Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 24
Pṛthu Mahārāja Milks the Earth (Bhūmi-dugdha) and Organizes Human Settlement
पशवो यवसं क्षीरं वत्सं कृत्वा च गोवृषम् । अरण्यपात्रे चाधुक्षन्मृगेन्द्रेण च दंष्ट्रिण: ॥ २३ ॥ क्रव्यादा: प्राणिन: क्रव्यं दुदुहु: स्वे कलेवरे । सुपर्णवत्सा विहगाश्चरं चाचरमेव च ॥ २४ ॥
paśavo yavasaṁ kṣīraṁ vatsaṁ kṛtvā ca go-vṛṣam araṇya-pātre cādhukṣan mṛgendreṇa ca daṁṣṭriṇaḥ
四足之兽以驮持湿婆的公牛为犊，以森林为器，从大地挤取青嫩牧草如乳而食；獠牙猛兽以狮为犊，得肉为乳；群鸟以迦楼罗为犊，从地母汲取动与不动之物——飞虫与草木——皆如乳汁。
There are many carnivorous birds descended from Garuḍa, the winged carrier of Lord Viṣṇu. Indeed, there is a particular type of bird that is very fond of eating monkeys, and eagles are fond of eating goats. Of course, many birds eat only fruits and berries. Therefore the words caram, referring to moving animals, and acaram, referring to grasses, fruits and vegetables, are mentioned in this verse.
FAQs
This verse explains that different classes of beings “milked” the Earth and received their own suitable sustenance—showing the Earth’s role as a divinely empowered provider for all life.
In the Pṛthu narrative, milking symbolizes orderly governance and dharma: when the king establishes righteousness, nature yields appropriately for every creature.
Treat natural resources as sacred and regulated by dharma—take what is needed responsibly, recognizing that different beings also have rightful shares.