भार्गवेन्द्रेण शुक्रेण वाजिमेधाय दीक्षितः
He was initiated for the Aśvamedha by Śukra, the lord of the Bhṛgus.
शुक्रस्यानुमते ब्रह्मन् शुक्रशिष्याश्च पण्यिताः
With Śukra's approval, O Brahman, and with learned disciples of Śukra.
कृताश्चासुरनाथेन शुक्रस्यानुमते ऽसुराः
And with Śukra's consent, the lord of the Asuras had the Asuras perform the rites.
हयस्यानु ययौ श्रीमानसिलोमा महासुरः
Following the horse went the illustrious, iron-haired great Asura.
तेनोग्रगन्धेन दिवस्पृसेन मरुद् ववौ ब्रह्मलोके महर्षे
By him, with a fierce scent reaching the sky, the wind blew in Brahmā's world, O great sage.
ततः शरण्यं शरणं जनार्धनं जग्मुः सशक्रा जगातः परयणम्
Then, seeking refuge, the hosts with Indra went to Janārdana, the shelter and supreme goal.
प्रोचुः सर्वे सुरगणा भयगद्गदया गिरा
All the hosts of gods spoke with voices choked by fear.
विज्ञप्तिः श्रूयतां विष्णो सुराणामार्तिनाशन
Let our petition be heard, O Viṣṇu, destroyer of the gods' distress.
सर्वान् सुरान् विनिर्जित्य त्रैलोक्यमहारद् बलिः
Having conquered all the gods, Bali, lord of the three worlds, has become mighty.
अतो विवृद्धिमगमद् यथा व्याधिरुपेक्षितः
Thus he grew in power, just as a disease increases when neglected.
शुक्रस्य मतमास्ताय सो ऽश्वमेधाय दीक्षितः
With Śukra's approval, he was initiated for the Aśvamedha sacrifice.
अरोढुमिच्छति वशी विजेतुं त्रिदशानपि
He wishes to perform the rite and to conquer even the gods.
उवायं मखविध्वंसे येन स्याम सुनिर्वृताः
May that by which we would be well-contented destroy this sacrifice.
विसृज्य देवताः सर्वा ज्ञात्वाजेयं महासुरम्
Having abandoned all the deities, knowing this great Asura to be unconquerable.
ततः कृत्वा स भगवान् वामनं रूपमीश्वरः
Then the blessed Lord assumed the form of Vāmana.
क्षणान्मज्जंस्तथोन्मज्जन्मुक्तकेशो यदृच्छया
In a moment, he plunged and rose up again, his hair loosened, by his own will.
ततः कर्म परित्यज्य यज्ञियं ब्राह्मणोत्तमाः
Then, O foremost Brahmins, they abandoned the ritual actions pertaining to the sacrifice.
सदस्या यजमानश्च ऋत्विजो ऽथ महौजसः
The officiating priests, the sacrificer, and the powerful ritual experts,
किमर्थं पतितो ऽसीह केनाक्षिप्तो ऽसि नो वद
For what reason have you fallen here? By whom have you been cast down? Tell us.
प्राह धुन्धुपुरोगांस्ताञ् छ्रूयतामत्र कारणम्
He, Dhundhu, along with his followers, replied: Listen here to the reason.
सर्वसास्त्रार्थवित् प्राज्ञो गोत्रतश् चापि वारुणः
Wise, knowing the meaning of all scriptures, and by lineage a descendant of Varuṇa,
तत्र ज्येष्ठो मम भ्राता कनीयानपरस्त्वहम्
There, my elder brother is the eldest; I am the younger, the lesser one.
मम नाम पिता चक्रे गतिभासेति कौतुकात्
Out of curiosity, my father gave me the name Gatibhāsa.
त्रिविष्टपगुणैर्युक्तश्चारुरूपो महासुर
He was endowed with the virtues of the heavenly realm, beautiful in form, a great Asura.
तस्योर्ध्वदेहिकं कृत्वा गृहमावां समागतौ
After performing his funeral rites, we both came to the house.
तेनोक्तो नैव भवतो विद्यते भागा इत्यहम्
He said to me: 'You have no share, indeed, O sir.'
उन्मत्तानां तथान्धानां धनभागो न विद्यते
For the mad and the blind, there is no share of wealth.
एतावद् दीयते तेभ्यो नार्थभागहरा हि ते
Only this much is given to them, for they do not take a share of the property.
धनार्थभागमर्हामि नाहं न्यायेन केन वै
I am worthy of a share of the wealth; by what justice am I not?
समुत्क्षिप्याक्षिपन्नद्यामस्यां मामिति कारणात्
Lifting me up, he threw me into this river for that reason.