The Wickedness of Vena and the Birth of Prithu

Verse 1 (vishnu.1.13.1)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । ध्रुवाच् छिष्टिं च भव्यं च भव्याच् छंभुर् व्यजायत । शिष्टेर् आधत्त सुच्छाया पञ्च पुत्रान् अकल्मषान्

śrīparāśara uvāca dhruvāc chiṣṭiṁ ca bhavyaṁ ca bhavyāc chaṁbhur vyajāyata śiṣṭer ādhatta succhāyā pañca putrān akalmaṣān

Parashara said: From Dhruva were born Shishti and Bhavya; from Bhavya, Shambhu was born; Shishti's wife Suchhaya bore five sinless sons.

Verse 2 (vishnu.1.13.2)

रिपुं रिपुञ्जयं विप्रं वृकलं वृकतेजसम् । रिपोर् आधत्त बृहती चाक्षुषं सर्वतेजसम्

ripuṁ ripuñjayaṁ vipraṁ vṛkalaṁ vṛkatejasam ripor ādhatta bṛhatī cākṣuṣaṁ sarvatejasam

Ripu, Ripunjaya, Vipra, Vrikala, and Vrikatejas; Ripu's wife Brihati bore Chakshusha, of all splendor.

Verse 3 (vishnu.1.13.3)

अजीजनत् पुष्करिण्यां वारुण्यां चाक्षुषो मनुम् । प्रजापतेर् आत्मजायां वीरणस्य महात्मनः

ajījanat puṣkariṇyāṁ vāruṇyāṁ cākṣuṣo manum prajāpater ātmajāyāṁ vīraṇasya mahātmanaḥ

Chakshusha begot Manu upon Pushkarini, daughter of Varuna and daughter of the great-souled Prajapati Virana.

Verse 4 (vishnu.1.13.4)

मनोर् अजायन्त दश नड्वलायां महौजसः । कन्यायां तपतां श्रेष्ठ वैराजस्य प्रजापतेः

manor ajāyanta daśa naḍvalāyāṁ mahaujasaḥ kanyāyāṁ tapatāṁ śreṣṭha vairājasya prajāpateḥ

O foremost of ascetics, from that greatly mighty Manu, upon Nadvala, daughter of the Prajapati Vairaja, ten sons were born.

Verse 5 (vishnu.1.13.5)

कुरुः पुरुः शतद्युम्नस् तपस्वी सत्यवाञ् छुचिः । अग्निष्टुद् अतिरात्रश् च सुद्युम्नश् चेति ते नव । अभिमन्युश् च दशमो नड्वलायां महौजसः

kuruḥ puruḥ śatadyumnas tapasvī satyavāñ chuciḥ agniṣṭud atirātraś ca sudyumnaś ceti te nava abhimanyuś ca daśamo naḍvalāyāṁ mahaujasaḥ

Kuru, Puru, Shatadyumna, Tapasvin, Satyavan, Shuchi, Agnishtut, Atiratra, and Sudyumna — these nine, and Abhimanyu the tenth, born of the greatly mighty Nadvala.

Verse 6 (vishnu.1.13.6)

कुरोर् अजनयत् पुत्रान् षड् आग्नेयी महाप्रभान् । अङ्गं सुमनसं ख्यातिं क्रतुम् अङ्गिरसं शिबिम्

kuror ajanayat putrān ṣaḍ āgneyī mahāprabhān aṅgaṁ sumanasaṁ khyātiṁ kratum aṅgirasaṁ śibim

To Kuru, his fiery wife bore six splendid sons: Anga, Sumanas, Khyati, Kratu, Angiras, and Shibi.

Verse 7 (vishnu.1.13.7)

अङ्गात् सुनीथापत्यं वै वेनम् एकम् अजायत । प्रजार्थम् ऋषयस् तस्य ममन्थुर् दक्षिणं करम्

aṅgāt sunīthāpatyaṁ vai venam ekam ajāyata prajārtham ṛṣayas tasya mamanthur dakṣiṇaṁ karam

From Anga, through his wife Sunitha, only one son was born, Vena; for the sake of offspring the sages churned his right hand.

Verse 8 (vishnu.1.13.8)

वेनस्य पाणौ मथिते संबभूव महामुने । वैन्यो नाम महीपालो यः पृथुः परिकीर्त्यते

venasya pāṇau mathite saṁbabhūva mahāmune vainyo nāma mahīpālo yaḥ pṛthuḥ parikīrtyate

When Vena's hand was churned, O great sage, there arose a ruler of the earth, named Vainya, who is celebrated as Prithu.

Verse 9 (vishnu.1.13.9)

येन दुग्धा मही पूर्वं प्रजानां हितकारणात्

yena dugdhā mahī pūrvaṁ prajānāṁ hitakāraṇāt

by whom, for the sake of the welfare of his subjects, this earth was first milked.

Verse 10 (vishnu.1.13.10)

श्रीमैत्रेय उवाच । किमर्थं मथितः पाणिर् वेनस्य परमर्षिभिः । यत्र जज्ञे महावीर्यः स पृथुर् मुनिसत्तम

śrīmaitreya uvāca kimarthaṁ mathitaḥ pāṇir venasya paramarṣibhiḥ yatra jajñe mahāvīryaḥ sa pṛthur munisattama

Shri Maitreya said: O best of sages, for what reason did the great sages churn Vena's hand, from which that mighty Prithu was born?

Verse 11 (vishnu.1.13.11)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । सुनीथा नाम या कन्या मृत्योः प्रथमजाभवत् । अङ्गस्य भार्या सा दत्ता तस्यां वेनो व्यजायत

śrīparāśara uvāca sunīthā nāma yā kanyā mṛtyoḥ prathamajābhavat aṅgasya bhāryā sā dattā tasyāṁ veno vyajāyata

Shri Parashara said: The maiden named Sunitha, the firstborn daughter of Mrityu (Death), was given as wife to Anga; upon her, Vena was born.

Verse 12 (vishnu.1.13.12)

स मातामहदोषेण तेन मृत्योः सुतात्मजः । निसर्गाद् एव मैत्रेय दुष्टभावो व्यजायत

sa mātāmahadoṣeṇa tena mṛtyoḥ sutātmajaḥ nisargād eva maitreya duṣṭabhāvo vyajāyata

Through that flaw inherited from his maternal grandfather, O Maitreya, being the son of Mrityu's daughter, a wicked nature arose in him by his very nature.

Verse 13 (vishnu.1.13.13)

अभिषिक्तो यदा राज्ये स वेनः परमर्षिभिः । घोषयाम् आस स तदा पृथिव्यां पृथिवीपतिः

abhiṣikto yadā rājye sa venaḥ paramarṣibhiḥ ghoṣayām āsa sa tadā pṛthivyāṁ pṛthivīpatiḥ

When that Vena was consecrated in the kingship by the great sages, that lord of the earth then made this proclamation throughout the earth.

Verse 14 (vishnu.1.13.14)

न यष्टव्यं न होतव्यं न दातव्यं कथंचन । भोक्ता यज्ञस्य कस् त्व् अन्यो ह्य् अहं यज्ञपतिः प्रभुः

na yaṣṭavyaṁ na hotavyaṁ na dātavyaṁ kathaṁcana bhoktā yajñasya kas tv anyo hy ahaṁ yajñapatiḥ prabhuḥ

'No sacrifice is to be offered, no oblation poured, no gift given at all; who else is there to enjoy the sacrifice? I alone am lord and master of sacrifice.'

Verse 15 (vishnu.1.13.15)

ततस् तम् ऋषयः पूर्वं संपूज्य पृथिवीपतिम् । ऊचुः सामकलं सम्यङ् मैत्रेय समुपस्थिताः

tatas tam ṛṣayaḥ pūrvaṁ saṁpūjya pṛthivīpatim ūcuḥ sāmakalaṁ samyaṅ maitreya samupasthitāḥ

Then the sages, first duly honoring that lord of the earth, O Maitreya, approached him and spoke with conciliating, gracious words.

Verse 16 (vishnu.1.13.16)

ऋषय ऊचुः । भो भो राजञ् छृणुष्व त्वं यद् वदामस् तव प्रभो । राज्यदेहोपकाराय प्रजानां च हितं परम्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ bho bho rājañ chṛṇuṣva tvaṁ yad vadāmas tava prabho rājyadehopakārāya prajānāṁ ca hitaṁ param

The sages said: 'O king, hear what we say, O lord — it is for the benefit of your body and kingdom, and for the supreme welfare of your subjects.'

Verse 17 (vishnu.1.13.17)

दीर्घसत्रेण देवेशं सर्वयज्ञेश्वरं हरिम् । पूजयिष्याम भद्रं ते तत्रांशस् ते भविष्यति

dīrghasatreṇa deveśaṁ sarvayajñeśvaraṁ harim pūjayiṣyāma bhadraṁ te tatrāṁśas te bhaviṣyati

'Through a long sacrificial session we shall worship Hari, the god of gods, lord of all sacrifice; blessing be upon you — a share of it shall be yours.'

Verse 18 (vishnu.1.13.18)

यज्ञेन यज्ञपुरुषो विष्णुः संप्रीणितो नृप । अस्माभिर् भवतः कामान् सर्वान् एव प्रदास्यति

yajñena yajñapuruṣo viṣṇuḥ saṁprīṇito nṛpa asmābhir bhavataḥ kāmān sarvān eva pradāsyati

'Vishnu, the person of sacrifice, once pleased by sacrifice, O king, shall grant you, through us, all your desires.'

Verse 19 (vishnu.1.13.19)

यज्ञैर् यज्ञेश्वरो येषां राष्ट्रे संपूज्यते हरिः । तेषां सर्वेप्सितावाप्तिं ददाति नृप भूभृताम्

yajñair yajñeśvaro yeṣāṁ rāṣṭre saṁpūjyate hariḥ teṣāṁ sarvepsitāvāptiṁ dadāti nṛpa bhūbhṛtām

'In whose kingdom Hari, lord of sacrifice, is worshipped through sacrifices, O king, upon those rulers of the earth he bestows the attainment of every wish.'

Verse 20 (vishnu.1.13.20)

वेन उवाच । मत्तः कोऽभ्यधिकोऽन्योऽस्ति कश् चाराध्यो ममापरः । कोऽयं हरिर् इति ख्यातो यो वै यज्ञेश्वरो मतः

vena uvāca mattaḥ ko 'bhyadhiko 'nyo 'sti kaś cārādhyo mamāparaḥ ko 'yaṁ harir iti khyāto yo vai yajñeśvaro mataḥ

Vena said: 'Who else is superior to me? Who else is there for me to worship? Who is this Hari, so renowned, who is thought to be the lord of sacrifice?'

Verse 21 (vishnu.1.13.21)

ब्रह्मा जनार्दनः शंभुर् इन्द्रो वायुर् यमो रविः । हुतभुग् वरुणो धाता पूषा भूमिर् निशाकरः

brahmā janārdanaḥ śaṁbhur indro vāyur yamo raviḥ hutabhug varuṇo dhātā pūṣā bhūmir niśākaraḥ

'Brahma, Janardana, Shambhu, Indra, Vayu, Yama, the sun, the fire, Varuna, Dhatri, Pushan, the earth, the moon—'

Verse 22 (vishnu.1.13.22)

एते चान्ये च ये देवाः शापानुग्रहकारिणः । नृपस्यैते शरीरस्थाः सर्वदेवमयो नृपः

ete cānye ca ye devāḥ śāpānugrahakāriṇaḥ nṛpasyaite śarīrasthāḥ sarvadevamayo nṛpaḥ

'these and other gods who curse and bless — all of them dwell within the king's own body; the king himself is made of all the gods.'

Verse 23 (vishnu.1.13.23)

एतज् ज्ञात्वा मयाज्ञप्तं यद् यथा क्रियतां तथा । न दातव्यं न होतव्यं न यष्टव्यं च भो द्विजाः

etaj jñātvā mayājñaptaṁ yad yathā kriyatāṁ tathā na dātavyaṁ na hotavyaṁ na yaṣṭavyaṁ ca bho dvijāḥ

'Knowing this, let what I have commanded be done accordingly; no gift is to be given, O twice-born, no oblation poured, no sacrifice performed.'

Verse 24 (vishnu.1.13.24)

भर्तृशुश्रूषणं धर्मो यथा स्त्रीणां परो मतः । ममाज्ञापालनं धर्मो भवतां च तथा द्विजाः

bhartṛśuśrūṣaṇaṁ dharmo yathā strīṇāṁ paro mataḥ mamājñāpālanaṁ dharmo bhavatāṁ ca tathā dvijāḥ

'As service to one's husband is held the highest duty for women, so, O twice-born, is obedience to my command your duty.'

Verse 25 (vishnu.1.13.25)

ऋषय ऊचुः । देह्य् अनुज्ञां महाराज मा धर्मो यातु संक्षयम् । हविषां परिणामोऽयं यद् एतद् अखिलं जगत्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ dehy anujñāṁ mahārāja mā dharmo yātu saṁkṣayam haviṣāṁ pariṇāmo 'yaṁ yad etad akhilaṁ jagat

The sages said: 'Grant us your permission, great king; let dharma not fall to ruin — for this entire universe is but a transformation of the oblations.'

Verse 26 (vishnu.1.13.26)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । इति विज्ञाप्यमानोऽपि स वेनः परमर्षिभिः । पापो ददाति नानुज्ञां तदा प्रोक्तः पुनः पुनः

śrīparāśara uvāca iti vijñāpyamāno 'pi sa venaḥ paramarṣibhiḥ pāpo dadāti nānujñāṁ tadā proktaḥ punaḥ punaḥ

Parashara said: Thus entreated by the great sages again and again, that wicked Vena would grant no permission.

Verse 27 (vishnu.1.13.27)

ततस् ते मुनयः सर्वे कोपामर्षसमन्विताः । हन्यतां हन्यतां पाप इत्य् ऊचुस् ते परस्परम्

tatas te munayaḥ sarve kopāmarṣasamanvitāḥ hanyatāṁ hanyatāṁ pāpa ity ūcus te parasparam

Then all those sages, filled with anger and indignation, said to one another: 'Let this sinner be slain! Let him be slain!'

Verse 28 (vishnu.1.13.28)

यो यज्ञपुरुषं विष्णुम् अनादिनिधनं प्रभुम् । विनिन्दत्य् अधमाचारो न स योग्यो भुवः पतिः

yo yajñapuruṣaṁ viṣṇum anādinidhanaṁ prabhum vinindaty adhamācāro na sa yogyo bhuvaḥ patiḥ

'He who reviles Vishnu, the person of sacrifice, the lord without beginning or end — that man of vile conduct is not fit to be lord of the earth.'

Verse 29 (vishnu.1.13.29)

इत्य् उक्त्वा मन्त्रपूतैस् तैः कुशैर् मुनिगणा नृपम् । निजघ्नुर् निहतं पूर्वं भगवन्निन्दनादिना

ity uktvā mantrapūtais taiḥ kuśair munigaṇā nṛpam nijaghnur nihataṁ pūrvaṁ bhagavannindanādinā

Having said this, the hosts of sages, with kusha grass consecrated by mantras, struck down that king — already struck down, in truth, by his own reviling of the blessed lord.

Verse 30 (vishnu.1.13.30)

ततश् च मुनयो रेणुं ददृशुः सर्वतो द्विज । किम् एतद् इति चासन्नं पप्रच्छुस् ते जनं तदा

tataś ca munayo reṇuṁ dadṛśuḥ sarvato dvija kim etad iti cāsannaṁ papracchus te janaṁ tadā

Then the sages saw dust rising on every side, O twice-born, and asked the people nearby what this might be.

Verse 31 (vishnu.1.13.31)

आख्यातं च जनैस् तेषां चौरीभूतैर् अराजके । राष्ट्रे तु लोकैर् आरब्धं परस्वादानम् आतुरैः

ākhyātaṁ ca janais teṣāṁ caurībhūtair arājake rāṣṭre tu lokair ārabdhaṁ parasvādānam āturaiḥ

And it was told them by the people that, the kingdom now being without a ruler, thieves had arisen, and afflicted people had begun seizing the property of others.

Verse 32 (vishnu.1.13.32)

तेषाम् उदीर्णवेगानां चौराणां मुनिसत्तमाः । सुमहान् दृश्यते रेणुः परवित्तापहारिणाम्

teṣām udīrṇavegānāṁ caurāṇāṁ munisattamāḥ sumahān dṛśyate reṇuḥ paravittāpahāriṇām

'This, O best of sages, is the great cloud of dust raised by those unrestrained thieves, plundering the wealth of others.'

Verse 33 (vishnu.1.13.33)

ततः संमन्त्र्य ते सर्वे मुनयस् तस्य भूभृतः । ममन्थुर् ऊरुं पुत्रार्थम् अनपत्यस्य यत्नतः

tataḥ saṁmantrya te sarve munayas tasya bhūbhṛtaḥ mamanthur ūruṁ putrārtham anapatyasya yatnataḥ

Then all those sages, taking counsel together, diligently churned the thigh of that childless king, for the sake of a son.

Verse 34 (vishnu.1.13.34)

मथ्यतश् च समुत्तस्थौ तस्योरोः पुरुषः किल । दग्धस्थूणाप्रतीकाशः खर्वटास्योऽतिह्रस्वकः

mathyataś ca samuttasthau tasyoroḥ puruṣaḥ kila dagdhasthūṇāpratīkāśaḥ kharvaṭāsyo 'tihrasvakaḥ

And as it was churned, from his thigh there arose a man, dark as a burnt stump, with a flattened face, exceedingly short.

Verse 35 (vishnu.1.13.35)

किं करोमीति तान् सर्वान् विप्रान् आह त्वरान्वितः । निषीदेति तम् ऊचुस् ते निषादस् तेन सोऽभवत्

kiṁ karomīti tān sarvān viprān āha tvarānvitaḥ niṣīdeti tam ūcus te niṣādas tena so 'bhavat

'What shall I do?' he asked all those brahmins in haste; 'Sit down (nishida),' they said — and so he became a Nishada.

Verse 36 (vishnu.1.13.36)

ततस् तत्संभवा जाता विन्ध्यशैलनिवासिनः । निषादा मुनिशार्दूल पापकर्मोपलक्षणाः

tatas tatsaṁbhavā jātā vindhyaśailanivāsinaḥ niṣādā muniśārdūla pāpakarmopalakṣaṇāḥ

From him, O tiger among sages, were born the dwellers of the Vindhya mountains, the Nishadas, marked by their wicked deeds.

Verse 37 (vishnu.1.13.37)

तेन द्वारेण तत् पापं निष्क्रान्तं तस्य भूपतेः । निषादास् ते ततो जाता वेनकल्मषनाशनाः

tena dvāreṇa tat pāpaṁ niṣkrāntaṁ tasya bhūpateḥ niṣādās te tato jātā venakalmaṣanāśanāḥ

By that opening, the sin of that king departed; thus the Nishadas were born, the destroyers of Vena's stain.

Verse 38 (vishnu.1.13.38)

ततोऽस्य दक्षिणं हस्तं ममन्थुस् ते द्विजोत्तमाः

tato 'sya dakṣiṇaṁ hastaṁ mamanthus te dvijottamāḥ

Then those best of the twice-born churned his right hand.

Verse 39 (vishnu.1.13.39)

मथ्यमाने च तत्राभूत् पृथुर् वैन्यः प्रतापवान् । दीप्यमानः स्ववपुषा साक्षाद् अग्निर् इव ज्वलन्

mathyamāne ca tatrābhūt pṛthur vainyaḥ pratāpavān dīpyamānaḥ svavapuṣā sākṣād agnir iva jvalan

And as it was churned, there arose from it Vainya Prithu, mighty in prowess, blazing with his own splendor like fire itself embodied.

Verse 40 (vishnu.1.13.40)

आद्यम् आजगवं नाम खात् पपात ततो धनुः । शराश् च दिव्या नभसः कवचं च पपात ह

ādyam ājagavaṁ nāma khāt papāta tato dhanuḥ śarāś ca divyā nabhasaḥ kavacaṁ ca papāta ha

At that moment there fell from the sky the primeval bow named Ajagava, and celestial arrows, and armor as well.

Verse 41 (vishnu.1.13.41)

तस्मिञ् जाते तु भूतानि संप्रहृष्टानि सर्वशः

tasmiñ jāte tu bhūtāni saṁprahṛṣṭāni sarvaśaḥ

At his birth, all beings everywhere rejoiced greatly.

Verse 42 (vishnu.1.13.42)

सत्पुत्रेण च जातेन वेनोऽपि त्रिदिवं ययौ । पुन्नाम्नो नरकात् त्रातः स तेन सुमहात्मना

satputreṇa ca jātena veno 'pi tridivaṁ yayau punnāmno narakāt trātaḥ sa tena sumahātmanā

And by this virtuous son who was born, Vena too went to heaven, rescued by that great-souled son from the hell named Put.

Verse 43 (vishnu.1.13.43)

तं समुद्राश् च नद्यश् च रत्नान्य् आदाय सर्वशः । तोयानि चाभिषेकार्थं सर्वाण्य् एवोपतस्थिरे

taṁ samudrāś ca nadyaś ca ratnāny ādāya sarvaśaḥ toyāni cābhiṣekārthaṁ sarvāṇy evopatasthire

The oceans and the rivers, bringing every kind of jewel, and all the waters, came near him for his consecration.

Verse 44 (vishnu.1.13.44)

पितामहश् च भगवान् देवैर् आङ्गिरसैः सह । स्थावराणि च भूतानि जङ्गमानि च सर्वशः । समागम्य तदा वैन्यम् अभ्यषिञ्चन् नराधिपम्

pitāmahaś ca bhagavān devair āṅgirasaiḥ saha sthāvarāṇi ca bhūtāni jaṅgamāni ca sarvaśaḥ samāgamya tadā vainyam abhyaṣiñcan narādhipam

And the blessed Grandsire, together with the gods born of Angiras, and all beings, both moving and unmoving, gathering together, anointed that son of Vena as ruler of men.

Verse 45 (vishnu.1.13.45)

हस्ते तु दक्षिणे चक्रं दृष्ट्वा तस्य पितामहः । विष्णोर् अंशं पृथुं मत्वा परितोषं परं ययौ

haste tu dakṣiṇe cakraṁ dṛṣṭvā tasya pitāmahaḥ viṣṇor aṁśaṁ pṛthuṁ matvā paritoṣaṁ paraṁ yayau

Seeing the discus in his right hand, the Grandsire, recognizing Prithu as a portion of Vishnu, felt the utmost delight.

Verse 46 (vishnu.1.13.46)

विष्णुचिह्नं करे चक्रं सर्वेषां चक्रवर्तिनाम् । भवत्य् अव्याहतो यस्य प्रभावस् त्रिदशैर् अपि

viṣṇucihnaṁ kare cakraṁ sarveṣāṁ cakravartinām bhavaty avyāhato yasya prabhāvas tridaśair api

The discus, mark of Vishnu, in the hand of every universal sovereign, becomes a power that even the immortals cannot resist.

Verse 47 (vishnu.1.13.47)

महता राजराज्येन पृथुर् वैन्यः प्रतापवान् । सोऽभिषिक्तो महातेजा विधिवद् धर्मकोविदैः

mahatā rājarājyena pṛthur vainyaḥ pratāpavān so 'bhiṣikto mahātejā vidhivad dharmakovidaiḥ

With a great royal consecration, the greatly splendid Vainya Prithu was duly anointed, according to rite, by men versed in dharma.

Verse 48 (vishnu.1.13.48)

पित्रापरञ्जितास् तस्य प्रजास् तेनानुरञ्जिताः । अनुरागात् ततस् तस्य नाम राजेत्य् अजायत

pitrāparañjitās tasya prajās tenānurañjitāḥ anurāgāt tatas tasya nāma rājety ajāyata

His subjects, who had been displeased by his father, were made content by him; and from that very affection (anuraga) arose his name, 'Raja.'

Verse 49 (vishnu.1.13.49)

आपस् तस्तम्भिरे चास्य समुद्रम् अभियास्यतः । पर्वताश् च ददुर् मार्गं ध्वजभङ्गश् च नाभवत्

āpas tastambhire cāsya samudram abhiyāsyataḥ parvatāś ca dadur mārgaṁ dhvajabhaṅgaś ca nābhavat

The waters stood still for him as he approached toward the ocean; the mountains gave him passage, and his banner never broke.

Verse 50 (vishnu.1.13.50)

अकृष्टपच्या पृथिवी सिद्ध्यन्त्य् अन्नानि चिन्तया । सर्वकामदुघा गावः पुटके पुटके मधु

akṛṣṭapacyā pṛthivī siddhyanty annāni cintayā sarvakāmadughā gāvaḥ puṭake puṭake madhu

The earth yielded its produce without ploughing; food was accomplished by mere thought; the cows gave whatever was desired, and honey filled every hollow of the bamboo.

Verse 51 (vishnu.1.13.51)

तस्य वै जातमात्रस्य यज्ञे पैतामहे शुभे । सूतः सूत्यां समुत्पन्नः सौत्येऽहनि महामतिः

tasya vai jātamātrasya yajñe paitāmahe śubhe sūtaḥ sūtyāṁ samutpannaḥ sautye 'hani mahāmatiḥ

At the very time of his birth, in that auspicious sacrifice offered to the Grandsire, a Suta was born from the Suti offering, and on the day called Sautya, a wise one—

Verse 52 (vishnu.1.13.52)

तस्मिन्न् एव महायज्ञो जज्ञे प्राज्ञोऽथ मागधः । प्रोक्तौ तदा मुनिवरैस् ताव् उभौ सूतमागधौ

tasminn eva mahāyajño jajñe prājño 'tha māgadhaḥ proktau tadā munivarais tāv ubhau sūtamāgadhau

in that same great sacrifice a learned Magadha too was born; the best of sages then declared both of them Suta and Magadha.

Verse 53 (vishnu.1.13.53)

स्तूयताम् एष नृपतिः पृथुर् वैन्यः प्रतापवान् । कर्मैतद् अनुरूपं च पात्रं स्तोत्रस्य चाप्य् अयम्

stūyatām eṣa nṛpatiḥ pṛthur vainyaḥ pratāpavān karmaitad anurūpaṁ ca pātraṁ stotrasya cāpy ayam

'Let this mighty king, Prithu son of Vena, be praised; this deed is fitting, and he too is a worthy vessel for such praise.'

Verse 54 (vishnu.1.13.54)

ततस् ताव् ऊचतुर् विप्रान् सर्वान् एव कृताञ्जली । अद्यजातस्य नो कर्म ज्ञायतेऽस्य महीपतेः

tatas tāv ūcatur viprān sarvān eva kṛtāñjalī adyajātasya no karma jñāyate 'sya mahīpateḥ

Then both of them, with joined palms, said to all the brahmins: 'The deeds of this king, just now born, are not yet known to us.'

Verse 55 (vishnu.1.13.55)

गुणा न चास्य ज्ञायन्ते न चास्य प्रथितं यशः । स्तोत्रं किमाश्रयं त्व् अस्य कार्यम् अस्माभिर् उच्यताम्

guṇā na cāsya jñāyante na cāsya prathitaṁ yaśaḥ stotraṁ kimāśrayaṁ tv asya kāryam asmābhir ucyatām

'Nor are his virtues known, nor has his fame yet spread; on what, then, shall our praise rest? Tell us what is to be done.'

Verse 56 (vishnu.1.13.56)

ऋषय ऊचुः । करिष्यत्य् एष यत् कर्म चक्रवर्ती महाबलः । गुणा भविष्या ये चास्य तैर् अयं स्तूयतां नृपः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ kariṣyaty eṣa yat karma cakravartī mahābalaḥ guṇā bhaviṣyā ye cāsya tair ayaṁ stūyatāṁ nṛpaḥ

The sages said: 'Whatever deeds this mighty universal sovereign shall perform, and whatever virtues shall be his — let this king be praised for those, yet to come.'

Verse 57 (vishnu.1.13.57)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । ततः स नृपतिस् तोषं तच् छ्रुत्वा परमं ययौ । सद्गुणैः श्लाघ्यताम् एति स्तव्याश् चाभ्यां गुणा मम

śrīparāśara uvāca tataḥ sa nṛpatis toṣaṁ tac chrutvā paramaṁ yayau sadguṇaiḥ ślāghyatām eti stavyāś cābhyāṁ guṇā mama

Parashara said: Hearing this, that king felt the utmost satisfaction: 'It is by true virtues that one becomes worthy of praise; let these two sing in me only virtues worth the singing.'

Verse 58 (vishnu.1.13.58)

तस्माद् यद् अत्र स्तोत्रे मे गुणनिर्वर्णनं त्व् इमौ । करिष्येते करिष्यामि तद् एवाहं समाहितः

tasmād yad atra stotre me guṇanirvarṇanaṁ tv imau kariṣyete kariṣyāmi tad evāhaṁ samāhitaḥ

'Therefore, whatever qualities these two shall describe of me in this hymn, those very qualities I shall, with full attention, myself bring about.'

Verse 59 (vishnu.1.13.59)

यद् इमौ वर्जनीयं च किंचिद् अत्र वदिष्यतः । तद् अहं वर्जयिष्यामीत्य् एवं चक्रे मतिं नृपः

yad imau varjanīyaṁ ca kiṁcid atra vadiṣyataḥ tad ahaṁ varjayiṣyāmīty evaṁ cakre matiṁ nṛpaḥ

'And whatever these two shall declare in it as fit to be avoided, that I shall avoid' — thus the king resolved in his mind.

Verse 60 (vishnu.1.13.60)

अथ तौ चक्रतुः स्तोत्रं पृथोर् वैन्यस्य धीमतः । भविष्यैः कर्मभिः सम्यक् सुस्वरौ सूतमागधौ

atha tau cakratuḥ stotraṁ pṛthor vainyasya dhīmataḥ bhaviṣyaiḥ karmabhiḥ samyak susvarau sūtamāgadhau

Then those two, sweet of voice, Suta and Magadha, duly composed a hymn of the wise Vainya Prithu, based upon deeds yet to come.

Verse 61 (vishnu.1.13.61)

सत्यवाग् दानशीलोऽयं सत्यसन्धो नरेश्वरः । ह्रीमान् मैत्रः क्षमाशीलो विक्रान्तो दुष्टशासनः

satyavāg dānaśīlo 'yaṁ satyasandho nareśvaraḥ hrīmān maitraḥ kṣamāśīlo vikrānto duṣṭaśāsanaḥ

'Truthful of speech is this lord of men, generous in giving, true to his word; modest, friendly, forgiving by nature, valiant, a chastiser of the wicked.'

Verse 62 (vishnu.1.13.62)

धर्मज्ञाश् च कृतज्ञाश् च दयावान् प्रियभाषकः । मान्यान् मानयिता यज्वा ब्रह्मण्यः साधुवत्सलः

dharmajñāś ca kṛtajñāś ca dayāvān priyabhāṣakaḥ mānyān mānayitā yajvā brahmaṇyaḥ sādhuvatsalaḥ

'A knower of dharma, grateful, compassionate, gentle of speech; one who honors those worthy of honor, a performer of sacrifice, a friend to Brahmins, tender toward the virtuous.'

Verse 63 (vishnu.1.13.63)

समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च व्यवहारस्थितौ नृपः

samaḥ śatrau ca mitre ca vyavahārasthitau nṛpaḥ

'This king, in matters requiring judgment, is equal toward friend and foe alike.'

Verse 64 (vishnu.1.13.64)

सूतेनोक्तान् गुणान् इत्थं स तदा मागधेन च । चकार हृदि तादृक् च कर्मणा कृतवान् असौ

sūtenoktān guṇān itthaṁ sa tadā māgadhena ca cakāra hṛdi tādṛk ca karmaṇā kṛtavān asau

The virtues thus described by the Suta and the Magadha, he took to heart, and by acting accordingly, he became exactly as they had described.

Verse 65 (vishnu.1.13.65)

ततः स पृथिवीपालः पालयन् वसुधाम् इमाम् । इयाज विविधैर् यज्ञैर् महद्भिर् भूरिदक्षिणैः

tataḥ sa pṛthivīpālaḥ pālayan vasudhām imām iyāja vividhair yajñair mahadbhir bhūridakṣiṇaiḥ

Then that protector of the earth, guarding this world, offered sacrifice through many great sacrifices, with abundant gifts of largesse.

Verse 66 (vishnu.1.13.66)

तं प्रजाः पृथिवीनाथम् उपतस्थुः क्षुधार्दिताः । ओषधीषु प्रणष्टासु तस्मिन् काले ह्य् अराजके । तम् ऊचुस् तेन ताः पृष्टास् तत्रागमनकारणम्

taṁ prajāḥ pṛthivīnātham upatasthuḥ kṣudhārditāḥ oṣadhīṣu praṇaṣṭāsu tasmin kāle hy arājake tam ūcus tena tāḥ pṛṣṭās tatrāgamanakāraṇam

At that time, when the kingdom had been without a ruler and the plants had perished, his subjects, tormented by hunger, came to that lord of the earth; asked by him, they told him the reason for their coming.

Verse 67 (vishnu.1.13.67)

प्रजा ऊचुः । अराजके नृपश्रेष्ठ धरित्र्या सकलौषधीः । ग्रस्तास् ततः क्षयं यान्ति प्रजाः सर्वाः प्रजेश्वर

prajā ūcuḥ arājake nṛpaśreṣṭha dharitryā sakalauṣadhīḥ grastās tataḥ kṣayaṁ yānti prajāḥ sarvāḥ prajeśvara

The subjects said: 'O best of kings, when the kingdom was without a ruler, all the herbs of the earth perished; O lord of the people, all your subjects are now wasting away.'

Verse 68 (vishnu.1.13.68)

त्वं नो वृत्तिप्रदो धात्रा प्रजापालो निरूपितः । देहि नः क्षुत्परीतानां प्रजानां जीवनौषधीः

tvaṁ no vṛttiprado dhātrā prajāpālo nirūpitaḥ dehi naḥ kṣutparītānāṁ prajānāṁ jīvanauṣadhīḥ

'You have been appointed by the Creator as our giver of livelihood, the protector of your subjects; give to these people, tormented by hunger, the life-giving herbs.'

Verse 69 (vishnu.1.13.69)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । ततोऽथ नृपतिर् दिव्यम् आदायाजगवं धनुः । शरांश् च दिव्यान् कुपितः सोऽन्वधावद् वसुंधराम्

śrīparāśara uvāca tato 'tha nṛpatir divyam ādāyājagavaṁ dhanuḥ śarāṁś ca divyān kupitaḥ so 'nvadhāvad vasuṁdharām

Parashara said: Then that king, taking up the celestial bow Ajagava and celestial arrows, enraged, pursued the earth.

Verse 70 (vishnu.1.13.70)

ततो ननाश त्वरिता गौर् भूत्वा तु वसुंधरा । सा लोकान् ब्रह्मलोकादीन् संत्रासाद् अगमन् मही

tato nanāśa tvaritā gaur bhūtvā tu vasuṁdharā sā lokān brahmalokādīn saṁtrāsād agaman mahī

Then that earth, becoming a cow, swiftly fled; in her terror she went through the worlds beginning with Brahmaloka.

Verse 71 (vishnu.1.13.71)

यत्र यत्र ययौ देवी सा तदा भूतधारिणी । तत्र तत्र तु सा वैन्यं ददृशेऽभ्युद्यतायुधम्

yatra yatra yayau devī sā tadā bhūtadhāriṇī tatra tatra tu sā vainyaṁ dadṛśe 'bhyudyatāyudham

Wherever that goddess, bearer of all beings, went, there she saw Vainya, weapon raised, before her.

Verse 72 (vishnu.1.13.72)

ततस् तं प्राह वसुधा पृथुं पृथुपराक्रमम् । प्रवेपमाना तद्बाणपरित्राणपरायणा

tatas taṁ prāha vasudhā pṛthuṁ pṛthuparākramam pravepamānā tadbāṇaparitrāṇaparāyaṇā

Then, trembling, intent on saving herself from his arrows, the earth spoke to Prithu of vast prowess.

Verse 73 (vishnu.1.13.73)

श्रीपृथिव्य् उवाच । स्त्रीवधे त्वं महापापं किं नरेन्द्र न पश्यसि । येन मां हन्तुम् अत्यर्थं प्रकरोषि नृपोद्यमम्

śrīpṛthivy uvāca strīvadhe tvaṁ mahāpāpaṁ kiṁ narendra na paśyasi yena māṁ hantum atyarthaṁ prakaroṣi nṛpodyamam

Shri Prithivi said: 'Do you not see, O lord of men, the great sin of slaying a woman, that you make so great an effort, O king, to kill me?'

Verse 74 (vishnu.1.13.74)

श्रीपृथुर् उवाच । एकस्मिन् यत्र निधनं प्रापिते दुष्टचारिणि । बहूनां भवति क्षेमं तस्य पुण्यप्रदो वधः

śrīpṛthur uvāca ekasmin yatra nidhanaṁ prāpite duṣṭacāriṇi bahūnāṁ bhavati kṣemaṁ tasya puṇyaprado vadhaḥ

Shri Prithu said: 'When one being of wicked conduct is brought to destruction, the safety of many results; his slaying brings merit.'

Verse 75 (vishnu.1.13.75)

श्रीपृथिव्य् उवाच । प्रजानाम् उपकाराय यदि मां त्वं हनिष्यसि । आधारः कः प्रजानां ते नृपश्रेष्ठ भविष्यति

śrīpṛthivy uvāca prajānām upakārāya yadi māṁ tvaṁ haniṣyasi ādhāraḥ kaḥ prajānāṁ te nṛpaśreṣṭha bhaviṣyati

Shri Prithivi said: 'If you kill me for the benefit of your subjects, what support, O best of kings, shall then remain for your people?'

Verse 76 (vishnu.1.13.76)

श्रीपृथुर् उवाच । त्वां हत्वा वसुधे बाणैर् मच्छासनपराङ्मुखीम् । आत्मयोगबलेनेमा धारयिष्याम्य् अहं प्रजाः

śrīpṛthur uvāca tvāṁ hatvā vasudhe bāṇair macchāsanaparāṅmukhīm ātmayogabalenemā dhārayiṣyāmy ahaṁ prajāḥ

Shri Prithu said: 'Having slain you with my arrows, O earth, who turn away from my command, I shall sustain these subjects by the power of my own yoga.'

Verse 77 (vishnu.1.13.77)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । ततः प्रणम्य वसुधा तं भूयः प्राह पार्थिवम् । प्रवेपिताङ्गी परमं साध्वसं समुपागता

śrīparāśara uvāca tataḥ praṇamya vasudhā taṁ bhūyaḥ prāha pārthivam pravepitāṅgī paramaṁ sādhvasaṁ samupāgatā

Parashara said: Then the earth, bowing before that king, her limbs trembling and overcome with utmost dread, spoke to him once more.

Verse 78 (vishnu.1.13.78)

श्रीपृथिव्य् उवाच । उपायतः समारब्धाः सर्वे सिद्ध्यन्त्य् उपक्रमाः । तस्माद् वदाम्य् उपायं ते तं कुरुष्व यदीच्छसि

śrīpṛthivy uvāca upāyataḥ samārabdhāḥ sarve siddhyanty upakramāḥ tasmād vadāmy upāyaṁ te taṁ kuruṣva yadīcchasi

Shri Prithivi said: 'All undertakings, begun with the proper means, succeed; therefore I tell you the means — employ it, if you wish.'

Verse 79 (vishnu.1.13.79)

समस्ता या मया जीर्णा नरनाथ महौषधीः । यदीच्छसि प्रदास्यामि ताः क्षीरपरिणामिनीः

samastā yā mayā jīrṇā naranātha mahauṣadhīḥ yadīcchasi pradāsyāmi tāḥ kṣīrapariṇāminīḥ

'O lord of men, all those great herbs that have withered away within me, I shall, if you wish, give again, transformed into milk.'

Verse 80 (vishnu.1.13.80)

तस्मात् प्रजाहितार्थाय मम धर्मभृतां वर । तं तु वत्सं प्रयच्छ त्वं क्षरेयं येन वत्सला

tasmāt prajāhitārthāya mama dharmabhṛtāṁ vara taṁ tu vatsaṁ prayaccha tvaṁ kṣareyaṁ yena vatsalā

'Therefore, O best of the upholders of dharma, for the welfare of your subjects, give me that calf by which, full of affection, I may let down my milk.'

Verse 81 (vishnu.1.13.81)

समां च कुरु सर्वत्र येन क्षीरं समन्ततः । वरौषधीबीजभूतं वीर सर्वत्र भावये

samāṁ ca kuru sarvatra yena kṣīraṁ samantataḥ varauṣadhībījabhūtaṁ vīra sarvatra bhāvaye

'And make me level everywhere, O hero, so that the milk may flow evenly in every place — I shall then everywhere bear the seeds of every excellent herb.'

Verse 82 (vishnu.1.13.82)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । तत उत्सारयाम् आस शैलाञ् छतसहस्रशः । धनुष्कोट्या तदा वैन्यस् तेन शैला विवर्धिताः

śrīparāśara uvāca tata utsārayām āsa śailāñ chatasahasraśaḥ dhanuṣkoṭyā tadā vainyas tena śailā vivardhitāḥ

Parashara said: Then that son of Vena, with the tip of his bow, leveled the mountains by the hundred thousand; thereby the mountains too grew more numerous.

Verse 83 (vishnu.1.13.83)

न हि पूर्वविसर्गे वै विषमे पृथिवीतले । प्रविभागः पुराणां वा ग्रामाणां वा तदाभवत्

na hi pūrvavisarge vai viṣame pṛthivītale pravibhāgaḥ purāṇāṁ vā grāmāṇāṁ vā tadābhavat

For in the earlier creation there had been, until that time, no division of the uneven surface of the earth into cities and villages.

Verse 84 (vishnu.1.13.84)

न सस्यानि न गोरक्ष्यं न कृषिर् न वणिक्पथः । वैन्यात् प्रभृति मैत्रेय सर्वस्यैतस्य संभवः

na sasyāni na gorakṣyaṁ na kṛṣir na vaṇikpathaḥ vainyāt prabhṛti maitreya sarvasyaitasya saṁbhavaḥ

O Maitreya, there was no grain, no cattle-keeping, no agriculture, no trade — from Vena's son onward came the origin of all these.

Verse 85 (vishnu.1.13.85)

यत्र यत्र समं त्व् अस्या भूमेर् आसीन् नराधिपः । तत्र तत्र प्रजानां हि निवासं समरोचयत्

yatra yatra samaṁ tv asyā bhūmer āsīn narādhipaḥ tatra tatra prajānāṁ hi nivāsaṁ samarocayat

Wherever the surface of this earth became level, there he made it fit for the dwelling of his subjects.

Verse 86 (vishnu.1.13.86)

आहारः फलमूलानि प्रजानाम् अभवत् तदा । कृच्छ्रेण महता सोऽपि प्रणष्टास्व् ओषधीषु वै

āhāraḥ phalamūlāni prajānām abhavat tadā kṛcchreṇa mahatā so 'pi praṇaṣṭāsv oṣadhīṣu vai

Until then, the food of his subjects was fruits and roots, and even that was obtained with great hardship, since the herbs had perished.

Verse 87 (vishnu.1.13.87)

स कल्पयित्वा वत्सं तु मनुं स्वायम्भुवं प्रभुम् । स्वे पाणौ पृथिवीनाथो दुदोह पृथिवीं पृथुः । सस्यजातानि सर्वाणि प्रजानां हितकाम्यया

sa kalpayitvā vatsaṁ tu manuṁ svāyambhuvaṁ prabhum sve pāṇau pṛthivīnātho dudoha pṛthivīṁ pṛthuḥ sasyajātāni sarvāṇi prajānāṁ hitakāmyayā

Then, having made Svayambhuva Manu the calf, that lord of the earth, Prithu, milked into his own hand, out of desire for the welfare of his subjects, all manner of crops.

Verse 88 (vishnu.1.13.88)

तेनान्नेन प्रजास् तात वर्तन्तेऽद्यापि नित्यशः

tenānnena prajās tāta vartante 'dyāpi nityaśaḥ

By that very grain, dear one, do his subjects live even to this day.

Verse 89 (vishnu.1.13.89)

प्राणप्रदानात् स पृथुर् यस्माद् भूमेर् अभूत् पिता । ततस् तु पृथिवीसंज्ञाम् अवापाखिलधारिणी

prāṇapradānāt sa pṛthur yasmād bhūmer abhūt pitā tatas tu pṛthivīsaṁjñām avāpākhiladhāriṇī

Because Prithu thus gave life, as a father would, and sustained the earth, she, the bearer of all things, obtained the name 'Prithvi.'

Verse 90 (vishnu.1.13.90)

ततश् च देवैर् मुनिभिर् दैत्यै रक्षोभिर् अद्रिभिः । गन्धर्वैर् उरगैर् यक्षैः पितृभिस् तरुभिस् तथा

tataś ca devair munibhir daityai rakṣobhir adribhiḥ gandharvair uragair yakṣaiḥ pitṛbhis tarubhis tathā

Then the gods, the sages, the Daityas, the Rakshasas, the mountains, the Gandharvas, the serpents, the Yakshas, the Pitris, and the trees as well—

Verse 91 (vishnu.1.13.91)

तत् तत् पात्रम् उपादाय तत् तद् दुग्धं मुने पयः । वत्सदोग्धृविशेषाश् च तेषां तद्योनयोऽभवन्

tat tat pātram upādāya tat tad dugdhaṁ mune payaḥ vatsadogdhṛviśeṣāś ca teṣāṁ tadyonayo 'bhavan

O sage, each took up a vessel of its own kind and drew forth its own particular milk; and for each of them arose calves and milkers suited to their own kind.

Verse 92 (vishnu.1.13.92)

सैषा धात्री विधात्री च धारिणी पोषणी तथा । सर्वस्य जगतः पृथ्वी विष्णुपादतलोद्भवा

saiṣā dhātrī vidhātrī ca dhāriṇī poṣaṇī tathā sarvasya jagataḥ pṛthvī viṣṇupādatalodbhavā

She, this earth, is thus the nurse, the ordainer, the sustainer, and the nourisher of the entire universe — she who arose from beneath the sole of Vishnu's foot.

Verse 93 (vishnu.1.13.93)

एवंप्रभावः स पृथुः पुत्रो वेनस्य वीर्यवान् । जज्ञे महीपतिः पूर्वं राजाभूज् जनरञ्जनात्

evaṁprabhāvaḥ sa pṛthuḥ putro venasya vīryavān jajñe mahīpatiḥ pūrvaṁ rājābhūj janarañjanāt

Such was the power of that mighty Prithu, son of Vena, who, thus born of old, became the first king of the earth, through the delight of his people.

Verse 94 (vishnu.1.13.94)

य इदं जन्म वैन्यस्य पृथोः संकीर्तयेन् नरः । न तस्य दुष्कृतं किंचित् फलदायि प्रजायते

ya idaṁ janma vainyasya pṛthoḥ saṁkīrtayen naraḥ na tasya duṣkṛtaṁ kiṁcit phaladāyi prajāyate

Whatever man shall recite this birth of Prithu, son of Vena, no evil deed of his shall ever come to bear fruit.

Verse 95 (vishnu.1.13.95)

दुःस्वप्नोपशमं नॄणां शृण्वतां चैतद् उत्तमम् । पृथोर् जन्म प्रभावश् च करोति सततं नृणाम्

duḥsvapnopaśamaṁ nṝṇāṁ śṛṇvatāṁ caitad uttamam pṛthor janma prabhāvaś ca karoti satataṁ nṛṇām

It calms the bad dreams of those who hear it — this excellent account of Prithu's birth and power, ever working the good of men.