Shloka 32
Pṛthu Mahārāja Milks the Earth (Bhūmi-dugdha) and Organizes Human Settlement
प्राक्पृथोरिह नैवैषा पुरग्रामादिकल्पना । यथासुखं वसन्ति स्म तत्र तत्राकुतोभया: ॥ ३२ ॥
prāk pṛthor iha naivaiṣā pura-grāmādi-kalpanā yathā-sukhaṁ vasanti sma tatra tatrākutobhayāḥ
Antes do reinado do rei Pṛthu não havia aqui qualquer organização planejada de cidades, aldeias e afins. As pessoas viviam sem medo, dispersas, construindo conforme a própria conveniência; porém, desde o tempo de Pṛthu, passaram a existir planos para vilas e cidades.
From this statement it appears that town and city planning is not new but has been coming down since the time of King Pṛthu. In India we can see regular planning methods evident in very old cities. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam there are many descriptions of such ancient cities. Even five thousand years ago, Lord Kṛṣṇa’s capital, Dvārakā, was well planned, and similar other cities — Mathurā and Hastināpura (now New Delhi) — were also well planned. Thus the planning of cities and towns is not a modern innovation but was existing in bygone ages.
FAQs
This verse states that organized settlements like cities and villages were not established before King Pṛthu; people lived freely in various places, and structured habitation developed under his rule.
In the narrative of Canto 4, Pṛthu is portrayed as an ideal ruler who brings order and prosperity to the earth; this verse highlights that civic organization (pura-grāma) became established in connection with his reign.
The verse suggests that good governance and dharmic order reduce fear and instability; personally, cultivating integrity, simple living, and supportive community structures can similarly create a more secure, peaceful life.