As Prithu was taking charge in power, his country was undergoing the worst famine of all times. Starving and ailing, his people encircled him and appealed, “Oh, mighty King, please save us from this misery immediately, otherwise we will all perish with hunger and thirst”.

Hearing this, Prithu expressed anger and decided to attack Bhoomi Devi for not feeding them. As the King was going to kill her, she took the form of a cow and started running, hoping that he wouldn’t kill a cow. But the just king was so determined to save his people that he chased her all the way pointing his arrows on her.

Eventually Bhoomidevi, tired and exhausted, surrendered at his feet and begged for mercy. She said, “is it dharmik(proper) to kill a woman? How can you even think about killing me, that too for denying some milk?”.

Prithu was unshaken and replied, “when my people are in trouble, it is my duty to save them. Every one must obey the king’s orders and being a woman is no justification for violating the rule. You deserve death”.

However mother Earth praised the king, he was not at all compromising.