जगाम शक्रसहितो बाष्कलेश्च निवेशनम्। दूरादेव च तां दृष्ट्वा पुरीं तस्य समावृताम्
Accompanied by Śakra, he went to the abode of Bāṣkala; and from afar, seeing that city, which was encircled,
पांडुरैः खगमागम्यैः सर्वरत्नोपशोभितैः। शोभितां भवनैर्मुख्यैस्सुविभक्तमहापथैः
Adorned with pale birds that could be mounted, embellished with all kinds of jewels, splendid with principal mansions and well-divided great avenues,
नित्यप्रभिन्नैर्मातंगैरंजनाचलसन्निभैः। देवनागकुलोत्पन्नैः शतसंख्यैर्विराजिताम्
Radiant with elephants ever in rut, resembling the dark mountain Anjana, born of the lineages of divine elephants, numbering in the hundreds,
निर्मांसगात्रैस्तुरगैरल्पकर्णैर्मनोजवैः। दीर्घग्रीवाक्षिकूटैश्च मनोज्ञैरुपशोभिताम्
Graced with horses of lean limbs, small ears, swift as the mind, with long necks and prominent foreheads, charming in appearance,
पद्मगर्भसुवर्णाभाः पूर्णचंद्रनिभाननाः। संल्लापोल्लापकुशलास्तत्र वेश्याः सहस्रशः
There, thousands of courtesans, golden as the heart of a lotus, with faces like the full moon, skilled in playful conversation and jesting,
न तत्पुण्यं न सा विद्या न तच्छिल्पं न सा कला। बाष्कलेर्न पुरेऽस्याथ निवासं प्रतिगच्छति
There is no merit, no knowledge, no art, nor any skill that does not find a place of residence in the city of Bāṣkala.
उद्यानशतसंबाधं समाजोत्सवमालिनि। अन्विते दनुमुख्यैश्च सर्वैरंतकवर्जितैः
Crowded with hundreds of gardens, adorned with festivals and gatherings, filled with all the foremost Dānavas, except for the ender of their line,
वीणावेणुमृदंगानां शब्दैः सर्वत्र नादिते। सदा प्रहृष्टा दनुजा बहुरत्नोपशोभिताः
Resounding everywhere with the sounds of vīṇā, flute, and drum, the Dānavas, always joyful and adorned with many jewels, are seen there.
क्रीडमानाः प्रदृश्यंते मेराविव यथामराः। ब्रह्मघोषो महांस्तत्र दनुवृद्धैरुदीरितः
They are seen playing, like the immortals on Mount Meru; there, a great sound of Vedic recitation is uttered by the elder Dānavas.
साज्यधूमेन चाग्नीनां वायुना नष्टकिल्बिषे। सुगंधधूपविक्षेप सुरभीकृतमारुते
With the clarified butter smoke of the fires, their sins destroyed by the wind, and the air made fragrant by the scattering of sweet incense,
सुगंधिदनुजाकीर्णे पुरे तस्मिंस्तु बाष्कलि। त्रैलोक्यं तु वशे कृत्वा सुखेनास्ते स दानवः
In that city of Bāṣkala, filled with fragrant Dānavas, that Dānava, having brought the three worlds under his control, dwells happily.
तत्रस्थः पालयन्नास्ते त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरं। धर्मज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च सत्यवादी जितेंद्रियः
Residing there, he rules the three worlds, with all that moves and is still; he is knowledgeable in righteousness, grateful, truthful, and self-controlled.
सुदर्शः पूर्वदेवानां नयानयविचक्षणः। ब्रह्मण्यश्च शरण्यश्च दीनानामनुकंपकः
Handsome, discerning in policy and its opposite, devoted to Brahmins, a refuge, compassionate to the distressed,
वेदमंत्रप्रभूत्साह सर्वशक्तिसमन्वितः। षाड्गुण्यविषयोत्साहः स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषितः
Endowed with great energy from Vedic mantras, possessed of all powers, enthusiastic in the sixfold policy, and speaking with a smile first,
वेदवेदांगतत्वज्ञो यज्ञयाजी तपोरतः। न च दुःशीलनिरतः स सर्वत्राविहिंसकः
Knowing the essence of the Vedas and their branches, performing sacrifices, devoted to austerity, not engaged in wicked conduct, and nonviolent everywhere,
मान्यमानयिता शुद्धः सुमुखः पूज्यपूजकः। सर्वार्थविदनाधृष्यः सुभगः प्रियदर्शनः
Honoring and being honored, pure, with a pleasant face, both worshipped and worshipper, knowing all purposes, unassailable, fortunate, and pleasing to behold.
बहुधान्यो बहुधनो बहुयानश्च दानवः। त्रिवर्गसाधको नित्यं त्रैलोक्ये वरपूरुषः
The demon was abundant in grain, wealth, and vehicles; always accomplishing the three aims of life, he was the foremost man in the three worlds.
स्वपुरीनिलयो नित्यं देवदानवदर्पहा। स चैवं पालयामास त्रैलोक्ये सकलाः प्रजाः
Dwelling always in his own city, he destroyed the pride of gods and demons; and thus he protected all beings in the three worlds.
नाधमः कश्चिदप्यास्ते तस्मिन्राजनि दानवे। दीनो वा व्यधितो वापि अल्पायुर्वाथ दुःखितः
No one was base among the demons under his rule; nor was anyone poor, afflicted, short-lived, or unhappy.
मूर्खो वा मंदरूपो वा दुर्भगो वा निराकृतः। एवं युतं तं विमलैर्गुणौघैर्दृष्ट्वा च मत्वा च निविष्टबुद्धिं
No one was foolish, ugly, unfortunate, or rejected; seeing him endowed with pure qualities and recognizing his steadfast mind,
प्रसादयन्दैत्यवरं महात्मा पुरंदरस्तं तु दनुप्रधानं। तेजोयुक्तं दानवं तं तपंतमिव भास्करं
The great-souled Purandara sought to please that chief of the demons, who was radiant and ascetic like the sun.
त्रैलोक्यधारणे शक्तं विस्मितः सोऽभवत्तदा। इंद्रं पुरागतं दृष्ट्वा दानवेंद्राय पार्थिव
Astonished at his power to sustain the three worlds, Indra, having come before, gazed upon the demon king, O ruler.
इदमूचुस्तदागत्वा दानवा युद्धदुर्मदाः। आश्चर्यमिति वै कृत्वा इंद्रोभ्येति पुरीं तव1.30.
Then the demons, fierce in battle, spoke: 'This is a wonder—Indra himself approaches your city.'
एकाकी द्विजमुख्येन वामनेन सह प्रभो। अस्माभिर्यदनुष्ठेयं सांप्रतं नो वदस्व राट्
Alone, together with the foremost Brahmin, Vamana, O lord, tell us now what we should do.
दानवानब्रवीत्सर्वान्पुरे तिष्ठत संकुलं। प्रवेश्यतां देवराजः पूज्यः स तु ममाद्य वै
He addressed all the demons: 'Remain crowded in the city; let the king of the gods enter, for today he is to be honored by me.'
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु वामनः स च वासवः। आगतौ दनुनाथेन प्रेम्णा चैवावलोकितौ
At that very moment, Vamana and Vasava arrived, and were lovingly gazed upon by the lord of the demons.
कृतार्थं मन्यतात्मानं प्रणिपातपुरःसरम्। उवाच वचनं राजा दानवानां धुरंधरः
Considering himself fulfilled, with respectful salutation, the king, bearer of the demons’ burden, spoke these words.
अद्य वै त्रिषु लोकेषु नास्ति धन्यतरो मया। योहं श्रियावृतः शक्रं पश्यामि गृहमागतम्
Today, in all three worlds, none is more blessed than I, who, surrounded by prosperity, see Shakra come to my house.
अर्थित्वकाम्यया यस्तु मामयं याचयिष्यति। गृहागतस्य तस्याहं दास्ये प्राणानपि ध्रुवम्
Whoever asks me for something, out of desire or need, having come to my house, to him I will surely give even my life.
दारान्पुत्रांस्तथागारं त्रैलोक्ये का कथा मम। आगत्य संमुखं तस्य अंकमानीय सादरम्
What need have I for wife, children, or home in the three worlds? Having come face to face with him, I respectfully seated him on my lap.