Shloka 47

वेन-पृथु-प्रादुर्भावः, राजधर्मः, पृथिवीदोहनम्

Vena–Pṛthu Episode and the Milking of Earth

Devanagari script

महता राजराज्येन पृथुर् वैन्यः प्रतापवान् सो ऽभिषिक्तो महातेजा विधिवद् धर्मकोविदैः

Transliteration

mahatā rājarājyena pṛthur vainyaḥ pratāpavān so 'bhiṣikto mahātejā vidhivad dharmakovidaiḥ

Translation

Endowed with a vast and sovereign kingship, the mighty Pṛthu—son of Vena—radiant with great splendor, was duly consecrated according to sacred ordinance by those who were expert in dharma.

Word by Word

• महता: by great
• महता: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; विशेषण (राजराज्येन इति)

• राजराज्येन: by royal sovereignty
• राजराज्येन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज (प्रातिपदिक) + राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; ‘राज्ञः राज्यं’ इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष; करण

• पृथुः: Pṛthu
• पृथुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कर्ता

• वैन्यः: son of Vena
• वैन्यः: Karta (Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; उपाधि/पितृ-सम्बन्धसूचक (Vena’s son)

• प्रतापवान्: valiant
• प्रतापवान्: Karta (Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रतापवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण (पृथुः इति)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कर्ता (पुनरुक्ति/अन्वय)

• अभिषिक्तः: anointed
• अभिषिक्तः: Karta (Subject predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-षिच् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे कर्तृवाच्य-विशेषण (he, having been anointed)

• महातेजाः: of great splendour
• महातेजाः: Karta (Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘महच्च तत् तेजः यस्य’; विशेषण (सः इति)

• विधिवत्: according to rule
• विधिवत्: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), प्रकारवाचक

• धर्मकोविदैः: by those skilled in dharma
• धर्मकोविदैः: Karana (Instrument/Agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + कोविद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; ‘धर्मे कोविदाः’ इति सप्तमी/तत्पुरुषार्थे; करण/कर्तृ (passive sense)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Teaching: Historical

Quality: authoritative

Avatara Context

Purpose: Pṛthu’s consecration establishes a divinely sanctioned ruler to re-found dharmic governance after Vena.

Leela: Dharma-upadesa

Dharma Restored: Proper royal consecration (abhiṣeka) and governance by śāstra

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Kingship becomes auspicious and stable when inaugurated and exercised according to dharma-vidhi by the wise.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Seek qualified guidance and follow principled procedures in positions of authority; legitimacy comes from ethics, not force.

Vishishtadvaita: Śrī (prosperity/royal fortune) is implied as accompanying righteous rule under the Lord’s order.

Dynasty & Genealogy

Dharma Exemplar: Śāstra-vidhi (rule by ordinance)

Key Kings: Pṛthu, Vena

Vaishnava Theology

Bhakti Type: Shanta

Lakshmi Presence: Sri

Characters & Entities

• Pṛthu
• Vena
• Dharma (righteous order)
• Royal consecration (Abhiṣeka)
• Ritual experts (dharma-kovidas)

FAQs

What is the significance of Pṛthu’s abhiṣeka (consecration) in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse marks Pṛthu’s legitimate installation as ruler—kingship is portrayed as a dharma-sanctioned institution that restores order after the disorder associated with Vena.

How does Sage Parāśara explain dharma in relation to kingship here?

By emphasizing that Pṛthu is consecrated “vidhivat” by “dharma-kovidas,” Parāśara frames political authority as valid only when aligned with ritual propriety and righteousness.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Even when not named in the verse, the Purāṇic framework implies that rightful sovereignty and dharma ultimately function under Vishnu’s supreme order, with kingship serving as an instrument for maintaining cosmic and social harmony.