सुरुचिर्जननी तस्य कितवस्याभवत्तदा तस्थौ जठरमास्थाय तस्याः सोऽपि महात्मनः॥ १८.
Suruchi became his mother, that gambler’s, at that time; he remained within her womb, that great-souled one.
तदाप्रभृति तस्यैव प्रह्लादस्यात्मजात्स वै १८.
From that time onward, from Prahlada’s son, indeed, it was his.
तेनैव जठरस्थेन कृता मतिरनुत्तमा १८.
By that very one who was within the womb, an unsurpassed resolve was made.
एकदा वै तदा शक्रो ययौ वैरोचनं प्रति १८.
Once, at that time, Śakra went to see Virocana.
विरोचनगृहं प्राप्त इंद्रो वाक्यमुवाच ह मनस्वी त्वं च दैत्येंद्र दाता च भुवनत्रये॥ १८.
Having reached Virocana’s house, Indra spoke these words: 'You are wise, O lord of the Daityas, and a generous giver in all three worlds.'
तव विप्रा महाभाग चरितं परमाद्भुतम् याचकोऽहं च दैत्येंद्र दातुरर्महसि सुव्रत॥ १८.
Your conduct, O most fortunate one, is truly wondrous, O lord of the Daityas; I am a supplicant, and you are renowned for your generosity, O steadfast one.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा दैत्येंद्रो वाक्यमब्रवीत् १८.
Hearing those words, the lord of the Daityas spoke.
इंद्रो हि विप्ररूपेण विरोचनमुवाच ह १८.
Indra, assuming the form of a Brāhmaṇa, addressed Virocana.
आत्मप्रीत्या च दातव्यं मम नास्त्यत्र संशयः १८.
It must be given out of selfless delight; for me, there is no doubt about this.
ददाम्यात्मशिरो विप्र यदि कामयसेऽधुना अहं समर्पयिष्यामि तव नास्त्यत्र सशयः॥ १८.
O Brāhmaṇa, I will give my own head if you desire it now; I will offer it to you, there is no doubt about this.
इत्युक्तस्तेन दैत्येन विमृश्य च तदा हरिः १८.
Thus addressed by the Daitya, Hari considered the matter.
एवमुक्ते तु वचने शक्रेण द्विजरूपिणा स्वकरेण ददौ तस्मै प्रह्लादस्यात्मजोऽसुरः॥ १८.
When these words were spoken by Śakra in the form of a Brāhmaṇa, the son of Prahlāda, the Asura, gave it to him with his own hand.
प्रह्लादेन पुरा यस्तु कृतो धर्म्मः सुदुष्करः १८.
The difficult act of dharma that was once performed by Prahlāda,
दानात्परतरं चान्यत्क्वचिद्वस्तु न विद्यते १८.
There is nothing anywhere superior to giving.
स्वशक्त्या यच्च किंचिच्च तदानंत्याय कल्पते १८.
Whatever is given according to one’s ability, that leads to endlessness.
सात्त्विकं राजसं चैव तामसं च प्रकीर्तिततम् १८.
Giving is described as of the sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic kinds.
शिर उत्कृत्त्य चेंद्राय प्रदत्तं विप्ररूपिणे १८.
Having severed his head, he gave it to Indra, who was in the form of a Brāhmaṇa.
ऐकपद्येन पतितास्ते जाता मंडलाय वै १८.
With a single step, they fell and became part of the circle.
विरोचनस्य तद्दानं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम् १८.
That gift of Virocana is renowned in the three worlds.
विरोचनस्य पुत्रोऽभूत्कितवोऽसौ महाप्रभः १८.
Virocana’s son was Kitava, who was exceedingly illustrious.
कलेवरं च तत्याज पतिलोकं गता ततः १८.
She abandoned her body and then went to her husband's world.
नाम्ना बलिरिति ख्यातो बभूव च महायशाः १८.
He became renowned by the name Bali and attained great fame.
गतस्ते कथिताः पूर्वं कश्यपस्याश्रमं शुभम् १८.
Those who departed earlier have been described as having gone to the auspicious hermitage of Kashyapa.
स्वयं तताप तपसा सूर्यो भूत्वा तदाऽसुरः १८.
At that time, the demon himself performed austerities, having become the Sun.
तथा च नैर्ऋतो भूत्वा तथा त्वंबुपतिः स्वयम् एवमास्ते बलिः साक्षात्स्वयमेव त्रिलोकभुक्॥ १८.
In the same way, having become a being of the southwest, and likewise the lord of waters himself, Bali abides directly, himself the enjoyer of the three worlds.
शिवार्चनरतेनैव कितवेन बलिर्द्विजाः १८.
Bali, though devoted to the worship of Shiva, acted deceitfully, O twice-born ones.
एकदा तु सभामध्ये आस्थितो भृगुणा सह १८.
Once, in the midst of the assembly, he was seated together with Bhrigu.
आवासः क्रियतामत्र क्रियतामत्र असुरैर्म्मम सन्निधौ १८.
Let a residence be made here, let it be made here by the Asuras in my presence.
भार्गवस्तदुपश्रुत्य प्रहस्येदमुवाच ह १८.
Hearing that, Bhrigu laughed and spoke these words.
याज्ञिकैश्च महाराज नान्यथा स्वर्गमेव हि १८.
O great king, only through sacrifices can heaven be attained, not otherwise.