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.
सतारकाक्षः सह वैद्युतेन संतिष्ठते भृत्यकलत्रवान् सः
With star-like eyes and accompanied by lightning, he remains with his servants and wives.
कृत्वा सुगुप्तं भुवि शोणिताख्यं पुरं स चास्ते सह दानवेन्द्रैः
He established the well-guarded city named Shonita on earth and dwells there with the lords of the Danavas.
शक्रप्रियार्थ सुरकार्यसिद्धये हिताय विप्रर्षभगोद्विजानाम्
For the sake of Indra's favor and the success of the gods' work, for the welfare of Brahmins, sages, cows, and birds.
श्रुते यस्मिन् संस्मृते कीर्तिते च पापं याति प्रक्षयं पुण्यमेति
Wherever this is heard, remembered, or recited, sin diminishes and merit increases.
यच्चाप्यन्यन् श्रोतुकामो ऽसि विप्र तत्प्रोच्यतां कथयिष्याम्यशेषम्
If you wish to hear anything else, O Brahmin, let it be spoken; I shall narrate it all.
किं त्वस्तयन्यत्तु प्रष्टव्यं तच्छ्रुत्वा कथयाद्य मे
Yet whatever remains to be asked, having heard it, tell me today.
अन्तर्धानं गतः क्वासौ सर्वात्मा तात कथ्यताम्
Where has he gone, who has become invisible, O father? Please tell.
का चेष्टा तस्य विप्रर्षे तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि
What are his actions, O sage among Brahmins? Please explain that to me.
जगाम ब्रह्मसदनमधिरुह्योरगाशनम्
He went to the abode of Brahmā, ascending the serpent-throne.
समुत्थायायथ सौहार्दात् सस्वजे कमलासनः
Rising up, the lotus-seated one embraced him warmly out of friendship.