त्रैलोक्यराज्यं भुञ्ज त्वं मयि भृत्ये पुरःस्थिते
Enjoy the sovereignty of the three worlds while I, your servant, stand before you.
त्वदङ्घ्रिपूजाभिरतस्त्वदुच्छिष्टान्नभोजनः
Absorbed in worship of your feet, I eat only the food left by you.
या धृतिर्गुरुशुश्रुषां कुर्वतो जायते विभो
The steadfastness that arises in one who serves the teacher, O Lord,
प्रह्लादः प्राह वचनं धर्मकामार्थसाधनम्
Prahlada spoke words that accomplish righteousness, desire, and wealth.
दत्तं यथेष्टं जनिनास्तथात्मजाः स्थितो बले सम्प्रति योगसाधकः
Whatever is given as desired by the parent, so too the sons; now Bali stands as a practitioner of yoga.
एवं भव गुरूणां त्वं सदा सुश्रूषणे रतः
Thus, always be devoted to the service of teachers.
शाक्रे सिंहासने ब्रह्मन् बलिं तूर्णं न्यवेशयत्
On Indra’s throne, O Brahman, Bali was quickly seated.
सिंहहासने दैत्यपतिः शुशुभे मघवानिव
On the lion throne, the lord of the Daityas shone like Maghavan.
प्रह्लादं प्राह वचनं मेघगम्भीरया गिरा
Prahlada spoke to him with words deep as thunderclouds.
धर्मार्थकाममोक्षेभ्यस्तदादिशतु मे भवान्
Let you instruct me regarding righteousness, wealth, desire, and liberation.
यद्युक्तं तन्महाबाहो वदस्वाद्योत्तरं वचः
If it is proper, O mighty-armed, speak the next word.
प्राह धर्मार्थसंयुक्तं प्रह्लादो वाक्यमुत्तमम्
Prahlada spoke the excellent words joined with righteousness and wealth.
अविरोधेन धर्मस्य अर्थस्योपार्जनं च यत्
That which is the acquisition of wealth without violating righteousness,
परत्रेह च यच्छ्रेयः पुत्र तत्कर्म आरच
Whatever is beneficial here and hereafter, O son, perform that action.
यता नायशसो योगस्तथा कुरु महामते
As there is no loss of fame, so act, O wise one.
येनैतानि गृहे ऽस्माकं निवसन्ति सुनिर्वृताः
By which these in our house dwell in complete contentment,
वृद्धो ज्ञातिर्गुणी विप्रः कीर्तीश्च यशसा सह
An elder, a kinsman, a virtuous Brahmin, and fame along with renown,
तथा यत्स्वामलसत्त्वचेष्ट यथा यशस्वी भवितासि लोके
And by your pure conduct and effort, you will become renowned in the world.
शुश्रुषणासक्तसमुद्भवाया मृद्धिं प्रयान्तीह नराधिपेन्द्राः
Kings attain prosperity here through the steadfastness born of devotion to service.
तस्माद् द्विजाग्र्याः श्रुतिशास्त्रयुक्ता नराधिपांस्ते क्रतुभिर्द्विजेन्द्रा यज्ञाग्निधूमेन नृपस्य शान्तिः
Therefore, the foremost twice-born, versed in the scriptures, perform sacrifices for kings; through the smoke of the sacrificial fire, the king’s peace is attained.
क्षत्रियाः सन्तु दैत्येन्द्र प्रजापालनधर्मिणः
Let the Kshatriyas, O lord of the Daityas, be devoted to the duty of protecting the people.
पाशुपाल्यं प्रकुर्वन्तु वेश्या विपणिजीविनः
Let those who live by trade and prostitution engage in tending livestock.
शूद्राः सन्त्वसुरश्रेष्ठ तवाज्ञाकारिणः सदा
Let the Shudras, O best of the Asuras, always act according to your command.
धर्मवृद्धिस्तदा स्याद्वै धर्मवृद्धौ नृपोदयः
Then righteousness will increase, and with the growth of righteousness, the rise of kings will follow.
तद्वृद्धौ भवतो वृद्धिस्तद्वानौ हानिरुच्यते
With that increase comes your own prosperity; with its decline, loss is said to occur.
ततो यदाज्ञापयसे करिष्ये इत्थं बलिः प्राह वचो महर्षे
Then, whatever you command, I shall do—thus spoke Bali to the great sage.
त्रैलोक्यं पालयामास बलिर्धर्मान्वितः सदा
Bali, ever endowed with righteousness, governed the three worlds.
ब्रह्माणं शरणं भेजे स्वभावस्य निषेणात्
He sought refuge in Brahma, compelled by the nature of his own disposition.
स्वदीप्त्या द्योतयन्तं च स्वदेशं ससुरासुरम्
With his own radiance, he illuminated his realm, along with the gods and demons.
मम स्वभावो बलिना नाशितो देवसत्तम
O best of the gods, my nature has been destroyed by the mighty Bali.