The Manifestation of Vamana (I)

Verse 1 (padma.6.239.1)

रुद्र उवाच- प्रह्लादस्य सुतो जज्ञे विरोचन इतीरितः । तस्य पुत्रो महाबार्हुबलिर्वैश्वानरः प्रभुः ।

rudra uvāca prahlādasya suto jajñe virocana itīritaḥ tasya putro mahābārhubalirvaiśvānaraḥ prabhuḥ

Rudra said: To Prahlada was born a son called Virochana. His son was the mighty-armed lord Bali, radiant as fire.

Verse 2 (padma.6.239.2)

स तु धर्मविदां श्रेष्ठः सत्यसंधो जितेंद्रियः । हरेः प्रियतमो भक्तो नित्यं धर्मरतः शुचिः ।

sa tu dharmavidāṁ śreṣṭhaḥ satyasaṁdho jiteṁdriyaḥ hareḥ priyatamo bhakto nityaṁ dharmarataḥ śuciḥ

He was foremost among the knowers of dharma, true to his word, master of his senses, the dearest devotee of Hari, ever devoted to dharma, and pure.

Verse 3 (padma.6.239.3)

स जित्वा सकालान्देवान्सेंद्रांश्च समरुद्गणान् । त्रींल्लोकान्स्ववशे स्थाप्य राज्यं चक्रे महाबलः ।

sa jitvā sakālāndevānseṁdrāṁśca samarudgaṇān trīṁllokānsvavaśe sthāpya rājyaṁ cakre mahābalaḥ

Having conquered the gods together with Yama, Indra, and the hosts of Maruts, and brought the three worlds under his sway, that mighty one ruled his kingdom.

Verse 4 (padma.6.239.4)

अकृष्टपच्या पृथिवी बहुसस्यफलप्रदा । गावः पूर्णदुघाः सर्वाः पादपाः फलपुष्पिताः ।

akṛṣṭapacyā pṛthivī bahusasyaphalapradā gāvaḥ pūrṇadughāḥ sarvāḥ pādapāḥ phalapuṣpitāḥ

The earth yielded crops without ploughing, bestowing abundant grain and fruit; all cows gave milk in full measure; the trees were laden with fruit and flowers.

Verse 5 (padma.6.239.5)

स्वधर्म्मनिरताः सर्वे नराः पापविवर्जिताः । अर्चयंति हृषीकेशं सततं विगतज्वराः ।

svadharmmaniratāḥ sarve narāḥ pāpavivarjitāḥ arcayaṁti hṛṣīkeśaṁ satataṁ vigatajvarāḥ

All men, devoted to their own dharma and free from sin, worshipped Hrishikesha continually, untroubled by any affliction.

Verse 6 (padma.6.239.6)

एवं चकार धर्मेण राज्यं दैत्यपतिर्बली । इंद्रादित्रिदशास्तस्य किंकराः समुपस्थिताः ।

evaṁ cakāra dharmeṇa rājyaṁ daityapatirbalī iṁdrāditridaśāstasya kiṁkarāḥ samupasthitāḥ

Thus did that mighty lord of daityas rule his kingdom righteously. Indra and the thirty-three gods stood before him as his servants.

Verse 7 (padma.6.239.7)

ऐश्वर्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु बुभुजे बलदर्प्पहृत् । भ्रष्टराज्यं सुतं दृष्ट्वा तस्यापि हितकाम्यया ।

aiśvaryaṁ triṣu lokeṣu bubhuje baladarppahṛt bhraṣṭarājyaṁ sutaṁ dṛṣṭvā tasyāpi hitakāmyayā

Having crushed Indra's pride of strength, he enjoyed sovereignty over the three worlds. Then, seeing his son Indra deprived of his kingdom, and desiring his welfare —

Verse 8 (padma.6.239.8)

कश्यपो भार्यया सार्द्धं तपस्तेपे हरिं प्रति । अदित्या सह धर्मात्मा पयोव्रतसमन्वितः ।

kaśyapo bhāryayā sārddhaṁ tapastepe hariṁ prati adityā saha dharmātmā payovratasamanvitaḥ

Kashyapa, together with his wife Aditi, performed austerities directed toward Hari; that righteous-souled one took up the observance of the Payovrata.

Verse 9 (padma.6.239.9)

अर्चयामास देवेशं पद्मनाभं जनार्दनम् । ततो वर्षसहस्राणि तेन संपूजितो हरिः ।

arcayāmāsa deveśaṁ padmanābhaṁ janārdanam tato varṣasahasrāṇi tena saṁpūjito hariḥ

He worshipped Padmanabha, Janardana, Lord of gods. Then, after being duly worshipped by him for a thousand years, Hari —

Verse 10 (padma.6.239.10)

तत्रैवाविरभूत्तस्य देव्या सह सनातनः । तं दृष्ट्वा पुंडरीकाक्षं शंखचक्रगदाधरम् ।

tatraivāvirabhūttasya devyā saha sanātanaḥ taṁ dṛṣṭvā puṁḍarīkākṣaṁ śaṁkhacakragadādharam

the eternal Lord, together with the Goddess, appeared there before him. Beholding him, the lotus-eyed one, bearing conch, discus, and mace,

Verse 11 (padma.6.239.11)

इंद्रनीलमणिश्यामं सर्वाभरणभूषितम् । स्फुरत्किरीटकेयूरहारकुंडलशोभितम् ।

iṁdranīlamaṇiśyāmaṁ sarvābharaṇabhūṣitam sphuratkirīṭakeyūrahārakuṁḍalaśobhitam

dark as a sapphire, adorned with every ornament, resplendent with a gleaming crown, armlets, necklace, and earrings,

Verse 12 (padma.6.239.12)

कौस्तुभोद्भासितोरस्कं पीतवस्त्रेण वेष्टितम् । श्रिया सह समासीनं मंडलेंद्रे महात्मनि ।

kaustubhodbhāsitoraskaṁ pītavastreṇa veṣṭitam śriyā saha samāsīnaṁ maṁḍaleṁdre mahātmani

his chest radiant with the Kaustubha gem, clad in yellow garments, seated together with Shri upon a great, glorious throne —

Verse 13 (padma.6.239.13)

तं दृष्ट्वा जगतामीशं हर्षनिर्भरचेतसा । पत्न्या सह नमस्कृत्वा तुष्टाव द्विजसत्तमः ।

taṁ dṛṣṭvā jagatāmīśaṁ harṣanirbharacetasā patnyā saha namaskṛtvā tuṣṭāva dvijasattamaḥ

seeing him, the Lord of the worlds, his heart overflowing with joy, that foremost of the twice-born, together with his wife, bowed and praised him.

Verse 14 (padma.6.239.14)

कश्यप उवाच- नमो नमस्ते लक्ष्मीश सर्वज्ञ जगदीश्वर । सर्वात्मन्सर्वदेवेश सृष्टिसंहारकारकः ।

kaśyapa uvāca namo namaste lakṣmīśa sarvajña jagadīśvara sarvātmansarvadeveśa sṛṣṭisaṁhārakārakaḥ

Kashyapa said: "Homage, homage to you, Lord of Lakshmi, all-knowing, Lord of the world! O self of all, Lord of all gods, maker of creation and dissolution!

Verse 15 (padma.6.239.15)

अनादिनिधनानंतवपुषे विश्वधारिणे । नमस्ते वेदवेदांग वपुषे सर्वचक्षुषे ।

anādinidhanānaṁtavapuṣe viśvadhāriṇe namaste vedavedāṁga vapuṣe sarvacakṣuṣe

Homage to you, of a body without beginning, end, or limit, sustainer of the universe! Homage to you, whose body is the Veda and Vedanga, whose eye is all!

Verse 16 (padma.6.239.16)

सर्वात्मने नमस्तुभ्यं नमः सूक्ष्मतराय च । कल्याणगुणपूर्णाय योगिध्येयात्मने नमः ।

sarvātmane namastubhyaṁ namaḥ sūkṣmatarāya ca kalyāṇaguṇapūrṇāya yogidhyeyātmane namaḥ

Homage to you, the self of all! Homage to you, subtler than the subtlest! Homage to you, full of auspicious qualities, whose self is the object of yogis' meditation!

Verse 17 (padma.6.239.17)

नमो युवकुमाराय श्रीभूलीलाधिपाय च । नित्यमुक्तैकभोगाय परधाम्नि स्थिताय च ।

namo yuvakumārāya śrībhūlīlādhipāya ca nityamuktaikabhogāya paradhāmni sthitāya ca

Homage to you, ever-youthful yet a child, Lord of the sport with Shri and Bhu! Homage to you, whose sole enjoyment is eternal liberation, abiding in the supreme abode!

Verse 18 (padma.6.239.18)

चतुरात्मन्नमस्तुभ्यं चतुर्व्यूह नमोस्तु ते । पंचावस्थाय ते तुभ्यं नमस्ते पंचमात्मकम् ।

caturātmannamastubhyaṁ caturvyūha namostu te paṁcāvasthāya te tubhyaṁ namaste paṁcamātmakam

Homage to you, fourfold self! Homage to you, of the four vyuha-forms! Homage to you of five states! Homage to you, of the fivefold self!

Verse 19 (padma.6.239.19)

पंचमात्मकनिष्ठैस्तु योगिभिः पूज्यसे सदा । पंचार्थतत्वविदुषां पंचसंस्कारसंस्थितः ।

paṁcamātmakaniṣṭhaistu yogibhiḥ pūjyase sadā paṁcārthatatvaviduṣāṁ paṁcasaṁskārasaṁsthitaḥ

By yogis established in the fivefold self you are ever worshipped; you abide in the five sacraments of those who know the fivefold truth.

Verse 20 (padma.6.239.20)

पंचापरं स्वरूपं ते विज्ञेयं सततं हरे । चतुर्धा परिपूर्णात्मन्नियतं कवयो विदुः ।

paṁcāparaṁ svarūpaṁ te vijñeyaṁ satataṁ hare caturdhā paripūrṇātmanniyataṁ kavayo viduḥ

O Hari, your further fivefold nature is ever to be known; the wise, knowing your self as perfectly complete, ever know you in your fourfold form.

Verse 21 (padma.6.239.21)

त्वत्प्रसूतिं जगत्सर्वं पुनंति तव किंकराः । त्रयीमयाः कर्म्मनिष्ठा ये द्विजा भक्तवत्सलाः ।

tvatprasūtiṁ jagatsarvaṁ punaṁti tava kiṁkarāḥ trayīmayāḥ karmmaniṣṭhā ye dvijā bhaktavatsalāḥ

This entire world, born of you, is purified by your servants — those twice-born ones, steeped in the threefold Veda, devoted to prescribed action, whom you cherish as your own —

Verse 22 (padma.6.239.22)

तेषां दये क्षणादेव भवबंधविमुक्तये । नमोस्तु त्रिजगद्धात्रे स्वयं धात्रेऽखिलात्मने ।

teṣāṁ daye kṣaṇādeva bhavabaṁdhavimuktaye namostu trijagaddhātre svayaṁ dhātre'khilātmane

out of compassion for them, in an instant, you grant release from the bonds of worldly existence. Homage to you, supporter of the three worlds, yourself the creator, the self of all!

Verse 23 (padma.6.239.23)

धात्रे विधात्रे विश्वाय विश्वरूपाय ते नमः । नारायणाय कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय शार्ङ्गिणे । विष्णवे जिष्णवे तुभ्यं शुद्धसत्वाय ते नमः ।

dhātre vidhātre viśvāya viśvarūpāya te namaḥ nārāyaṇāya kṛṣṇāya vāsudevāya śārṅgiṇe viṣṇave jiṣṇave tubhyaṁ śuddhasatvāya te namaḥ

Homage to you, the supporter, the ordainer, the universe itself, of universal form! Homage to Narayana, to Krishna, to Vasudeva, wielder of the Sharnga bow! Homage to you, Vishnu, ever-victorious, of pure sattva!"

Verse 24 (padma.6.239.24)

महादेव उवाच- इत्यादिस्तुतिभिः सम्यक्स्तूयमानो महर्षिणा । प्राह गंभीरया वाचा परितुष्टो जनार्दनः ।

mahādeva uvāca ityādistutibhiḥ samyakstūyamāno maharṣiṇā prāha gaṁbhīrayā vācā parituṣṭo janārdanaḥ

Mahadeva said: Thus duly praised by the great sage, Janardana, greatly pleased, spoke in a deep voice.

Verse 25 (padma.6.239.25)

श्रीभगवानुवाच- संतुष्टोऽहं द्विजश्रेष्ठ त्वया भक्त्या समर्च्चितः । वरं वृणीष्व भद्रं ते करोमि तव वांछितम् ।

śrībhagavānuvāca saṁtuṣṭo'haṁ dvijaśreṣṭha tvayā bhaktyā samarccitaḥ varaṁ vṛṇīṣva bhadraṁ te karomi tava vāṁchitam

Shri Bhagavan said: "I am well pleased, O best of the twice-born, worshipped by you with devotion. Choose a boon — may good come to you — I shall grant what you desire."

Verse 26 (padma.6.239.26)

महादेव उवाच- ततः प्राह हृषीकेशं भार्य्यया सह कश्यपः ।

mahādeva uvāca tataḥ prāha hṛṣīkeśaṁ bhāryyayā saha kaśyapaḥ

Mahadeva said: Then Kashyapa, together with his wife, spoke to Hrishikesha.

Verse 27 (padma.6.239.27)

कश्यप उवाच- पुत्रत्वं मम देवेश संप्राप्य त्रिदशां हितम् । कुरुष्व बलिना देव त्रैलोक्यं निर्जितं बलात् ।

kaśyapa uvāca putratvaṁ mama deveśa saṁprāpya tridaśāṁ hitam kuruṣva balinā deva trailokyaṁ nirjitaṁ balāt

Kashyapa said: "O Lord of gods, becoming my son, do good for the gods. O God, the three worlds having been conquered by force by Bali —

Verse 28 (padma.6.239.28)

इंद्रस्यावरजो भूत्वा उपेंद्र इति विश्रुतः । येनकेन च मार्गेण बलिं निर्जित्य मायया । त्रैलोक्यं मम पुत्राय देहि शक्राय शाश्वतम् ।

iṁdrasyāvarajo bhūtvā upeṁdra iti viśrutaḥ yenakena ca mārgeṇa baliṁ nirjitya māyayā trailokyaṁ mama putrāya dehi śakrāya śāśvatam

become Indra's younger brother, renowned as Upendra, and by whatever means, having conquered Bali through your maya, give these three worlds forever to my son Indra."

Verse 29 (padma.6.239.29)

महादेव उवाच- इत्युक्तस्तेन विप्रेण तथेत्याह जनार्द्दनः । संस्तूयमानस्त्रिदशैस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत ।

mahādeva uvāca ityuktastena vipreṇa tathetyāha janārddanaḥ saṁstūyamānastridaśaistatraivāṁtaradhīyata

Mahadeva said: Thus addressed by that Brahmin, Janardana said, "So be it," and, praised by the gods, disappeared then and there.

Verse 30 (padma.6.239.30)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु कश्यपस्य महात्मनः । अदित्यागर्भमागच्छद्भगवान्भूतभावनः ।

etasminneva kāle tu kaśyapasya mahātmanaḥ adityāgarbhamāgacchadbhagavānbhūtabhāvanaḥ

At that very time, the Lord, the source of all beings, entered the womb of Aditi, wife of the great-souled Kashyapa.

Verse 31 (padma.6.239.31)

तस्मिन्काले बलिर्यागं दीर्घसत्रं महातपाः । अष्टमहर्षिभिं सार्द्धमारेभे तद्विधानतः ।

tasminkāle baliryāgaṁ dīrghasatraṁ mahātapāḥ aṣṭamaharṣibhiṁ sārddhamārebhe tadvidhānataḥ

At that same time, the greatly austere Bali, together with eight great sages, began, according to due rite, a long sacrificial session.