Prthu’s Appearance

Chapter 14, 15, 16

The sages were now faced with the same problem – an uprising of thieves and the precarious situation of a world with no ruler. Desiring the appearance of a suitable king, the sages churned Vena’s thighs. A humble dwarf-like entity named Bahuka appeared, who assumed all of Vena’s sinful activities.

Having separated the impure portion of Vena, the sages proceeded to churn his two arms, and a male and female duly appeared. The male was a saktyavesa-avatara (Prthu), and the female was a plenary expansion of the Goddess of Fortune (Arci). Maharaja Prthu, who would become the emblem of ideal leadership, had appeared to protect the citizens and was subsequently coronated. The demigods presented him with wonderful gifts and the assembly glorified him with choice poetry. Hearing himself being praised, Prthu humbly submitted that he had not yet displayed such character and was concerned their words don’t go in vain.

Despite Prthu’s humble protests, the bards continued to commend his saintly character and leadership qualities, knowing him to be a specially empowered incarnation of the Lord. They thus predicted the prosperity and happiness that his reign would bring.