यतिष्यामि तथा शक्र भावि श्रेयो यता तव
I shall strive, O Śakra, so that the future good may be as you desire.
स्नातस्य देवस्य तदैनसो नरास्तं प्रोचुरस्माननुसासयस्व
After the god had bathed, the men said to him: 'Instruct us, O Lord, regarding this sin.'
वसध्वमेवान्तरमद्रिसुख्ययोर्हिमाद्रिकालिञ्जरयोः पुलिन्दाः
Dwell only in the region between the two blissful mountains, the Himālaya and Kaliñjara, O Pulindas.
संपूज्यमानो ऽनुजगाम चमं मातुस्तदा धर्मनिवासमीड्यम्
Being worshipped, he then approached his mother, the abode of righteousness, worthy of praise.
प्रणम्य पादौ कमलोदराभौ निवेदयामास तपस्तदात्मनः
Having bowed at her feet, which were like the inside of a lotus, he then reported his austerity.
स चाचचक्षे बलिना रणे जयं तदात्मनो देवगणैश्च सार्धम्
He also recounted his victory in battle, achieved by his own strength, together with the hosts of gods.
दुःखान्विता देवमनाद्यमीड्यं जगाम विष्णुं शरणं वरेण्यम्
Afflicted with sorrow, she approached Viṣṇu, the ancient, praiseworthy god, as her refuge.
चराचरस्य प्रभवं पुराणमाराधयामास शुभे वद त्वम्
She worshipped the ancient source of all that moves and does not move. Tell me, O auspicious one.
निराशना संयतवाक् सुचिता तदोपतस्थे शरणं सुरेन्द्रम्
Without expectation, with restrained speech and pure conduct, she approached the lord of the gods for refuge.
जयस्व पापेन्धनजातवेदस्तमौघसंरोध नमो नमस्ते
Conquer, O fire born of sin's fuel, who blocks the mass of darkness—salutations, salutations to you!
त्वं कारणं सर्वचराचरस्य नाथो ऽसि मां पालय विश्वमूर्ते
You are the cause of all that moves and does not move; you are the Lord—O Form of the Universe, protect me.
अवाप्तावान् शत्रुपराभवं च ततो भवन्तं शरणं प्रपन्ना
Having overcome the defeat of enemies, I have taken refuge in you.
संपूजयित्वा करवीरपुष्यैः संधूप्य धूपैः कणमर्कभोज्यम्
Honoring you with oleander flowers, offering incense, and food fit for the Sun,
स्तवेन पुण्येन च संस्तुवन्ती स्थिता निराहारमथोपवासम्
Praising you with a holy hymn, she stood fasting, engaged in worship.
दत्त्वा द्विजेभ्यः कणकं तिलाज्यं ततो ऽग्रतः सा प्रयता बभूव
Giving gold and sesame-ghee to the twice-born, then she became pure before you.
विनिःसृत्ययाग्रतः स्थित्वा इदं वचनमब्रवीत्
Emerging and standing before her, he spoke these words:
प्राप्स्यसे दुर्लभं कामं मत्प्रसादान्न संशयः
By my grace, you will obtain that rare desire—there is no doubt.
दानवान् ध्वंसयिष्यामि संभूयैवोदरे तव
I will destroy the Dānavas, entering your womb.
प्रोवाच जगतां योनिं वेपमाना पुनः पुनः
Again and again, trembling, she addressed the source of the worlds:
यस्योदरे जगत्सर्वं वसते स्थाणुजङ्गमम्
In whose womb the entire world—moving and unmoving—dwells,
यस्य सप्तार्णवाः कुक्षौ निवसन्ति सहाद्रिभिः
In whose belly the seven oceans reside, along with the mountains,
यथा च न मम क्लेशस्तथा कुरु जनार्दन
Just as I do not experience suffering, so may it be, O Janārdana.
तथापि संभविष्यामि अहं देव्युदरे तव
Even so, I will be born in your womb, O Goddess.
धारयिष्यामि योगेन मा विषादं कुथाम्बिके
I will sustain myself by yoga—do not be distressed, O Ambikā.
तदा निस्तेजसो दैत्याः सभविष्यन्त्यसंशयम्
Then the Daityas will certainly become powerless.
स्वतेजसोंऽशेन विवेश देव्याः तदोदरे शक्रहिताय विप्र
By a portion of his own splendor, he entered the Goddess's womb, for the sake of Indra, O Brāhmaṇa.
निस्तेजसो ऽसुरा जाता यथोक्तं विश्वयोनिना
The Asuras became powerless, just as the source of the universe had said.
बलिर्दानवशार्दूल इदं वचनमब्रवीत्
Bali, the tiger among Dānavas, spoke these words:
कथ्यतां परमज्ञो ऽसि शुभाशुभविशारद
Speak, for you are supremely knowledgeable and skilled in discerning auspicious and inauspicious matters.
किमर्थं तेजसो हानिरिति कस्मादतीव च
For what reason has there been a loss of your radiance, and why is it so great?