Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 31

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

Devanagari script

ग्रामान् पुर: पत्तनानि दुर्गाणि विविधानि च । घोषान् व्रजान् सशिबिरानाकरान् खेटखर्वटान् ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

grāmān puraḥ pattanāni durgāṇi vividhāni ca ghoṣān vrajān sa-śibirān ākarān kheṭa-kharvaṭān

Translation

Así, el rey fundó muchos tipos de aldeas, asentamientos y ciudades portuarias, y edificó fortalezas; también estableció moradas para los vaqueros, establos para los animales, lugares para los campamentos reales, zonas mineras, poblados agrícolas y aldeas de montaña.

Synonyms

• ग्रामान्: villages
• ग्रामान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), बहुवचन

• पुरः: cities
• पुरः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), बहुवचन; Vedic/epic form for पुराणि/पुराणि (cities)

• पत्तनानि: towns/ports
• पत्तनानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पत्तन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), बहुवचन

• दुर्गाणि: forts
• दुर्गाणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), बहुवचन

• विविधानि: various
• विविधानि: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विविध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying the listed settlements collectively)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (conjunction)

• घोषान्: cowherd hamlets
• घोषान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), बहुवचन

• व्रजान्: cattle-pens/settlements
• व्रजान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), बहुवचन

• स-शिबिरान्: (places) with camps
• स-शिबिरान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स (अव्यय/उपसर्ग-सदृश) + शिबिर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), बहुवचन; समासः सह-तत्पुरुषः (शिबिरैः सह = with camps)

• आकरान्: mines, resource-sites
• आकरान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), बहुवचन

• खेट-खर्वटान्: market-towns and small villages
• खेट-खर्वटान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खेट (प्रातिपदिक) + खर्वट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), बहुवचन; समासः इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (खेटाश्च खर्वटाश्च)

Characters & Entities

• Pṛthu Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about ideal governance and building society?

This verse describes how King Pṛthu systematically organized all forms of human settlement—villages, towns, forts, pastoral communities, camps, and resource centers—showing that dharmic rule includes practical, well-planned social and economic development.

Why is King Pṛthu described as establishing villages, forts, and cowherd communities?

In the narrative, Pṛthu is the exemplary righteous king; after restoring prosperity, he arranges orderly habitation and protection for citizens, reflecting rajadharma—ensuring security, livelihood, and stability across the kingdom.

How can King Pṛthu’s example be applied in modern life?

Create stability through responsible organization: protect essentials, plan communities thoughtfully, support livelihoods (including agriculture and industry), and ensure resources are used ethically for the welfare of all.