The story of Prithu chasing Prithvi

Question

I have read an Wikipedia article on Prithu (an incarnation of Vishnu) and the story of him chasing Prithvi who later agreed to give vegetation and grains? What is the story of this incarnation of Vishnu and which scripture explains this story

Answer 1

The story of Prithu chasing Prithvi comes in the Bhagavata Purana's 4th Skandha (book.)

But first, you need to know who Prithu was.

Prithu was obviously the Amsha of Vishnu:

3. This (Pṛthu) is a manifestation of that aṃśa (portion) of Lord Viṣṇu which protects the world. This sister of Prthu (Pṛthu?) is the portion and incarnation of Goddess Lakṣmī who is never disunited from the Supreme Man (Viṣṇu). (Srimad Bhagavatam, Book IV, Chapter 15)

However, Prithu was the son of Vena, an unrighteous King who disregarded the righteousness of Brahmins and made them worship him:

28. Therefore, Oh Brāhmaṇas! Being free from jealousy, you worship me with your religious rites. Give me all your offerings (taxes etc.). What other person than me, deserves to be propitiated (honoured) for it? (Srimad Bhagavatam, Book IV, Chapter 14)

When Prithu became the king of Earth, his people became very sick and hungry.

9. Dear child (Vidura)! When Pṛthu was coronated and was called as the protector of the public, the subjects with their bodies emaciated with hunger due to barrenness of the earth, approached Pṛthu, the protector and appealed.

10. “Oh King! We are oppressed by the gastric fire just like the wood with fire in its hollow. Today we have approached you for shelter, as you are installed as our king who will provide us with means of livelihood, and are worthy of seeking asylum.

11. Oh King of kings! You are verily the protector of the people and the bestower of the means of livelihood. Therefore, while we have not perished from starvation, Your Majesty should endeavour to supply food to us who are famished with hunger.” (Srimad Bhagavatam, Book IV, Chapter 17)

Prithu concluded that Bhudevi (Prithvi) must be hiding food and resources from Prithu. He became so enraged he wanted to kill her.

13. By his reasoning power he came to the conclusion (that the earth had held up the seeds of herbs, plants and food-grains within herself). Being indignant, he took up his bow and fitted an arrow on it aiming at the earth, just as the enraged destroyer of Tripura (Śiva, did against Tripura).

14. When the earth saw the king with his weapon uplifted, she began to tremble. She assumed the form of a cow and in terror began to run fast like a terrified female deer chased by a hunter.

15. The enraged son of Vena, with eyes blood-red with wrath, and with the arrow fitted to his bow, chased after her whithersoever she ran (for shelter).

16. Running to all the directions (cardinal points) and intermediate directions (e.g. South-east, South-west etc.), to the heaven and the earth and in the space between them, the goddess Earth saw him chasing her everywhere with uplifted weapon.

17. Just as people do not get protection from death, she did not get any asylum in the world against Pṛthu, the son of Vena. Terrified, she returned with a troubled heart.

Prithvi eventually agrees to give him his resources in the form of milk.

9-10. Oh mighty-armed hero! Oh protector of creatures! If Your Lordship desires (to provide) nutritious food coveted by creatures, please arrange for a calf, a suitable vessel (milk-pot) and a milk-man competent to draw (my) milk, so that, being full of affection, I shall yield for you all your desired objects in the form of milk, Oh warrior.

11. Oh mighty king! Make me a level plain so that the waters showered by god Indra may stand on me, even after the rainy season is over. God may bless you.”

12. Accepting the agreeable and wholesome words of advice of the goddess of the earth, the king made (Svāyam- bhuva) Manu as the calf, and milked all the herbs and plants (such as cereals etc.), in his own hand.

13. Similarly, other wise men also extracted essence of everything everywhere. Then others (fifteen including sages) drew out their desired objects from the cow (earth) tamed by Pṛthu.

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Hope this helped!