Tale of Prithu

Vishnu Purana states that as the right hand of Vena were rubbed by the Rishis and from it had sprung the highly powerful Prithu. Prithu was resplendent in person and was burning like the fire itself. At the birth of Prithu all the beings around were greatly delighted. And at the birth of that pious son, Vena too had attained to the region of celestial and was delivered by that high-souled one from the hell named Patal.

The legend on Prithu says that the seas and rivers from all sides came there with holy water and pearls and gems of diverse kinds, for his inauguration on the throne. The great parent of all, Lord Brahma, with the celestials and the descendants of Angiras (the fires) and with all things, animate or inanimate, had also come and had performed the ceremony of consecrating the lord of people the son of king of Vena.

The Purana says that the highly powerful Prithu, the son of Vena, being thus invested with a mighty dominion, his power was unimpeded even in the region of the celestials. It has also been mentioned that even those subjects who were not much interested about his father Vena were attracted to Prithu.

Vishnu Purana narrates that the waters became solid when he traversed the deep; the mountains opened him way and his banners were unbroken even when he passed through the forests. During the time of Prithu the earth yielded crops without cultivation; people got their food without any thought the king gave milk at any time and honey was stored in every flower.

The auspicious sacrifice which was performed at the birth of Prithu and which was headed by the great parent the highly intelligent Suta was produced from the juice of the moon plant. And in that great sacrifice the highly intelligent Magadha was also born. According to the Vishnu Purana Prithu is the fit object of praise of the individuals.

As the legend of Prithu proceeds it has been said that once when there was lack of food in the kingdom all the people had approached him to be saved from hunger. At this Prithu was enraged and tried to attack the earth. The earth had taken the form of a cow and had tried to escape from Prithu. But finally she was unsuccessful and had surrendered to Prithu saying that he was the hero of resistless prowess.

Finally the legend on Prithu ends saying that before Prithu the surface of the earth was irregular and there were no boundaries of villages and cities. There was no cultivation, no pasture, no agriculture, and no high way for merchants.