Priʹthu

The favourite hero of the Indian Purânas. Vena having been slain for his wickedness, and leaving no offspring, the saints rubbed his right arm, and the friction brought forth Prithu. Being told that the earth had suspended for a time its fertility, Prithu went forth to punish it, and the Earth, under the form of a cow, fled at his approach; but being unable to escape, promised that in future “seed-time and harvest should never fail.”