भवन्ति सुरुषाणां वै तान् विबोध वदामि ते
These arise among the noble ones; listen, I shall tell you about them.
भवन्ति दावनपते महापद्माश्रिता नराः
In the forest of gifts, people who resort to the great lotus are found.
सर्वसामान्यसुखिनो नराः पद्माश्रिताः स्मृताः
Those who are devoted to the lotus are known as universally contented people.
न्यायान्यायव्ययोपेता महानीलाश्रिता नराः
People associated with just and unjust expenditures are those who resort to the great blue lotus.
स्तेयानृतकथायुक्ता नराः शङ्खश्रिता बले
People engaged in theft and false speech are those who resort to the conch, O mighty one.
इत्येवं कथितस्तुभ्यं तेषां दानव निर्णयः
Thus, the decision regarding their gifts has been explained to you.
ममास्ति दावनपते प्रतिज्ञा साधुसंमता
O lord of the forest of gifts, I have a vow approved by the virtuous.
न चास्ति भवतस्तुल्यो त्रैलोक्ये ऽपि बलाधिकः
And there is no one in the three worlds equal to you or superior in strength.
यत्त्वया युधि विक्रम्य देवराजो विनिर्जितः
That you, by your valor in battle, have conquered the king of the gods—
दृष्ट्वा ते परमं सत्त्वं सर्वेभ्यो ऽपि बलाधिकम्
Seeing your supreme courage, surpassing the strength of all—
नाश्चर्य दानवश्रेष्ठ हिरण्यकशिपोः कुले
O best of the Dānavas, it is no wonder, being born in the lineage of Hiraṇyakaśipu.
विशेषितस्त्वया राजन् दैतेयः प्रपितामहः
O king, even the great ancestor of the Daityas has been surpassed by you.
इत्येवमुक्त्वा वचनं दानवैन्द्रं तदा बलिम्
Having thus spoken these words to Bali, the lord of the Dānavas,
तस्यां चाथ प्रविष्टायां विधवा इव योषितः
And when she had entered there, the women were like widows.
प्रभा मतिः श्रमा भूतिर्विद्या नीतिर्दया तथा
Radiance, intelligence, effort, prosperity, knowledge, conduct, and compassion—
ताः सर्वा बलिमाश्रित्य व्यश्राम्यन्त यथासुखम्
All these, taking refuge in Bali, found rest as they wished.
यज्वा तपस्वी मृदुरेव सत्यवाक् दाता विभर्ता स्वजनाभिगोप्ता
He was a performer of sacrifices, an ascetic, gentle, truthful in speech, a giver, a supporter, and a protector of his own people.
सदोज्ज्वलो धर्मरतो ऽथ दान्तः कामोपभोक्ता मनुजो ऽपि जातः
He was ever illustrious, devoted to righteousness, self-controlled, and though a human, an enjoyer of desires.
जगाम ब्रह्मसदनं सह देवैः शचीपतिः
The lord of Śacī, together with the gods, went to the abode of Brahmā.
ऋषिभिः सार्धमासीनं पितरं स्वं च कश्यपम्
He saw his father Kaśyapa seated there with the sages.
ब्रह्माणं कश्यपं चैव तांश्च सर्वास्तपोधनान्
He saw Brahmā, Kaśyapa, and all those ascetics rich in austerity.
पितामह हृतं राज्यं बलिना बलिना मम
Grandfather, my kingdom has been taken by Bali, the mighty one.
शक्रः पप्रच्छ भो ब्रूहि किं मया दुष्कृतं कृतम्
Śakra asked, 'O lord, tell me, what wrong have I done?'
दित्युदरात् त्वया गर्भः कृत्तो वै बहुधा बलात्
From Diti’s womb, by you, the embryo was forcefully cut into many parts.
कृन्तनं प्राप्तवान् गर्भो यदशौचा हि सा भवत्
The embryo was cut because she was impure at that time.
गतस्ततो विनिहतो दासो ऽपि कुलिशेन भो
After that, even the servant was slain by the thunderbolt, O lord.
विनाशं पाप्मनो ब्रूहि प्रायश्चित्तं विभो मम
Tell me, O mighty one, the expiation for my sin and destruction.
हितं सर्वस्य जगतः शक्रस्यापि विशेषतः
What is beneficial for all the world, and especially for Śakra.
तं प्रपद्यस्व शरणं स ते श्रेयो विधास्यति
Take refuge in him; he will bestow welfare upon you.
तमूचुर्देवता मर्त्ये स्वल्पकाले महोदयः
The gods said to him, 'Among mortals, in a short time, there is great prosperity.'