सर्वपापविशुद्धात्मा वीरलोकमवाप्नुयात्
With a mind purified from all sins, one attains the world of heroes.
वामनकुण्डेति विख्यातं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम्
It is known as Vamana-kunda, renowned in all three worlds.
मनोरथशतं प्राप्य पश्चाद्विष्णु पुरं व्रजेत् व्यास उवाच कदा काले समुत्पन्नं वामनाख्यं पुराऽनघ
Having attained a hundred cherished desires, one then goes to the city of Vishnu. Vyasa said: O sinless one, when and at what time did the city called Vamana arise?
तत्सर्वं श्रोतुमिच्छामि त्वत्तो ब्रह्मविदां वर 5.1.63.
I wish to hear all of this from you, O best of those who know Brahman.
यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण सर्वपापात्प्रमुच्यते
By merely hearing of it, one is freed from all sins.
प्रह्राद इति विख्यातः सर्वधर्मभृतां वरः
Prahlada, renowned among all upholders of dharma,
धैर्येण च धृता लोकाः क्षमया विधृता मही
By his courage the worlds were sustained, and by his forgiveness the earth was upheld.
प्रश्रयेणाभ्यागताश्च जितास्तेन महात्मना
By his humility, all who approached him were won over by that great soul.
शौचाऽऽचारविशुद्धात्मा तपसा च हताऽशुभः
With purity in conduct and mind, and by austerity, he destroyed all evil.
संस्कारेण जितं जन्म दमेनाऽऽत्मा सनातनः
By refinement he conquered birth, and by self-control, his eternal self.
ईदृशश्च महायोगी सत्यधर्म परायणः
Such was the great yogi, devoted to truth and righteousness.
तस्य पौत्रः सदाचारी बलिरित्यभिधीयते
His grandson, of virtuous conduct, is known as Bali.
नाल्पायुर्न जडो मूर्खो न रोगी न च मत्सरी
He was neither young nor dull-witted, neither foolish, sickly, nor envious.
महाराजो महीपालो यज्वा विपुलदक्षिणः 5.1.63.
A great king, protector of the earth, performer of sacrifices, and generous with gifts.
एकदा च समासीने सभामध्ये वरासने
Once, as he sat in the assembly hall upon a splendid seat,
वाद्यमानेषु वाद्येषु ननृतुश्चाऽप्सरोगणाः
While the musicians played, the groups of Apsaras danced.
सूता वैतालिकाः सिद्धाश्चारणाश्च बहुश्रुताः
Bards, panegyrists, Siddhas, and Charanas, learned in many things,
सुन्दोपसुन्दतुहुंडाद्या महिषासुरकोल्बणाः
Sunda, Upasunda, Tuhuṇḍa, and others, along with the fierce Mahishasura,
कालनेमिश्च विक्रांतो दौर्हृदो मूषको यमः
Kalanemi, the mighty one, Daurhṛda, Mushaka, and Yama,
शंखो जलंधरो रौद्रो वातापी च बलाधिकः
Shankha, Jalandhara, the fierce one, and Vatapi, strong in power,
एते चाऽन्ये च बहवो दनुवंशवि वर्धनाः
These and many others, descendants of the demon lineage, flourished.
सिद्धा नागाश्च यक्षाश्च किन्नराः किंपुरुषास्तथा
There were Siddhas, Nagas, Yakshas, Kinnaras, and Kimpurushas as well.
एते चाऽन्ये च बहवो राजानं पर्युपासत
These and many others gathered to attend upon the king.
ग्रहैरुज्वलितैः कीर्णो शरदीव नभःस्थलम् 5.1.63.
Adorned with radiant stars, it was like the autumn sky.
मरुद्भिरिव संवीतो वासवो दिवि देवतैः
Surrounded by Maruts, just as Indra is by the gods in heaven.
आगतस्तेषु सर्वेषु दानवेषु स्थितेषु च
When all the Danavas had arrived and assembled there,
ववन्दिरे सर्वशस्तु बलिना किंनरोत्त मम्
All paid homage to the mighty Kinnaras.
कृत्वाऽऽतिथ्यं समासीनो नारदः प्राह सत्तमः
After offering hospitality and being seated, the noble Narada spoke.
तत्र देवसभा रम्या दिव्याऽभिप्रायसंयुता
There, the divine assembly was delightful, filled with celestial intent.
समासीनाः कथां पुण्यां कथयंति परस्परम्
Seated together, they recounted virtuous stories to one another.