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,
धिग्धिगित्याह स बलिं वैकुण्ठाक्षेपवादिनम्
He derided Bali, who spoke words of contempt for Vaikuṇṭha, saying 'Shame! Shame!'
हरिं निन्दयतो जिह्वा कथं न पतिता तव
How is it that your tongue has not fallen, as you revile Hari?
यत् त्रैलोक्यगुरुं विष्णुमभिनिन्दसि दुर्मते
O wicked-minded one, you reproach Viṣṇu, the teacher of the three worlds.
यस्य त्वं कर्कशः पुत्रो जातो देवावमान्यकः
You, harsh one, were born as a son who disrespects the gods.
यता नान्यः प्रियः कश्चिन्मम तस्माज्जनार्दनात्
Since there is no one else dearer to me than Janārdana,
सर्वेश्वरेश्वरं देवं कथं निन्दितवानसि
How have you spoken ill of the god who is the lord of all lords?
ममापि पूज्यो भगवान् गुरुर्लोकगुरुर्हरिः
Even for me, the blessed Lord Hari, guru of the world, is worthy of worship.
पूज्यं निन्दयसे पाप कथं न पतितो ऽस्यधः
You, sinner, revile the one worthy of worship—how is it that you have not fallen down?
येषां त्वं कर्कशो राजा वासुदेवस्य निन्दकः
You, harsh king, are a reviler of Vāsudeva among those people.
तस्मात् पापसमाचरा राज्यनाशमवाप्नुहि
Therefore, behaving sinfully, you shall meet the loss of your kingdom.