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.
कालः संवत्सराख्यस्तु युष्माभिरिह चोद्धृतः
The period called a year has been completed here by you.
को ऽयं च शक्रप्रतिमो दीक्षितो यो महाभुजः
Who is this, consecrated, mighty-armed one, equal to Indra?
महर्द्धिसंयुता यूयं सानुकम्पाश्च मे भृशम्
You are endowed with great prosperity and are very compassionate toward me.
प्रोचुर्वं द्विजा ब्रह्मन् गोत्रश्चापि भार्गवाः
The twice-born said previously: 'O Brahmin, our lineage is Bhārgava.'
दाता भोक्ता विभक्ता च दीक्षितो यज्ञकर्मणि
The giver, the enjoyer, the distributor, and the one initiated in the sacrificial rite.
प्रोचुर्दैत्यपतिं सर्वे वामनार्थकरं वचः
All addressed the lord of the Daityas with words spoken for Vāmana’s sake.
श्रीमदावसथं दास्यो रत्नानि विविधानि च
He will give the splendid residence and various gems as well.
प्राह द्विजेन्द्र ते दद्मि यावदिच्छसि वै धनम्
He spoke to the chief of the twice-born: 'I shall give you as much wealth as you desire.'
प्रयच्छाम्यद्य भवतो व्रियतामीप्सितं विभो
Today I grant you; let the desired thing be chosen, O mighty one.
प्राहासुरपतिं धुन्धुं स्वार्थसिद्धिकरं वचः
He spoke to the lord of the Asuras, Dhundhu, words that would secure his own purpose.