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?
चिन्तयामास योगात्मा क्व विष्णुः सांप्रतं स्थितः
The yogic soul began to ponder: Where is Viṣṇu presently situated?
नाबेरुपरि भूरादिल्लोकांश्चर्तुमियाद् वशी
He wished to traverse the worlds above the navel and below the earth, being master of himself.
मेरुं ददर्श शैलेन्द्रं शातकौम्भं महर्द्धिमत्
He saw Meru, the lord of mountains, splendid and shining like gold, endowed with great majesty.
तेषामातुः स ददृशे मृगपक्षिगणैर्वृतम्
He beheld their mother, surrounded by groups of beasts and birds.
देवमातुः स ददृशे मृगपक्षिगणैर्वृतम्
He beheld the mother of the gods, surrounded by groups of beasts and birds.
विवेश दानवपतिरन्वेष्टुं मधुसूदनम्
The lord of the Dānavas entered to search for Madhusūdana.
सर्वभीतवरेण्यं तं देवमातुरथोदरे
Within the womb of the mother of the gods, he saw the one revered by all who grant boons and who is feared by all.
सुरासुरगणैः सर्वैः सर्वतो व्याप्तविग्रहम्
With all the hosts of gods and demons, he saw the form pervaded on all sides.
दैत्यतेजोहरं विष्णुं प्रकृतिस्थो ऽभवत् ततः
Then Viṣṇu, who steals the energy of the Daityas, remained in his natural state.
प्रह्लादो मधुरं वाक्यं प्रणम्य मधुसूदनम्
Prahlāda, having bowed to Madhusūdana, spoke sweet words.
येन निस्तेजसो दैत्या जाता दैत्येन्द्र हेतुना
By whose cause the Daityas have become devoid of energy, O lord of the Daityas.
प्रयाताः शरणं देवं हरिं त्रिभुवनेश्वरम्
They have gone for refuge to the god Hari, the lord of the three worlds.
अवतीर्णो महाबाहुरदित्या जठरे हरिः
Hari, the mighty-armed, descended into the womb of Aditi.
नालं तमो विषहितुं स्थातुं सूर्योदयं बले
Darkness is not able to endure or remain at the rising of the sun, O Bali.
प्रह्लादमाहाथ बलिर्भाविकर्मप्रचोदितः
Prompted by destined actions, Bali spoke to Prahlāda.
सन्ति मे शतशो दैत्या वासुदेवबलाधिकाः
There are hundreds of Daityas with me who surpass Vāsudeva in strength.
निर्जित्य त्याजिताः स्वर्गं भग्नदर्पा रणाजिरे
Defeated and cast out, their pride broken on the battlefield, they abandoned heaven.
स विप्रचित्तिर्बलवान् मम सैन्यपुरस्सरः
That powerful Vipracitti, with my army at his forefront,
त्रिशिरा मकराक्षश्च वृषपर्वा नतेक्षमः
Triśiras, Makarākṣa, and Vṛṣaparvan, who cannot be endured,
येषामेकैकशो विष्णुः कलां नार्हति षोडशीम्
Each one of whom Viṣṇu does not equal even to a sixteenth part of their power,