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.
सुतलं नाम पातालं वस तत्र निरामयः
Dwell in Sutala, the realm called Patala, there free from affliction.
भविष्यन्ति तु येनाहं निवत्स्यामि निरामयः
In the future, I too shall reside there, unharmed and untroubled.
भिवष्यन्ति महार्हाणि तानि वक्ष्यामि सर्वशः
There will be great treasures; I shall describe them all in detail.
तथाधीतान्यव्रतिभिर्दास्यन्ति भवतः फलम्
When those observances are performed, you will receive their fruits.
द्वारप्रतिपदा नाम तव भावी महोत्सवः
A festival called Dvārapratipada will arise for you in times to come.
पुष्पदीपप्रदानेन अर्जयिष्यन्ति यत्नतः
By offering flowers and lamps, people will earn merit with diligence.
यथैव राज्ये भवतस्तु साम्प्रतं तथैव सा भाव्यथ कौमुदी च
Just as you now rule your kingdom, so too shall the Kaumudi festival flourish.
यज्ञं समादाय जगाम तूर्णं स शक्रसद्भामरसंघजुष्टम्
Taking up the sacrifice, he swiftly departed to the assembly of Indra, filled with sages and gods.
अन्तर्दधे विश्वपतिर्महर्षे संपश्यतामेव मुराधिपानाम्
The Lord of the universe vanished from sight, even as the chiefs of Mura watched.
कृत्वा पुरं सौभमिति प्रसिद्धं तदान्तरिक्षे विचचार कामात्
He built the famed city called Saubha and wandered freely in the sky.