Etymology of Prithivi — The Earth
Nirukta (Yaska) · 12 · Verse 14
niruktaprithivietymologyearthprithuyaska
Sanskrit Original
पृथिवी कस्मात्? पृथुता अस्याः — विस्तृता, पृथु-ई। पृथुर्वैन्य एनाम् अकर्षत् — विस्तारयामास। अत एव पृथिवी नाम जातम्॥
pṛthivī kasmāt? pṛthutā asyāḥ — vistṛtā, pṛthu-ī | pṛthur vainya enām akarṣat — vistārayāmāsa | ata eva pṛthivī nāma jātam ||
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Why is Earth called Pṛthivī? Because of her breadth/width (pṛthutā) — she is the broad one. Also: King Pṛthu Vainya (son of Vena) plowed/expanded her, making her cultivable. From Pṛthu's name comes Pṛthivī. The Earth-goddess is the vast, wide provider.