King Vena and Prithu Chakravarti

In the lineage of Chakshusa Manu and the Puru Vamsha were Angira and his wife Sunita the daughte Mrityu who gave birth to King Vena. In the beginning, Vena’s kingship was normal but eventually he ordered that none should perform Yagnas to Devas but to himself. He was so conceited that he claimed himself as a symbol of bravery, victory and unparalleled knowledge. He enacted Regulations verging on sacrilege and sought them to be enforced. For long time, the Subjects suffered him with hatred but the sages revolted and a day arrived when he was imprisoned; in fact Maharshi Atri the Kula Guru spearheaded the popular uprising. They churned his thighs and there emerged an ugly and Frightful ‘Kaala Swarup’which was stated to have misdirected his behaviour despite his glorious ancestry. However when they rubbed his right shoulder, there was a sparkling and imposing Figure materialised with bow and celestial arrows donning a Kavacha or a Body Safeguard.

The new King Prithu picked up speedy popularity as he proved be an ideal and virtuous Administrator endeared by Maharshis and commoners alike. In course of time there were no problems owing to physical ailments, mental tensions and even of natural calamities in the Society. This was the first King ever who performed Rajasuya Yagna. It was this illustrious Emperor who controlled Bhumi (Earth); the latter took the Form of a Cow and sought to run away as was she was expected too much from her by various sections of the Universe. But Pruthu Chakravarti (literally he whose chariot wheels move forward swiftly without being interrupted by any opponent party) however chased and forced her to yield maximum milk to one and all in the form that they desired it. Pruthu himsel milked her having converted Swayambhu Manu as the calf and made her yield food grains to all, while in  regime of Vena the staple food was of flowers and fruits. Various sections of the world milke the material as  they desired; for instance, Rishis converted Chandra as a calf, Brihaspati as the milkman, Tapomaya Brahma as the milk and Vedas as the container to fill up the milk; Devatas made Indra as the calf, Surya as the milkman and ‘’Pushtikaahara’ or healthy food as milk; Pitru Devatas requested Yamadharma Raja as the calf, Antaka Deva as the milk man and ‘Swadha’as the milk; Nagas selected Takshaka as the calf, Iravata Serpent as the milkmen and Visha (Poison) as the milk; Asuras  appointed Mathu Daitya as the milkman, Virochana as the calf and Maya (Illusions) as the milk; Yakshas preferred Kubera as the calf, Rajananaabha Yaksha as the milkman and ‘Antardhaana Vidya’ or the Art of Disappearance as the milk; similarly all other species selected their own  Milkmen and calves and Gandharvas opted milk in the form of fragrance; Rakshasas opted for blood,  Mountains preferred ‘Aoushadhis’ and soon thus satisfying every one in his governance! 

Sri V.D.N.Rao and Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham

Kamakoti.org presents the Essence of Puranas in English, condensed by Sri. V.D.N.Rao, devotee of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. Compiled, Composed and Interpreted by V.D.N.Rao, Former General Manager, India Trade Promotion Organisation, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India The author can be contacted at [email protected]