Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 12

Pṛthu Mahārāja Milks the Earth (Bhūmi-dugdha) and Organizes Human Settlement

Devanagari script

इति प्रियं हितं वाक्यं भुव आदाय भूपति: । वत्सं कृत्वा मनुं पाणावदुहत्सकलौषधी: ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

iti priyaṁ hitaṁ vākyaṁ bhuva ādāya bhūpatiḥ vatsaṁ kṛtvā manuṁ pāṇāv aduhat sakalauṣadhīḥ

Translation

Nachdem der König die lieblichen und heilsamen Worte der Erde vernommen hatte, nahm er sie an. Dann machte er Svāyambhuva Manu zum Kalb und melkte aus der Erde, wie aus einer Kuh, alle Heilkräuter und Körner, die er in seinen hohl gehaltenen Händen auffing.

Synonyms

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/समाप्ति-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• प्रियम्: dear / pleasing
• प्रियम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (वाक्यम्-सम्बन्धि)

• हितम्: beneficial
• हितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त); √धा (धातु) + हित (PPP)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (PPP), विशेषण (वाक्यम्-सम्बन्धि)

• वाक्यम्: statement
• वाक्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• भुवः: of the earth
• भुवः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• आदाय: having taken
• आदाय: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having taken’

• भूपतिः: the king
• भूपतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूपति (प्रातिपदिक); भू + पति
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन

• वत्सम्: calf
• वत्सम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वत्स (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• कृत्वा: having made
• कृत्वा: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having made’

• मनुम्: Manu
• मनुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• पाणौ: in (his) hand
• पाणौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• अदुहत्: milked
• अदुहत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दुह् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सकलौषधीः: all herbs/medicinal plants
• सकलौषधीः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सकल-औषधी (प्रातिपदिक); सकल + औषधी
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन

Characters & Entities

• Pṛthu Mahārāja
• Pṛthvī (Earth-goddess)
• Manu

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about protecting the Earth and receiving prosperity?

This verse shows that when a righteous ruler accepts the Earth’s beneficial counsel and protects her, the Earth reciprocates by providing essential resources—here, medicinal herbs—supporting the well-being of all.

Why did Pṛthu Mahārāja make Manu the calf while milking the Earth?

In the symbolism of “milking,” the calf draws out the milk; Manu, the progenitor and lawgiver, represents regulated dharma—through dharmic order, the Earth’s gifts are properly obtained and distributed.

How can this Bhagavatam verse be applied in modern life?

Prosperity is sustained by responsible stewardship: take guidance that is both pleasing and beneficial, protect nature, and live with regulation and gratitude so resources serve healing and welfare rather than exploitation.