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.
गुरोर्वचनमाज्ञाय दैत्येंद्रो वाक्यमब्रवीत् स्वर्गे वसंतु सुचिरं नात्र कार्या विचारणा॥ १८.
Hearing the teacher's command, the lord of the Daityas spoke: 'Let them dwell in heaven for a long time; there is no need for deliberation here.'
प्रहस्यो वाच भगवान्भार्गवाणां महातपाः १८.
The venerable, great ascetic among the Bhargavas laughed and said:
यत्त्वयोक्तं च वचनं बले मम न रोचते १८.
O Bali, the words you have spoken do not please me.
अश्वमेधशतेनैव यज त्वं जातवेदसम् १८.
Perform a hundred horse sacrifices to Jatavedas.
तथेति मत्वा स बलिर्महात्मा हित्वा तदानीं त्रिदिवं मनस्वी १८.
Thinking 'So be it,' the great-souled Bali, resolute in mind, then abandoned heaven.
तन्नर्मदाया गुरुकुल्यसंज्ञकं तीरे महातीर्थमुदारशोभम् १८.
On the bank of the Narmada, at the great and splendid holy place called Gurukulyasaṃjñaka, he arrived.
ततोऽश्वमेधैर्बहुभिर्विचक्षणो गुरुप्रयुक्तः स महायशाबलिः १८.
Then, directed by his teacher, the illustrious Bali performed many horse sacrifices.
कृत्वा ब्राह्मणमाचार्यमृत्विजः षोडशाऽभवन् १८.
Having appointed a Brahmin as the chief priest, there were sixteen officiating priests.
यज्ञानामूनमेकेन शतं दीक्षापरेण हि १८.
By a single initiation, he accomplished the root of sacrifices, and by another, a hundred more.
यावद्यज्ञशतं पूर्णं तस्य राज्ञो भविष्यति १८.
That king will attain the completion of a hundred sacrifices.