maharṣibhiḥ 68| sūtasya lakṣaṇaṃ vakṣye mahāpuṇyaṃ dvijottamāḥ | śikhāsūtreṇa saṃyukto vedādhyayanatatparaḥ 69| sarvaśāstrārthavettāsāvagnihotramupāsate | dānādhyayanasaṃpanno brahmācāraparāyaṇaḥ 70| devānāṃ brāhmaṇānāṃ ca pūjanābhirataḥ sadā | yācakastāvakaiḥ puṇyairvedamaṃtrairyajetkila 71| brahmācāraparo nityaṃ saṃbaṃdhaṃ brāhmaṇaiḥ saha | evaṃ sa māgadho jajñe vedādhyayanavarjitaḥ 72| baṃdinaścāraṇāḥ sarve brahmācāravivarjitāḥ | jñeyāste ca mahābhāgāḥ stāvakāḥ prabhavaṃti te 73| stavanārthamubhau sṛṣṭau nipuṇau sūtamāgadhau | tāvūcurṛṣayaḥ sarve stūyatāmeṣa pārthivaḥ 74| karmaitadanurūpaṃ ca yādṛśoyaṃ narādhipaḥ | tāvūcatustadā sarvāṃstānṛṣīnbaṃdimāgadhau 75| āvāṃ devānṛṣīṃścaiva prīṇayāvaḥ svakarmabhiḥ | na cāsya vidvo vai karma na tathā lakṣaṇaṃ yaśaḥ 76| karmaṇā yena kuryāvaḥ stotramasya mahātmanaḥ | jānīvastanna vipreṃdrā avijñātaguṇasya hi 77| bhaviṣyaistairguṇaiḥ puṇyaiḥ stotavyoyaṃ narottamaḥ | kṛtavānyāni karmāṇi pṛthureva mahāyaśāḥ 78| ūcuste munayaḥ sarve guṇāndivyānmahātmanaḥ | satyavāñjñānasaṃpanno buddhimānkhyātavikramaḥ 79| sadā śūro guṇagrāhī puṇyavāṃstyāgavānguṇī | dhārmikaḥ satyavādī ca yajñānāṃ yājakottamaḥ 80| priyavāksatyavādī ca dhānyavāndhanavānguṇī | guṇajñaḥ saguṇagrāhī dharmajñaḥ satyavatsalaḥ 81| sarvagaḥ sarvavettā ca brahmaṇyo vedavitsudhīḥ | prajñāvānsusvaraścaiva vedavedāṃgapāragaḥ 82| dhātā goptā prajānāṃ sa vijayī samarāṃgaṇe | rājasūyādikānāṃ tu yajñānāṃ rājasattamaḥ 83| āhartā bhūtale caikaḥ sarvadharmasamanvitaḥ | ete guṇā asya cāṃge bhaviṣyaṃti mahātmanaḥ 84| ṛṣibhistau niyuktau tu kurvāṇau sūtamāgadhau | guṇaiścaiva bhaviṣyaiśca stotraṃ tasya mahātmanaḥ 85| tadā prabhṛti vai lokāstavaistuṣṭā mahāmate | purataśca bhaviṣyaṃti dātāraḥ stāvanairguṇaiḥ 86| tataḥ prabhṛti lokesminstaveṣu dvijasattamāḥ | āśīrvādāḥ prayujyaṃte teṣāṃ draviṇamuttamam 87| sūtāya māgadhāyaiva baṃdine ca mahodayam | cāraṇāya tataḥ prādāttailaṃgaṃ deśamuttamam 88| pṛthuḥ prasādāddharmātmā haihayaṃ deśameva ca | revātīre puraṃ kṛtvā svanāmnā nṛpanaṃdanaḥ 89| brāhmaṇebhyo dvijaśreṣṭha yajandātā pṛthuḥ purā | sarvajñaṃ sarvadātāraṃ dharmavīryaṃ narottamam 90| taṃ dadṛśuḥ prajāḥ sarvā munayaśca tapomalāḥ | ūcuḥ parasparaṃ puṇyā eṣa rājā mahāmatiḥ 91| devādīnāṃ vṛttidātā asmākaṃ ca viśeṣataḥ | prajānāṃ pālakaścaiva vṛttido hi bhaviṣyati 92| iyaṃ dhātrī mahāprājñā uptaṃ bījaṃ purā kila | jīvanārthaṃ prajābhistu grāsayitvā sthirābhavat 93| tataḥ pṛthuṃ dvijaśreṣṭha prajāḥ samabhidudruvuḥ | vidhatsveti suvṛttiṃ no munīnāṃ vacanaṃ tadā 94| grāsayitvā tadānnāni pṛthvī jātā suniścalā | bhayaṃ prajānāṃ sumahatsa dṛṣṭvā rājasattamaḥ 95| maharṣivacanātsopi pragṛhya saśaraṃ dhanuḥ | abhyadhāvata vegena pṛthvīṃ kruddho narādhipaḥ 96| kauṃjaraṃ rūpamāsthāya bhayāttasya tu medinī | vaneṣu durgadeśeṣu guptā bhūtvā cacāra sā 97| na paśyati mahāprājñaḥ kurūpaṃ dvijasattamāḥ | ācacakṣurmahāprājñaṃ kuṃjaraṃ rūpamāsthitā 98| tataḥ kuṃjararūpāṃtāmabhidudrāva pārthivaḥ | tāḍyamānā ca sā tena niśitairmārgaṇaistataḥ 99| harirūpaṃ samāsthāya palāyanaparābhavat | harerūpaṃ samāsthāya abhidudrāva pārthivaḥ 100| sotikruddho mahāprājño roṣāruṇasulocanaḥ | subāṇairniśitaistīkṣṇairājaghāna sa medinīm 101| ākulavyākulā jātā bāṇāghātahatā tadā | māhiṣaṃ rūpamāsthāya palāyanaparābhavat 102| abhyadhāvata vegena bāṇapāṇirdhanurdharaḥ | sā gaurbhūtvā dvijaśreṣṭhā svargameva gatā dhruvam 103| brahmaṇaḥ śaraṇaṃ prāptā viṣṇoścaiva mahātmanaḥ | rudrādīnāṃ ca devānāṃ trāṇasthānaṃ na viṃdati 104| alabhaṃtī bhṛśaṃ trāṇaṃ vainyamevānvaviṃdata | tasya pārśvaṃ punaḥ prāptā bāṇaghātasamākulā 105| baddhāṃjalipuṭābhūtvā taṃ pṛthuṃ vākyamabravīt | trāhitrāhīti rājeṃdra sā rājānamabhāṣata 106| ahaṃ dhātrī mahābhāga sarvādhārā vasuṃdharā | nihatāyāṃ mayi nṛpa nihataṃ lokasaptakam 107| kṛtāṃjalipuṭā bhūtvā pūjyā lokaistribhiḥ sadā | uvāca cainaṃ rājānamavadhyā strī sadā nṛpa 108| strīṇāṃ vadhe mahatpāpaṃ dṛṣṭamasti dvijottamaiḥ | gavāṃ vadhe mahatpāpaṃ dṛṣṭamasti dvijottamaiḥ 109| mayā vinā mahārāja kathaṃ dhārayase prajāḥ | ahaṃ yadāsthirā rājaṃstadā lokāścarācarāḥ 110| sthiratvaṃ yāṃti te sarve sthirībhūtā yadā hyaham | māṃ vinā tu ime lokā vinaśyeyuścarācarāḥ 111| tataḥ prajā vinaśyeyurmama nāśe samāgate | kathaṃ dhārayitā cāsi prajā rājanmayā vinā 112| mayi lokāḥ sthirā rājanmayedaṃ dhāryate jagat | madvināśe vinaśyeyuḥ prajāḥ sarvā na saṃśayaḥ 113| na māmarhasi vai haṃtuṃ śreyaścettvaṃ cikīrṣasi | prajānāṃ pṛthivīpāla śṛṇu deva vaco mama 114| upāyaiśca mahābhāga susiddhiṃ yāṃtyupakramāḥ | samālokya hyupāyaṃ tvaṃ prajā yena dhariṣyati 115| māṃ hatvā tvaṃ mahārāja dhāraṇe pālane sadā | poṣaṇe ca mahāprājña madvinā hi kathaṃ nṛpa 116| dhariṣyasi prajāṃ cemāṃ kopaṃ yaccha tvamātmanaḥ | annamayī bhaviṣyāmi dhariṣyāmi prajāmimām 117| ahaṃ nārī avadhyā ca prāyaścittī bhaviṣyasi | avadhyāṃ tu striyaṃ prāhustiryagyonigatāmapi 118| vicāryaivaṃ mahārāja na dharmaṃ tyaktumarhasi | evaṃ nānāvidhairvākyairukto dhātryā narādhipaḥ 119| kopamenaṃ mahārāja tyaja dāruṇameva hi | prasanne tvayi rājeṃdra tadā svasthā bhavāmyaham 120| evamuktastayā rājā pṛthurvainyaḥ prajāpatiḥ | tāmuvāca mahābhāgāṃ dharitrīṃ dvijasattamāḥ 121|

English translation

The sages said :

1-7. O noble one, (please) tell us in detail (about) the birth of that magnanimous Pṛthu . We desire to hear it. (Tell us) how that noble king formerly milked this cow (i.e. the earth); how gods, manes, sages knowing the truth, demons, serpents, Yakṣas , trees and mountains, goblins and Gandharvas , brāhmaṇas doing auspicious acts, and how other magnanimous ones (did so). O you highly intelligent one, tell us especially how they held the pot of milk and the manner in which she was milked. O Sūta ’s son, tell us why formerly the very meritorious and angry sages churned the hand even of that noble king Vena . This is a strange account which destroys all sins. We are desirous of hearing it; O noble one, (it is so interesting that) we are not at all content with (i.e. even though we hear) it.

Sūta said :

8-10a. O best brāhmaṇas, I shall tell you in detail about king Pṛthu’s—Vena’s son’s—birth, power, his wife, also about the entire life of the intelligent (king). O noble and best brāhmaṇas, desire to hear it (i.e. listen to it).

10b-11. This account should not be narrated to one who is not a devotee, to one who is faithless, to a cheat, to a great fool, to one who is greatly deluded, to a bad disciple, to one who is void of faith, to one who is untruthful; do not narrate it to one who destroys everything.

12-13. He who recites it in a different way, goes to hell. You are full of devotion, and are intent upon behaving truthfully. In front of you (i.e. to you) I shall fully narrate the whole account that removes sins. O best brāhmaṇas, (please) listen.

14-17. O excellent brāhmaṇas, I shall tell you the secret, which leads (one) to heaven, to fame, which causes longevity, which is excellent, which is accepted by the Vedas and which is told by the sages. He, who, after saluting the brāhmaṇas, always narrates in detail this (account) of Pṛthu, the son of Vena, would never lament over what he has done and not done. The sin earned by him during seven births, perishes by just hearing it. A brāhmaṇa would know (the meaning of) the Vedas, a kṣatriya would be victorious, a vaiśya would be prosperous with wealth, and a śūdra would get happiness. One thus gets the fruit by reciting or listening to it.

18-26a. The biography of Pṛthu is pure and it removes sins. Formerly there was a Prajāpati , Aṅga by name, born in Atri ’s family and a lord resembling Atri. He preserved piety, was very intelligent and well-versed in the meaning of the Vedas and (other) branches of knowledge. His son was Vena, a lord of beings. Abandoning righteousness, he always proceeded (in all his acts). Mṛtyu had a highly virtuous daughter by name Sunīthā . The noble Aṅga married that Sunīthā. On her he begot Vena, the destroyer of righteousness. Due to the blemishes of his maternal grandfather, Vena the son of the daughter of Kāla , gave up his own way of righteousness and became fondly attached to wickedness. Due to (sexual) desire, greed and infatuation he practised sin only. The lord of men gave up the virtuous practices as told in the Vedas, and being deluded by pride and jealousy, behaved sinfully. People at that time lived without Vedic studies. When he was the lord of the subjects, they were without the Vedic studies and Vaṣaṭkāra (i.e. they did not study the Vedas and did not offer oblations). Deities did not drink Soma that proceeded and was offered at sacrifices.

26b-30. The wicked one always said to the brāhmaṇas: “You should not study (the Vedas); you should not make offering into the fire. You should not give gifts; you should not perform sacrifices and should not make offerings into fire.” When destruction was imminent, this was the declaration of that king. Again and again (he told): “Sacrifices are to be offered to me. I am the sacrificer as well as the sacrifice.” (He) also (told them:) “Sacrifices should be offered to me; offerings should be made to me.” Thus Vena always spoke. (He also said:) “I am the eternal Viṣṇu . I am Brahmā , I am Rudra , I am Indra . I am the wind. I am the enjoyer. I am the oblations offered to the deities and manes. There is no doubt about this.”

31. Then all the very powerful sages, who got angry, got together and said to the king of a wicked mind:

The sages said :

32. The king is surely the lord of the earth (and) he always protects the subjects. The emperor is the image of righteousness, therefore he should protect it.

33. We are entering upon an initiation for a twelve-year sacrifice. Do not play a mischief with the sacrifice. Righteousness is the way of the good.

34. O great king, practise righteousness; practise truthfulness and merit. You have made an agreement that you would protect the subjects.

35. Vena, of a wicked mind, laughed and said this nonsensical thing to the sages, who were speaking like that:

Vena said :

36. Who else (but me) is the creator of Dharma (i.e. religious practices)? Whom else should I listen to? Who, on the earth, is like me in (point of) learning, power, penance or truth?

37. I am the source of all beings and especially of religious practices. You, who are confounded and ignorant do not know me.

38. If I desire, I would burn the earth or would inundate it with water. I would block up the heaven and the earth. There should be no discussion about this matter.

39-45a. O king, when they could not dissuade Vena from his infatuation and pride, the angry great sages, forcibly seized him with rage, and churned the left thigh of his, who was trembling with anger. The magnanimous ones saw (there a being) that was possessed of (= like) a heap of black collyrium, that was very short and strange, that had a long face and deformed eyes, that was bright due to an armour, that had a protruded belly and broad ears, that was very much frightened and that was a gamester. They then said to him, “sit down”. Hearing those words of theirs, he, being distressed with fear, sat down. His race was settled in mountains and forests. (They are) the Niṣādas , the Kirātas , the Bhillas , the Nāhalakas, the Bhramaras , the Pulindas and those that belong to the other Mleccha species. From that part (i.e. left thigh) all those sinful ones were produced.

45b-52a. Then all the sages, with their minds pleased, (found) Vena, the best king, to be without a blemish. They churned the right hand of that magnanimous one only. When his hand was (thus) churned, sweat was produced. The sages again churned the right hand only. From that excellent hand a man was produced. He resembled twelve suns; the complexion of his body was like heated gold; he was covered with (i.e. he had put on) divine flowers; his body was shining due to divine ornaments; he had besmeared divine sandal on his body. He shone with a crown resembling the sun in colour (i.e. brilliance) and with a pair of ear-rings. His body was huge, his arms were large, he was matchless in form; the great lord had held a sword and arrows, a bow and had put on an armour. The highly intelligent one was endowed with all (auspicious) marks, and was decorated with all ornaments, and with a lustrous form and had a good complexion. The son of Vena was (i.e. shone) on the earth as Indra in heaven.

52b-53. When that magnanimous one was born, gods and spotless sages celebrated a festival to (i.e. in honour of) the son of Vena. With his body he was evidently bright like fire.

54-55. When, holding the first Ājagava bow (i.e. Śiva ’s bow) which was excellent, and divine arrows and a very bright armour for protection, the magnanimous and noble hero Pṛthu, was born, all the beings were happy, O best brāhmaṇa.

56-59. To consecrate him (with their water), all the best brāhmaṇas proceeded to all sacred places and various auspicious (places of) water. O best brāhmaṇa, gods led by the grandsire (i.e. Brahmā), various beings, the immobile and the mobile consecrated that king, the great hero, the protector of the subjects, viz. Pṛthu. That son of Vena, noble and brave, being approached by the mobile and the immobile, by all gods and brāhmaṇas, was consecrated by them as the emperor of (all) kings.

60-63. His father had never pleased his subjects; (but) pleased by him, they were very happy. The term Rājan (i.e. king) came about (i.e. was coined) because of the hero’s pleasing (his subjects). Due to the fear of that magnanimous one, the entire water of the ocean stood still when the great hero approached the ocean. Cutting off difficult passage, the mountains offered easy passage. All those mountains never insulted his flag. Crops grew in unploughed land, and everywhere cows gave milk as desired (by those who milked them).

64. Rain (-fall) was as (much as) desired. All brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and others performed Vedic sacrifices and celebrated great festivals.

65. When that king was ruling, all trees borefruits as desired, there was no famine, no disease and no untimely death of men.

66. When that un-assailable, noble king of kings was ruling, all people, intent on following religious practices, lived happily.

67. At this time only, (i.e. from) the auspicious sacrifice of the grandsire, on a grand, pleasing day, Sūta was born of Sūti .

68. In (i.e. from) the same sacrifice the wise Māgadha was also born. By the great sages the two were invited there for praising Pṛthu.

69. O best brāhmaṇas, I shall narrate the characteristics of Sūta: He is endowed with a lock of hair on the crown of his head and a sacred thread; he is devoted to Vedic studies.

70-73. He knows the meaning of all the sacred books; he maintains the sacred fire; he is endowed with (i.e. he gives) gifts and study; he is intent upon Brāhmaṇic practices. He is always engaged in worshipping gods and brāhmaṇas. He is a sacrificer and would perform sacrifices to the accompaniment of Vedic hymns. He was always intent upon Brāhmaṇic practices and always had friendship with brāhmaṇas. Māgadha was born like this (but was) without studies. All those bandins and cāraṇas should be known to be (i.e. were) magnanimous and were without Brāhmaṇic practices, and predominated as bards.

74-78a. Both the skilful Sūta and Māgadha were created for eulogising; all the sages said to them: “Praise this king; and also the deeds worthy of him, and (narrate) also how the king is.” The Bandin (i.e. the Sūta) and Māgadha said to all the sages: “We two shall please all the gods and sages with our deeds; but we do not know his deeds, and also his characteristics and his glory. O best brāhmaṇas, we do not know that deed of this magnanimous (king) with which (i.e. taking which into consideration) we would praise him. This best king, whose merits are not known (to us), would be praised with (i.e. with reference to) his future auspicious qualities.”

78b-86. All the sages told (them) the deeds which that very glorious Pṛthu performed, (and also) all the divine virtues of that magnanimous one. (The sages said:) “He (will be) truthful, endowed with knowledge, intelligent and of well-known valour; he (will) always (be) brave, (will) appreciate merits, (will be) meritorious, truth-speaking, and the best performer of sacrifices. He (will) speak pleasing words, (will) speak the truth, (will) have grains and wealth, (will) know and appreciate (others’) merits, (will) know what is right, and (will) love truth, (will) be omnipresent, omniscient, friendly to brāhmaṇas, knower of the Vedas, and very intelligent. He (will) be wise, (will) have a sweet voice, and (will) master the Vedas and the Vedāṅgas . He will support and protect (his) subjects; he (will) be victorious on the battle-field. The best king will perform sacrifices like the Rājasūya , and is the only one on the earth who is endowed with all virtuous practices. The magnanimous one will possess these qualities.” The two, viz. Sūta and Māgadha, were appointed by the sages to sing the praises of that magnanimous one with (reference to) the future qualities (i.e. qualities he will possess). O highly intelligent one, since then people are delighted with eulogies, and hereafter also the donors will be pleased with excellent praises.

87-93. Since then, O best brāhmaṇas, blessings are employed (i.e. included) in eulogies; and they (who sing praises) get excellent (i.e. abundant) wealth. The noble Pṛthu, out of graciousness, gave Sūta, Māgadha and Bandin, the prosperous and excellent country, viz. Tailaṅga, and also the Haihaya country. Having established a city named after himself on the bank of the Revā , he, performing sacrifices, formerly gave (gifts) to brāhmaṇas, O best brāhmaṇa. All the subjects, and also the sages of pure penance saw the best man, who was omniscient, gave all gifts, and whose strength lay in piousness. The meritorious ones said to one another: “He will give livelihood to gods and especially to us. He will protect the subjects and maintain them.” O you very wise ones, it is said that formerly this earth became stable after the seed sown (in it) was eaten by the created beings for living.

94-98. Then the subjects ran to Pṛthu. Having heard (i.e. he heard) the words of the sages, ‘Give us a good livelihood’. The Earth, having consumed all (kinds of) food, became very stable. The best king, seeing the very great fear of the subjects, and also by the word of the great sages, took his bow with an arrow, and the angry king speedily ran to the Earth. The Earth, through his fear, took up the form of an elephant, and concealing herself, moved through forests and inaccessible places. The very wise one did (i.e. could) not see (her in) the form of an elephant.

99-101. Then the king ran after her in the form of an elephant. Being struck by him with sharp arrows, she, taking up a lion’s form, became wholly occupied in running. The king, observing that (Earth in a) lion’s form, ran towards (i.e. after) her. That very wise one, who was extremely angry, and whose charming eyes were red due to anger, struck the Earth with whetted and sharp excellent arrows.

102. Struck with the arrows, she (i.e. the Earth) was afflicted and alarmed. Taking up the form of a buffalo she became intent on fleeing.

103-120. The archer (i.e. Pṛthu), with an arrow in his hand, ran fast (after her). O you best brāhmaṇas, she became (i.e. turned herself into) a cow and verily went to heaven. She sought the shelter of Brahmā and of the noble Viṣṇu also. She did (i.e. could) not secure the refuge of gods like Rudra. Not getting a great (i.e. good) protection, she regarded Vena’s son only (as her refuge). Afflicted with (the injury caused by) the stroke of the arrow, she came to his side (i.e. to him). With her hands joined in humble entreaty, she spoke (these) words to Pṛthu. She said to the king: “O king of kings, protect me, protect me. O magnanimous one, I am mother Earth, the support of all. O king, when I am killed, (all) the seven worlds are destroyed. I am always to be worshipped by the three worlds, with the palms of their hands joined in obeisance.” She also said to the king: “O king, a woman is always exempt from death (i.e. is never to be killed). The best brāhmaṇas have considered killing a woman to be a great sin. The best brāhmaṇas have also considered killing a cow to be a great sin. O great king how will you support the subjects without me? O king, when I am stable, then (only) the mobile and immobile worlds become stable. These mobile and immobile worlds will perish without me. When I perish, the beings will perish. O king, how will you support your subjects without me? The people are steady on me, the world is supported by me. There is no doubt that when I perish all the beings will perish. If you desire bliss, then (please) do not destroy me. O lord of beings, O king, listen to my words. Undertakings become highly successful through efforts, O noble one. Properly consider that effort by which you will support (your) subjects. O you very wise great king, by destroying me, i.e. without me, how will you always support, maintain, nourish and hold in your possession these subjects? Control your anger. I shall be full of food and will support these subjects. As a woman I am not to be killed; (if you kill me) you will have to atone (for having killed me). They say that a female, even of the lower species, is not to be killed. Considering in this way, you should not give up your proper conduct.” Thus the earth spoke many words to the king: “O great king, give up this terrible wrath. O king of kings, if you are pleased then (only) I shall be happy.”

121. Thus addressed by her, king Pṛthu, the lord of subjects and the son of Vena, said (these words) to the noble Earth, O best brāhmanas:

Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 31962, revision 362539 (2022-11-30T23:49:24Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc364235.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.