Prahlada Appeases Shukra's Anger

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.4.14.1)

व्यास उवाच । इति सञ्चिन्त्य मनसा तानुवाच हसन्निव । वञ्चिता मत्स्वरूपेण दैत्याः किं गुरुणा किल ॥

vyāsa uvāca | iti sañcintya manasā tānuvāca hasanniva | vañcitā matsvarūpeṇa daityāḥ kiṁ guruṇā kila ||

Vyasa said: Thinking thus to himself, he said to them, smiling, as it were: "Are the Daityas truly deceived by the Guru wearing my very form?"

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.4.14.2)

अहं काव्यो गुरुश्चायं देवकार्यप्रसाधकः । अनेन वञ्चिता यूयं मद्याज्या नात्र संशयः ॥

ahaṁ kāvyo guruścāyaṁ devakāryaprasādhakaḥ | anena vañcitā yūyaṁ madyājyā nātra saṁśayaḥ ||

"I am Kavya, your guru — the very one who accomplishes the work of the gods. By this one you have been deceived, O my disciples; of this there is no doubt."

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.4.14.3)

मा श्रद्धध्वं वचोऽस्यार्या दाम्भिकोऽयं मदाकृतिः । अनुगच्छत मां याज्यास्त्यजतैनं बृहस्पतिम् ॥

mā śraddhadhvaṁ vaco'syāryā dāmbhiko'yaṁ madākṛtiḥ | anugacchata māṁ yājyāstyajatainaṁ bṛhaspatim ||

"Do not trust this one's words, O noble ones — this hypocrite has taken on my very appearance. Follow me, my disciples, and abandon this Brihaspati."

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.4.14.4)

इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य दृष्ट्वा तौ सदृशौ पुनः । विस्मयं परमं जग्मुः काव्योऽयमिति निश्चिताः ॥

ityākarṇya vacastasya dṛṣṭvā tau sadṛśau punaḥ | vismayaṁ paramaṁ jagmuḥ kāvyo'yamiti niścitāḥ ||

Hearing his words, and seeing the two of them alike, the Daityas were struck with the greatest wonder, yet concluded: "This one is indeed Kavya."

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.4.14.5)

स तान्वीक्ष्य सुसम्भ्रान्तान्गुरुर्वाक्यमुवाच ह । गुरुर्वो वञ्चयत्येव मद्रूपोऽयं बृहस्पतिः ॥

sa tānvīkṣya susambhrāntāngururvākyamuvāca ha | gururvo vañcayatyeva madrūpo'yaṁ bṛhaspatiḥ ||

Seeing them thoroughly bewildered, that [true] Guru spoke: "This Brihaspati, wearing my form, is indeed deceiving your guru's own disciples."

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.4.14.6)

प्राप्तो वञ्चयितुं युष्मान्देवकार्यार्थसिद्धये । मा विश्वासं वचस्तस्य कुरुध्वं दैत्यसत्तमाः ॥

prāpto vañcayituṁ yuṣmāndevakāryārthasiddhaye | mā viśvāsaṁ vacastasya kurudhvaṁ daityasattamāḥ ||

"He has come to deceive you, for the sake of accomplishing the gods' purpose. Do not place trust in his words, O best of Daityas."

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.4.14.7)

प्राप्ता विद्या मया शम्भोर्युष्मानध्यापयामि ताम् । देवेभ्यो विजयं नूनं करिष्यामि न संशयः ॥

prāptā vidyā mayā śambhoryuṣmānadhyāpayāmi tām | devebhyo vijayaṁ nūnaṁ kariṣyāmi na saṁśayaḥ ||

"I have obtained that knowledge from Shambhu [Shiva], and I shall teach it to you. I shall surely bring about your victory over the gods — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.4.14.8)

इति श्रुत्वा गुरोर्वाक्यं काव्यरूपधरस्य ते । विश्वासं परमं जग्मुः काव्योऽयमिति निश्चयात् ॥

iti śrutvā gurorvākyaṁ kāvyarūpadharasya te | viśvāsaṁ paramaṁ jagmuḥ kāvyo'yamiti niścayāt ||

Hearing this speech of the guru wearing Kavya's form, they placed the greatest trust in him, concluding: "This one is indeed Kavya."

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.4.14.9)

काव्येन बहुधा तत्र बोधिताः किल दानवाः । बुबुधुर्न गुरोर्मायामोहिताः कालपर्ययात् ॥

kāvyena bahudhā tatra bodhitāḥ kila dānavāḥ | bubudhurna gurormāyāmohitāḥ kālaparyayāt ||

There, the Danavas were repeatedly instructed by [the false] Kavya; deluded by the Guru's illusion and by the turning of time, they failed to perceive the truth.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.4.14.10)

एवं ते निश्चयं कृत्वा ततो भार्गवमब्रुवन् । अयं गुरुर्नो धर्मात्मा बुद्धिदश्च हिते रतः ॥

evaṁ te niścayaṁ kṛtvā tato bhārgavamabruvan | ayaṁ gururno dharmātmā buddhidaśca hite rataḥ ||

Having thus decided, they then said to Bhargava [the real Shukra]: "This is our righteous guru, the giver of wisdom, ever devoted to our welfare —

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.4.14.11)

दशवर्षाणि सततमयं नः शास्ति भार्गवः । गच्छ त्वं कुहको भासि नास्माकं गुरुरप्युत ॥

daśavarṣāṇi satatamayaṁ naḥ śāsti bhārgavaḥ | gaccha tvaṁ kuhako bhāsi nāsmākaṁ gururapyuta ||

"— this Bhargava has continually instructed us for ten years. Go away! You appear to be a fraud, and you are not even our guru at all."

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.4.14.12)

इत्युक्त्वा भार्गवं मूढा निर्भर्त्स्य च पुनः पुनः । जगृहुस्तं गुरुं प्रीत्या प्रणिपत्याभिवाद्य च ॥

ityuktvā bhārgavaṁ mūḍhā nirbhartsya ca punaḥ punaḥ | jagṛhustaṁ guruṁ prītyā praṇipatyābhivādya ca ||

Having said this, the deluded ones, rebuking Bhargava again and again, embraced that [false] guru with affection, bowing down and paying homage to him.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.4.14.13)

काव्यस्तु तन्मयान्दृष्ट्वा चुकोपाथ शशाप च । दैत्यान्विबोधितान्मत्वा गुरुणा चातिवञ्जितान् ॥

kāvyastu tanmayāndṛṣṭvā cukopātha śaśāpa ca | daityānvibodhitānmatvā guruṇā cātivañjitān ||

But Kavya, seeing them so devoted [to the impostor], became angry and cursed them, considering the Daityas to have been thoroughly misled and utterly deceived by the [false] guru.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.4.14.14)

यस्मान्मया बोधिता वै गृह्णीयुर्न च मे वचः । तस्मात्प्रनष्टसंज्ञा वै पराभवमवाप्स्यथ ॥

yasmānmayā bodhitā vai gṛhṇīyurna ca me vacaḥ | tasmātpranaṣṭasaṁjñā vai parābhavamavāpsyatha ||

"Since, though instructed by me, you would not accept my words, therefore, your senses utterly destroyed, you shall meet with defeat."

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.4.14.15)

मदवज्ञाफलं कामं स्वल्पे काले ह्यवाप्स्यथ । तदास्य कपटं सर्वं परिज्ञातं भविष्यति ॥

madavajñāphalaṁ kāmaṁ svalpe kāle hyavāpsyatha | tadāsya kapaṭaṁ sarvaṁ parijñātaṁ bhaviṣyati ||

"Soon, in a short time, you shall surely reap the fruit of insulting me; then all of this one's deceit shall become fully known to you."

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.4.14.16)

व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्त्वासौ जगामाशु भार्गवः क्रोधसंयुतः । बृहस्पतिर्मुदं प्राप्य तस्थौ तत्र समाहितः ॥

vyāsa uvāca | ityuktvāsau jagāmāśu bhārgavaḥ krodhasaṁyutaḥ | bṛhaspatirmudaṁ prāpya tasthau tatra samāhitaḥ ||

Vyasa said: Having spoken thus, Bhargava departed at once, filled with anger; and Brihaspati, having gained his purpose with joy, remained there, composed.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.4.14.17)

ततः शप्तान्गुरुर्ज्ञात्वा दैत्यांस्ताम्भार्गवेण हि । जगाम तरसा त्यक्त्वा स्वरूपं स्वं विधाय च ॥

tataḥ śaptāngururjñātvā daityāṁstāmbhārgaveṇa hi | jagāma tarasā tyaktvā svarūpaṁ svaṁ vidhāya ca ||

Then, knowing that the Daityas had been cursed by Bhargava, the Guru [Brihaspati] swiftly departed, abandoning [Shukra's guise] and resuming his own true form.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.4.14.18)

गत्वोवाच तदा शक्रं कृतं कार्यं मया धुवम् । शप्ताः शुक्रेण ते दैत्या मया त्यक्ताः पुनः किल ॥

gatvovāca tadā śakraṁ kṛtaṁ kāryaṁ mayā dhuvam | śaptāḥ śukreṇa te daityā mayā tyaktāḥ punaḥ kila ||

Having gone, he then said to Shakra [Indra]: "My task is surely accomplished. Those Daityas have been cursed by Shukra, and now I have abandoned them."

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.4.14.19)

निराधाराः कृता नूनं यतध्वं सुरसत्तमाः । सङ्ग्रामार्थं महाभाग शापदग्धा मया कृताः ॥

nirādhārāḥ kṛtā nūnaṁ yatadhvaṁ surasattamāḥ | saṅgrāmārthaṁ mahābhāga śāpadagdhā mayā kṛtāḥ ||

"They are surely left without any refuge now. Strive, O best of gods, for battle; O great one, I have caused them to be consumed by the curse."

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.4.14.20)

इति श्रुत्वा गुरोर्वाक्यं मघवा मुदमाप्तवान् । जहृषुश्च सुराः सर्वे प्रतिपूज्य बृहस्पतिम् ॥

iti śrutvā gurorvākyaṁ maghavā mudamāptavān | jahṛṣuśca surāḥ sarve pratipūjya bṛhaspatim ||

Hearing the Guru's words, Maghavan [Indra] was filled with joy, and all the gods rejoiced, having honored Brihaspati.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.4.14.21)

सङ्ग्रामाय मतिं चक्रुः संविचार्य मिथः पुनः । निर्ययुर्मिलिताः सर्वे दानवाभिमुखाः सुराः ॥

saṅgrāmāya matiṁ cakruḥ saṁvicārya mithaḥ punaḥ | niryayurmilitāḥ sarve dānavābhimukhāḥ surāḥ ||

Deliberating among themselves again, they resolved on battle; and all the gods, united, marched forth to face the Danavas.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.4.14.22)

सुरान्समुद्यतांज्ञात्वा कृतोद्योगान्महाबलान् । अन्तर्हितं गुरुं चैव बभूवुश्चिन्तयान्विताः ॥

surānsamudyatāṁjñātvā kṛtodyogānmahābalān | antarhitaṁ guruṁ caiva babhūvuścintayānvitāḥ ||

Knowing the gods to be roused, mighty and prepared for battle, and their guru vanished, the Daityas became filled with anxiety.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.4.14.23)

परस्परमथोचुस्ते मोहितास्तस्य मायया । सम्प्रसाद्यो महात्मा च यातोऽसौ रुष्टमानसः ॥

parasparamathocuste mohitāstasya māyayā | samprasādyo mahātmā ca yāto'sau ruṣṭamānasaḥ ||

Deluded by his illusion, they said to one another: "That great soul has gone away angry at heart; he must be appeased."

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.4.14.24)

वञ्चयित्वा गतः पापो गुरुः कपटपण्डितः । भ्रातृस्त्रीलम्भनः प्रायो मलिनोऽन्तर्बहिः शुचिः ॥

vañcayitvā gataḥ pāpo guruḥ kapaṭapaṇḍitaḥ | bhrātṛstrīlambhanaḥ prāyo malino'ntarbahiḥ śuciḥ ||

"That sinful guru, expert in deceit, has gone after cheating us — one given to taking another's wife, outwardly pure yet inwardly tainted."

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.4.14.25)

किं कुर्मः क्व च गच्छामः कथं काव्यं प्रकोपितम् । कुर्वीमहि सहायार्थं प्रसन्नं हृष्टमानसम् ॥

kiṁ kurmaḥ kva ca gacchāmaḥ kathaṁ kāvyaṁ prakopitam | kurvīmahi sahāyārthaṁ prasannaṁ hṛṣṭamānasam ||

"What shall we do, and where shall we go? How may we appease the angered Kavya, and make him glad-hearted and pleased, so that he may help us?"

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.4.14.26)

इति सञ्चिन्त्य ते सर्वे मिलिता भयकम्पिताः । प्रह्लादं पुरतः कृत्वा जग्मुस्ते भार्गवं पुनः ॥

iti sañcintya te sarve militā bhayakampitāḥ | prahlādaṁ purataḥ kṛtvā jagmuste bhārgavaṁ punaḥ ||

Thus reflecting, all of them, trembling with fear, gathered together and, placing Prahlada at their head, went again to Bhargava.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.4.14.27)

प्रणेमुश्चरणौ तस्य मुनेर्मौनभृतस्तदा । भार्गवस्तानुवाचाथ रोषसंरक्तलोचनः ॥

praṇemuścaraṇau tasya munermaunabhṛtastadā | bhārgavastānuvācātha roṣasaṁraktalocanaḥ ||

They bowed at the feet of that silent sage; Bhargava then spoke to them, his eyes red with rage.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.4.14.28)

मया प्रबोधिता यूयं मोहिता गुरुमायया । न गृहीतं वचो योग्यं तदा याज्या हितं शुचि ॥

mayā prabodhitā yūyaṁ mohitā gurumāyayā | na gṛhītaṁ vaco yogyaṁ tadā yājyā hitaṁ śuci ||

"I taught you rightly, but you, deluded by the Guru's illusion, did not accept my proper, beneficial and pure counsel then, O disciples."

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.4.14.29)

तदावगणितश्चाहं भवद्भिस्तद्वशं गतैः । प्राप्तं नूनं मदोन्मत्तैर्ममावमानजं फलम् ॥

tadāvagaṇitaścāhaṁ bhavadbhistadvaśaṁ gataiḥ | prāptaṁ nūnaṁ madonmattairmamāvamānajaṁ phalam ||

"Then, having fallen under his sway, you disregarded me; maddened with pride, you have surely now obtained the fruit born of insulting me."

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.4.14.30)

तत्र गच्छत सत्भ्रष्टा यत्रासौ कपटाकृतिः । वञ्चकः सुरकार्यार्थी नाहं तद्वद्धि वञ्चकः ॥

tatra gacchata satbhraṣṭā yatrāsau kapaṭākṛtiḥ | vañcakaḥ surakāryārthī nāhaṁ tadvaddhi vañcakaḥ ||

"Go, you who have fallen from righteousness, to that deceitful one, the cheat who works for the gods' cause — for I am not a deceiver like him."

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.4.14.31)

व्यास उवाच । एवं ब्रुवन्तं शुक्रं तु वाक्यसन्दिग्धया गिरा । प्रह्लादस्तं तदोवाच गहीत्वा चरणौ ततः ॥

vyāsa uvāca | evaṁ bruvantaṁ śukraṁ tu vākyasandigdhayā girā | prahlādastaṁ tadovāca gahītvā caraṇau tataḥ ||

Vyasa said: As Shukra spoke thus in a voice heavy with reproach, Prahlada then, taking hold of his feet, spoke to him.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.4.14.32)

प्रह्लाद उवाच । भार्गवाद्य समायातान्याज्यानस्मांस्तथातुरान् । त्यक्तुं नार्हसि सर्वज्ञ त्वद्धितास्तनयान्हि नः ॥

prahlāda uvāca | bhārgavādya samāyātānyājyānasmāṁstathāturān | tyaktuṁ nārhasi sarvajña tvaddhitāstanayānhi naḥ ||

Prahlada said: "O Bhargava, all-knowing one, it is not right for you to abandon us your disciples, who have come to you today in such distress — for we are as your own devoted sons."

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.4.14.33)

गते त्वयि तु मन्त्रार्थं शैलूषेण दुरात्मना । त्वद्वेषमधुरालापैर्वयं तेन प्रवञ्चिताः ॥

gate tvayi tu mantrārthaṁ śailūṣeṇa durātmanā | tvadveṣamadhurālāpairvayaṁ tena pravañcitāḥ ||

"When you had gone away for consultation, we were deceived by that evil-souled impostor, through his sweet words spoken in your very guise."

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.4.14.34)

अज्ञानकृतदोषेण नैव कुप्यति शान्तिमान् । सर्वज्ञस्त्वं विजानासि चित्तं नः प्रवणं त्वयि ॥

ajñānakṛtadoṣeṇa naiva kupyati śāntimān | sarvajñastvaṁ vijānāsi cittaṁ naḥ pravaṇaṁ tvayi ||

"One of peaceful nature does not become angry over a fault committed out of ignorance; being all-knowing, you well know that our hearts are devoted to you."

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.4.14.35)

ज्ञात्वा नस्तपसा भावं त्यज कोपं महामते । ब्रुवन्ति मुनयः सर्वे क्षणकोपा हि साधवः ॥

jñātvā nastapasā bhāvaṁ tyaja kopaṁ mahāmate | bruvanti munayaḥ sarve kṣaṇakopā hi sādhavaḥ ||

"Knowing our devotion through your austerity, O great-minded one, abandon your anger — for all the sages say that the anger of the virtuous lasts but a moment."

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.4.14.36)

जलं स्वभावतः शीतं वह्न्यातपसमागमात् । भवत्युष्णं वियोगाच्च शीतत्वमनुगच्छति ॥

jalaṁ svabhāvataḥ śītaṁ vahnyātapasamāgamāt | bhavatyuṣṇaṁ viyogācca śītatvamanugacchati ||

"Water, cold by nature, becomes hot through contact with fire or heat, and upon separation from it, returns again to coldness."

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.4.14.37)

क्रोथश्चाण्डालरूपो वै त्यक्तव्यः सर्वथा बुधैः । तस्माद्रोषं परित्यज्य प्रसादं कुरु सुव्रत ॥

krothaścāṇḍālarūpo vai tyaktavyaḥ sarvathā budhaiḥ | tasmādroṣaṁ parityajya prasādaṁ kuru suvrata ||

"Anger takes the form of an outcast, and must be wholly abandoned by the wise. Therefore, O one of noble vows, give up your wrath and show us grace."

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.4.14.38)

यदि न त्यजसि क्रोधं त्यजस्यस्मान्सुदुःखितान् । त्वया त्यक्ता महाभाग गमिष्यामो रसातलम् ॥

yadi na tyajasi krodhaṁ tyajasyasmānsuduḥkhitān | tvayā tyaktā mahābhāga gamiṣyāmo rasātalam ||

"If you do not give up your anger, you abandon us in our deep sorrow; forsaken by you, O great one, we shall go down to Rasatala."

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.4.14.39)

व्यास उवाच । प्रह्लादस्य वचः श्रुत्वा भार्गवो ज्ञानचक्षुषा । विलोक्य सुमना भूत्वा तानुवाच हसन्निव ॥

vyāsa uvāca | prahlādasya vacaḥ śrutvā bhārgavo jñānacakṣuṣā | vilokya sumanā bhūtvā tānuvāca hasanniva ||

Vyasa said: Hearing Prahlada's words, Bhargava, gazing with his eye of knowledge, and becoming glad of mind, spoke to them, smiling as it were.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.4.14.40)

न भेतव्यं न गन्तव्यं दानवा वा रसातलम् । रक्षयिष्यामि वो याज्यान्मन्त्रैरवितथैः किल ॥

na bhetavyaṁ na gantavyaṁ dānavā vā rasātalam | rakṣayiṣyāmi vo yājyānmantrairavitathaiḥ kila ||

"There is no need to fear, nor need you Danavas go down to Rasatala; I shall surely protect you, my disciples, with unfailing mantras."

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.4.14.41)

हितं सत्यं ब्रवीम्यद्य शृणुध्वं तत्तु निश्चयम् । वचनं मम धर्मज्ञाः श्रुतं यद् ब्रह्मणः पुरा ॥

hitaṁ satyaṁ bravīmyadya śṛṇudhvaṁ tattu niścayam | vacanaṁ mama dharmajñāḥ śrutaṁ yad brahmaṇaḥ purā ||

"I speak today what is beneficial and true; hear now that certainty, O knowers of dharma — the word which I once heard from Brahma himself."

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.4.14.42)

अवश्यम्भाविनो भावाः प्रभवन्ति शुभाशुभाः । दैवं न चान्यथा कर्तुं क्षमः कोऽपि धरातले ॥

avaśyambhāvino bhāvāḥ prabhavanti śubhāśubhāḥ | daivaṁ na cānyathā kartuṁ kṣamaḥ ko'pi dharātale ||

"Events, whether auspicious or inauspicious, that are bound to happen do come to pass; no one on this earth is able to alter fate."

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.4.14.43)

अद्य मन्दबला यूयं कालयोगादसंशयम् । देवैर्जिताः सकृच्चापि पातालं प्रतिपत्स्यथ ॥

adya mandabalā yūyaṁ kālayogādasaṁśayam | devairjitāḥ sakṛccāpi pātālaṁ pratipatsyatha ||

"Today, your strength diminished by the turning of time, you shall without doubt be conquered by the gods, and at once shall enter Patala."

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.4.14.44)

प्राप्तः पर्यायकालो व इति ब्रह्माभ्यभाषत । भुक्तं राज्यं भवद्भिश्च पूर्णं सर्वं समृद्धिमत् ॥

prāptaḥ paryāyakālo va iti brahmābhyabhāṣata | bhuktaṁ rājyaṁ bhavadbhiśca pūrṇaṁ sarvaṁ samṛddhimat ||

"'The time of your turn has come' — thus spoke Brahma: 'you have already fully enjoyed your kingdom, complete and prosperous in every way.'"

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.4.14.45)

युगानि दश पूर्णानि देवानाक्रम्य मूर्धनि । दैवयोगाच्च युष्माभिर्भुक्तं त्रैलोक्यमूर्जितम् ॥

yugāni daśa pūrṇāni devānākramya mūrdhani | daivayogācca yuṣmābhirbhuktaṁ trailokyamūrjitam ||

"'For ten full ages, having trodden upon the very heads of the gods, you have, through the working of fate, enjoyed the mighty three worlds.'"

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.4.14.46)

सावर्णिके मनौ राज्यं पुनस्तत्तु भविष्यति । पौत्रस्त्रैलोक्यविजयी राज्यं प्राप्स्यति ते बलिः ॥

sāvarṇike manau rājyaṁ punastattu bhaviṣyati | pautrastrailokyavijayī rājyaṁ prāpsyati te baliḥ ||

"'That kingdom shall again be yours in the Savarni Manvantara; your grandson Bali, conqueror of the three worlds, shall obtain that kingdom.'"

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.4.14.47)

यदा वामनरूपेण हृतं देवेन विष्णुना । तदैव च भवत्पौत्रः प्रोक्तो देवेन जिष्णुना ॥

yadā vāmanarūpeṇa hṛtaṁ devena viṣṇunā | tadaiva ca bhavatpautraḥ prokto devena jiṣṇunā ||

"'When it was taken away by the god Vishnu in the form of Vamana, then indeed your grandson was told this by that victorious god himself.'"

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.4.14.48)

हृतं येन बले राज्यं देववाञ्छार्थसिद्धये । त्वमिन्द्रो भविता चाग्ने स्थिते सावर्णिके मनौ ॥

hṛtaṁ yena bale rājyaṁ devavāñchārthasiddhaye | tvamindro bhavitā cāgne sthite sāvarṇike manau ||

"'O Bali, by whom your kingdom was taken for the fulfilment of the gods' desire — you shall become Indra hereafter, when the Savarni Manvantara arrives.'"

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.4.14.49)

भार्गव उवाच । इत्युक्तो हरिणा पौत्रस्तव प्रह्लाद साम्प्रतम् । अदृश्यः सर्वभूतानां गुप्तश्चरति भीतवत् ॥

bhārgava uvāca | ityukto hariṇā pautrastava prahlāda sāmpratam | adṛśyaḥ sarvabhūtānāṁ guptaścarati bhītavat ||

Bhargava said: "Having been told this by Hari, your grandson, O Prahlada, now moves about invisible to all beings, hidden, as though in fear."

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.4.14.50)

एकदा वासवेनासौ बलिर्गर्दभरूपभाक् । शून्ये गृहे स्थितः कामं भयभीतः शतक्रतोः ॥

ekadā vāsavenāsau balirgardabharūpabhāk | śūnye gṛhe sthitaḥ kāmaṁ bhayabhītaḥ śatakratoḥ ||

"Once, that Bali, having taken the form of a donkey, was found by Vasava [Indra] dwelling in an empty house, thoroughly terrified of Shatakratu."

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.4.14.51)

पृष्टश्च बहुधा तेन वासवेन बलिस्तदा । किमर्थं गार्दभं रूपं कृतवान्दैत्यपुङ्गव ॥

pṛṣṭaśca bahudhā tena vāsavena balistadā | kimarthaṁ gārdabhaṁ rūpaṁ kṛtavāndaityapuṅgava ||

Then Bali was questioned repeatedly by Vasava: "For what reason, O foremost of Daityas, have you taken the form of a donkey?"

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.4.14.52)

भोक्ता त्वं सर्वलोकस्य दैत्यानां च प्रशासिता । (न लज्जा खररूपेण तव राक्षससत्तम ।)॥ तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा दैत्यराजो बलिस्तदा ॥

bhoktā tvaṁ sarvalokasya daityānāṁ ca praśāsitā | (na lajjā khararūpeṇa tava rākṣasasattama |)|| tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā daityarājo balistadā ||

"You were the enjoyer of all the worlds, and the ruler of the Daityas — have you no shame, O best of demons, in this donkey's form?" Hearing his words, Bali, king of the Daityas, then —

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.4.14.53)

प्रोवाच वचनं शक्रं कोऽत्र शोकः शतक्रतो । यथा विष्णुर्महातेजा मत्स्यकच्छपतां गतः ॥

provāca vacanaṁ śakraṁ ko'tra śokaḥ śatakrato | yathā viṣṇurmahātejā matsyakacchapatāṁ gataḥ ||

— replied to Shakra: "What grief is there in this, O Shatakratu? Just as Vishnu, of great splendor, took the forms of a fish and a tortoise —"

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.4.14.54)

तथाहं खररूपेण संस्थितः कालयोगतः । यथा त्वं कमले लीनः संस्थितो ब्रह्महत्यया ॥

tathāhaṁ khararūpeṇa saṁsthitaḥ kālayogataḥ | yathā tvaṁ kamale līnaḥ saṁsthito brahmahatyayā ||

"— so I too, through the working of time, remain established in the form of a donkey; just as you, on account of the sin of Brahmahatya, remained hidden, absorbed within a lotus."

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.4.14.55)

पीडितश्च तथा ह्यद्य स्थितोऽहं खररूपधृक् । दैवाधीनस्य किं दुःखं किं सुखं पाकशासन ॥

pīḍitaśca tathā hyadya sthito'haṁ khararūpadhṛk | daivādhīnasya kiṁ duḥkhaṁ kiṁ sukhaṁ pākaśāsana ||

"Thus afflicted, I remain today wearing the form of a donkey. For one subject to fate, O Pakashasana, what is sorrow, and what is joy?"

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.4.14.56)

कालः करोति वै नूनं यदिच्छति यथा तथा । भार्गव उवाच । इति तौ बलिदेवेशौ कृत्वा संविदमुत्तमाम् ॥

kālaḥ karoti vai nūnaṁ yadicchati yathā tathā | bhārgava uvāca | iti tau balideveśau kṛtvā saṁvidamuttamām ||

"Time alone surely does whatever it wills, in whatever way it wills." Bhargava said: Thus Bali and the lord of the gods, having reached an excellent mutual understanding —

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.4.14.57)

प्रबोधं प्रापतुः कामं यथास्थानञ्च जग्मतुः । इत्येतत्ते समाख्याता मया दैवबलिष्ठता ॥

prabodhaṁ prāpatuḥ kāmaṁ yathāsthānañca jagmatuḥ | ityetatte samākhyātā mayā daivabaliṣṭhatā ||

— both attained understanding as they wished, and went each to his own place. Thus have I explained to you the supreme power of fate.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.4.14.58)

दैवाधीनं जगत्सर्वं सदेवासुरमानुषम् ॥

daivādhīnaṁ jagatsarvaṁ sadevāsuramānuṣam ||

The entire world, together with gods, demons and men, is subject to fate.