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== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology  ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology  ==

Earth is commonly known in Samskrit by the terms Prthvi, Prthivi, Bhumi, Dhara, Mahi, Medini, Kashyapi etc. The significance of these names are explained in Samskrit dictionaries with etymologies as well as with stories from the itihasas and puranas. Some such interesting interpretations of the names are enumerated here.<ref name=":1" /> For example,

Earth is commonly known in Samskrit by the terms Prthvi, Prthivi, Bhumi, Dhara, Mahi, Medini, Kashyapi etc. The significance of these names are explained in Samskrit dictionaries with etymologies as well as with stories from the itihasas and puranas. Some such interesting interpretations of the names are enumerated here.<ref name=":1" />

* According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana, earth is called Medini since it was made out of the marrow (meda) of the two Asuras Madhu and Kaitabha. She is also called Dhara as she supports everything, Prthvi due to her expanse and Mahi because of her greatness in supporting so many beings.<ref>Swami Vijnanananda (1921-22), [https://archive.org/details/SrimadDeviBhagavatamEnglish/page/n129/mode/2up?view=theater The Srimad Devi Bhagawatam (Part I & II)]</ref>

* According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana, earth is called Medini since it was made out of the marrow (meda) of the two Asuras Madhu and Kaitabha. She is also called Dhara as she supports everything, Prthvi due to her expanse and Mahi because of her greatness in supporting so many beings.<ref>Swami Vijnanananda (1921-22), [https://archive.org/details/SrimadDeviBhagavatamEnglish/page/n129/mode/2up?view=theater The Srimad Devi Bhagawatam (Part I & II)]</ref>

<blockquote>मधुकैटभयोर्मेदः संयोगान्मेदिनी स्मृता । धारणाच्च धरा प्रोक्ता पृथ्वी विस्तारयोगतः ॥ ८ ॥ मही चापि महीयस्... ।<ref>Devi Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 3, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A9/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 13]</ref> madhukaiṭabhayormedaḥ saṁyogānmedinī smr̥tā । dhāraṇācca dharā proktā pr̥thvī vistārayogataḥ ॥ 8 ॥ mahī cāpi mahīyas... ।</blockquote>

<blockquote>मधुकैटभयोर्मेदः संयोगान्मेदिनी स्मृता । धारणाच्च धरा प्रोक्ता पृथ्वी विस्तारयोगतः ॥ ८ ॥ मही चापि महीयस्... ।<ref>Devi Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 3, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A9/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 13]</ref> madhukaiṭabhayormedaḥ saṁyogānmedinī smr̥tā । dhāraṇācca dharā proktā pr̥thvī vistārayogataḥ ॥ 8 ॥ mahī cāpi mahīyas... ।</blockquote>

* According to Shabdakalpadruma, the words Prthvi or Prthivi stem from the root word 'Prath' which means 'to spread' or 'to extend'; it is endowed with the quality of 'sthulatva' or 'expanse'. She is called Prthvi on account of her being considered the daughter of Raja Prthu.  

* According to Shabdakalpadruma, the words Prthvi or Prthivi stem from the root word 'Prath' which means 'to spread' or 'to extend'; it is endowed with the quality of 'sthulatva' or 'expanse'. She is called Prthvi on account of her being considered the daughter of Raja Prthu.  

<blockquote>प्रथते विस्तारं यातीति पृथिवी । पृथ्वी स्थूलत्वगुणयुक्ता । पृथोर्दुहितृत्वस्वीकारादेतन्नाम ।<ref name=":1" /> prathate vistāraṁ yātīti pr̥thivī । pr̥thvī sthūlatvaguṇayuktā । pr̥thorduhitr̥tvasvīkārādetannāma ।</blockquote>It is said that formerly, the grounds were not even, there were no divisions like villages and towns, no crops like rice or wheat, no agriculture, no cow-protection and no trade. People desired to live in places where the grounds were even. Then they lived on fruits, leaves and roots. But then came a time when everything was destroyed and people found it difficult to live. Therefore, Prthu, making Svayambhuva Manu as calf, milked all the plants from the earth for the welfare of his people. Even today, people live by what was milked then. And because he brought back life on Earth, Prthu became father of the earth and she got the name Prthvi.<ref>Vettam Mani (1975), Puranic Encyclopaedia, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. See: [https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/608/mode/2up?view=theater Prthu milks the earth]</ref>

<blockquote>प्रथते विस्तारं यातीति पृथिवी । पृथ्वी स्थूलत्वगुणयुक्ता । पृथोर्दुहितृत्वस्वीकारादेतन्नाम ।<ref name=":1" /> prathate vistāraṁ yātīti pr̥thivī । pr̥thvī sthūlatvaguṇayuktā । pr̥thorduhitr̥tvasvīkārādetannāma ।</blockquote>It is said that formerly, the grounds were not even, there were no divisions like villages and towns, no crops like rice or wheat, no agriculture, no cow-protection and no trade. People desired to live in places where the grounds were even. Then they lived on fruits, leaves and roots. But then came a time when everything was destroyed and people found it difficult to live. Therefore, Prthu, making Svayambhuva Manu as calf, milked all the plants from the earth for the welfare of his people. Even today, people live by what was milked then. And because he brought back life on Earth, Prthu became father of the earth and she got the name Prthvi.<ref>Vettam Mani (1975), Puranic Encyclopaedia, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. See: [https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/608/mode/2up?view=theater Prthu milks the earth]</ref>

=== पृथ्वीदोहनम् ॥ Milking of the Earth ===

=== पृथ्वीदोहनम् ॥ Milking of the Earth ===

It is said that the learned call the earth Prthvi because she was milked by the righteous ruler Prthu.<ref name=":4">Major B D Basu (1916), The Sacred Books of the Hindus ([https://shaivam.org/english/sen-purana-matsya-puranam-1.pdf Vol. 17, Part 1-The Matsya Puranam]), Allahabad: The Panini Office.</ref><blockquote>दुहितृत्वङ्गता यस्मात् पृथौर्धर्म्मवतो मही। तदानुरागयोगाच्च पृथिवी विश्रुता बुधैः।। १०.३५ ।।<ref>Matsya Purana, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6 Adhyaya 10]</ref>  

It is said that the learned call the earth Prthvi because she was milked by the righteous ruler Prthu.<ref name=":4">Major B D Basu (1916), The Sacred Books of the Hindus ([https://shaivam.org/english/sen-purana-matsya-puranam-1.pdf Vol. 17, Part 1-The Matsya Puranam]), Allahabad: The Panini Office.</ref><blockquote>दुहितृत्वङ्गता यस्मात् पृथौर्धर्म्मवतो मही। तदानुरागयोगाच्च पृथिवी विश्रुता बुधैः।। १०.३५ ।।<ref>Matsya Purana, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6 Adhyaya 10]</ref> duhitr̥tvaṅgatā yasmāt pr̥thaurdharmmavato mahī। tadānurāgayogācca pr̥thivī viśrutā budhaiḥ।। 10.35 ।।</blockquote>The Matya Purana in Adhyaya 10 elaborates on how the earth came to be called 'Prthvi' and 'Gau' through the story of Raja Vena and Raja Prthu.

 

duhitr̥tvaṅgatā yasmāt pr̥thaurdharmmavato mahī। tadānurāgayogācca pr̥thivī viśrutā budhaiḥ।। 10.35 ।।</blockquote>The Matya Purana in Adhyaya 10 elaborates on how the earth came to be called 'Prthvi' and 'Gau' through the story of Raja Vena and Raja Prthu.

Long time ago, there was an oppressive and extremely non-righteous ruler by the name Vena. He refused to heed to the good advice of the brahmanas who wished to bring about law and order and thereby got killed by their curse. Then, in order to avoid anarchy, the brahmanas churned the body of Raja Vena giving rise to Prthu who sprung out as a result of the good qualities of Vena's father, Prajapati Anga. Prthu was then anointed as the ruler while he continued to practice severe austerities and was eventually blessed by Bhagavan Vishnu who made him powerful and illustrous. However, Raja Prthu noticed the absence of Vedic rites on the earth and set out to destroy the earth with his arrow. It is then that the earth is known to have taken the form of a cow to flee. Thereby, gaining the name 'Gau'.  

Long time ago, there was an oppressive and extremely non-righteous ruler by the name Vena. He refused to heed to the good advice of the brahmanas who wished to bring about law and order and thereby got killed by their curse. Then, in order to avoid anarchy, the brahmanas churned the body of Raja Vena giving rise to Prthu who sprung out as a result of the good qualities of Vena's father, Prajapati Anga. Prthu was then anointed as the ruler while he continued to practice severe austerities and was eventually blessed by Bhagavan Vishnu who made him powerful and illustrous. However, Raja Prthu noticed the absence of Vedic rites on the earth and set out to destroy the earth with his arrow. It is then that the earth is known to have taken the form of a cow to flee. Thereby, gaining the name 'Gau'.  

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== पृथिव्याः उत्पत्तिः ॥ Creation of the Earth  ==

== पृथिव्याः उत्पत्तिः ॥ Creation of the Earth  ==

The Puranas consist of many narratives regarding the origin of Earth. Some of them are given below:  

The itihasas and Puranas uphold the earth as Bhumi Devi (a goddess). The Mahabharata (Dakshinatya Patha) states that Bhumi Devi was the daughter of Brahma, married by Mahavisnu. And the earth on which we live is her Mrtpinda. The Puranas consist of many such narratives regarding the origin of Earth. Some of them are given below:  

* According to the Devi Bhagavata (Skandha 1, Adhyaya 9), in the beginning, Mahavishnu lay on the surface of water which spread everywhere. A lotus sprang up from the navel of Vishnu and from its top Brahma was born. Liquid matter then began to flow out of Vishnu's ears on both sides. From it were born two Rakshasas named Madhu and Kaitabha. They harassed Brahma. Therefore, Mahavishnu woke up and killed Madhu and Kaitabha. It was the thick fat (meda) of these Rakshasas that hardened to form the earth (Medini).<ref name=":5">Vettam Mani (1975), Puranic Encyclopaedia, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. [https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/142/mode/2up?view=theater See: Bhumi I]</ref>

* According to the Devi Bhagavata (Skandha 1, Adhyaya 9), in the beginning, Mahavishnu lay on the surface of water which spread everywhere. A lotus sprang up from the navel of Vishnu and from its top Brahma was born. Liquid matter then began to flow out of Vishnu's ears on both sides. From it were born two Rakshasas named Madhu and Kaitabha. They harassed Brahma. Therefore, Mahavishnu woke up and killed Madhu and Kaitabha. It was the thick fat (meda) of these Rakshasas that hardened to form the earth (Medini).<ref name=":5">Vettam Mani (1975), Puranic Encyclopaedia, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. [https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/142/mode/2up?view=theater See: Bhumi I]</ref>

 

<blockquote>गतप्राणौ तदा जातौ दानवौ मधुकैटभौ । सागरः सकलो व्याप्तस्तदा वै मेदसा तयोः ॥ ८३ ॥ मेदिनीति ततो जातं नाम पृथ्व्याः समन्ततः ।...॥ ८४ ॥<ref>Devi Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AF Adhyaya 9]</ref>

<blockquote>गतप्राणौ तदा जातौ दानवौ मधुकैटभौ । सागरः सकलो व्याप्तस्तदा वै मेदसा तयोः ॥ ८३ ॥ मेदिनीति ततो जातं नाम पृथ्व्याः समन्ततः ।...॥ ८४ ॥<ref>Devi Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AF Adhyaya 9]</ref>

gataprāṇau tadā jātau dānavau madhukaiṭabhau । sāgaraḥ sakalo vyāptastadā vai medasā tayoḥ ॥ 83 ॥ medinīti tato jātaṁ nāma pr̥thvyāḥ samantataḥ ।...॥ 84 ॥</blockquote>

gataprāṇau tadā jātau dānavau madhukaiṭabhau । sāgaraḥ sakalo vyāptastadā vai medasā tayoḥ ॥ 83 ॥ medinīti tato jātaṁ nāma pr̥thvyāḥ samantataḥ ।...॥ 84 ॥</blockquote>

* Skandha 9 (Adhyaya 3) of the Devi Bhagavata also elaborates on the creation of the earth. It is said that in the beginning, Mahavishnu or Mahavirata Purusha spread everywhere. And in every pore of that Mahavirata, who was lying on the surface of the water, there was a Brahmanda. In course of time, that Virat obtained a mind. That mind stood connected with each of the pores equally. And later the Panchamahabhutas were formed from it. From their combination was formed the Bhuta called "Maha Prthvi". It was cut into many pieces and each of the pieces was deposited in each pore. It was these Prthvi pieces which became "Bhumis” at the time of creation. During floods, these Bhumis sank again into those pores as before. In each of these Brahmandas, there are the earth, mountains, forests, oceans, the seven islands, Himavan, Meru, Sun, Moon, Stars and other lokas. Also, each of them has its own Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and other Devas. Since all the different Bhumis in all the Brahmandas had been formed artificially, they are all known to perish in the floods.<ref name=":5" />

* Skandha 9 (Adhyaya 3) of the Devi Bhagavata also elaborates on the creation of the earth. It is said that in the beginning, Mahavishnu or Mahavirata Purusha spread everywhere. And in every pore of that Mahavirata, who was lying on the surface of the water, there was a Brahmanda. In course of time, that Virat obtained a mind. That mind stood connected with each of the pores equally. And later the Panchamahabhutas were formed from it. From their combination was formed the Bhuta called "Maha Prthvi". It was cut into many pieces and each of the pieces was deposited in each pore. It was these Prthvi pieces which became "Bhumis” at the time of creation. During floods, these Bhumis sank again into those pores as before. In each of these Brahmandas, there are the earth, mountains, forests, oceans, the seven islands, Himavan, Meru, Sun, Moon, Stars and other lokas. Also, each of them has its own Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and other Devas. Since all the different Bhumis in all the Brahmandas had been formed artificially, they are all known to perish in the floods.<ref name=":5" />

<blockquote>एवं सर्वं कृत्रिमं च बाह्याभ्यन्तरमेव च ॥ १४ ॥ तद्विनाशे विनाशश्च सर्वेषामेव नारद । जलबुद्‌बुदवत्सर्वं विश्वसंघमनित्यकम् ॥ १५ ॥<ref>Devi Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 9, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AF/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 3]</ref>

<blockquote>एवं सर्वं कृत्रिमं च बाह्याभ्यन्तरमेव च ॥ १४ ॥ तद्विनाशे विनाशश्च सर्वेषामेव नारद । जलबुद्‌बुदवत्सर्वं विश्वसंघमनित्यकम् ॥ १५ ॥<ref>Devi Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 9, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AF/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 3]</ref> evaṁ sarvaṁ kr̥trimaṁ ca bāhyābhyantarameva ca ॥ 14 ॥ tadvināśe vināśaśca sarveṣāmeva nārada । jalabud‌budavatsarvaṁ viśvasaṁghamanityakam ॥ 15 ॥</blockquote>

 

evaṁ sarvaṁ kr̥trimaṁ ca bāhyābhyantarameva ca ॥ 14 ॥ tadvināśe vināśaśca sarveṣāmeva nārada । jalabud‌budavatsarvaṁ viśvasaṁghamanityakam ॥ 15 ॥</blockquote>Puranic Encyclopedia

 

 

 

 

== Preservation of the Earth ==

== Preservation of the Earth ==

In our ancient knowledge tradition, there was a lot of emphasis for the preservation of the earth. It is said in the Vedas that ¶ekrkHkwfe% iq=kks¿g¡i`fpO;k%¸ meaning that the earth is our mother, it is as nutritious as mother and I am its protector like a son.

In our ancient knowledge tradition, there was a lot of emphasis for the preservation of the earth. It is said in the Vedas that ¶ekrkHkwfe% iq=kks¿g¡i`fpO;k%¸ meaning that the earth is our mother, it is as nutritious as mother and I am its protector like a son.