Shreemad Bhagavat Mahapuran- Canto: 4, Chapters: 14 to 18
Anga's wife, Sunitha, gave birth to the cruel Vena. Disturbed by Vena's wickedness, King Anga left the city. The sages, led by Bhrigu, noticed that in Anga's absence, there was no one to protect the Earth. People were becoming unruly like animals. With Sunitha's consent, and despite the ministers' objections, the sages made Vena the king.
Vena was a harsh ruler. When thieves and bandits heard that he had ascended the throne, they hid away immediately, like mice frightened by a snake. The rishis and munis, concerned about the disorder under his rule, tried to guide him. They explained the importance of adhering to Dharma, saying that following Dharma brings peace and happiness to both the king and his subjects.
However, consumed by arrogance, Vena considered all the deities inferior to himself and declared that he was the embodiment of all gods. He commanded the Brahmins and his subjects to worship only him. This greatly angered the rishis and munis. Vena's intellect had become perverted, and he strayed onto the path of sin and unrighteousness. Even the humble pleas of the sages had no effect on him. When Vena insulted the sages, considering himself superior, they grew furious and said, "Kill this wicked man! If he remains alive, he will destroy the world. He blasphemes against Shree Hari and is unworthy of the throne." Vena, having already become spiritually dead due to his blasphemy against Bhagwan, was brought to his end by the mere roar of the sages.
The Churning of Vena's Body and the Emergence of King Prithu
After Vena's death, his mother, Sunitha, used mantras and other methods to preserve his body. Meanwhile, the sages gathered by the banks of the Saraswati River, engaging in discussions about Hari. They observed that in the absence of a king, thieves and bandits were running rampant, spreading chaos and lawlessness. The sages decided that the lineage of Anga, which had produced many great kings, should not perish.
To revive the lineage, they churned Vena's thigh, from which emerged a dark-skinned dwarf with small limbs and a large jaw. The sages instructed him to "sit" (nishedh), which is why he was called "Nishad." This being absorbed all of Vena's sins, and his descendants later lived in forests and mountains, engaging in acts of violence and plunder.
The sages then churned Vena's arms, and from them emerged Maharaj Prithu, an incarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu, and Queen Archi, an incarnation of Lakshmi. The sages coronated Prithu, and the devatas bestowed gifts upon him.
After the coronation, the bards, genealogists (Suta and Magadha), and court singers came to praise him. However, Prithu humbly remarked that he had not yet performed any deeds worthy of praise. He requested that they sing his glory only after he had accomplished virtuous and beneficial acts for his people. He emphasised that glorifying the attributes of Bhagwan Shree Hari was the highest form of praise, and superficial flattery was unwarranted.
Shree Maitreya tells Vidurji that after the bards extolled Prithu's qualities and deeds, he honoured them with gifts and blessings, satisfying them. Vidurji then inquired why the Earth assumed the form of a cow, who became the calf and the milk vessel, and how Prithvi was levelled. He also asked why Indra stole the sacrificial horse and what knowledge Prithu received from Sanatkumarji that led him to liberation.
Shree Maitreya said, "Vidurji, after Maharaj Prithu's coronation, the Brahmins declared him the protector of the people. At that time, the Earth had become barren, and there was no grain. Due to hunger, the people’s bodies had withered, and they suffered greatly. Tormented by starvation, they approached Maharaj Prithu for help. Hearing their cries of despair, the king pondered deeply and discovered the root cause of the problem.
Realising that the Earth had hidden grains and medicinal plants within herself, Prithu, in his wisdom, took up his bow in anger and aimed an arrow at her. Seeing him armed, the Earth trembled with fear and assumed the form of a cow to escape. Terrified, she fled like a doe chased by a hunter, but Prithu relentlessly pursued her with his weapon drawn. Whether she ran to the directions, heavens, Earth, or the skies, Prithu was always close behind. Just as no one can escape death, no being in the three worlds could shield her from Prithu's wrath.
Finally, trembling with fear and distress, the Earth turned back and pleaded with Maharaj Prithu, saying, ‘O King, I am innocent and helpless. Why do you wish to kill me? You are wise and compassionate—how can you kill a woman? Even ordinary creatures do not harm females. I am like a sturdy boat that supports all life. If you destroy me, how will you and your subjects survive?’
Prithu replied firmly, ‘You defy my command by withholding grains and not fulfilling your duty to nourish the living beings. Despite taking part in yajnas (sacrifices), you do not yield the food and resources required. By hiding the seeds created by Brahma, you have betrayed your responsibility. It is my duty to punish you for this neglect. A king is not at fault for punishing those who only care for themselves and show cruelty toward others. Your arrogance in disguising yourself as a cow will not save you. To protect my people, I will cut you into pieces with my arrows.’
Hearing this, the Earth humbly responded, ‘You are the Supreme Person, the creator of this universe, and its sustainer through your inconceivable Maya. I am but a servant of your devotees and bow to the yajnas and sadhana performed in your honour. Though I am a mere creation, your actions and intentions remain beyond my comprehension. I take refuge in you, for there is no other protector but you. You are the Lord of all beings, and I offer my salutations repeatedly.’
Shree Maitreya continued, ‘Vidurji, Maharaj Prithu’s lips quivered with rage, but the Earth’s heartfelt prayers calmed him. Trembling, she said, “O King, I beg you to listen to my plea with patience. Wise men, like bees, extract the essence of knowledge from everywhere. The ancient sages have laid out paths like agriculture and yajnas for the welfare of humanity. Those who follow these methods reap their benefits, while those who deviate fail.
‘Previously, the grains produced by Brahma were consumed by those who disregarded discipline and dharma. Seeing this, I hid the remaining grains within myself to preserve them, but over time, they have deteriorated. You may recover them through the old methods. If you wish to nourish all beings, make provisions for milking me with a calf and a vessel for milk. I will then provide all necessary resources. Furthermore, you must level me so that rainwater is retained, ensuring fertility and prosperity for all. This will be greatly auspicious for you and your people.’"
King Prithu's Milking of the Earth
King Prithu accepted the loving and beneficial words spoken by Earth and, making Swayambhuva Manu the calf, personally milked all the grains (food) from her. Otherwise, beings also obtained their desired objects from Earth, following Prithu’s example:
- The sages: Made Brihaspati the calf and milked the Vedas in the vessel of senses.
- The gods: Made Indra the calf and milked nectar, vitality, and strength.
- The daityas and danavas: Made Prahlad the calf and milked intoxicants and fermented drinks.
- The gandharvas and apsaras: Made Vishvavasu the calf and milked music and beauty.
- The ancestors (Pitrs): Made Aryama the calf and milked offerings (Kavya) into an earthen vessel with devotion.
- The siddhas and vidyadharas: Made Kapil Deva the calf and milked mystical powers and knowledge into the vessel of the sky.
- The mayavis and kimpurushas: Made Mayadanava the calf and milked magical abilities.
- The yakshas, rakshasas, and ghosts: Made Rudra the calf and milked blood.
- The venomous creatures: Made Takshaka the calf and milked poison.
- The animals and birds: Made Rudra’s bull and Garuda the calves and milked grass, meat, and fruits.
- The trees and mountains: Made the banyan tree and the Himalayas the calves and milked sap and minerals.
Earth, being the giver of all desired objects, was under Prithu's control. Thus, everyone made the leaders of their respective groups the calves and milked their desired objects from her. King Prithu was so pleased with Earth that he accepted her as his daughter and loved her as a father would.
Prithu levelled the mountains to flatten the land and constructed dwellings for his subjects. He established villages, towns, cities, forts, and settlements so that people could live in an organised manner. Before King Prithu, there was no division of land into villages or cities; people simply settled wherever they pleased without any system.
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 2.12.2024
