It is said, “Experience is a master teacher, even when it’s not your own”. As documented by our Vedic historians, there was a king named Pruthu, whose experience is important to everyone. He was a pious, knowledgeable and a brave king. His wisdom hails from his guru, Sanath Kumara Swami.
However, Earth was not cooperating with him in sustaining life during his reign. There were no timely rains, the soil had become infertile and everyone was hungry and poor.
The king was very unhappy with the situation and meditated on a solution. Owing to his earnest desire to serve his people, he rose to a state of anger. This was described metaphorically with Earth in the form of a cow running for its life as the king chased it with a bow and arrow in anger.
Srimad Bhagavatham states that the whole of Earth is named as Prithvi after the King Pruthu, because he was successful in restoring Earth to its best state with everyone living cohesively.
Today, as we mourn the deaths and suffering from COVID-19, we all agree and believe that natural resources were and are being over-used and exploited. Human beings have breached the ozone layer, chemicalized and polluted the flora, ill-treated the fauna, and occupied other species’ rightful space. Hence, it seems that mother Earth has gone back to the same position of not cooperating with the current rulers to yield healthy food, wise thoughts, and keeping the existence happy and intact.
Therefore, is it time to learn from the experience of King Pruthu?
Can the current rulers follow his direction and restore Earth to its ideal state?
Vidura questioned Maitreya Maharshi about the greatness of King Pruthu and sought to know the solution that the king applied in such critical time. The sage explained to Vidura in detail (Srimad Bhagavatham, Canto 4, Chapter 17, and 18).
It was described as a hunter (king) who chased a cow (mother Earth) and sought its flesh (resources) for feeding the hunter’s family (the creatures on the Earth). The cow suggested that the hunter’s family show some respect, and follow guidelines and limits so that co-existence could be possible. The cow advised the king to stop hunting her and start regulating the activities of all species. Only then could, she can yield the necessary food for all species. Species by species the hunter then arranged for a calf (leader), the work-force (the producers) and the vessel /pot (the means to produce) to hold the milk (the required yield/food).
| Species | Leader | Producers | Tools to produce | Resulting Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human beings (common people – work, earn, eat – feed senses, rest, repeat) | Swayambhuva Manu | King Pruthu | Hands (physical work) | Herbs and grains (sakala owshadhi) Don’t waste the soil, grow food. Consume only such herbs and grains. |
| Sages (wise people) | Bruhaspati | King Pruthu, Vasishta, and other sages | Controlled senses/indriyas | Preserve and spread Vedic knowledge, read/write scriptures |
| De:vatha:s (powers controlling life energies on Earth) | Indra | Vayu, Agni etc | Hiranmayi (regulation of manas) | Mental ability (veeryam), strength in senses (ojah), physical energy (balam) |
| Da:nava:s | Prahlada | Other prominent team members of Da:nava community | Ayahpatre: (Iron vessel – metallic) | Gaudi (fermented sugar/jaggery based liquor), Paishti (fermented flower paste based), Ma:dhvi (honey and fruit based) |
| Gandharvas and Apsaras (pleasing physical appearance – beauty dominant) | Viswa:vasu | Other prominent models | Flowers | Beauty |
| Pitru gana:s (departed souls) | Aryama | Other prominent departed souls | Unburnt clay | Annam (pinda pradanam) |
| Siddha:s (supernatural powers) | Sage Kapila | Other prominent leads | cloud-based energies in space | 8 supernatural powers like anima, mahima, garima, laghima (visible in Hanuman and Angada in Ramayana) |
| Vidya:dhara:s | Sage Kapila | Other prominent leads | Cloud-based energies in space | Ability to fly and other such powers |
| Kimpurushas | Maya | Other prominent leads | Mind | Ability to change forms at will – disappear (anthardhanam), appear (aavirbhutham), interesting forms (vichitra rupa dharana) |
| Yaksha, Rakshasa, Bhutha and Pisacha | Rudra | Other prominent leads | Skull | Flesh, blood (from goats, hens, pigs, dogs, donkeys, and other creatures), and Drugs |
| Serpents (hoods and hoodless) | Thakshaka | Other prominent serpents | Anthills | Poison |
| Animals like cows etc | Ox | Other prominent animals | Forest | Grass |
| Wild animals (lions, tigers, jackals, cats, dogs – those that can tear the skin of other animals – canine teeth) | Lion | Other prominent animals | Physical body | Flesh |
| Birds | Eagle | Other prominent birds | Forest | Fruits, smaller birds, and insects |
| Trees | Banyan tree | Other prominent trees | Forest | Six types of tastes (madhura, lavana, etc) |
| Mountains | Himalaya | Other prominent peaks | Land | Elements (dhathus) like mercury, rock salt, pashana etc |
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| Species | Leader | Producers | Tools to produce | Resulting Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human beings (common people – work, earn, eat – feed senses, rest, repeat) | Swayambhuva Manu | King Pruthu | Hands (physical work) | Herbs and grains (sakala owshadhi) Don’t waste the soil, grow food. Consume only such herbs and grains. |
| Sages (wise people) | Bruhaspati | King Pruthu, Vasishta, and other sages | Controlled senses/indriyas | Preserve and spread Vedic knowledge, read/write scriptures |
| De:vatha:s (powers controlling life energies on Earth) | Indra | Vayu, Agni etc | Hiranmayi (regulation of manas) | Mental ability (veeryam), strength in senses (ojah), physical energy (balam) |
| Da:nava:s | Prahlada | Other prominent team members of Da:nava community | Ayahpatre: (Iron vessel – metallic) | Gaudi (fermented sugar/jaggery based liquor), Paishti (fermented flower paste based), Ma:dhvi (honey and fruit based) |
| Gandharvas and Apsaras (pleasing physical appearance – beauty dominant) | Viswa:vasu | Other prominent models | Flowers | Beauty |
| Pitru gana:s (departed souls) | Aryama | Other prominent departed souls | Unburnt clay | Annam (pinda pradanam) |
| Siddha:s (supernatural powers) | Sage Kapila | Other prominent leads | cloud-based energies in space | 8 supernatural powers like anima, mahima, garima, laghima (visible in Hanuman and Angada in Ramayana) |
| Vidya:dhara:s | Sage Kapila | Other prominent leads | Cloud-based energies in space | Ability to fly and other such powers |
| Kimpurushas | Maya | Other prominent leads | Mind | Ability to change forms at will – disappear (anthardhanam), appear (aavirbhutham), interesting forms (vichitra rupa dharana) |
| Yaksha, Rakshasa, Bhutha and Pisacha | Rudra | Other prominent leads | Skull | Flesh, blood (from goats, hens, pigs, dogs, donkeys, and other creatures), and Drugs |
| Serpents (hoods and hoodless) | Thakshaka | Other prominent serpents | Anthills | Poison |
| Animals like cows etc | Ox | Other prominent animals | Forest | Grass |
| Wild animals (lions, tigers, jackals, cats, dogs – those that can tear the skin of other animals – canine teeth) | Lion | Other prominent animals | Physical body | Flesh |
| Birds | Eagle | Other prominent birds | Forest | Fruits, smaller birds, and insects |
| Trees | Banyan tree | Other prominent trees | Forest | Six types of tastes (madhura, lavana, etc) |
| Mountains | Himalaya | Other prominent peaks | Land | Elements (dhathus) like mercury, rock salt, pashana etc |
And more… with a comprehensive classification of all species. He attained peaceful co-existence by pleasing mother Earth as he appointed leaders who can regulate activities of the species, curb/punish for any deviations, and encourage any weaker sections to maintain the balance.
Today, we see so many breaches by humankind. The obvious ones are the type/amount of food he consumes as well as the space he intrudes into of other species and the nature itself.
Can the Earth go back to giving us what we need? Not just physical elements such as food but also mental, intellectual, spiritual abilities to give us joy and peace? Yes, absolutely. It was proven once when King Pruthu worked hard for it. It is possible again by learning from his experience and the implemented solution. We need rulers such as King Pruthu and leaders such as Manu, Bruhaspati, and a sincere work-force!
All the advocates of the current version of science and technology, as long as there is no deviating from these norms, life will be happier and healthier for all the species, including ourselves. On a personal level, you can check if you are intruding with any other species and its food? Maybe you are violating the rules and regulations laid down for human beings, This should be the first step from each one of us!
Prudhivya: o:shadhayaha, o:shadhi:bhyo:nnam
Anna:th purushaha, sava: e:va purusho: narasamayha
Human beings are made to live by consuming only o:shadhi: herbs, grains etc grown from the soil. Nothing else like eggs, meat, etc!
– From the discourse of Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji
– Pearls from Bhagavatham, Session 3
– 30 th May 2020
Who else can bring to us in this kaliyuga the knowledge of puraanaas and epics as it is other than srisri sri chinajeeyar swaami . With his simple narration he is a mine of knowledge and perennial river ganga