ग्रीवादितिर्देवमाता विद्यास्तद्वलयस्थिताः
Aditi, the mother of the gods, was at his neck; knowledge was situated in the circles thereof.
धर्मकामार्थमोक्षीयाः शास्त्रः शौचसमन्विताः
The scriptures concerning righteousness, desire, and liberation, endowed with purity, were there.
श्वासस्थो मातरिश्वा च मरुतः सर्वसंधिषु
Mātariśvan abided in his breath, and the Maruts in all his joints.
चन्द्रादित्यौ च नयने पक्ष्मस्थाः कृत्तिकादयः
The moon and sun were his eyes, and the Krittikas and others were at his eyelashes.
तारका रोमकूपेभ्यो रोमाणि च महर्षयः
The stars were in his hair pores, and the great sages were his hairs.
क्रमेणैकेन जगतीं जहार सचराचराम्
Step by step, with a single stride, he took possession of the earth with all its moving and unmoving beings.
नक्षश्चाक्रमतो नाभिं सूर्येन्दू सव्यदक्षिणौ
With his navel he encompassed the sky; the sun and moon were on his left and right.
क्रान्तार्धार्धेन वैराजं मध्येनापूर्यताम्बरम्
With half a stride he crossed the cosmic expanse, and with the middle he filled the heavens.
ब्रह्माण्डोदरमाहत्य निरालोकं जगाम ह
Having encompassed the interior of the cosmic egg, he entered into darkness.
कुटिला विष्णुपादे तु समेत्य कुटिला ततः
The crooked one, having reached Vishnu's foot, then became crooked.
भगवानप्यसंपूर्णे तृतीये तु क्रमे विभुः
Even when the third step was not completed, the Lord, the all-pervading one—
त्वं पूरय पदं तन्मे नो चेद् बन्धं प्रतीच्छ भोः
"You must fulfill your promise of a step for me; if not, then accept bondage, O king!"
बाणः प्राहामरपतिं वचनं हेतुसंयुतम्
Bali spoke to the Lord of the Immortals words filled with reasoning.
कथं बलिं प्रार्थयसे सुविस्तृतां यां प्राग्भवान् नो विपुलामथाकरोत्
How do you ask for the vast gift from Bali, which you yourself once made immense before?
दत्ता च तातेन हि तावतीयं किं वाक्छलेनैष निबध्यते ऽद्य
For that much was already given by his father—why bind him today with mere words?
शक्तस्तु संपूजयितुं मुरारे प्रसीद मा बन्धनमादिशस्व
He is indeed able to honor you, O slayer of Mura; be gracious, do not command his binding.
देशे सुपुण्ये वरदे यच्च काले तच्चाशेषं दृश्यते चक्रपाणे
O wielder of the discus, in this most sacred place and auspicious time, everything is manifest.
कालो ज्येष्ठामूलयोगे मृगाङ्गः कुरुक्षेत्रं पुण्यदेशं प्रसिद्धम्
The time is under the influence of Jyeshtha Nakshatra, the moon is present, and Kurukshetra, the renowned holy land, is here.
स्वयं श्रुतीनामपि चादिकर्त्ता व्याप्य स्थितः सदसद् यो जगद् वै
You are yourself the original creator of the Vedas, pervading and abiding in the world, both manifest and unmanifest.
किं त्वं न गृह्णासि जगत्त्रयं भो रूपेण लोकत्रयवन्दितेन
O Lord, why do you not accept the three worlds with your form, which is worshipped by all realms?
क्रमेण त्वं लङ्घयितुं समर्थो लीलामेतां कृतवान् लोकनाथ
Step by step, you are able to cross over; you have performed this act as a sport, O Lord of the worlds.
विष्णो न बध्नासि बलिं न दूरे प्रभुर्यदेवेच्छति तत्करोति
O Vishnu, you do not bind Bali, nor are you far away; the Lord does whatever he wishes.
प्रोवाच भगवान् वाक्यमादिकर्त्ता जनार्दनः
Then the Blessed Lord, the original creator, Janardana, spoke these words.
तेषां वैच हेतुसंयुक्तं शृणु प्रत्युत्तरं मम
Hear now my reply to them, joined with reasoning.
देहि मह्यं प्रमाणेन तदेतत् समनुष्ठितम्
Give to me, according to the measure, that which has been duly performed.
प्रायच्छद् येन निःशङ्कं ममानन्तं क्रमत्रयम्
By whom my three great strides were fearlessly granted to me.
बलेरपि हितार्थाय कृतमेतत् क्रमत्रयम्
Even for Bali’s own benefit, these three steps were accomplished.
दत्तं तेनायुरेतस्य कल्पं यावद् भविष्यति
By him was given a lifespan that will last as long as an age.
सावर्णिके च संप्राप्ते बलिरिन्द्रो भविष्यति
And when the Sāvarṇika Manvantara arrives, Bali will become Indra.
प्रोवाच बलिमभ्येत्य वचनं मधुराक्षरम्
Approaching Bali, he spoke words sweet in their expression.