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.
न केवलं हि भवतो हृतं तेन बलीयसा
Not only has yours been taken by that powerful one.
भास्करो ऽपि हि दीनत्वं प्रयातो हि बलाद् बलेः
Even the sun has become weakened by the strength of Bali.
ऋते सहस्रं शिरसं हरिं दशशताङ्घ्रिकम्
Except for Hari, who has a thousand heads and ten hundred feet,
समाहरिष्यति बलेः कर्तुः सद्धर्मगोचरम्
He will gather from Bali what belongs within the domain of true righteousness.
दीनान् दृष्ट्वा स शक्रादीन् विभीतकवनं गतः
Seeing Indra and the others dejected, he went to the Vibhitaka grove.
धर्मो ऽभवच्चतुष्पादश्चातुर्वर्ण्ये ऽपि नारद
Righteousness became four-footed, even among the four castes, O Narada.
दया दानं त्वानृशंस्यं शुश्रुषा यज्ञकर्म च
Compassion, charity, kindness, service, and sacrificial acts prevailed.
बलिना बलवान् ब्रह्मन् तिष्यो ऽपि हि कृतः कृतः
By Bali, the powerful, even the strong Brahman was repeatedly subdued.
प्रजापालनधर्मस्थाः सदैव मनुजर्षभाः
The foremost among men, ever established in the protection of their people and in righteousness,
त्रैलोक्यलक्ष्मीर्वरदा त्वायाता दानवेश्वरम्
The fortune of the three worlds, bestower of boons, has now come to you, O lord of the Daityas.