Bali Receives His Boon

Verse 1 (skanda.1.19.1)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ एवं संबोधितो दैत्यो गुरुणा भार्गवेण हि॥ उवाच प्रहसन्वाक्यं मेघगंभीरया गिरा

||lomaśa uvāca|| evaṃ saṃbodhito daityo guruṇā bhārgaveṇa hi|| uvāca prahasanvākyaṃ meghagaṃbhīrayā girā

Lomasha said: Thus counselled by his preceptor Bhargava, that daitya spoke, laughing, in a voice deep as thunder —

Verse 2 (skanda.1.19.2)

त्वयोक्तोहं हितार्थाय यैर्वाक्यैश्चालितोऽस्म्यहम्॥ तव वाक्यं मम प्रीत्यै हितमप्यहितं भवेत्

tvayoktohaṃ hitārthāya yairvākyaiścālito'smyaham|| tava vākyaṃ mama prītyai hitamapyahitaṃ bhavet

"The words you have spoken for my own good have shaken me; your counsel, O guru, though meant for my delight, though beneficial, could yet become harmful."

Verse 3 (skanda.1.19.3)

दास्यामि भिक्षितं चास्मै विष्मवे बटुरूपिणे॥ पात्रीभूतो ह्ययं विष्णुः सर्वकर्मफलेश्वरः

dāsyāmi bhikṣitaṃ cāsmai viṣmave baṭurūpiṇe|| pātrībhūto hyayaṃ viṣṇuḥ sarvakarmaphaleśvaraḥ

"I shall surely give what has been asked to this Vishnu in the form of a boy; this Vishnu, lord of the fruits of every deed, is himself the worthiest of all recipients."

Verse 4 (skanda.1.19.4)

येषां हृदि स्थितो विष्णुस्ते वै पात्रतमा ध्रुवम्॥ यस्य नाम्ना सर्वमिदं पवित्रमिव चोच्यते

yeṣāṃ hṛdi sthito viṣṇuste vai pātratamā dhruvam|| yasya nāmnā sarvamidaṃ pavitramiva cocyate

"Those in whose hearts Vishnu dwells are surely the worthiest recipients of all; by his name alone, this whole world is called pure."

Verse 5 (skanda.1.19.5)

येन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च मंत्रतंत्रादयो ह्यमी॥ सर्वे संपूर्णतां यांति सोऽयं विश्वेश्वरो हरिः

yena vedāśca yajñāśca maṃtrataṃtrādayo hyamī|| sarve saṃpūrṇatāṃ yāṃti so'yaṃ viśveśvaro hariḥ

"He by whom the Vedas, sacrifices, mantras, tantras and all such things attain their fulfilment — he is this very Hari, lord of the universe."

Verse 6 (skanda.1.19.6)

आगतः कृपया मेद्य सर्वात्मा हरिरीश्वरः॥ उद्धर्तुं मां न संदेह एतज्जानीहि तत्त्वतः

āgataḥ kṛpayā medya sarvātmā harirīśvaraḥ|| uddhartuṃ māṃ na saṃdeha etajjānīhi tattvataḥ

"It is out of compassion for me that the all-souled lord Hari has come today, to lift me up — of this there is no doubt; know this to be the very truth."

Verse 7 (skanda.1.19.7)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा चुकोप च रुषान्वितः॥ भार्गवः शप्तुमारेभे दैत्येंद्रं धर्म्मवत्सलम्

tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā cukopa ca ruṣānvitaḥ|| bhārgavaḥ śaptumārebhe daityeṃdraṃ dharmmavatsalam

Hearing his words, Bhargava was overcome with rage, and began to curse that righteous-hearted lord of the daityas.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.19.8)

मम वाक्यमतिक्रम्य दातुमिच्छस्यरिंदम॥ विगुणो भव रे मंद तस्मात्त्वं निःश्रिको भव

mama vākyamatikramya dātumicchasyariṃdama|| viguṇo bhava re maṃda tasmāttvaṃ niḥśriko bhava

"O tamer of foes, defying my very word, you wish to give this gift — therefore, O fool, may you become bereft of virtue, and stripped of all your glory."

Verse 9 (skanda.1.19.9)

एवं शशाप च तदा परमार्थविज्ञं शिष्यं महात्मानमगाधबोधम्॥ स वै जगामाथ महाकविस्त्वरात्स्वमाश्रमं धर्म्मविदां वरिष्ठः

evaṃ śaśāpa ca tadā paramārthavijñaṃ śiṣyaṃ mahātmānamagādhabodham|| sa vai jagāmātha mahākavistvarātsvamāśramaṃ dharmmavidāṃ variṣṭhaḥ

Thus did he curse that great-souled disciple, who knew the highest truth and possessed unfathomable understanding; and then that great poet, foremost among the knowers of dharma, returned at once to his own hermitage.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.19.10)

गते तु भार्गवे तस्मिन्बलिर्विरोचनात्मजः॥ वामनं चार्चयित्वा स महीं दातुं प्रचक्रमे

gate tu bhārgave tasminbalirvirocanātmajaḥ|| vāmanaṃ cārcayitvā sa mahīṃ dātuṃ pracakrame

When Bhargava had gone, Bali, son of Virochana, worshipped Vamana and began to give him the earth.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.19.11)

विंध्यावलिः समागत्य बलेरर्द्धांगशोभिता॥ अवनिज्य बटोः पादौ प्रददौ विष्णवे महीम्

viṃdhyāvaliḥ samāgatya balerarddhāṃgaśobhitā|| avanijya baṭoḥ pādau pradadau viṣṇave mahīm

Vindhyavali, who graced Bali's very side, came there and, washing the boy's two feet, helped give the earth over to Vishnu.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.19.12)

संकल्पपूर्वेण तदा विधिना विधिकोविदः॥ संकल्पेनैव महता ववृधे भगवानजः

saṃkalpapūrveṇa tadā vidhinā vidhikovidaḥ|| saṃkalpenaiva mahatā vavṛdhe bhagavānajaḥ

As Bali, versed in ritual, made his solemn resolve and gave in due form, that very resolve caused the unborn lord to begin to grow.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.19.13)

यदैकेन मही व्याप्ता विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना॥ सर्वे स्वर्गा द्वितीयेन व्याप्तास्तेन महात्मना

yadaikena mahī vyāptā viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā|| sarve svargā dvitīyena vyāptāstena mahātmanā

When the mighty Vishnu covered the earth with a single stride, that same great soul covered all the heavens with his second.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.19.14)

सत्यलोकगतो विष्णोश्चरणः परमेष्ठिना॥ कमण्डलुगतेनैव अंभसा चावनेनिजे

satyalokagato viṣṇoścaraṇaḥ parameṣṭhinā|| kamaṇḍalugatenaiva aṃbhasā cāvanenije

Vishnu's foot reached even up to Satyaloka, and Brahma, the supreme grandsire, washed it with the water of his own kamandalu.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.19.15)

तत्पादसंपर्कजलाच्च जाता भागीरथी सर्वसुमंगला च॥ यया त्रिलोकी च कृता पवित्रा यया च सर्वे सगराः समुद्धृताः॥ यया कपर्दः परिपूरितो वै शंभोस्तदानीं च भगीरथेन

tatpādasaṃparkajalācca jātā bhāgīrathī sarvasumaṃgalā ca|| yayā trilokī ca kṛtā pavitrā yayā ca sarve sagarāḥ samuddhṛtāḥ|| yayā kapardaḥ paripūrito vai śaṃbhostadānīṃ ca bhagīrathena

From that water, touched by his foot, there arose the all-auspicious Bhagirathi, by whom the three worlds were made pure and all the sons of Sagara delivered; and it was she who, at that time, was gathered up, by Bhagiratha's effort, into the very matted locks of Shiva.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.19.16)

तीर्थानां तीर्थमाद्यं च गंगाख्यमवतारितम्॥ तद्विष्णोश्चरणेनैव समेतं ब्रह्मणा कृतम्

tīrthānāṃ tīrthamādyaṃ ca gaṃgākhyamavatāritam|| tadviṣṇoścaraṇenaiva sametaṃ brahmaṇā kṛtam

Thus was the Ganga brought down to earth — the first and foremost of all sacred fords — a deed accomplished through Vishnu's very foot, and brought about by Brahma himself.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.19.17)

त्रिविक्रमात्परो ह्यात्मा नाम्ना त्रिविक्रमोऽभवत्॥ त्रिविक्रमक्रमाक्रांतं त्रैलोक्यं च तदाऽभवत्

trivikramātparo hyātmā nāmnā trivikramo'bhavat|| trivikramakramākrāṃtaṃ trailokyaṃ ca tadā'bhavat

Because of those three strides, that supreme self came to be known by the name Trivikrama; and by the very stride of those three steps, the three worlds themselves were then overtaken.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.19.18)

पदद्वयेन वा पूर्णं जगदेतच्चराचरम्॥ विहाय तत्स्वरूपं च देवदेवो जनार्द्दनः॥ पुनश्च बटुरूपोऽसावुपविश्य निजासने

padadvayena vā pūrṇaṃ jagadetaccarācaram|| vihāya tatsvarūpaṃ ca devadevo janārddanaḥ|| punaśca baṭurūpo'sāvupaviśya nijāsane

With just two strides this whole world, moving and unmoving, was fully covered; and then Janardana, god of gods, cast aside that cosmic form, and, once more in the guise of a boy, sat down again upon his own seat.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.19.19)

तदा देवाः सगंधर्वा मुनयः सिद्धचारणाः॥ आगताश्च बलेर्यज्ञं द्रष्टुं यज्ञपतिं प्रभुम्

tadā devāḥ sagaṃdharvā munayaḥ siddhacāraṇāḥ|| āgatāśca baleryajñaṃ draṣṭuṃ yajñapatiṃ prabhum

Then the gods, together with the gandharvas, the sages, siddhas and charanas, all came there, to behold Bali's sacrifice and that lord who was its master.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.19.20)

तत्र ब्रह्मा समागत्य स्तुतिं चक्रे परात्मनः॥ बलेस्तत्रैव चान्येन च दैत्येंद्राश्चागतास्त्वरम्

tatra brahmā samāgatya stutiṃ cakre parātmanaḥ|| balestatraiva cānyena ca daityeṃdrāścāgatāstvaram

There Brahma too came, and praised that supreme self; and at that very place, other lords of the daityas, allies of Bali, also came hurrying in.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.19.21)

एभिः सर्वैः परिवृतो वामनो बलिसद्मनि॥ उपविश्यासने सोऽथ उवाच गरुडं प्रति

ebhiḥ sarvaiḥ parivṛto vāmano balisadmani|| upaviśyāsane so'tha uvāca garuḍaṃ prati

Surrounded by all of them, Vamana, seated upon his throne in Bali's own dwelling, spoke thus to Garuda —

Verse 22 (skanda.1.19.22)

दैत्योऽसौ बालिशो भूत्वा दत्तानेन मही मम॥ त्रिपदक्रमणेनैव गृहीतं च पदद्वयम्

daityo'sau bāliśo bhūtvā dattānena mahī mama|| tripadakramaṇenaiva gṛhītaṃ ca padadvayam

"This daitya, in his simple, childlike way, gave me the earth as a gift; and of that promise of three paces, I have already taken two."

Verse 23 (skanda.1.19.23)

पदमेकं प्रतिश्रुत्य न ददाति हि दुर्मतिः॥ तस्मात्त्वया गृहीतव्यं तृतीयं पदमेव च

padamekaṃ pratiśrutya na dadāti hi durmatiḥ|| tasmāttvayā gṛhītavyaṃ tṛtīyaṃ padameva ca

"Having promised one more pace, that ill-minded one now fails to give it; therefore you yourself must take from him that third pace."

Verse 24 (skanda.1.19.24)

इत्युक्तो गरुडस्तेन वामनेन महात्मना॥ वैरोचनिं विनिर्भर्त्स्य वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह

ityukto garuḍastena vāmanena mahātmanā|| vairocaniṃ vinirbhartsya vākyaṃ cedamuvāca ha

Thus addressed by Vamana, Garuda rebuked Virochana's son and spoke these words —

Verse 25 (skanda.1.19.25)

रे बले किं त्वया मूढ कृतमस्ति जुगुप्सितम्॥ अविद्यमाने ह्यर्थे हि किं ददासि परमात्मने॥ औदार्येण हि किं कार्यमल्पकेन त्वयाधुना

re bale kiṃ tvayā mūḍha kṛtamasti jugupsitam|| avidyamāne hyarthe hi kiṃ dadāsi paramātmane|| audāryeṇa hi kiṃ kāryamalpakena tvayādhunā

"O Bali, O fool, what disgraceful thing have you done? When the thing itself does not exist, what is it you now give the supreme self? O petty one, of what use now is this so-called generosity of yours?"

Verse 26 (skanda.1.19.26)

इत्युक्तो बलिराविष्टः स्यमानः खगेश्वरम्॥ वक्ष्यमाणमिदं वाक्यं गरुत्मन्तं तदाऽब्रवीत्

ityukto balirāviṣṭaḥ syamānaḥ khageśvaram|| vakṣyamāṇamidaṃ vākyaṃ garutmantaṃ tadā'bravīt

Thus addressed, Bali, moved by that lord of birds, spoke these words in reply to Garuda —

Verse 27 (skanda.1.19.27)

समर्थोस्मि महापक्ष गृपणो न भवाम्यहम्॥ येनेदं कारितं सर्वं तस्मै किं प्रददाम्यहम्

samarthosmi mahāpakṣa gṛpaṇo na bhavāmyaham|| yenedaṃ kāritaṃ sarvaṃ tasmai kiṃ pradadāmyaham

"O great-winged one, I am indeed capable — I am no miser; whatever he who has caused all this desires, what would I not give him?"

Verse 28 (skanda.1.19.28)

असमर्थो ह्यहं तात कृतोऽनेन महात्मना॥ तदोवाच बलिं सोऽपि तार्क्ष्यपुत्रो महामनाः

asamartho hyahaṃ tāta kṛto'nena mahātmanā|| tadovāca baliṃ so'pi tārkṣyaputro mahāmanāḥ

"O father, it is this great soul himself who has made me unable to give more" — so saying, that great-hearted son of Tarkshya spoke to Bali —

Verse 29 (skanda.1.19.29)

जानन्नपि च दैत्येंद्र गुरुणापि निवारितः॥ विष्णवेऽपि महीं प्रादास्त्वया किं विस्मृतं महत्

jānannapi ca daityeṃdra guruṇāpi nivāritaḥ|| viṣṇave'pi mahīṃ prādāstvayā kiṃ vismṛtaṃ mahat

"O lord of daityas, knowingly and even after being warned by your own preceptor, you gave the earth to Vishnu; have you forgotten that momentous decision?"

Verse 30 (skanda.1.19.30)

दातव्यं तत्पदं विष्णोस्तृतीयं यत्प्रतिश्रुतम्॥ न ददासि कथं वीर निरयेच पतिष्यसि

dātavyaṃ tatpadaṃ viṣṇostṛtīyaṃ yatpratiśrutam|| na dadāsi kathaṃ vīra nirayeca patiṣyasi

"That third pace which you promised to Vishnu — why, O hero, do you not give it now? If you do not, you shall fall into hell."

Verse 31 (skanda.1.19.31)

न ददासि तृतीयं च पदं मे स्वामिनः कथम्॥ बलाद्गृह्णामि रे मूढ इत्युक्त्वा तं महासुरम्॥ बबंध वारुणैः पाशैर्विरोचन सुतं तदा

na dadāsi tṛtīyaṃ ca padaṃ me svāminaḥ katham|| balādgṛhṇāmi re mūḍha ityuktvā taṃ mahāsuram|| babaṃdha vāruṇaiḥ pāśairvirocana sutaṃ tadā

"Why do you not give my lord that third pace? O fool, then I shall take it by force" — so saying, Garuda bound that great asura, son of Virochana, with the very nooses of Varuna.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.19.32)

नितरां निष्ठुरो भूत्वा गरुडो जयतां वरः॥ बद्धं स्वपतिमालोक्य विंध्यावलिः समभ्ययात्

nitarāṃ niṣṭhuro bhūtvā garuḍo jayatāṃ varaḥ|| baddhaṃ svapatimālokya viṃdhyāvaliḥ samabhyayāt

Garuda, foremost of the victorious, having grown thus harsh, did this deed; and seeing her own husband bound, Vindhyavali came swiftly to that place.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.19.33)

बाणमेकं समारोप्य वामनस्याग्रतः स्थिता॥ वामनेन तदा पृष्टा केयं चात्राग्रतः स्थिता

bāṇamekaṃ samāropya vāmanasyāgrataḥ sthitā|| vāmanena tadā pṛṣṭā keyaṃ cātrāgrataḥ sthitā

Fitting an arrow to her bow, she stood there before Vamana; and Vamana asked: "Who is this, standing here before me?"

Verse 34 (skanda.1.19.34)

तदोवाच महातेजाः प्रह्लादो ह्यसुराधिपः॥ बलेः पत्नीति त्वां प्राप्ता इयं विंध्यावली सती

tadovāca mahātejāḥ prahlādo hyasurādhipaḥ|| baleḥ patnīti tvāṃ prāptā iyaṃ viṃdhyāvalī satī

Then the radiant lord of asuras, Prahlada, said: "This virtuous Vindhyavali, wife of Bali, has come to you."

Verse 35 (skanda.1.19.35)

प्रह्लादस्य वचः श्रुत्वा वामनो वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥ ब्रूहि विंध्यावले वाक्यं किं कार्यं ते करोम्यहम्॥ एवमुक्ता भगवता विंध्यावलिरभाषत

prahlādasya vacaḥ śrutvā vāmano vākyamabravīt|| brūhi viṃdhyāvale vākyaṃ kiṃ kāryaṃ te karomyaham|| evamuktā bhagavatā viṃdhyāvalirabhāṣata

Hearing Prahlada's words, Vamana said: "Speak, O Vindhyavali — what may I do for you?" Thus questioned by the lord, Vindhyavali spoke —

Verse 36 (skanda.1.19.36)

॥विन्ध्यावलिरुवाच॥ कस्माद्बद्धो मम पतिर्गरुडेन महात्मना॥ तत्कथ्यतां महाभाग त्वरन्नेव जनार्द्दन॥ तदोवाच महातेजा बटुवेषधरो हिः

||vindhyāvaliruvāca|| kasmādbaddho mama patirgaruḍena mahātmanā|| tatkathyatāṃ mahābhāga tvaranneva janārddana|| tadovāca mahātejā baṭuveṣadharo hiḥ

Vindhyavali said: "Why has the great-souled Garuda bound my husband? O most fortunate Janardana, tell me this swiftly." Then that radiant one, wearing the guise of a boy, spoke —

Verse 37 (skanda.1.19.37)

॥श्रीभगवानुवाच॥ अनेनैव प्रदत्ता मे मही त्रिपदलक्षणा॥ पदद्वयेन च मयाक्रांतं त्रैलोक्यमद्य वै

||śrībhagavānuvāca|| anenaiva pradattā me mahī tripadalakṣaṇā|| padadvayena ca mayākrāṃtaṃ trailokyamadya vai

The blessed lord said: "This very man gave me a gift of land measured by three paces; and with just two paces, I have this day covered all three worlds."

Verse 38 (skanda.1.19.38)

अनेन मम दातव्यं तृतीयं पदमेव च॥ तस्माद्बद्धो मया साध्वि गरुडेनैव ते पतिः

anena mama dātavyaṃ tṛtīyaṃ padameva ca|| tasmādbaddho mayā sādhvi garuḍenaiva te patiḥ

"He must yet give me that third pace as well; and it is for this reason, O virtuous one, that Garuda has bound your husband."

Verse 39 (skanda.1.19.39)

श्रुत्वा भगवतो वाक्यमुवाच परमं वचः॥ प्रतिश्रुतमनेनैव न दत्तं हि तव प्रभो

śrutvā bhagavato vākyamuvāca paramaṃ vacaḥ|| pratiśrutamanenaiva na dattaṃ hi tava prabho

Hearing the lord's words, she spoke this supreme reply: "O lord, that which he promised has not yet been given to you."

Verse 40 (skanda.1.19.40)

क्रांतं त्रिभुवनं चाद्य त्वया विक्रमरूपिणा॥ तदस्माकं विजघ्नीथाः स्वर्गे वाप्यथवा भुवि

krāṃtaṃ tribhuvanaṃ cādya tvayā vikramarūpiṇā|| tadasmākaṃ vijaghnīthāḥ svarge vāpyathavā bhuvi

"Today, taking on your form of stride, you have measured all three worlds; and thus, whether in heaven or on earth, it is we who have been overcome by you."

Verse 41 (skanda.1.19.41)

किंचिन्न दत्ता हि विभो देवदेव जगत्पते॥ प्रहस्य भगवानाह तदा विंध्यावलिं प्रभुः

kiṃcinna dattā hi vibho devadeva jagatpate|| prahasya bhagavānāha tadā viṃdhyāvaliṃ prabhuḥ

"O god of gods, O lord of the universe, O lord, we have given you nothing at all" — hearing this, the blessed lord, smiling, said to Vindhyavali —

Verse 42 (skanda.1.19.42)

पदानि त्रीणि मे चाद्य दातव्यानि कुतोऽधुना॥ शीघ्रं वद विशालाक्षि यत्ते मनसि वर्त्तते॥ तदोवाच च सा साध्वी ह्युरुक्रममवस्थिता

padāni trīṇi me cādya dātavyāni kuto'dhunā|| śīghraṃ vada viśālākṣi yatte manasi varttate|| tadovāca ca sā sādhvī hyurukramamavasthitā

"I am to be given three paces today — from where might they now come? O wide-eyed one, tell me swiftly whatever is in your mind." Then that virtuous woman spoke to Vishnu, standing there in his form of the far-striding one —

Verse 43 (skanda.1.19.43)

त्वया कुतो वेयमुरुक्रमेण क्रांता त्रिलोकी भुवनैकनाथ॥ तथैव सर्वं जगदेकबंधो देयं किस्माभिरतुल्यरूपिणे

tvayā kuto veyamurukrameṇa krāṃtā trilokī bhuvanaikanātha|| tathaiva sarvaṃ jagadekabaṃdho deyaṃ kismābhiratulyarūpiṇe

"O sole lord of the worlds, it is you yourself who, with your very stride, have measured these three realms; O sole kinsman of all creation, what more can we possibly give to you, who are beyond all compare?"

Verse 44 (skanda.1.19.44)

तस्माद्विहाय तद्विष्णो त्वमेवं कुरु संप्रति॥ प्रति श्रुतानि मे भर्त्रा पदानि त्रीणि चाधुना॥ ददाति मे पतिस्तेद्य नात्र कार्या विचारणा

tasmādvihāya tadviṣṇo tvamevaṃ kuru saṃprati|| prati śrutāni me bhartrā padāni trīṇi cādhunā|| dadāti me patistedya nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"Therefore, O Vishnu, setting all else aside, do this now — let my own husband himself give you the three paces he promised; there is no need for further deliberation."

Verse 45 (skanda.1.19.45)

निधेहि मे पदं त्वं हि शीर्ष्णि देववर प्रभो॥ द्वितीयं मे शिशोस्त्वं हि कुरु मूर्ध्नि जगत्पते

nidhehi me padaṃ tvaṃ hi śīrṣṇi devavara prabho|| dvitīyaṃ me śiśostvaṃ hi kuru mūrdhni jagatpate

"O foremost of gods, O lord, place your first foot upon my own head; O lord of the universe, place your second upon the head of this child of mine."

Verse 46 (skanda.1.19.46)

तृतीयं च जगन्नाथ कुरु शीर्ष्णि पतेर्मम॥ एवं त्रीणि पदानीश तव दास्यामि केशव

tṛtīyaṃ ca jagannātha kuru śīrṣṇi patermama|| evaṃ trīṇi padānīśa tava dāsyāmi keśava

"O lord of the universe, place the third upon my husband's own head; thus, O Keshava, O lord, I offer you these three paces."

Verse 47 (skanda.1.19.47)

तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा परितुष्टो जनार्दनः॥ उवाच श्लक्ष्णया वाचा विरोचनसुतं प्रति

tasyāstadvacanaṃ śrutvā parituṣṭo janārdanaḥ|| uvāca ślakṣṇayā vācā virocanasutaṃ prati

Hearing her words, Janardana was greatly pleased, and spoke in a gentle voice to Virochana's son —

Verse 48 (skanda.1.19.48)

॥भगवानुवाच॥ सुतलंगच्छ दैत्येन्द्र मा विलंबितुमर्हसि॥ सर्वैश्चासुरसंघैश्च चिरं जीव सुखी भव

||bhagavānuvāca|| sutalaṃgaccha daityendra mā vilaṃbitumarhasi|| sarvaiścāsurasaṃghaiśca ciraṃ jīva sukhī bhava

The blessed lord said: "O lord of the daityas, go now to the realm of Sutala, and delay no more; live long and happily, together with all your hosts of asuras."

Verse 49 (skanda.1.19.49)

परितुष्टोऽस्म्यहं तात किं कार्यं करवाणि ते॥ सर्वेषामपि दातॄणां वरिष्ठोऽसि महामते

parituṣṭo'smyahaṃ tāta kiṃ kāryaṃ karavāṇi te|| sarveṣāmapi dātṝṇāṃ variṣṭho'si mahāmate

"O child, I am well pleased with you; what more may I do for you? O wise one, you are the foremost of all givers."

Verse 50 (skanda.1.19.50)

वरं वरय भद्रं ते सर्वान्कामान्ददामि ते॥ त्रिविक्रमेणैवमुक्तो विरोचनसुतस्तदा

varaṃ varaya bhadraṃ te sarvānkāmāndadāmi te|| trivikrameṇaivamukto virocanasutastadā

"Ask for a boon, may good fortune be yours; I shall grant your every desire" — thus addressed by Trivikrama, the son of Virochana —

Verse 51 (skanda.1.19.51)

विमुक्तो हि परिष्वक्तो देवदेवेन चक्रिणा॥ तदा बलिरुवाचेदं वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदः

vimukto hi pariṣvakto devadevena cakriṇā|| tadā baliruvācedaṃ vākyaṃ vākyaviśāradaḥ

— now freed, and embraced by the discus-bearing god of gods, that Bali, skilled in speech, spoke these words —

Verse 52 (skanda.1.19.52)

त्वया कृतमिदं सर्वं जगदेतच्चराचरम्॥ तस्मान्न कामये किंचित्त्वत्पदाब्जं विना प्रभो

tvayā kṛtamidaṃ sarvaṃ jagadetaccarācaram|| tasmānna kāmaye kiṃcittvatpadābjaṃ vinā prabho

"This entire world, moving and unmoving, is your own making; therefore, O lord, I desire nothing at all, save your own lotus feet."

Verse 53 (skanda.1.19.53)

भक्तिरस्तु पदांभोजे तव देव जनार्दन॥ भूयोभूयश्च देवेश भक्तिर्भवतु शाश्वती

bhaktirastu padāṃbhoje tava deva janārdana|| bhūyobhūyaśca deveśa bhaktirbhavatu śāśvatī

"O lord Janardana, let my devotion remain fixed at your lotus feet; O lord of the gods, again and again, let that devotion of mine remain eternal."

Verse 54 (skanda.1.19.54)

एवमभ्यर्थितस्तेन भगवान्भूतभावनः॥ उवाच परमप्रीतो विरोचनसुतं तदा

evamabhyarthitastena bhagavānbhūtabhāvanaḥ|| uvāca paramaprīto virocanasutaṃ tadā

Thus entreated by him, the lord, creator of all beings, filled with the greatest delight, spoke to Virochana's son —

Verse 55 (skanda.1.19.55)

॥भगवानुवाच॥ बले त्वं सुतलं याहि ज्ञातिसंबंधिभिर्वृतः॥ एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन असुरो वाक्यब्रवीत्

||bhagavānuvāca|| bale tvaṃ sutalaṃ yāhi jñātisaṃbaṃdhibhirvṛtaḥ|| evamuktastadā tena asuro vākyabravīt

The blessed lord said: "O Bali, go now to Sutala, together with your kinsmen and your family." Thus addressed, that asura spoke —

Verse 56 (skanda.1.19.56)

सुतले किं नु मे कार्यं देवदेव वदस्व मे॥ तिष्ठामि तव सांनिध्ये नान्यथा वक्तुमर्हसि

sutale kiṃ nu me kāryaṃ devadeva vadasva me|| tiṣṭhāmi tava sāṃnidhye nānyathā vaktumarhasi

"O god of gods, what is there for me to do in Sutala? Tell me this; I wish only ever to remain in your very presence — say nothing otherwise to me."

Verse 57 (skanda.1.19.57)

तदोवाच हृषीकेशो बलिं तं कृपयाऽन्विततः॥ अहं तव समीपस्थो भवामि सततं नृप

tadovāca hṛṣīkeśo baliṃ taṃ kṛpayā'nvitataḥ|| ahaṃ tava samīpastho bhavāmi satataṃ nṛpa

Then Hrishikesha, moved with compassion, said to Bali: "O king, I shall ever remain close by your side."

Verse 58 (skanda.1.19.58)

द्वारि स्थितस्तव विभो निवासामि नित्यं मा खिद्यतामसुरवर्य बले श्रृणुष्व॥ वाक्यं तु मे वर महो वरदस्तवाद्य वैकुंठवासिभिपलं च भजामि गेहम्

dvāri sthitastava vibho nivāsāmi nityaṃ mā khidyatāmasuravarya bale śrṛṇuṣva|| vākyaṃ tu me vara maho varadastavādya vaikuṃṭhavāsibhipalaṃ ca bhajāmi geham

"O lord, I shall ever dwell at your very door; O foremost of asuras, O Bali, do not grieve — hear this word of mine; O most fortunate one, I grant you this boon today: together with the dwellers of Vaikuntha, I shall make my home in yours."

Verse 59 (skanda.1.19.59)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य विष्मोरतुलतेजसः॥ जगाम सुतलं दैत्यौ ह्यसुरैः परिवारितः

tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya viṣmoratulatejasaḥ|| jagāma sutalaṃ daityau hyasuraiḥ parivāritaḥ

Hearing these words of Vishnu, of unmatched splendour, that daitya, surrounded by his asuras, departed for the realm of Sutala.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.19.60)

तदा पुत्रशतेनैव बाणमुख्येन सत्वरम्॥ वसमानो महाबाहुर्दातॄणां च परा गतिः

tadā putraśatenaiva bāṇamukhyena satvaram|| vasamāno mahābāhurdātṝṇāṃ ca parā gatiḥ

There, together with his hundred sons, foremost among whom was Banasura, that mighty-armed Bali dwelt on, becoming the highest resort of all who give.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.19.61)

त्रैलोक्ये याचका ये च सर्वे यांति बलिं प्रति॥ द्वारि स्थितस्तस्य विष्णुः प्रयच्छति यथेप्सितम्

trailokye yācakā ye ca sarve yāṃti baliṃ prati|| dvāri sthitastasya viṣṇuḥ prayacchati yathepsitam

Whatever seekers there are in the three worlds, all of them go to Bali; and there, standing at his very door, Vishnu himself gives to each whatever they desire.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.19.62)

भुक्तिकामाश्च ये केचिन्मुक्तिकामास्तथा परे॥ येषां यज्ञे च ते विप्रास्तत्तेभ्यः संप्रयच्छति

bhuktikāmāśca ye kecinmuktikāmāstathā pare|| yeṣāṃ yajñe ca te viprāstattebhyaḥ saṃprayacchati

Whoever desires enjoyment, and whoever else desires liberation, and whatever brahmins take part in his sacrifice — to all of them he grants exactly what they seek.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.19.63)

एवंविधो बलिर्जातः प्रसादाच्छंकरस्य च॥ पुरा हि कितवत्वेन यद्दत्तं परमात्मने

evaṃvidho balirjātaḥ prasādācchaṃkarasya ca|| purā hi kitavatvena yaddattaṃ paramātmane

Thus did Bali, by Shankara's grace alone, become so great; for earlier, in the form of the gambler, whatever he had offered to the supreme self —

Verse 64 (skanda.1.19.64)

अशुचिं भूमिमासाद्य गंधपुष्पादिकं महत्॥ पतितं चार्प्पितं तेन शिवाय परमात्मने

aśuciṃ bhūmimāsādya gaṃdhapuṣpādikaṃ mahat|| patitaṃ cārppitaṃ tena śivāya paramātmane

— even that great mass of scent and flowers, fallen upon impure ground, had, in its very falling, become an offering to Shiva, the supreme self.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.19.65)

किं पुनः परया भक्त्या चार्चयंति महेश्वरम्॥ पुष्पं फलं तोयं ते यांति शिवसन्निधिम्

kiṃ punaḥ parayā bhaktyā cārcayaṃti maheśvaram|| puṣpaṃ phalaṃ toyaṃ te yāṃti śivasannidhim

What need then be said of those who worship Maheshvara with the highest devotion? The flowers, fruit and water they offer bring them straight into Shiva's very presence.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.19.66)

शिवात्परतरो नास्ति पूजनीयो हि भो द्विजाः॥ ये हि मूकास्तथांधाश्च पंगवो ये जडास्तथा

śivātparataro nāsti pūjanīyo hi bho dvijāḥ|| ye hi mūkāstathāṃdhāśca paṃgavo ye jaḍāstathā

There is none more worthy of worship than Shiva, O brahmins; those who are mute, those who are blind, those who are crippled and dull of mind —

Verse 67 (skanda.1.19.67)

जातिहीनाश्च चंडालाः श्वपचा ह्यंत्यजा ह्यमी॥ शिवभक्तिपरा नित्यं ते यांति परमां गतिम्

jātihīnāśca caṃḍālāḥ śvapacā hyaṃtyajā hyamī|| śivabhaktiparā nityaṃ te yāṃti paramāṃ gatim

— those of low birth, chandalas, and those called shvapachas and antyajas — if they remain ever devoted to Shiva, they too attain the highest path.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.19.68)

तस्मात्सदाशिवः पूज्यः सर्वैरेवमनीषिभिः॥ पूजनीयो हि संपूज्यो ह्यर्चनीयः सदाशिवः

tasmātsadāśivaḥ pūjyaḥ sarvairevamanīṣibhiḥ|| pūjanīyo hi saṃpūjyo hyarcanīyaḥ sadāśivaḥ

Therefore all wise men should worship Sadashiva alone; Sadashiva alone is truly worthy of worship and adoration.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.19.69)

महेशं परमारथज्ञाश्चिंतयंति हृदि स्थितम्॥ यत्र जीवो भवत्येव शिवस्तत्रैव तिष्ठति

maheśaṃ paramārathajñāściṃtayaṃti hṛdi sthitam|| yatra jīvo bhavatyeva śivastatraiva tiṣṭhati

Those who know the highest truth meditate upon Mahesha as dwelling within their own heart; wherever a living being is, there too Shiva is present.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.19.70)

विना शिवेन यत्किंचिदशिवं भवति क्षणात्॥ ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च गुणकार्यकरा ह्यमी

vinā śivena yatkiṃcidaśivaṃ bhavati kṣaṇāt|| brahmā viṣṇuśca rudraśca guṇakāryakarā hyamī

Without Shiva, whatever exists becomes, in an instant, void of all auspiciousness; Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra are themselves but the workings of the three gunas.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.19.71)

रजोगुणान्वितो ब्रह्मा विष्णुः सत्त्वगुणान्वितः॥ तमोगुणाश्रितो रुद्रो गुणातीतो महेश्वरः

rajoguṇānvito brahmā viṣṇuḥ sattvaguṇānvitaḥ|| tamoguṇāśrito rudro guṇātīto maheśvaraḥ

Brahma is joined to rajas, Vishnu to sattva, and Rudra rests upon tamas — but Maheshvara alone transcends the gunas altogether.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.19.72)

लिंगरूपो महादेवो ह्यर्चनीयो मुमुक्षुभिः॥ शिवात्परतरो नास्ति भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायकः

liṃgarūpo mahādevo hyarcanīyo mumukṣubhiḥ|| śivātparataro nāsti bhuktimuktipradāyakaḥ

Mahadeva, in the form of the linga, is worthy of worship by all who seek liberation; there is none greater than Shiva, for he alone bestows both worldly enjoyment and final liberation.