Shloka 9

वेन-पृथु-प्रादुर्भावः, राजधर्मः, पृथिवीदोहनम्

Vena–Pṛthu Episode and the Milking of Earth

Devanagari script

येन दुग्धा मही पूर्वं प्रजानां हितकारणात्

Transliteration

yena dugdhā mahī pūrvaṃ prajānāṃ hitakāraṇāt

Translation

He was the one who, in former times, ‘milked’ the Earth herself for the welfare and sustenance of all peoples.

Word by Word

• येन: by whom
• येन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; सम्बन्ध-प्रत्यय (relative)

• दुग्धा: was milked
• दुग्धा: Kriya (Predicate participle/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दुह् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त (past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (मही इति सह)

• मही: the earth
• मही: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मही (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• पूर्वम्: formerly
• पूर्वम्: Kala (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्वम् (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक-नपुंसक)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• प्रजानाम्: of the creatures/subjects
• प्रजानाम्: Sambandha (Beneficiary relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• हितकारणात्: for the cause of welfare
• हितकारणात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हित + कारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी, एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (हितस्य कारणम्)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Why Pṛthu is celebrated: his securing of nourishment and welfare for prajā

Teaching: Historical

Quality: compassionate

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The ruler’s dharma is to ‘milk’ resources without violence—organizing the earth’s productivity for the common good (prajānāṃ hita).

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Practice stewardship: sustainable use of resources, fair distribution, and governance oriented to welfare rather than exploitation.

Vishishtadvaita: Bhūmi as a dependent mode of the Divine is to be cared for; welfare of beings is service to Nārāyaṇa who indwells the world-order

Dynasty & Genealogy

Dharma Exemplar: Pṛthu—prajā-hita and anna-dāna through righteous governance

Key Kings: Pṛthu

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Narayana

Lakshmi Presence: Bhumi

Characters & Entities

• Earth (Mahī/Pr̥thivī)
• Prajā (beings/subjects)
• King Pṛthu (implied by context)

FAQs

What is the significance of ‘milking the Earth’ in the Vishnu Purana?

It symbolizes the restoration of abundance and order: the Earth yields resources when approached through rightful authority and dharma, for the welfare of all beings.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the king’s role in sustaining society here?

By presenting the ideal ruler as one who secures prosperity for prajā—making the land productive and ensuring nourishment—so governance becomes an instrument of dharma.

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

Even when Vishnu is not named in the line, the episode reflects Vaishnava cosmology: worldly stability and prosperity arise when dharma aligns with the supreme sustaining principle embodied by Vishnu.