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.
हिरण्यकशिपुर्दैत्यः पुराऽऽसीच्च प्रजापतिः
Once, Hiranyakashipu the Daitya was the lord of creatures.
सर्वलोकं वशीकृत्य बुभुजे च वसुन्धराम्
Having subdued all worlds, he enjoyed the earth.
वशी सर्वत्रगः कामी नृसिंहेन निपातितः
He was powerful, all-pervading, desirous, but was slain by Narasimha.
इति मां धर्षयित्वा च बिडौजा लोकसंग्रही 5.1.63.
Thus, after oppressing me, the mighty one, protector of the world,
तस्मात्त्वं दानवश्रेष्ठ पितृपर्यागतां महीम्
Therefore, O foremost of Danavas, you have inherited the earth from your ancestors.
कियद्बलधृता नूनं देवाश्च दनुजोत्तम
How much strength do the gods possess, O best of Danavas?
मम वाक्यपरो भूत्वा त्रैलोक्याधिपतिर्भव
Heed my words and become the lord of the three worlds.
चकार कोपमतुलं त्रैलोक्यविजये द्विज
He became exceedingly angry for the conquest of the three worlds, O twice-born.
संग्राममकरोत्तीव्रं वासवेन बलीयसा
He engaged in a fierce battle with the mighty Indra.
सर्वलोकेश्वरो जातो बलिर्वैरोचनोऽसुरः
Bali, the son of Virocana, became the lord of all the worlds.