Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 12
Pṛthu Mahārāja Milks the Earth (Bhūmi-dugdha) and Organizes Human Settlement
इति प्रियं हितं वाक्यं भुव आदाय भूपति: । वत्सं कृत्वा मनुं पाणावदुहत्सकलौषधी: ॥ १२ ॥
iti priyaṁ hitaṁ vākyaṁ bhuva ādāya bhūpatiḥ vatsaṁ kṛtvā manuṁ pāṇāv aduhat sakalauṣadhīḥ
ក្រោយស្តាប់ពាក្យពេញចិត្ត និងមានប្រយោជន៍របស់ព្រះធរណី ព្រះមហាក្សត្របានទទួលយក។ បន្ទាប់មក ព្រះអង្គបានធ្វើឲ្យ ស្វាយម្ភូវ មនុ ជាកូនគោ ហើយដោះពីធរណីដែលដូចគោ ឲ្យបានឱសថ និងធញ្ញជាតិទាំងអស់ ចូលក្នុងដៃដែលកោងទទួល។
FAQs
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.
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.
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.