An ancient monarch who ruled over all of the Earth and whose reign is considered a golden period in Hindu mythology.
Prthu is formed magically from King Vena's right hand, a man
so evil that he forbids any sacrifices to the gods.
People in Prthu's kingdom experience hunger after his birth,
as the Earth refuses to create food in protest of Vena's evil.
Prthu pursues Earth, who has assumed the shape of a cow.
Finally, she accepts that if Prthu spares her life, she will
create food once again.
Prthivi ("connected to Prthu") is the name given
to the Earth in honor of this act.
