Shloka 41
Narrative of King Pṛthu: Chastising and Milking the Earth
ऋषिभिश्चैव मिलितैर्दुग्धा चेयं वसुंधरा । पुनर्विप्रैर्महाभाग्यैः सत्यवद्भिः सुरैस्तथा
ṛṣibhiścaiva militairdugdhā ceyaṃ vasuṃdharā | punarviprairmahābhāgyaiḥ satyavadbhiḥ suraistathā
ครั้นเหล่าฤๅษีประชุมพร้อมกัน ก็ได้รีดน้ำนมจากปฐพีนี้; และอีกครั้งโดยพราหมณ์ผู้มีมหามงคล ผู้กล่าวสัตย์ ตลอดจนโดยเหล่าเทวะด้วย
Unspecified (narrative voice within the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa dialogue context)
Concept: When sages unite and truth-speaking brāhmaṇas (and devas) act in harmony, Earth yields her bounty; satya and collective dharma unlock prosperity.
Application: Practice satya (truthfulness), cooperate for common welfare, and treat natural resources as sacred—take only what is needed and replenish through charity and care.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a mythic panorama, the Earth appears as a majestic cow (Bhū-devī embodied), calm-eyed and adorned with garlands, while assembled ṛṣis perform mantra and tapas to ‘milk’ her gifts into golden vessels. Nearby, truth-speaking brāhmaṇas and radiant devas participate, and the ‘milk’ transforms into grains, herbs, and prosperity flowing across the land—an image of sacred reciprocity rather than exploitation.","primary_figures":["Bhū-devī as Earth-cow","assembled ṛṣis","truth-speaking brāhmaṇas","devas (radiant attendants)"],"setting":"cosmic meadow merging into cultivated earth; ritual circle with kuśa grass, vessels, and mantra-fire (subtle)","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["pearl white","golden amber","forest green","sky turquoise","crimson accents"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Bhū-devī as a divine cow with ornate jewelry and gold leaf highlights; ṛṣis and brāhmaṇas in a ritual semicircle holding golden pots; devas above with shimmering halos; rich reds/greens, heavy gold leaf embellishment, intricate borders, sacred abundance flowing as stylized grains and herbs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: poetic mythic meadow with delicate figures of sages; Earth-cow rendered with gentle expression; fine botanical detailing as herbs and grains emerge; cool mountain-like palette with luminous gold accents, refined faces, airy composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized Earth-cow and rows of sages with bold outlines; rhythmic repetition of vessels and garlands; devas as symmetrical celestial figures; natural pigments with strong reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall iconography emphasizing satya and dharma.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Earth-cow motif surrounded by lotus borders and floral vines; sages as patterned figures in circular arrangement; abundance depicted as decorative grain and herb motifs; deep blues and gold, intricate border work with peacocks, devotional symbolism of Bhū-devī under Vaiṣṇava order."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["Vedic chanting","low drum resonance","temple bells","wind over grass"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऋषिभिः+च+एव→ऋषिभिश्चैव; मिलितैः+दुग्धा→मिलितैर्दुग्धा; च+इयम्→चेयं; पुनः+विप्रैः→पुनर्विप्रैः; विप्रैः+महाभाग्यैः→विप्रैर्महाभाग्यैः; सुरैः+तथा→सुरैस्तथा।
FAQs
It refers to a Purāṇic motif where the Earth is symbolically “milked” to yield resources, boons, or sustenance—highlighting cosmic order and the regulated extraction of prosperity through dharma.
The verse links prosperity with ethical authority: truthful, dharma-aligned spiritual leaders are portrayed as fit agents for obtaining and distributing the Earth’s bounty responsibly.
That the world’s resources should be drawn forth through collective discipline, righteousness, and restraint—rather than exploitation—so that prosperity remains aligned with cosmic and moral order.