VASU BARAS :
Maharashtrians typically begin their Diwali a day before Dhanteras by worshipping the cow and calf. The story associated with this practice is that of Prithu. According to one version, Prithu was the son of Vena, an evil king who ignored Vedic rituals. Due to his excesses, a famine befell his kingdom. The sages killed the king and churned his body out of which appeared a dwarf hunter (who symbolised his sins) and then emerged Prithu.
To end the famine, Prithu chased earth, which began to flee from him in the form of a cow. On being cornered, she pointed out that killing her would also mean the end of his subjects. Prithu then reasoned with her and the cow agreed to yield her milk. Since he gave earth her life, she took his name -- Prithvi.
Another version of the story credits Prithu with the invention of agriculture and flattening the earth's rocky surface. The worshipping of the cow and the calf is symbolic of the prosperity that Prithu brought to earth.
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