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Shloka 28

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

ततो महीपति: प्रीत: सर्वकामदुघां पृथु: । दुहितृत्वे चकारेमां प्रेम्णा दुहितृवत्सल: ॥ २८ ॥

tato mahīpatiḥ prītaḥ sarva-kāma-dughāṁ pṛthuḥ duhitṛtve cakāremāṁ premṇā duhitṛ-vatsalaḥ

ततो महीपतिः पृथुः सर्वकामदुघां पृथ्वीं दृष्ट्वा प्रीतोऽभवत्। सा सर्वेषां कामान् पूरयन्तीति ज्ञात्वा, दुहितृत्वे चकारेमां प्रेम्णा दुहितृवत्सलः।

tataḥthen/thereupon
tataḥ:
Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Roottataḥ (अव्यय)
Formदेश/काल-अव्यय (adverb: ‘then/from that’)
mahīpatiḥthe king (lord of the earth)
mahīpatiḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootmahī (प्रातिपदिक) + pati (प्रातिपदिक)
Formतत्पुरुष-समास (‘lord of the earth’), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)
prītaḥpleased
prītaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootprīta (प्री धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय)
Formभूतकर्मणि क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)
sarva-kāma-dughāmyielding all desires
sarva-kāma-dughām:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootsarva (प्रातिपदिक) + kāma (प्रातिपदिक) + duh (दुह् धातु)
Formतत्पुरुष-समास; ‘dughā’ agentive, स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)
pṛthuḥPṛthu
pṛthuḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootpṛthu (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)
duhitṛtvein the status of a daughter/daughterhood
duhitṛtve:
Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
TypeNoun
Rootduhitṛtva (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)
cakārahe made/appointed
cakāra:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootkṛ (कृ धातु)
Formलिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)
imāmthis (her/this Earth)
imām:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootidam (प्रातिपदिक)
Formसर्वनाम (pronoun), स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)
premṇāwith love
premṇā:
Karaṇa (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootpreman (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)
duhitṛ-vatsalaḥaffectionate to (his) daughter
duhitṛ-vatsalaḥ:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootduhitṛ (प्रातिपदिक) + vatsala (प्रातिपदिक)
Formतत्पुरुष-समास (‘affectionate to a daughter’), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)
P
Pṛthu
B
Bhūmi (Earth)

FAQs

This verse describes the Earth as sarva-kāma-dughām—able to supply all necessities and desired resources—when she is properly protected and governed by a righteous king like Pṛthu.

After being pleased, Pṛthu related to the Earth with protective, affectionate responsibility—like a father to a daughter—signifying care, guardianship, and dharmic stewardship rather than exploitation.

Treat nature and resources as a trust to be protected and nurtured—responsible leadership, gratitude, and sustainable use—so that society receives genuine prosperity without harm.