The Account of Bali's Subjugation

Verse 1 (skanda.7.383.1)

राजोवाच वस्त्रापथे महाक्षेत्रे सम्प्राप्तो वामनो यदा । तदाप्रभृति किं चक्रे तन्मे विस्तरतो वद

rājovāca vastrāpathe mahākṣetre samprāpto vāmano yadā | tadāprabhṛti kiṁ cakre tanme vistarato vada

The king said: When Vamana arrived at the great sacred field of Vastrapatha, what did he do from that time onward? Tell me that in detail.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.383.2)

सारस्वत उवाच वामनो वसतिं चक्रे भवस्याग्रे नृपोत्तम । स्वर्णरेखाजले स्नात्वा भवं सम्पूज्य भावतः

sārasvata uvāca vāmano vasatiṁ cakre bhavasyāgre nṛpottama | svarṇarekhājale snātvā bhavaṁ sampūjya bhāvataḥ

Sarasvata said: Vamana made his dwelling before Bhava, O best of kings. Having bathed in the waters of the Svarnarekha, and having worshipped Bhava with devotion -

Verse 3 (skanda.7.383.3)

एकांते निर्मले स्थाने कण्टकास्थिविवर्जिते । कृष्णाजिनपरिच्छन्न उपविष्टो वरा सने

ekāṁte nirmale sthāne kaṇṭakāsthivivarjite | kṛṣṇājinaparicchanna upaviṣṭo varā sane

-in a solitary, pure spot, free of thorns and bones, covered with a black antelope skin, he sat down upon an excellent seat.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.383.4)

कृत्वा पद्मासनं धीरो निश्चलोऽभूद्द्विजोत्तमः । विधाय कन्धराबंधमृजुनासावलोककः

kṛtvā padmāsanaṁ dhīro niścalo'bhūddvijottamaḥ | vidhāya kandharābaṁdhamṛjunāsāvalokakaḥ

Assuming the lotus posture, that resolute, foremost of brahmins became motionless; holding his neck steady, his gaze fixed straight upon the tip of his nose,

Verse 5 (skanda.7.383.5)

गृहक्षेत्रकलत्राणां चिंतां मुक्त्वा धनस्य च । मायां च वैष्णवीं त्यक्त्वा कृतमौनो जितेन्द्रियः

gṛhakṣetrakalatrāṇāṁ ciṁtāṁ muktvā dhanasya ca | māyāṁ ca vaiṣṇavīṁ tyaktvā kṛtamauno jitendriyaḥ

abandoning all thought of house, land, wife, and wealth, and setting aside even Vishnu's own maya, he kept silence, his senses conquered.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.383.6)

निराहारो जितक्रोधो मुक्तसंसारबंधनः । भुजौ पद्मासने कृत्वा किञ्चिन्मीलितलो चनः । मनोतिचंचलं ज्ञात्वा स्थिरं चक्रे हृदि द्विजः

nirāhāro jitakrodho muktasaṁsārabaṁdhanaḥ | bhujau padmāsane kṛtvā kiñcinmīlitalo canaḥ | manoticaṁcalaṁ jñātvā sthiraṁ cakre hṛdi dvijaḥ

Fasting, having mastered anger, freed from the bonds of worldly existence, his arms resting in the lotus posture, his eyes half-closed - knowing his mind to be exceedingly restless, the brahmin made it steady within his heart.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.383.7)

क्रमेणाभ्यासयोगेन भिन्नांश्चक्रे स चैकतः । प्राणापानव्यानोदानसमानाख्यांश्च मारुतान्

krameṇābhyāsayogena bhinnāṁścakre sa caikataḥ | prāṇāpānavyānodānasamānākhyāṁśca mārutān

Through the gradual practice of yoga, he brought into unity the distinct vital breaths known as prana, apana, vyana, udana, and samana.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.383.8)

एवं तं हृदये कृत्वा गृहीत्वा सर्वसन्धिषु । आनीय ब्रह्मणः स्थाने दृढं ब्रह्मण्ययोजयत्

evaṁ taṁ hṛdaye kṛtvā gṛhītvā sarvasandhiṣu | ānīya brahmaṇaḥ sthāne dṛḍhaṁ brahmaṇyayojayat

Having thus fixed it in his heart, and holding it firm through every joint, drawing it to the seat of Brahman, he joined it firmly to the Absolute.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.383.9)

गृहीत्वा पवनं बाह्यं यदा पूर यते तनुम् । तदा स पूरको ज्ञेयो रेचकं तु वदाम्यहम्

gṛhītvā pavanaṁ bāhyaṁ yadā pūra yate tanum | tadā sa pūrako jñeyo recakaṁ tu vadāmyaham

When one draws in the outer breath and fills the body, that is to be known as puraka; and I shall now describe rechaka.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.383.10)

यदा चाभ्यन्तरो वायुर्बाह्ये याति क्रमान्नृप । तदा स रेचको ज्ञेयः स्तम्भनात्कुम्भको भवेत्

yadā cābhyantaro vāyurbāhye yāti kramānnṛpa | tadā sa recako jñeyaḥ stambhanātkumbhako bhavet

When the inner breath, O king, gradually goes out to the exterior, that is to be known as rechaka; and by its retention, kumbhaka occurs.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.383.11)

पञ्चविंशतितत्त्वानि यदा जानंति योगिनः । मुच्यन्ते पातकैः सर्वैः सप्तजन्मकृतैरपि

pañcaviṁśatitattvāni yadā jānaṁti yoginaḥ | mucyante pātakaiḥ sarvaiḥ saptajanmakṛtairapi

When yogis come to know the twenty-five principles, they are freed from all sins, even those committed across seven births.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.383.12)

राजोवाच कानि तत्त्वानि को देही किं ज्ञेयं योगिनां वद । उत्पन्नज्ञानसद्भावो योगयुक्तः कथं भवेत्

rājovāca kāni tattvāni ko dehī kiṁ jñeyaṁ yogināṁ vada | utpannajñānasadbhāvo yogayuktaḥ kathaṁ bhavet

The king said: What are these principles? Who is the embodied self? What should yogis know? Tell me - how does true knowledge arise in one engaged in yoga?

Verse 13 (skanda.7.383.13)

ईश्वर उवाच प्रकृतिश्च ततो बुद्धिरहंकारस्ततोऽभवत् । तन्मात्रपंचकं तस्मादेषा प्रकृतिरष्टधा

īśvara uvāca prakṛtiśca tato buddhirahaṁkārastato'bhavat | tanmātrapaṁcakaṁ tasmādeṣā prakṛtiraṣṭadhā

Ishvara said: Prakriti first; from it, buddhi; from that, ahamkara arose; from that, the five subtle elements - this is Prakriti in its eightfold form.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.383.14)

बुद्धीन्द्रियाणि पञ्चैव पञ्च कर्मेंद्रियाणि च । एकादशं मनो विद्धि महा भूतानि पंच च

buddhīndriyāṇi pañcaiva pañca karmeṁdriyāṇi ca | ekādaśaṁ mano viddhi mahā bhūtāni paṁca ca

The five organs of perception, and the five organs of action; know mind as the eleventh; and the five great elements -

Verse 15 (skanda.7.383.15)

गणः षोडशकः सांख्ये विस्तरेण प्रकीर्तितः । चतुर्विंशतितत्त्वानि पुरुषः पंचविंशकः

gaṇaḥ ṣoḍaśakaḥ sāṁkhye vistareṇa prakīrtitaḥ | caturviṁśatitattvāni puruṣaḥ paṁcaviṁśakaḥ

-this group of sixteen is set forth at length in Sankhya philosophy. Together with the eight of Prakriti there are twenty-four principles; Purusha is the twenty-fifth.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.383.16)

देहीति प्रोच्यते देहे स चात्मानं च पश्यति । विंदन्ति परमात्मानं षष्ठं तं विंशतेः परम्

dehīti procyate dehe sa cātmānaṁ ca paśyati | viṁdanti paramātmānaṁ ṣaṣṭhaṁ taṁ viṁśateḥ param

He is called the embodied self within the body, and he beholds his own self; the wise find the Supreme Self as the sixth, beyond that group of twenty.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.383.17)

आसनादिप्रकारा ये ते ज्ञेयाः प्रथमं सदा । यदा दीपशिखाप्रायं ज्योतिः पश्यंति ते हृदि

āsanādiprakārā ye te jñeyāḥ prathamaṁ sadā | yadā dīpaśikhāprāyaṁ jyotiḥ paśyaṁti te hṛdi

The various forms of posture and the like should always be learned first; when yogis see, within the heart, a light like the flame of a lamp -

Verse 18 (skanda.7.383.18)

उत्पन्नज्ञानसद्भावा भण्यास्ते योगिनो बुधैः । पूर्वं जरां जरयति रोगा नश्यति दूरतः

utpannajñānasadbhāvā bhaṇyāste yogino budhaiḥ | pūrvaṁ jarāṁ jarayati rogā naśyati dūrataḥ

-then they are declared by the wise to be yogis in whom true knowledge has arisen. First, old age is overcome by them; diseases vanish far away.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.383.19)

सर्वपापचये क्षीणे पश्चान्मृत्युं स विंदति । मृतो लोके नरो नास्ति योगी जानाति चेत्स्वयम्

sarvapāpacaye kṣīṇe paścānmṛtyuṁ sa viṁdati | mṛto loke naro nāsti yogī jānāti cetsvayam

When the whole mass of his sins is exhausted, only then does he encounter death. There is, in truth, no such thing as a dead man in this world, if the yogi himself has true knowledge.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.383.20)

तदा द्वाराणि संरुद्ध्य दश प्राणान्स मुञ्चति । पुण्य पापक्षयं कृत्वा प्राणा गच्छंति योगिनाम् । अणिमादिगुणैश्वर्यं प्राप्नुवंति शिवालये

tadā dvārāṇi saṁruddhya daśa prāṇānsa muñcati | puṇya pāpakṣayaṁ kṛtvā prāṇā gacchaṁti yoginām | aṇimādiguṇaiśvaryaṁ prāpnuvaṁti śivālaye

Then, closing the gates of the body, he releases his ten vital airs; having exhausted both merit and sin, the yogis' vital breath departs, and they attain the power of the eight yogic siddhis such as anima, in Shiva's abode.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.383.21)

अनेन ध्यानयोगेन भवं पश्यति मानवः । मनसा चिंतितं सर्वं सम्प्राप्तं भवदर्शनात्

anena dhyānayogena bhavaṁ paśyati mānavaḥ | manasā ciṁtitaṁ sarvaṁ samprāptaṁ bhavadarśanāt

By this yoga of meditation a man beholds Bhava; whatever is contemplated in the mind is attained through the vision of Bhava.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.383.22)

एवमास्ते यदा विप्रो वामनो भवसन्निधौ । गगनादवतीर्णं तं तदा पश्यति नारदम्

evamāste yadā vipro vāmano bhavasannidhau | gaganādavatīrṇaṁ taṁ tadā paśyati nāradam

While the brahmin Vamana sat thus in Bhava's presence, he then beheld Narada descending from the sky.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.383.23)

वामन उवाच महर्षे कुशलं तेऽद्य कस्मादागम्यते त्वया । प्रणमामि महर्षे त्वां ब्रह्मैव त्वं जगत्त्रये

vāmana uvāca maharṣe kuśalaṁ te'dya kasmādāgamyate tvayā | praṇamāmi maharṣe tvāṁ brahmaiva tvaṁ jagattraye

Vamana said: 'O great sage, is all well with you today? From where have you come? I bow to you, great sage - you are Brahman itself in the three worlds.'

Verse 24 (skanda.7.383.24)

नारद उवाच स्वर्ग लोकादहं प्राप्तः कुशलं किं ब्रवीमि ते

nārada uvāca svarga lokādahaṁ prāptaḥ kuśalaṁ kiṁ bravīmi te

Narada said: 'I have come from the world of heaven. What shall I tell you of my welfare?'

Verse 25 (skanda.7.383.25)

यातायातैर्दिनेशस्य पूर्य्यते ब्रह्मणो दिनम् । दिनांते जायते रात्री रात्रौ नश्यंति देवताः

yātāyātairdineśasya pūryyate brahmaṇo dinam | dināṁte jāyate rātrī rātrau naśyaṁti devatāḥ

'By the sun's comings and goings a day of Brahma is completed; at the day's end night comes, and in the night the gods themselves perish.'

Verse 26 (skanda.7.383.26)

का कथा मृत्युलोकस्य ये म्रियंते दिनेदिने । नभो धूमाकुलं जातं देवा बलिगृहे गताः

kā kathā mṛtyulokasya ye mriyaṁte dinedine | nabho dhūmākulaṁ jātaṁ devā baligṛhe gatāḥ

'What then to speak of the world of mortals, where beings die day after day? The sky has become filled with smoke; the gods have gone to Bali's house.'

Verse 27 (skanda.7.383.27)

सप्तर्षयो गतास्तत्र ब्रह्मणा ब्रह्मचारिणः । हाहाहूहूस्तुंबरुश्च गतौ नारदपर्वतौ

saptarṣayo gatāstatra brahmaṇā brahmacāriṇaḥ | hāhāhūhūstuṁbaruśca gatau nāradaparvatau

'The Seven Sages have gone there, together with Brahma's celibate students; Haha, Huhu, and Tumburu have gone, and Narada and Parvata too.'

Verse 28 (skanda.7.383.28)

अप्सरोगणगन्धर्वाः संप्राप्ता बलिमंदिरे । उत्पातशांतिको यज्ञः क्रियते बलिना स्वयम्

apsarogaṇagandharvāḥ saṁprāptā balimaṁdire | utpātaśāṁtiko yajñaḥ kriyate balinā svayam

'Hosts of Apsaras and Gandharvas have arrived at Bali's palace; a sacrifice for the pacification of portents is being performed by Bali himself.'

Verse 29 (skanda.7.383.29)

तत्रैव गन्तुमिच्छामि द्रष्टुं यज्ञं बलेर्गृहे । सहस्रमेकं यज्ञानामेकोनं विदधे बलिः

tatraiva gantumicchāmi draṣṭuṁ yajñaṁ balergṛhe | sahasramekaṁ yajñānāmekonaṁ vidadhe baliḥ

'I wish to go there myself, to see the sacrifice at Bali's house. Bali has now performed nine hundred and ninety-nine sacrifices.'

Verse 30 (skanda.7.383.30)

दैत्यानां भुवनं सर्वं संपूर्णेऽस्मिन्भविष्यति । असावतिशयः कोऽपि प्रारब्धो यज्ञकर्मणि । द्विजातिभ्यो मया देयं येन यद्याच्यते स्वयम्

daityānāṁ bhuvanaṁ sarvaṁ saṁpūrṇe'sminbhaviṣyati | asāvatiśayaḥ ko'pi prārabdho yajñakarmaṇi | dvijātibhyo mayā deyaṁ yena yadyācyate svayam

'When this one is completed, the whole world will belong to the daityas.' Some extraordinary sacrificial rite has been undertaken, in which Bali has vowed: 'Whatever a twice-born asks of me, that I myself shall give him -'

Verse 31 (skanda.7.383.31)

वारितेनापि मे देयं सत्यमस्तु वचो मम । आत्मानमपि दारांश्च राज्यं पुत्रान्प्रियान्मम

vāritenāpi me deyaṁ satyamastu vaco mama | ātmānamapi dārāṁśca rājyaṁ putrānpriyānmama

'-even if restrained, I shall give; let my word be true - even my own self, my wives, my kingdom, my beloved sons -'

Verse 32 (skanda.7.383.32)

प्रार्थितश्चेन्न दास्यामि व्यर्थो भवतु मेऽध्वरः । अनेन वचसा जाता महती मे शिरो व्यथा । प्रतिज्ञाय कथं यज्ञः संपूर्णोऽयं भविष्यति

prārthitaścenna dāsyāmi vyartho bhavatu me'dhvaraḥ | anena vacasā jātā mahatī me śiro vyathā | pratijñāya kathaṁ yajñaḥ saṁpūrṇo'yaṁ bhaviṣyati

'-if asked and I do not give, let my sacrifice be in vain.' By this vow a great headache has come upon me - having made such a pledge, how shall this sacrifice ever be completed?

Verse 33 (skanda.7.383.33)

भंगोपायं न पश्यामि भ्रमामि भुवनत्रये । विध्वंसकारिणं ज्ञात्वा भवंतं पर्युपस्थितः

bhaṁgopāyaṁ na paśyāmi bhramāmi bhuvanatraye | vidhvaṁsakāriṇaṁ jñātvā bhavaṁtaṁ paryupasthitaḥ

'I see no means to disrupt it; I wander the three worlds. Knowing you to be one who brings about ruin of such schemes, I have come to you.'

Verse 34 (skanda.7.383.34)

यथा न पूर्यते यज्ञस्तथेदानीं विधीयताम्

yathā na pūryate yajñastathedānīṁ vidhīyatām

'Arrange things now so that this sacrifice is not completed.'

Verse 35 (skanda.7.383.35)

वामन उवाच महर्षे शृणु मे वाक्यं का शक्तिर्मम विद्यते । कोऽहं कस्मात्करिष्यामि यज्ञे देवाः समागताः

vāmana uvāca maharṣe śṛṇu me vākyaṁ kā śaktirmama vidyate | ko'haṁ kasmātkariṣyāmi yajñe devāḥ samāgatāḥ

Vamana said: 'O great sage, hear my words - what power do I possess? Who am I, and why should I do this? The gods themselves have gathered at that sacrifice -'

Verse 36 (skanda.7.383.36)

ऋषयो ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे कथं व्यर्थो भविष्यति । अपरं शृणु मे वाक्यं ब्रह्मर्षे ब्रह्मणस्पते

ṛṣayo brāhmaṇāḥ sarve kathaṁ vyartho bhaviṣyati | aparaṁ śṛṇu me vākyaṁ brahmarṣe brahmaṇaspate

'-and all the sages and brahmins too; how then could it become void? But hear another word of mine, O brahmin-sage, O lord of prayer -'

Verse 37 (skanda.7.383.37)

न कलत्रं न ते पुत्राः कस्मात्प्रकृतिरीदृशी । युद्धं विना न ते सौख्यं न सौख्यं कलहं विना

na kalatraṁ na te putrāḥ kasmātprakṛtirīdṛśī | yuddhaṁ vinā na te saukhyaṁ na saukhyaṁ kalahaṁ vinā

'-you have no wife, no sons - why is your nature such as this? Without war you have no happiness; there is no happiness for you without strife.'

Verse 38 (skanda.7.383.38)

यादृशस्ता दृशो वाऽपि वाग्वादोऽपि सदा प्रियः । स्नानं संध्या जपो होमस्तर्पणं पितृदेवयोः

yādṛśastā dṛśo vā'pi vāgvādo'pi sadā priyaḥ | snānaṁ saṁdhyā japo homastarpaṇaṁ pitṛdevayoḥ

'Whatever your nature may be, quarrelsome speech is ever dear to you. Bathing, twilight-worship, recitation, fire-oblation, offerings to ancestors and gods -'

Verse 39 (skanda.7.383.39)

नारदः कुरुते चान्यदन्यत्कुर्वंति ब्राह्मणाः । ममापि कौतुकं जातं महर्षे वद सत्वरम्

nāradaḥ kurute cānyadanyatkurvaṁti brāhmaṇāḥ | mamāpi kautukaṁ jātaṁ maharṣe vada satvaram

'-Narada does something else entirely, while other brahmins do something else again! I too am filled with curiosity - tell me quickly, great sage.'

Verse 40 (skanda.7.383.40)

नारद उवाच पाद्मकल्पे व्यतिक्रांते रात्र्यंते शृणु वामन । ब्रह्माण्डं वारिणा व्याप्तमन्यत्किं चिन्न विद्यते

nārada uvāca pādmakalpe vyatikrāṁte rātryaṁte śṛṇu vāmana | brahmāṇḍaṁ vāriṇā vyāptamanyatkiṁ cinna vidyate

Narada said: 'Listen, Vamana - when the Padma-kalpa had passed, at the end of that cosmic night, the universe was pervaded entirely by water; nothing else at all existed.'

Verse 41 (skanda.7.383.41)

अप्सु शेते देवदेवः स च नारायणः स्मृतः । स ब्रह्मा स शिवो नास्ति भेदस्तेषां परस्परम्

apsu śete devadevaḥ sa ca nārāyaṇaḥ smṛtaḥ | sa brahmā sa śivo nāsti bhedasteṣāṁ parasparam

'The god of gods lay upon the waters, remembered as Narayana; he is Brahma, he is Shiva - there is no difference among them.'

Verse 42 (skanda.7.383.42)

यदा भवंति ते भिन्ना स्तदा देवत्रयं च ते । कर्त्तुं वाराहकल्पं तु भिन्ना जातास्त्रयस्तदा

yadā bhavaṁti te bhinnā stadā devatrayaṁ ca te | karttuṁ vārāhakalpaṁ tu bhinnā jātāstrayastadā

'When they become distinct, then they become the triad of gods; to bring about the Varaha-kalpa, the three of them then became distinct.'

Verse 43 (skanda.7.383.43)

ब्रह्मविष्णुहरा देवा रजःसत्त्वतमोमयाः । सृष्टिं ब्रह्मा करोत्येवं तां च पालयते हरिः

brahmaviṣṇuharā devā rajaḥsattvatamomayāḥ | sṛṣṭiṁ brahmā karotyevaṁ tāṁ ca pālayate hariḥ

'Brahma, Vishnu, and Hara are the gods composed of rajas, sattva, and tamas respectively. Thus Brahma performs creation, and Hari sustains it,'

Verse 44 (skanda.7.383.44)

हरः संहरते सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् । एवं प्रवर्त्य देवेश उपविष्टा वरासने । कैलासशिखरे रम्ये मंत्रयंति परस्परम्

haraḥ saṁharate sarvaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram | evaṁ pravartya deveśa upaviṣṭā varāsane | kailāsaśikhare ramye maṁtrayaṁti parasparam

'and Hara dissolves the whole of the three worlds, moving and unmoving. Having thus set this in motion, the lords of the gods, seated upon excellent seats on the lovely peak of Kailasa, conversed with one another -'

Verse 45 (skanda.7.383.45)

त्रयाणां को वरो देवः को ज्येष्ठः को गुणाधिकः । चतुर्थो नास्ति यो वेत्ति सहसा ते त्रयः स्थिताः

trayāṇāṁ ko varo devaḥ ko jyeṣṭhaḥ ko guṇādhikaḥ | caturtho nāsti yo vetti sahasā te trayaḥ sthitāḥ

'-asking which of the three is the greatest god, which the eldest, which the most excellent in qualities. Since there was no fourth to know the answer, the three of them simply sat there.'

Verse 46 (skanda.7.383.46)

तेभ्यः समुत्थितं ज्योतिरेकीभूतं तदंबरे । कालमानेन युक्तं तद्भ्राम्ते रविमंडलम्

tebhyaḥ samutthitaṁ jyotirekībhūtaṁ tadaṁbare | kālamānena yuktaṁ tadbhrāmte ravimaṁḍalam

'From them arose a light, become one, there in the sky; joined with the measure of time, it became the orb of the revolving sun.'

Verse 47 (skanda.7.383.47)

अहं ज्येष्ठो ह्यहं ज्येष्ठो वादोऽभूद्धरब्रह्मणोः । द्वयोर्विवदतोः क्रोधात्संजातोऽहं मुखात्प्रभो

ahaṁ jyeṣṭho hyahaṁ jyeṣṭho vādo'bhūddharabrahmaṇoḥ | dvayorvivadatoḥ krodhātsaṁjāto'haṁ mukhātprabho

'Each of them claiming, I am the eldest - such was the dispute between Hara and Brahma; from the anger of the two disputants, I myself was born from their mouths, O lord.'

Verse 48 (skanda.7.383.48)

कथं देव न जानासि यदुक्तं ब्रह्मणा तदा । दशावतारास्ते रंतुं मत्स्यकूर्मादयः पुरा

kathaṁ deva na jānāsi yaduktaṁ brahmaṇā tadā | daśāvatārāste raṁtuṁ matsyakūrmādayaḥ purā

'How is it, O god, that you do not know what was then said by Brahma - that your ten incarnations, beginning with Matsya and Kurma, are for sport -'

Verse 49 (skanda.7.383.49)

रुद्रेण वारिता गत्वा कलहो वो न युज्यते । तथैव कृतवान्विष्णुरवतारान्दशैव तान्

rudreṇa vāritā gatvā kalaho vo na yujyate | tathaiva kṛtavānviṣṇuravatārāndaśaiva tān

'Restrained by Rudra, Brahma declared that strife between them was not fitting. And thus Vishnu indeed performed those very ten incarnations.'

Verse 50 (skanda.7.383.50)

कल्पादौ ब्रह्मणो वक्त्रात्संजातोऽहं द्विजोत्तम । कलहाजन्म मे यस्मात्तस्मान्मे कलहः प्रियः

kalpādau brahmaṇo vaktrātsaṁjāto'haṁ dvijottama | kalahājanma me yasmāttasmānme kalahaḥ priyaḥ

'At the beginning of the kalpa I was born from Brahma's mouth, O foremost of brahmins; since my birth came from strife, strife is dear to me.'

Verse 51 (skanda.7.383.51)

कल्पादौ सृजता पूर्वं चिन्वितं ब्रह्मणा स्वयम् । वेदान्तिना कथं सृष्टिः कर्त्तव्याऽहो हरे मया

kalpādau sṛjatā pūrvaṁ cinvitaṁ brahmaṇā svayam | vedāntinā kathaṁ sṛṣṭiḥ karttavyā'ho hare mayā

'At the beginning of the kalpa, when creation was to begin, Brahma himself pondered how, being devoted to the Vedanta, he was to accomplish creation, O Hari.'

Verse 52 (skanda.7.383.52)

नष्टान्वेदान्न जानामि क्व वेदास्ते गता इति । पृथ्वीमपि न जानामि किं स्थाने किमधो गता

naṣṭānvedānna jānāmi kva vedāste gatā iti | pṛthvīmapi na jānāmi kiṁ sthāne kimadho gatā

'He did not know where the lost Vedas had gone, nor did he know where the earth was - whether it remained in its place, or had sunk below.'

Verse 53 (skanda.7.383.53)

गंतुं न विद्यते शक्तिर्जलमध्ये ममाधुना । अवतारैस्त्वया कार्यं दशभिः सृष्टिरक्षण म्

gaṁtuṁ na vidyate śaktirjalamadhye mamādhunā | avatāraistvayā kāryaṁ daśabhiḥ sṛṣṭirakṣaṇa m

'I have no power now to go into the midst of the waters. By your ten incarnations you must accomplish the protection of creation.'

Verse 54 (skanda.7.383.54)

जले जलेचरो मत्स्यो महानद्यां भविष्यसि । आदाय वेदान्वेगेन मम त्वं दातुमर्हसि

jale jalecaro matsyo mahānadyāṁ bhaviṣyasi | ādāya vedānvegena mama tvaṁ dātumarhasi

'In the water, as a fish dwelling in water, you shall become manifest in the great river; taking up the Vedas swiftly, you should give them to me.'

Verse 55 (skanda.7.383.55)

तथा च कृतवान्देवो मत्स्यरूपं जले महत् । वेदान्समानयामास ददौ च ब्रह्मणे पुरा । कूर्मरूपं पुनः कृत्वा मंदरं धारयिष्यसि

tathā ca kṛtavāndevo matsyarūpaṁ jale mahat | vedānsamānayāmāsa dadau ca brahmaṇe purā | kūrmarūpaṁ punaḥ kṛtvā maṁdaraṁ dhārayiṣyasi

'So the god assumed a great fish-form in the water; he brought back the Vedas and gave them to Brahma, of old. "Taking again the form of a tortoise, you shall bear Mount Mandara -"'

Verse 56 (skanda.7.383.56)

इत्युक्तो ब्रह्मणा विष्णुर्लक्ष्मीस्त्वां वरयिष्यति । पुरा चित्रं चरित्रं ते मथने दृष्टवानहम्

ityukto brahmaṇā viṣṇurlakṣmīstvāṁ varayiṣyati | purā citraṁ caritraṁ te mathane dṛṣṭavānaham

'-thus addressed by Brahma, it was foretold: "and Lakshmi shall choose you as her husband." I myself beheld your wondrous deeds at the churning, long ago.'

Verse 57 (skanda.7.383.57)

यदा रसातलं प्राप्ता पृथिवी नैव दृश्यते । ब्रह्मांडार्थे स्थानकृते तत्र सा नैव दृश्यते ।

yadā rasātalaṁ prāptā pṛthivī naiva dṛśyate | brahmāṁḍārthe sthānakṛte tatra sā naiva dṛśyate |

'When the earth had sunk to Rasatala and could no longer be seen - even the place made for the sake of the universe could not be found there -'

Verse 58 (skanda.7.383.58)

वाराहं क्रियतां रूपं ब्रह्मणा प्रेरितः स्वयम् । महावराहरूपं स कृत्वा भूमेरधो गतः

vārāhaṁ kriyatāṁ rūpaṁ brahmaṇā preritaḥ svayam | mahāvarāharūpaṁ sa kṛtvā bhūmeradho gataḥ

'-"Assume the form of a boar," urged by Brahma himself, he took the form of the great Boar, and went down beneath the earth.'

Verse 59 (skanda.7.383.59)

उद्धृत्य च तदा विष्णुर्दंष्ट्राग्रेण वसुंधराम् । स निनाय यथास्थानं मुस्तां व धरणीतलात्

uddhṛtya ca tadā viṣṇurdaṁṣṭrāgreṇa vasuṁdharām | sa nināya yathāsthānaṁ mustāṁ va dharaṇītalāt

'And then Vishnu, lifting the earth up on the tip of his tusk, bore her back to her proper place, like a tuft of grass drawn up from the ground.'

Verse 60 (skanda.7.383.60)

अवतारं तृतीयं वै हरस्यापि मनोहरम् । येन सा पृथिवी पृथ्वी पर्वतैः सहिता धृता

avatāraṁ tṛtīyaṁ vai harasyāpi manoharam | yena sā pṛthivī pṛthvī parvataiḥ sahitā dhṛtā

'This was the third incarnation, delightful even to Hara, by which the broad earth, together with her mountains, was upheld.'

Verse 61 (skanda.7.383.61)

चतुर्थं नरसिंहं वै कथयामि सुदारुणम् । आदित्या अदितेः पुत्रा दितेः पुत्रौ महावलौ

caturthaṁ narasiṁhaṁ vai kathayāmi sudāruṇam | ādityā aditeḥ putrā diteḥ putrau mahāvalau

'Now I shall tell of the fourth, the exceedingly fierce Narasimha. The Adityas were the sons of Aditi; Diti had two mighty sons -'

Verse 62 (skanda.7.383.62)

हिरण्यकशिपुर्दैत्यो हिरण्याक्षो महाबलः । स्वर्गे देवाः स्थिताः सर्वे पाताले दैत्यदानवाः

hiraṇyakaśipurdaityo hiraṇyākṣo mahābalaḥ | svarge devāḥ sthitāḥ sarve pātāle daityadānavāḥ

'-the daitya Hiranyakashipu, and the mighty Hiranyaksha. All the gods dwelt in heaven, and the daityas and danavas in the netherworld.'

Verse 63 (skanda.7.383.63)

हिरण्यकशिपुश्चक्रे दैत्यो राज्यं रसातले । मनुपुत्रा धरापृष्ठे स्थापिता देवदानवैः

hiraṇyakaśipuścakre daityo rājyaṁ rasātale | manuputrā dharāpṛṣṭhe sthāpitā devadānavaiḥ

'The daitya Hiranyakashipu ruled in Rasatala; the sons of Manu were established upon the surface of the earth by both gods and danavas.'

Verse 64 (skanda.7.383.64)

व्यवस्थां तामतिक्रम्य हिरण्यकशिपुर्द्विज । राज्यं चक्रे धरापृष्ठे सुरेन्द्रं स विजित्य च

vyavasthāṁ tāmatikramya hiraṇyakaśipurdvija | rājyaṁ cakre dharāpṛṣṭhe surendraṁ sa vijitya ca

'Transgressing that arrangement, O brahmin, Hiranyakashipu conquered the king of gods and established his rule upon the surface of the earth as well.'

Verse 65 (skanda.7.383.65)

सप्तद्वीपवतीं पृथ्वीं गृहीत्वा साऽमरावतीम् । ग्रहीतुकामो बुभुजे पुत्रपौत्रैः कृतादरः

saptadvīpavatīṁ pṛthvīṁ gṛhītvā sā'marāvatīm | grahītukāmo bubhuje putrapautraiḥ kṛtādaraḥ

'Having seized the seven-continented earth, and desiring to seize Amaravati too, he enjoyed his rule, honoured by his sons and grandsons.'

Verse 66 (skanda.7.383.66)

प्रह्लादप्रमुखान्पुत्रान्स पीडयति मंदधीः । पुत्रेषु पाठ्यमानेषु प्रह्लादोऽपि पपाठ तत्

prahlādapramukhānputrānsa pīḍayati maṁdadhīḥ | putreṣu pāṭhyamāneṣu prahlādo'pi papāṭha tat

'That dull-witted one tormented his sons, foremost among whom was Prahlada. While the sons were being taught, Prahlada too was taught -'

Verse 67 (skanda.7.383.67)

येन वै पठ्यमानेन जायते तस्य वेदना । भुवनद्वयराज्येन दैत्यो देवान्न मन्यते

yena vai paṭhyamānena jāyate tasya vedanā | bhuvanadvayarājyena daityo devānna manyate

'-by whose very lesson the father's torment arose. Ruling over two worlds, the daitya paid no heed to the gods.'

Verse 68 (skanda.7.383.68)

तपसा तोषितो ब्रह्मा ददौ तस्मै वरं प्रभुः । अमरत्वं स देवेभ्यो मनुष्येभ्यः सुरोत्तम

tapasā toṣito brahmā dadau tasmai varaṁ prabhuḥ | amaratvaṁ sa devebhyo manuṣyebhyaḥ surottama

'Pleased by his austerities, lord Brahma granted him a boon: "Not from gods, nor from men, O best of gods, should death come to you -"'

Verse 69 (skanda.7.383.69)

कस्मादपि न मे भूयान्मरणं यदि चेद्भवेत् । किंचित्सिंहो नरः किंचिद्यो भवेद्धरणीधरः

kasmādapi na me bhūyānmaraṇaṁ yadi cedbhavet | kiṁcitsiṁho naraḥ kiṁcidyo bhaveddharaṇīdharaḥ

'-"let death not come to me from any cause. If it must come, let it come from something that is part man, part lion -"'

Verse 70 (skanda.7.383.70)

तस्मात्कररुहैभिन्नो मरिष्ये न धरातले । एवं भविष्यतीत्युक्त्वा गतो ब्रह्मा च विस्मयम्

tasmātkararuhaibhinno mariṣye na dharātale | evaṁ bhaviṣyatītyuktvā gato brahmā ca vismayam

'-"and, torn by nail-claws, may I not die upon the ground." "So shall it be," said Brahma, and departed, astonished.'

Verse 71 (skanda.7.383.71)

कालेन गच्छता तस्य संजातो विग्रहो महान् । देवाः किं मे करिष्यंति विष्णुना किं प्रयोजनम्

kālena gacchatā tasya saṁjāto vigraho mahān | devāḥ kiṁ me kariṣyaṁti viṣṇunā kiṁ prayojanam

'As time passed, a great enmity arose in him: "What can the gods do to me? What use have I for Vishnu?"'

Verse 72 (skanda.7.383.72)

यष्टव्योऽहं सदा यज्ञै रुद्रः किं मे करिष्यति । एवं हि वर्त्तमानस्य प्रह्लादः स्तौति तं हरिम् ।

yaṣṭavyo'haṁ sadā yajñai rudraḥ kiṁ me kariṣyati | evaṁ hi varttamānasya prahlādaḥ stauti taṁ harim |

'"I alone am to be worshipped always with sacrifices - what can Rudra do to me?" While he carried on thus, Prahlada kept praising that Hari.'

Verse 73 (skanda.7.383.73)

येनास्य जायते मृत्युस्तमेव स्मरते हरिम् । यदासौ वार्यमाणोऽपि विरौति च हरिं हरिम्

yenāsya jāyate mṛtyustameva smarate harim | yadāsau vāryamāṇo'pi virauti ca hariṁ harim

That very Hari, by whom his own father's death would come about, he kept remembering; even when forbidden, he cried out 'Hari, Hari' -

Verse 74 (skanda.7.383.74)

चतुर्भुजं शंखगदासिधारिणं पीतांबरं कौस्तुभ लाञ्छितं सदा । स्मरामि विष्णुं जगदेकनायकं ददाति मुक्तिं स्मृतमात्र एव यः

caturbhujaṁ śaṁkhagadāsidhāriṇaṁ pītāṁbaraṁ kaustubha lāñchitaṁ sadā | smarāmi viṣṇuṁ jagadekanāyakaṁ dadāti muktiṁ smṛtamātra eva yaḥ

'"I remember Vishnu, the four-armed, bearing conch, mace, and sword, clad in yellow, ever marked with the Kaustubha gem, the sole lord of the world, who grants liberation to those who merely remember him."'

Verse 75 (skanda.7.383.75)

अनेन वचसा क्षुब्धो दैत्यो देत्यान्दि देश ह । मारयध्वं तु तं दुष्टं गज सर्पजलाग्नितः

anena vacasā kṣubdho daityo detyāndi deśa ha | mārayadhvaṁ tu taṁ duṣṭaṁ gaja sarpajalāgnitaḥ

Enraged by these words, the daitya commanded the daityas: 'Kill this wicked boy by elephant, snake, water, or fire!'

Verse 76 (skanda.7.383.76)

प्रह्लाद उवाच गजेपि विष्णुर्भुजगेऽपि विष्णुर्जलेऽपि विष्णुर्ज्वलनेऽपि विष्णुः । त्वयि स्थितो दैत्य मयि स्थितश्च विष्णुं विना दैत्यगणाऽपि नास्ति

prahlāda uvāca gajepi viṣṇurbhujage'pi viṣṇurjale'pi viṣṇurjvalane'pi viṣṇuḥ | tvayi sthito daitya mayi sthitaśca viṣṇuṁ vinā daityagaṇā'pi nāsti

Prahlada said: 'Vishnu is in the elephant, Vishnu is in the serpent, Vishnu is in the water, Vishnu is in the fire; he dwells in you, O daitya, and he dwells in me - without Vishnu, not even the hosts of daityas exist.'

Verse 77 (skanda.7.383.77)

यदा स मार्यमाणोऽपि मृत्युं प्राप्नोति न क्वचित् । हिरण्यकशिपोर्वक्षो दह्यते क्रोधवह्निना । तदा शिक्षयितुं पुत्रं मुखाग्रे संनिवेश्य च

yadā sa māryamāṇo'pi mṛtyuṁ prāpnoti na kvacit | hiraṇyakaśiporvakṣo dahyate krodhavahninā | tadā śikṣayituṁ putraṁ mukhāgre saṁniveśya ca

When he, though subjected to killing, met death nowhere at all, Hiranyakashipu's breast burned with the fire of rage; then, to discipline his son, setting him before his very face -

Verse 78 (skanda.7.383.78)

वचोभिः कठिनैः पुत्रं स्वयं हन्तुं समुद्यतः ॥ । धिक्त्वा नारायणं स्तौषि ममारिं स्तौषि चेत्पुनः

vacobhiḥ kaṭhinaiḥ putraṁ svayaṁ hantuṁ samudyataḥ | dhiktvā nārāyaṇaṁ stauṣi mamāriṁ stauṣi cetpunaḥ

with harsh words he himself rose up to slay his son: 'Shame on you - you praise Narayana, my enemy! If you praise him again -'

Verse 79 (skanda.7.383.79)

पुष्पलावं लविष्यामि शिरस्तेऽहं वरासिना । अहं विष्णुरहं ब्रह्मा रुद्र इन्द्रो वरं वद

puṣpalāvaṁ laviṣyāmi śiraste'haṁ varāsinā | ahaṁ viṣṇurahaṁ brahmā rudra indro varaṁ vada

'-I shall cut your head off with my excellent sword, as one cuts flowers! I am Vishnu, I am Brahma, Rudra, Indra - speak of me as the greatest.'

Verse 80 (skanda.7.383.80)

आत्मीयं पितरं मुक्त्वा कमन्यं स्तौषि बालक

ātmīyaṁ pitaraṁ muktvā kamanyaṁ stauṣi bālaka

'Leaving aside your own father, whom else, child, do you praise?'

Verse 81 (skanda.7.383.81)

यदा न पठते बालः स्तौति नो पितरं स्वकम् । दण्डेनाहत्य गुरुणा प्रह्लादः प्रेरितः पुनः । वदैकं वचनं शिष्य देहि मे गुरुदक्षिणाम्

yadā na paṭhate bālaḥ stauti no pitaraṁ svakam | daṇḍenāhatya guruṇā prahlādaḥ preritaḥ punaḥ | vadaikaṁ vacanaṁ śiṣya dehi me gurudakṣiṇām

When the boy would not recite the praise of his father and would not praise his own father, struck with a rod by his teacher, Prahlada was urged again: 'Speak but one word, disciple - give me my teacher's fee -'

Verse 82 (skanda.7.383.82)

यथा मे तुष्यते स्वामी ददाति विपुलं धनम्

yathā me tuṣyate svāmī dadāti vipulaṁ dhanam

'-so that my lord may be pleased and grant me abundant wealth.'

Verse 83 (skanda.7.383.83)

प्रह्लाद उवाच प्रहरस्व प्रथमं मां करिष्ये वचनं गुरो । स्तौमि विष्णुमहं येन त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्

prahlāda uvāca praharasva prathamaṁ māṁ kariṣye vacanaṁ guro | staumi viṣṇumahaṁ yena trailokyaṁ sacarācaram

Prahlada said: 'Strike me first, and I shall obey your word, teacher. I praise that Vishnu, by whom the whole of the three worlds, moving and unmoving -'

Verse 84 (skanda.7.383.84)

कृतं संवर्द्धितं शांतं स मे विष्णुः प्रसीदतु । ब्रह्मा विष्णुर्हरो विष्णु रिन्द्रो वायुर्यमोऽनलः

kṛtaṁ saṁvarddhitaṁ śāṁtaṁ sa me viṣṇuḥ prasīdatu | brahmā viṣṇurharo viṣṇu rindro vāyuryamo'nalaḥ

'-was made, sustained, and set at peace; may that Vishnu of mine be gracious. Brahma is Vishnu, Hara is Vishnu, and so are Indra, Vayu, Yama, and Agni -'

Verse 85 (skanda.7.383.85)

प्रकृत्यादीनि तत्त्वानि पुरुषं पंचविंशकम् । पितृदेहे गुरोर्देहे मम देहेऽपि संस्थितः

prakṛtyādīni tattvāni puruṣaṁ paṁcaviṁśakam | pitṛdehe gurordehe mama dehe'pi saṁsthitaḥ

'-the principles beginning with Prakriti, and Purusha, the twenty-fifth - he abides in my father's body, in my teacher's body, and in my own body too.'

Verse 86 (skanda.7.383.86)

एवं जानन्कथं स्तौमि म्रियमाणं नराधमम्

evaṁ jānankathaṁ staumi mriyamāṇaṁ narādhamam

'Knowing this, how could I praise a base, mortal man as though he were supreme?'

Verse 87 (skanda.7.383.87)

गुरुरुवाच नरेषु कोऽधमः शिष्य जन्मादिमरणेऽधम । कथं न पितरं स्तौषि म्रियमाणो हरिं हरिम् ॥ ।

gururuvāca nareṣu ko'dhamaḥ śiṣya janmādimaraṇe'dhama | kathaṁ na pitaraṁ stauṣi mriyamāṇo hariṁ harim |

The teacher said: 'Who among men is base, O disciple, you who are base from birth to death? Why do you not praise your father, but instead cry, as you face death, "Hari, Hari"?'

Verse 88 (skanda.7.383.88)

प्रह्लाद उवाच भोजने शयने याने ज्वरे निष्ठीवने रणे । हरिरित्यक्षरं नास्ति मरणेऽसौ नराधमः । भये राजकुले युद्धे व्याधौ स्त्रीसंगमे वने । अशक्तौ वाऽथ संन्यासे मरणे भूमिसंस्थिताः । स्मरंति मातरं मूर्खाः पितरं च नराधमाः

prahlāda uvāca bhojane śayane yāne jvare niṣṭhīvane raṇe | harirityakṣaraṁ nāsti maraṇe'sau narādhamaḥ | bhaye rājakule yuddhe vyādhau strīsaṁgame vane | aśaktau vā'tha saṁnyāse maraṇe bhūmisaṁsthitāḥ | smaraṁti mātaraṁ mūrkhāḥ pitaraṁ ca narādhamāḥ

Prahlada said: 'That man in whom the syllable "Hari" is absent - while eating, sleeping, travelling, in fever, in spitting, in battle, in death - he is the base one. In fear, in a king's court, in war, in illness, in the embrace of a woman, in the forest, in helplessness, or in renunciation, in death, lying upon the ground - fools remember only their mother, and base men their father.'

Verse 89 (skanda.7.383.89)

माता नास्ति पिता नास्ति नास्ति मे स्वजनो जनः । हरिं विना न कोऽप्यस्ति यद्युक्तं तद्विधीयताम्

mātā nāsti pitā nāsti nāsti me svajano janaḥ | hariṁ vinā na ko'pyasti yadyuktaṁ tadvidhīyatām

'For me there is no mother, no father, no kinsman of my own - without Hari there is no one at all. Do whatever you think fit.'

Verse 90 (skanda.7.383.90)

इत्यादिवचनैः क्रुद्धो हन्तुं दैत्यः समुत्थितः । तदा माता समागत्य पुत्रस्य पुरतः स्थिता

ityādivacanaiḥ kruddho hantuṁ daityaḥ samutthitaḥ | tadā mātā samāgatya putrasya purataḥ sthitā

Enraged by these and other such words, the daitya rose up to slay him; then his mother came and stood before her son.

Verse 91 (skanda.7.383.91)

भ्रातरः स्वजनो भगिनी भाषते मा हरिं वद । अहं माता स्वसा चेयं भ्रातरः स्वजनो जनः । यथा संमिलितैर्वत्स स्थीयते वहुवासरम्

bhrātaraḥ svajano bhaginī bhāṣate mā hariṁ vada | ahaṁ mātā svasā ceyaṁ bhrātaraḥ svajano janaḥ | yathā saṁmilitairvatsa sthīyate vahuvāsaram

His brothers, kinsmen, and sister said: 'Do not speak of Hari! I am your mother, this is your sister, these are your brothers and kin - together, child, one should remain for many days -'

Verse 92 (skanda.7.383.92)

प्रह्लाद उवाच माता मे का स्वसा मे का भ्रातरः के पिता च कः । स्वजनं शृणु मे मातः सहितैः स्थीयते सदा

prahlāda uvāca mātā me kā svasā me kā bhrātaraḥ ke pitā ca kaḥ | svajanaṁ śṛṇu me mātaḥ sahitaiḥ sthīyate sadā

Prahlada said: 'Who is my mother, who my sister, who my brothers, who my father? Hear, mother, of my true kin - the ones with whom one is always united.'

Verse 93 (skanda.7.383.93)

यस्याः पीतं मया मूत्रं पुरीषमुदरे बहु । सा माता नरकोऽस्माकमग्रे वक्तुं न शक्यते

yasyāḥ pītaṁ mayā mūtraṁ purīṣamudare bahu | sā mātā narako'smākamagre vaktuṁ na śakyate

'She whose urine I drank, in whose belly I lay amid much filth - such a mother is hell for us; it cannot be said before her.'

Verse 94 (skanda.7.383.94)

निर्मितो न द्वितीयस्तु निर्मितो विश्वकर्मणा । त्वादृशस्तु पुमान्कश्चिद्यस्य नो हदये हरिः

nirmito na dvitīyastu nirmito viśvakarmaṇā | tvādṛśastu pumānkaścidyasya no hadaye hariḥ

'No second one like you, made by Vishvakarma, exists - some man like you, in whose heart Hari does not dwell.'

Verse 95 (skanda.7.383.95)

दशमासं ध्रुवं मन्ये मूत्रं पास्यति तर्पितः । भ्रातरो भ्रातरः सत्यं गर्भेऽपि स्युः कथं यदि

daśamāsaṁ dhruvaṁ manye mūtraṁ pāsyati tarpitaḥ | bhrātaro bhrātaraḥ satyaṁ garbhe'pi syuḥ kathaṁ yadi

'For ten months, I hold, he surely drank his fill of urine in the womb. As for "brothers, true brothers" - how could that be, even in the womb?'

Verse 96 (skanda.7.383.96)

युध्यतस्तान्कथं माता वराकी वारयिष्यति । स्वजनो दृश्यते वृद्धः परेषु पण्डितायते

yudhyatastānkathaṁ mātā varākī vārayiṣyati | svajano dṛśyate vṛddhaḥ pareṣu paṇḍitāyate

'How could a helpless mother restrain them when they fight? A kinsman, when old, is seen acting the wise counsellor toward others.'

Verse 97 (skanda.7.383.97)

कुटुंबं भण्यते कस्माद्यश्च नायाति याति च । बंधनं च कुटुम्बस्य जायते नरकाय नः

kuṭuṁbaṁ bhaṇyate kasmādyaśca nāyāti yāti ca | baṁdhanaṁ ca kuṭumbasya jāyate narakāya naḥ

'Why is it called "family" - that which neither comes nor goes with you? The bond of family becomes, for us, a cause of hell.'

Verse 98 (skanda.7.383.98)

माता मे विद्यते चान्या पितान्यो भ्रातरश्च ये । स्वसा स्वजनसम्वन्धं ज्ञात्वा मुक्तिमवाप्नुयात्

mātā me vidyate cānyā pitānyo bhrātaraśca ye | svasā svajanasamvandhaṁ jñātvā muktimavāpnuyāt

'I have another mother, another father, and other brothers. Knowing the true meaning of "sister" and "kinsman," one attains liberation.'

Verse 99 (skanda.7.383.99)

माता प्रकृतिरस्माकं स्वसा बुद्धिर्निगद्यते । अहंकारस्ततो जातो योऽहमित्यनुमीयते ।

mātā prakṛtirasmākaṁ svasā buddhirnigadyate | ahaṁkārastato jāto yo'hamityanumīyate |

'Prakriti is our true mother; Buddhi is called our sister; from that was born Ahamkara, inferred as "I".'

Verse 100 (skanda.7.383.100)

तन्मात्राः सोदराः पञ्च ये गच्छन्ति सहैव मे । एषा प्रकृतिरस्माकं विकारः स्वजनो मम

tanmātrāḥ sodarāḥ pañca ye gacchanti sahaiva me | eṣā prakṛtirasmākaṁ vikāraḥ svajano mama

'The five subtle elements are my true brothers, who go along together with me. This Prakriti is our mother; her modifications are my kinsmen.'

Verse 101 (skanda.7.383.101)

एतेषां वाहको यस्तु पुरुषः पञ्च विंशकः । स मे पिता शरीरेऽस्मिन्परमात्मा हरिः स्थितः

eteṣāṁ vāhako yastu puruṣaḥ pañca viṁśakaḥ | sa me pitā śarīre'sminparamātmā hariḥ sthitaḥ

'He who bears all of these, Purusha, the twenty-fifth - he is my true father, the Supreme Self, Hari, abiding in this body.'

Verse 102 (skanda.7.383.102)

यद्यसौ चित्यन्ते चित्ते दृश्यते हृदये हरिः । अणिमादिगुणैश्वर्यं पदं तस्यैव जायते

yadyasau cityante citte dṛśyate hṛdaye hariḥ | aṇimādiguṇaiśvaryaṁ padaṁ tasyaiva jāyate

'If, when the mind ceases its wandering, Hari is seen in the heart, then the state of the eightfold yogic power belongs to that very one.'

Verse 103 (skanda.7.383.103)

भवता सम्मतं राज्यं तन्मे नित्यं तृणैः समम् । यत्र नो पूज्यते विष्णुर्ब्रह्मा रुद्रोऽनिलोऽनलः

bhavatā sammataṁ rājyaṁ tanme nityaṁ tṛṇaiḥ samam | yatra no pūjyate viṣṇurbrahmā rudro'nilo'nalaḥ

'The kingdom you esteem is, to me, ever equal to a blade of grass, in which Vishnu, Brahma, Rudra, Vayu, and Agni are not worshipped.'

Verse 104 (skanda.7.383.104)

प्रत्यक्षो दृश्यते यस्तु निरालम्बो भ्रमत्यसौ । स एव भगवान्विष्णुर्य एते गगने स्थिताः

pratyakṣo dṛśyate yastu nirālambo bhramatyasau | sa eva bhagavānviṣṇurya ete gagane sthitāḥ

'That which is seen directly, moving without support - that very one is the lord Vishnu, and these too, which abide in the sky -'

Verse 105 (skanda.7.383.105)

ध्रुवे बद्धा ग्रहाः सर्वे य एतेऽप्युडवः स्थिताः । ते सर्वे विष्णुवचसा न पतंति धरातले

dhruve baddhā grahāḥ sarve ya ete'pyuḍavaḥ sthitāḥ | te sarve viṣṇuvacasā na pataṁti dharātale

'-all the planets, bound to the pole star, and these constellations too, abiding there - all of them, by Vishnu's decree, do not fall to the earth.'

Verse 106 (skanda.7.383.106)

काले विनाशः सर्वेषां तेनैव विहितः स्वयम् । इति संचिंत्य मे नास्ति भवद्भ्यो मरणाद्भयम्

kāle vināśaḥ sarveṣāṁ tenaiva vihitaḥ svayam | iti saṁciṁtya me nāsti bhavadbhyo maraṇādbhayam

'The dissolution of all things in time is ordained by him alone. Considering this, I have no fear of death from you.'

Verse 107 (skanda.7.383.107)

इति तद्वचनस्यांते पदा हत्वा पिताऽब्रवीत् । कुत्राऽसौ हन्मि तत्पूर्वं पश्चात्त्वां हरिभाषिणम्

iti tadvacanasyāṁte padā hatvā pitā'bravīt | kutrā'sau hanmi tatpūrvaṁ paścāttvāṁ haribhāṣiṇam

At the end of that speech, his father struck him with his foot and said: 'Where is he? Let me kill him first, and you, who speak of Hari, afterward.'

Verse 108 (skanda.7.383.108)

प्रह्लाद उवाच पृथिव्यादीनि भूतानि तान्येव भगवान्हरिः । स्थले जले किं बहुना सर्वं विष्णुमयं जगत्

prahlāda uvāca pṛthivyādīni bhūtāni tānyeva bhagavānhariḥ | sthale jale kiṁ bahunā sarvaṁ viṣṇumayaṁ jagat

Prahlada said: 'The earth and the other elements - these very things are the lord Hari. On land, in water - what need of many words? The whole world is filled with Vishnu.'

Verse 109 (skanda.7.383.109)

तृणे काष्ठे गृहे क्षेत्रे द्रव्ये देहे स्थितो हरिः । ज्ञायते ज्ञानयोगेन दृश्यते किं नु चक्षुषा

tṛṇe kāṣṭhe gṛhe kṣetre dravye dehe sthito hariḥ | jñāyate jñānayogena dṛśyate kiṁ nu cakṣuṣā

'Hari abides in grass, in wood, in the house, in the field, in objects, in the body; he is known through the yoga of knowledge - can he be seen with the eye alone?'

Verse 110 (skanda.7.383.110)

ब्रह्मालये याति रसातले वा धरातलेऽसौ भ्रमति क्षणेन । आघ्राति गन्धं विदधाति सर्वं शृणोति जानाति स चात्र विष्णुः

brahmālaye yāti rasātale vā dharātale'sau bhramati kṣaṇena | āghrāti gandhaṁ vidadhāti sarvaṁ śṛṇoti jānāti sa cātra viṣṇuḥ

'He goes to Brahma's abode, or to Rasatala, or wanders instantly upon the earth's surface; he smells fragrance, does all things, hears, and knows - he, right here, is Vishnu.'

Verse 111 (skanda.7.383.111)

इत्युक्तः सहजां मायां त्यक्त्वा सिंहासनोत्थितः । दृढं परिकरं बद्ध्वा खङ्गं चाकृष्य चोज्ज्वलम्

ityuktaḥ sahajāṁ māyāṁ tyaktvā siṁhāsanotthitaḥ | dṛḍhaṁ parikaraṁ baddhvā khaṅgaṁ cākṛṣya cojjvalam

Thus addressed, casting aside his innate delusion, he rose up from his throne; tightly binding his waist-belt, and drawing out his gleaming sword,

Verse 112 (skanda.7.383.112)

हत्वा तं फलकाग्रेण बभाषे दुस्सहं वचः । इदानीं स्मर रे विष्णुं नो चेज्जवलितकु ण्डलम् । पतिष्यति शिरो भूमौ फलं पक्वं यथा नगात्

hatvā taṁ phalakāgreṇa babhāṣe dussahaṁ vacaḥ | idānīṁ smara re viṣṇuṁ no cejjavalitaku ṇḍalam | patiṣyati śiro bhūmau phalaṁ pakvaṁ yathā nagāt

striking him with the flat of the blade, he spoke unbearable words: 'Now remember your Vishnu! If not, your head, with its blazing earrings, shall fall to the ground, like a ripe fruit from a tree.'

Verse 113 (skanda.7.383.113)

नो चेद्दर्शय तं विष्णुमस्मात्स्तंभाद्विनिर्गतम् । प्रह्लादस्तु भयं त्यक्त्वा चक्रे पद्मासनं भुवि

no ceddarśaya taṁ viṣṇumasmātstaṁbhādvinirgatam | prahlādastu bhayaṁ tyaktvā cakre padmāsanaṁ bhuvi

'If not, show me that Vishnu, coming forth from this very pillar!' Prahlada, casting aside fear, sat down in the lotus posture upon the ground.

Verse 114 (skanda.7.383.114)

विधाय कंधरां नेतुमुच्चैः श्वासं निरुध्य च । हृदि ध्यात्वा हरिं देवं मरणायोन्मुखः स्थितः

vidhāya kaṁdharāṁ netumuccaiḥ śvāsaṁ nirudhya ca | hṛdi dhyātvā hariṁ devaṁ maraṇāyonmukhaḥ sthitaḥ

Bowing his neck, restraining his loud breath, meditating on the god Hari in his heart, he stood ready to face death.

Verse 115 (skanda.7.383.115)

प्रभो मया तदा दृष्टमाश्चर्यं गगनाद्भुवि । पुष्पमाला स्थिता कण्ठे प्रह्लादस्य स्वयं गता

prabho mayā tadā dṛṣṭamāścaryaṁ gaganādbhuvi | puṣpamālā sthitā kaṇṭhe prahlādasya svayaṁ gatā

O lord, then I beheld a wonder, from the sky down to the earth: a garland of flowers descended on its own and settled upon Prahlada's neck.

Verse 116 (skanda.7.383.116)

गगनं व्याप्यमानं च किंकिमेवं कृतं जनैः । झटिति त्रुट्यति स्तम्भाच्छब्देन क्षुभितो जनः

gaganaṁ vyāpyamānaṁ ca kiṁkimevaṁ kṛtaṁ janaiḥ | jhaṭiti truṭyati stambhācchabdena kṣubhito janaḥ

'The sky itself seemed filled, and the people asked, "What is happening?" Suddenly a sound of cracking burst from the pillar, and the people were thrown into turmoil.'

Verse 117 (skanda.7.383.117)

धरणी याति पातालं द्यौर्वा भूमिं समेष्यति । पतिष्यति शिरो भूमौ खड्गघाताहतं नु किम्

dharaṇī yāti pātālaṁ dyaurvā bhūmiṁ sameṣyati | patiṣyati śiro bhūmau khaḍgaghātāhataṁ nu kim

'"Is the earth sinking to Patala? Or is the sky falling to the earth? Or is his head, struck by the sword-blow, about to fall to the ground?"'

Verse 118 (skanda.7.383.118)

तावत्स्तंभाद्विनिष्क्रान्तः सिंहनादो भयंकरः । भूमौ निपतिताः सर्वे दैत्याः शब्देन मूर्च्छिताः

tāvatstaṁbhādviniṣkrāntaḥ siṁhanādo bhayaṁkaraḥ | bhūmau nipatitāḥ sarve daityāḥ śabdena mūrcchitāḥ

At that very moment, from the pillar burst forth the terrifying roar of a lion; all the daityas fell to the ground, stunned by that sound.

Verse 119 (skanda.7.383.119)

हिरण्यकशिपोर्हस्तात्खड्गचर्म पपात च । न स जानाति किं किमेतदिति पुनःपुनः

hiraṇyakaśiporhastātkhaḍgacarma papāta ca | na sa jānāti kiṁ kimetaditi punaḥpunaḥ

The sword and shield fell from Hiranyakashipu's hands; he did not know what was happening, and asked again and again, 'What, what is this?'

Verse 120 (skanda.7.383.120)

उत्थितो वीक्षते यावत्तावत्पश्यति तं हरिम् । अधो नरं स्थितं सिंहमुपरिष्टाद्विभी षणम्

utthito vīkṣate yāvattāvatpaśyati taṁ harim | adho naraṁ sthitaṁ siṁhamupariṣṭādvibhī ṣaṇam

As he rose and looked, he beheld that Hari - below, in the form of a man, and above, a fearsome lion,

Verse 121 (skanda.7.383.121)

दंष्ट्रा करालवदनं लेलिहानमिवांबरम् । जाज्वल्यमानवपुषं पुच्छाच्छोटितमस्तकम्

daṁṣṭrā karālavadanaṁ lelihānamivāṁbaram | jājvalyamānavapuṣaṁ pucchācchoṭitamastakam

his mouth terrifying with fangs, seeming to lick the very sky, his body blazing, his mane tossing with the lashing of his tail,

Verse 122 (skanda.7.383.122)

महाकण्ठकृतारावं सशब्द मिव तोयदम् । समुच्छ्वसितकेशांतं दुर्निरीक्ष्यं सुरासुरैः

mahākaṇṭhakṛtārāvaṁ saśabda miva toyadam | samucchvasitakeśāṁtaṁ durnirīkṣyaṁ surāsuraiḥ

his great throat roaring like a thundering cloud, his mane bristling, unbearable to behold even for gods and asuras.

Verse 123 (skanda.7.383.123)

नरसिंहमथो दृष्ट्वा निपपात पुनः क्षितौ । विगृह्य केशपाशे तं भ्रामयामास चांबरम्

narasiṁhamatho dṛṣṭvā nipapāta punaḥ kṣitau | vigṛhya keśapāśe taṁ bhrāmayāmāsa cāṁbaram

Beholding Narasimha, Hiranyakashipu fell again to the ground; seizing him by his mass of hair, Narasimha whirled him about, and into the sky.

Verse 124 (skanda.7.383.124)

भ्रामयित्वा शतगुणं पृथिव्यां समपोथयत् । न ममार स दैत्येन्द्रो ब्रह्मणो वरकारणात्

bhrāmayitvā śataguṇaṁ pṛthivyāṁ samapothayat | na mamāra sa daityendro brahmaṇo varakāraṇāt

Whirling him a hundred times over, he dashed him upon the earth; yet that lord of daityas did not die, because of Brahma's boon.

Verse 125 (skanda.7.383.125)

गगनस्थैस्तदा देवै रुच्चैः संस्मारितो हरिः । दैत्यं जानुनि चानीय वक्षो हृष्टो निरीक्ष्य च

gaganasthaistadā devai ruccaiḥ saṁsmārito hariḥ | daityaṁ jānuni cānīya vakṣo hṛṣṭo nirīkṣya ca

Then, loudly reminded by the gods standing in the sky, Hari brought the daitya onto his knee, and, gazing joyfully at his chest,

Verse 126 (skanda.7.383.126)

जयजयेति यक्षानां सुराणां सोऽवधारयत् । शब्दं कर्णे भुजौ सज्जौ कृत्वा तौ पद्मलांछितौ

jayajayeti yakṣānāṁ surāṇāṁ so'vadhārayat | śabdaṁ karṇe bhujau sajjau kṛtvā tau padmalāṁchitau

heard in his ear the cry of 'Victory! Victory!' from the yakshas and gods; then, readying his two arms, marked with the lotus sign,

Verse 127 (skanda.7.383.127)

बिभेद वक्षो दैत्यस्य वज्रघातकिणांकितम् । नखैः कुन्दसुमप्रख्यैरस्थिसंघातकर्शितम्

bibheda vakṣo daityasya vajraghātakiṇāṁkitam | nakhaiḥ kundasumaprakhyairasthisaṁghātakarśitam

he tore open the daitya's chest, marked with the scars of thunderbolt-blows, with claws resembling jasmine buds, that chest worn thin by its very mass of bone.

Verse 128 (skanda.7.383.128)

भिन्ने वक्षसि दैत्येन्द्रो ममारच पपात च । तदा सहर्षमभवत्त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्

bhinne vakṣasi daityendro mamāraca papāta ca | tadā saharṣamabhavattrailokyaṁ sacarācaram

His chest torn open, the lord of daityas died and fell; then the three worlds, moving and unmoving, became filled with joy.

Verse 129 (skanda.7.383.129)

ममापि तृप्तिः सञ्जाता प्रसादात्तव केशव । यदा पुरत्रये दग्धे प्रसादाच्छंकरस्य च

mamāpi tṛptiḥ sañjātā prasādāttava keśava | yadā puratraye dagdhe prasādācchaṁkarasya ca

'My own satisfaction too arose then, by your grace, O Keshava - just as it had when the triple city was burned, by the grace of Shankara,'

Verse 130 (skanda.7.383.130)

हिण्याक्षे पुनर्जाता सा काले विनिपातिते । इदानीं नास्ति मे तृप्तिः कुत्र यामि करोमि किम्

hiṇyākṣe punarjātā sā kāle vinipātite | idānīṁ nāsti me tṛptiḥ kutra yāmi karomi kim

'-and again when Hiranyaksha was struck down, in due time. But now I have no satisfaction - where shall I go, what shall I do?'

Verse 131 (skanda.7.383.131)

पृथिव्यां क्षत्रियाः सन्ति न युध्यंते परस्परम् । देवानां दानवैः सार्द्धं नास्ति युद्धं कथं प्रभो

pṛthivyāṁ kṣatriyāḥ santi na yudhyaṁte parasparam | devānāṁ dānavaiḥ sārddhaṁ nāsti yuddhaṁ kathaṁ prabho

'There are kshatriyas on the earth, but they do not fight one another; there is no war between the gods and the danavas - why, O lord?'

Verse 132 (skanda.7.383.132)

इदानीं बलिना व्याप्तं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् । पञ्चमो योऽवतारस्ते न जाने किं करिष्यति । वलिनिग्रहकालोऽयं तद्दर्शय जनार्दन

idānīṁ balinā vyāptaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram | pañcamo yo'vatāraste na jāne kiṁ kariṣyati | valinigrahakālo'yaṁ taddarśaya janārdana

'Now the three worlds, moving and unmoving, are pervaded by Bali. I do not know what your fifth incarnation shall do - this is the time for Bali's subjugation; show it to me, Janardana.'

Verse 133 (skanda.7.383.133)

सारस्वत उवाच तदेतत्सकलं श्रुत्वा बभाषे वामनो मुनिम्

sārasvata uvāca tadetatsakalaṁ śrutvā babhāṣe vāmano munim

Sarasvata said: Having heard all this, Vamana spoke to the sage.

Verse 134 (skanda.7.383.134)

वामन उवाच शृणु नारद यद्वृत्तं हिण्यकशिपौ हते । दैत्यराजः कृतो राजा प्रह्लादोऽतीव वैष्णवः

vāmana uvāca śṛṇu nārada yadvṛttaṁ hiṇyakaśipau hate | daityarājaḥ kṛto rājā prahlādo'tīva vaiṣṇavaḥ

Vamana said: 'Listen, Narada, to what happened after Hiranyakashipu was slain - Prahlada, that most devoted worshipper of Vishnu, was made king of the daityas.'

Verse 135 (skanda.7.383.135)

तेन राज्यं धरापृष्ठे कृतं संवत्सरान्बहून् । तस्यापि कुर्वतो राज्यं विग्रहो हि सुरैः समम्

tena rājyaṁ dharāpṛṣṭhe kṛtaṁ saṁvatsarānbahūn | tasyāpi kurvato rājyaṁ vigraho hi suraiḥ samam

'He ruled over the surface of the earth for many years; even while he ruled, there was, indeed, no conflict with the gods.'

Verse 136 (skanda.7.383.136)

नो पश्याम्यपि दैत्यानां पूर्ववैरमनुस्मरन् । उत्पाद्य पुत्रान्सबहून्राज्यं चक्रे स पुष्कलम्

no paśyāmyapi daityānāṁ pūrvavairamanusmaran | utpādya putrānsabahūnrājyaṁ cakre sa puṣkalam

'I saw no daitya recalling the old enmity; begetting many sons, he ruled a most prosperous kingdom.'

Verse 137 (skanda.7.383.137)

विरोचनाद्बलिर्जातो बाल एव यदाऽभवत् । एकान्ते स हरिं ज्ञात्वा तदा योगेन केनचित्

virocanādbalirjāto bāla eva yadā'bhavat | ekānte sa hariṁ jñātvā tadā yogena kenacit

'From Virochana was born Bali; while still a mere child, through some form of yoga, he came to know Hari in solitude.'

Verse 138 (skanda.7.383.138)

मुक्त्वा राज्यं प्रियान्पुत्रान्गतोऽसौ गिरिसानुषु । कल्पान्तस्थायिनं देहं तस्य चक्रे जनार्द्दनः

muktvā rājyaṁ priyānputrāngato'sau girisānuṣu | kalpāntasthāyinaṁ dehaṁ tasya cakre janārddanaḥ

'Giving up his kingdom and his beloved sons, he went to the mountain-ridges; Janardana granted him a body that would last until the end of the kalpa.'

Verse 139 (skanda.7.383.139)

दैत्यानां दानवानां च बहूनां राज्यकारणे । विवादोतीव संजातः को नो राजा भवेदिति

daityānāṁ dānavānāṁ ca bahūnāṁ rājyakāraṇe | vivādotīva saṁjātaḥ ko no rājā bhavediti

'Then a great dispute arose among the many daityas and danavas over the matter of kingship: "Who shall become our king?"'

Verse 140 (skanda.7.383.140)

नारद उवाच हिण्याक्षस्य ये पुत्राः पौत्राश्च बलवत्तराः । विरोचनप्रभृतयः सन्ति ये बलवत्तराः

nārada uvāca hiṇyākṣasya ye putrāḥ pautrāśca balavattarāḥ | virocanaprabhṛtayaḥ santi ye balavattarāḥ

Narada said: 'The sons and grandsons of Hiranyaksha, mighty ones, and those beginning with Virochana, likewise mighty -'

Verse 141 (skanda.7.383.141)

वृषपर्वापि बलवान्राज्यार्थे समुपस्थितः । इन्द्रवित्तेशवरुणा वायुः सूर्योनलो यमः

vṛṣaparvāpi balavānrājyārthe samupasthitaḥ | indravitteśavaruṇā vāyuḥ sūryonalo yamaḥ

'-and the mighty Vrishaparva too, came forward for the sake of the kingship - as did gods like Indra, Kubera, Varuna, Vayu, Surya, Agni, and Yama.'

Verse 142 (skanda.7.383.142)

दैत्येन सदृशा न स्युर्बलरूपक्षमादिभिः । औदार्यादिगुणैः कृत्वा सन्तत्या चासुराधिकः

daityena sadṛśā na syurbalarūpakṣamādibhiḥ | audāryādiguṇaiḥ kṛtvā santatyā cāsurādhikaḥ

'None were equal to that daitya in strength, form, forbearance, and the like; in generosity and other virtues, and in lineage, he surpassed the other asuras.'

Verse 143 (skanda.7.383.143)

शुक्रेणा चार्यमाणास्ते युद्ध्यंते च परस्परम् । अमृताहरणे दौष्ट्यं यदा दैत्याः स्मरन्ति तत्

śukreṇā cāryamāṇāste yuddhyaṁte ca parasparam | amṛtāharaṇe dauṣṭyaṁ yadā daityāḥ smaranti tat

'Counselled by Shukra, they yet fought one another, whenever the daityas remembered the treachery of the gods in the seizing of the nectar.'

Verse 144 (skanda.7.383.144)

पीतावशेषममृतं कस्माद्यच्छंति देवताः । नास्माकमिति संनह्य युध्यन्ते च परस्परम्

pītāvaśeṣamamṛtaṁ kasmādyacchaṁti devatāḥ | nāsmākamiti saṁnahya yudhyante ca parasparam

'"Why do the gods not give us the nectar remaining after their drinking? It is not ours" - thus arming themselves, they fought one another.'

Verse 145 (skanda.7.383.145)

कदाचिदपि नो युद्धं विश्रांतिमुपगच्छति । एककार्योद्यता यस्माद्बहवो दैत्यदानवाः

kadācidapi no yuddhaṁ viśrāṁtimupagacchati | ekakāryodyatā yasmādbahavo daityadānavāḥ

'Never did their war come to any rest, since so many daityas and danavas were bent on the very same goal.'

Verse 146 (skanda.7.383.146)

पीत्वाऽमृतं सुरा जाता अमरास्ते जयन्ति च । देवदानवदैत्यानां गन्धर्वोरगरक्षसाम् । विष्णुर्बलाधिको युद्धे तदेतत्कारणं वद

pītvā'mṛtaṁ surā jātā amarāste jayanti ca | devadānavadaityānāṁ gandharvoragarakṣasām | viṣṇurbalādhiko yuddhe tadetatkāraṇaṁ vada

'Having drunk the nectar, the gods became immortal, and they were victorious. Among gods, danavas, daityas, gandharvas, serpents, and rakshasas, Vishnu is the mightiest in battle - tell me the reason for this.'

Verse 147 (skanda.7.383.147)

वामन उवाच अनादिनिधनः कर्त्ता पाता हर्त्ता जनार्दनः । एकोऽयं स शिवो देवः स चायं ब्रह्मसंज्ञितः । एकस्य तु यदा कार्यं जायते भुवने नृप

vāmana uvāca anādinidhanaḥ karttā pātā harttā janārdanaḥ | eko'yaṁ sa śivo devaḥ sa cāyaṁ brahmasaṁjñitaḥ | ekasya tu yadā kāryaṁ jāyate bhuvane nṛpa

Vamana said: 'Janardana, without beginning or end, is the creator, sustainer, and destroyer; he alone is the god called Shiva, and he too is called Brahma. But when a task belonging to only one of them arises in the world, O king -'

Verse 148 (skanda.7.383.148)

तस्य देहं समाश्रित्य मृत्युकार्यं कुर्वंति ते । ब्रह्मांडं सकलं विष्णोः करदं वरदो यतः । तस्माद्बलाधिको विष्णुर्न तथान्योऽस्ति कश्चन

tasya dehaṁ samāśritya mṛtyukāryaṁ kurvaṁti te | brahmāṁḍaṁ sakalaṁ viṣṇoḥ karadaṁ varado yataḥ | tasmādbalādhiko viṣṇurna tathānyo'sti kaścana

'-taking refuge in his very body, they carry out the work of death. The whole universe pays tribute to Vishnu, for he is the giver of boons; therefore Vishnu is the mightiest - there is no other equal to him.'

Verse 149 (skanda.7.383.149)

पालनायोद्यतो विष्णुः किमन्यैश्चर्मचक्षुभिः । इन्द्राद्याश्च सुराः सर्वे विष्णोर्व्यापारकारिणः

pālanāyodyato viṣṇuḥ kimanyaiścarmacakṣubhiḥ | indrādyāśca surāḥ sarve viṣṇorvyāpārakāriṇaḥ

'Vishnu is intent upon protection - what use is there for other, fleshly-eyed beings? Indra and all the other gods are but agents carrying out Vishnu's own work.'

Verse 150 (skanda.7.383.150)

सृष्टिं कृत्वा ततो ब्रह्मा कैलासे संस्थितो हरः । न शक्यते सुरैर्विष्णुर्भ्राम्यन्ते भुवनत्रये

sṛṣṭiṁ kṛtvā tato brahmā kailāse saṁsthito haraḥ | na śakyate surairviṣṇurbhrāmyante bhuvanatraye

'Having performed creation, Brahma rests; Hara abides on Kailasa; but Vishnu cannot be so confined by the gods - he wanders through all three worlds.'

Verse 151 (skanda.7.383.151)

जगत्यस्मिन्यदा कश्चिद्वैपरीत्येन वर्तते । तस्योच्छेदं समागत्य करोत्येव जनार्दनः

jagatyasminyadā kaścidvaiparītyena vartate | tasyocchedaṁ samāgatya karotyeva janārdanaḥ

'Whenever anything in this world goes amiss, Janardana comes and brings about its destruction.'

Verse 152 (skanda.7.383.152)

त्वमेजय महाबाहो न मनो नारदाऽदयम् । सर्वपापहरां दिव्यां तां कथां कथयाम्यहम्

tvamejaya mahābāho na mano nāradā'dayam | sarvapāpaharāṁ divyāṁ tāṁ kathāṁ kathayāmyaham

'Be at ease, O mighty-armed one; let not your mind be troubled, Narada - I shall now tell you that divine tale which removes all sin.'

Verse 153 (skanda.7.383.153)

पुरा विवदतां तेषां दैत्यानां राज्यहेतवे । प्रह्लादेन समागत्य व्यवस्था विहिता स्वयम्

purā vivadatāṁ teṣāṁ daityānāṁ rājyahetave | prahlādena samāgatya vyavasthā vihitā svayam

'Of old, while those daityas were disputing over the cause of kingship, Prahlada himself came and established the rule for settling it:'

Verse 154 (skanda.7.383.154)

सर्वलक्षणसं पन्नो दीर्घायुर्बलवत्तरः । यज्ञशीलः सदानंदो बहुपुत्रोतिदुर्जयः

sarvalakṣaṇasaṁ panno dīrghāyurbalavattaraḥ | yajñaśīlaḥ sadānaṁdo bahuputrotidurjayaḥ

'-"whoever is endowed with all auspicious marks, long-lived, exceedingly strong, devoted to sacrifice, ever joyful, abundant in sons, and unconquerable -"'

Verse 155 (skanda.7.383.155)

न युध्यते सुरैः साकं विष्णुं यो वेत्ति दुर्जयम् । संग्रामे मरणं नास्ति यस्य यः सर्वदक्षिणः

na yudhyate suraiḥ sākaṁ viṣṇuṁ yo vetti durjayam | saṁgrāme maraṇaṁ nāsti yasya yaḥ sarvadakṣiṇaḥ

'-"who does not fight against the gods, who knows unconquerable Vishnu, for whom there is no death in battle, who gives everything as sacrificial gifts -"'

Verse 156 (skanda.7.383.156)

आत्मनो वचनं व्यर्थं न करोति कथंचन । सर्वेषां पुत्रपौत्राणां मध्ये यो राजते श्रिया

ātmano vacanaṁ vyarthaṁ na karoti kathaṁcana | sarveṣāṁ putrapautrāṇāṁ madhye yo rājate śriyā

'-"who never makes his own word void, and who among all the sons and grandsons shines forth with splendour -"'

Verse 157 (skanda.7.383.157)

अभिषिक्तस्तु शुक्रेण स वो राजा भवेदिति । गुरुप्रमाणमित्युक्त्वा ययौ यत्रागतः पुनः

abhiṣiktastu śukreṇa sa vo rājā bhavediti | gurupramāṇamityuktvā yayau yatrāgataḥ punaḥ

'-"let him, anointed by Shukra, become your king." Saying, "the guru's judgment shall be authoritative," Prahlada went back to wherever he had come from.'

Verse 158 (skanda.7.383.158)

तथा च कृतवंतस्ते सहिता दैत्यदानवाः । विरोचनप्रभृतयः पुत्राः पौत्राः स्वयंगताः

tathā ca kṛtavaṁtaste sahitā daityadānavāḥ | virocanaprabhṛtayaḥ putrāḥ pautrāḥ svayaṁgatāḥ

'And so it was done; the daityas and danavas gathered together, the sons and grandsons beginning with Virochana, all going there themselves.'

Verse 159 (skanda.7.383.159)

प्रत्येकं वीक्षिताः सर्वे गुरुणा ज्ञानपूर्वकम् । प्रह्लादेन गुणाः प्रोक्ता न ते संति विरोचने

pratyekaṁ vīkṣitāḥ sarve guruṇā jñānapūrvakam | prahlādena guṇāḥ proktā na te saṁti virocane

'Each of them was examined in turn, wisely, by the guru; the virtues that Prahlada had described were not found in Virochana.'

Verse 160 (skanda.7.383.160)

अन्येषामपि दैत्यानां वृषपर्वापि नेदृशः । यथा निरीक्षिताः पुत्रा बलिप्रभृतयो मुने । सर्वान्संवीक्ष्य शुक्रेण बलौ दृष्टा गुणास्तथा

anyeṣāmapi daityānāṁ vṛṣaparvāpi nedṛśaḥ | yathā nirīkṣitāḥ putrā baliprabhṛtayo mune | sarvānsaṁvīkṣya śukreṇa balau dṛṣṭā guṇāstathā

'Nor were they found in Vrishaparva or the other daityas, when the sons, beginning with Bali, O sage, were examined; having considered all of them, Shukra found those very virtues in Bali.'

Verse 161 (skanda.7.383.161)

बलिदेहेऽधिकान्दृष्ट्वा दैत्येभ्यो विनिवेदिताः । बलिर्गुणाधिको दैत्याः कथं कार्यं भवेन्मया

balidehe'dhikāndṛṣṭvā daityebhyo viniveditāḥ | balirguṇādhiko daityāḥ kathaṁ kāryaṁ bhavenmayā

'Seeing them present in fullest measure in Bali's person, he declared it to the daityas: "Bali is superior in virtue, O daityas - what else is there for me to do?"'

Verse 162 (skanda.7.383.162)

केनापि दैवयोगेन बलिरिंद्रो भविष्यति । यादृशस्तु पिता लोके तादृशस्तु सुतो भवेत्

kenāpi daivayogena baliriṁdro bhaviṣyati | yādṛśastu pitā loke tādṛśastu suto bhavet

'By some chance of fate, Bali might yet become Indra. As the father is in this world, so the son becomes -'

Verse 163 (skanda.7.383.163)

पौत्रश्च निश्चितं तादृग्भवतीति न चेत्सुतः । प्रह्लादस्तु महायोगी वैष्णवो विष्णुवल्लभः

pautraśca niścitaṁ tādṛgbhavatīti na cetsutaḥ | prahlādastu mahāyogī vaiṣṇavo viṣṇuvallabhaḥ

'-and surely the grandson too, even if not the son. Prahlada was a great yogi, a devotee of Vishnu, dear to Vishnu himself.'

Verse 164 (skanda.7.383.164)

तस्माद्विरोचने केचिद्धिरण्यकशिपोर्गुणाः । ज्येष्ठो विरोचनो राज्ये यदि चेत्क्रियतेऽसुराः । नरसिंहः समागत्य निश्चितं मारयिष्यति

tasmādvirocane keciddhiraṇyakaśiporguṇāḥ | jyeṣṭho virocano rājye yadi cetkriyate'surāḥ | narasiṁhaḥ samāgatya niścitaṁ mārayiṣyati

'Therefore some of the qualities of Hiranyakashipu were in Virochana. If Virochana, being the eldest, is made king by the asuras, Narasimha shall surely come again and slay him.'

Verse 165 (skanda.7.383.165)

मुक्तं विरोचनेनापि राज्यं मरणभीरुणा । प्रह्लादस्य गुणाः सर्वे बलिदेहे व्यवस्थिताः

muktaṁ virocanenāpi rājyaṁ maraṇabhīruṇā | prahlādasya guṇāḥ sarve balidehe vyavasthitāḥ

'Fearing death, Virochana too relinquished his claim to the kingdom. All of Prahlada's virtues were found established in Bali's person.'

Verse 166 (skanda.7.383.166)

एवं ते समयं कृत्वा बलिं राज्येऽभ्यषिंचय न् । यः प्रह्लादः स वै विष्णुर्यो विष्णुः स बलिः स्वयम्

evaṁ te samayaṁ kṛtvā baliṁ rājye'bhyaṣiṁcaya n | yaḥ prahlādaḥ sa vai viṣṇuryo viṣṇuḥ sa baliḥ svayam

'Thus, having reached this agreement, they anointed Bali to the kingdom. He who was Prahlada was indeed Vishnu; and he who is Vishnu is Bali himself.'

Verse 167 (skanda.7.383.167)

अतो मित्रीकृतो देवैर्विग्रहैस्तु विवर्जितः । एकीभावं कृतं सर्वं बलिराज्ये सुरासुरैः

ato mitrīkṛto devairvigrahaistu vivarjitaḥ | ekībhāvaṁ kṛtaṁ sarvaṁ balirājye surāsuraiḥ

'Therefore he was befriended by the gods and freed from conflict; complete unity was established, by both gods and asuras, under Bali's rule.'

Verse 168 (skanda.7.383.168)

तस्यापि भाषितं श्रुत्वा देवेंद्रो मम मंदिरे । समागता वालखिल्याः शप्तोहं वामनः कृतः

tasyāpi bhāṣitaṁ śrutvā deveṁdro mama maṁdire | samāgatā vālakhilyāḥ śaptohaṁ vāmanaḥ kṛtaḥ

'Hearing his own account, that in my own abode the Valakhilyas had gathered, Indra had spoken thoughtlessly, and I was cursed and made into a dwarf.'

Verse 169 (skanda.7.383.169)

प्रसाद्य ते मया प्रोक्ताः शापमुक्तिप्रदा मम । भविष्यतीति तैरुक्तं बलिनिग्रहणादनु

prasādya te mayā proktāḥ śāpamuktipradā mama | bhaviṣyatīti tairuktaṁ balinigrahaṇādanu

'Having placated them, I was told by them that my release from that curse would come about, after Bali's subjugation.'

Verse 170 (skanda.7.383.170)

तवापि कौतुकं युद्धे बलिर्यज्ञं करोति च । देवानां निग्रहो नास्ति सर्वे यज्ञे समागताः

tavāpi kautukaṁ yuddhe baliryajñaṁ karoti ca | devānāṁ nigraho nāsti sarve yajñe samāgatāḥ

'Your curiosity too is about war; but Bali performs a sacrifice instead - the gods are not subjugated; all of them have gathered at the sacrifice.'

Verse 171 (skanda.7.383.171)

स मां यजति यज्ञेन वधं तस्य करोतु कः । अहं च वामनो जातो नारदः कौतुकान्वितः

sa māṁ yajati yajñena vadhaṁ tasya karotu kaḥ | ahaṁ ca vāmano jāto nāradaḥ kautukānvitaḥ

'He worships me with his sacrifice - who then should slay him? And I myself have become Vamana, and Narada remains full of curiosity.'

Verse 172 (skanda.7.383.172)

विपरीतमिदं सर्वं वर्त्तते मम चेतसि । तथाऽपि क्रमयोगेन सर्वं भव्यं करोम्यहम्

viparītamidaṁ sarvaṁ varttate mama cetasi | tathā'pi kramayogena sarvaṁ bhavyaṁ karomyaham

'All of this seems contrary to my own mind; nevertheless, in due course, I shall bring everything to a good end.'

Verse 173 (skanda.7.383.173)

नारद उवाच प्रसादं कुरु देवेश युद्धार्थं कौतुकं मम । एकेन ब्राह्मणेनाजौ हन्यंते क्षत्रिया यदा । पित्रा प्रोक्तं च मे पूर्वं तदा युद्धं भविष्यति

nārada uvāca prasādaṁ kuru deveśa yuddhārthaṁ kautukaṁ mama | ekena brāhmaṇenājau hanyaṁte kṣatriyā yadā | pitrā proktaṁ ca me pūrvaṁ tadā yuddhaṁ bhaviṣyati

Narada said: 'Show me your favour, O lord of gods - my curiosity is for the sake of war. My father told me long ago: when kshatriyas are slain in battle by a single brahmin, then war shall come about.'

Verse 174 (skanda.7.383.174)

ब्राह्मणोसि भवाञ्जातः कदा युद्धं करिष्यसि । विहस्य वामनो ब्रूते सत्यं तव भविष्यति

brāhmaṇosi bhavāñjātaḥ kadā yuddhaṁ kariṣyasi | vihasya vāmano brūte satyaṁ tava bhaviṣyati

'You have been born a brahmin - when will you make war?' Vamana, laughing, said: 'What you say shall indeed come true.'

Verse 175 (skanda.7.383.175)

जमदग्निसुतो भूत्वा गुरुं कृत्वा महेश्वरम् । कार्त्तवीर्यं वधिष्यामि बहुभिः क्षत्रियैः सह

jamadagnisuto bhūtvā guruṁ kṛtvā maheśvaram | kārttavīryaṁ vadhiṣyāmi bahubhiḥ kṣatriyaiḥ saha

'Becoming the son of Jamadagni, taking Maheshvara as my teacher, I shall slay Kartavirya, together with many kshatriyas.'

Verse 176 (skanda.7.383.176)

समंतपंचके पंच करिष्ये रुधिरह्रदान् । तत्राहं तर्पयिष्यामि पितॄनथ पितामहान्

samaṁtapaṁcake paṁca kariṣye rudhirahradān | tatrāhaṁ tarpayiṣyāmi pitṝnatha pitāmahān

'At Samantapanchaka I shall make five lakes of blood; there I shall offer libations to my fathers and forefathers.'

Verse 177 (skanda.7.383.177)

पुण्यक्षेत्रं करिष्यामि भवांस्तत्रागमिष्य ति । परं च कौतुकं युद्धे भविष्यति तव प्रियम्

puṇyakṣetraṁ kariṣyāmi bhavāṁstatrāgamiṣya ti | paraṁ ca kautukaṁ yuddhe bhaviṣyati tava priyam

'I shall make that a sacred field, and you shall come there. And further wonders in war, dear to you, shall come to pass.'

Verse 178 (skanda.7.383.178)

ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ग्रहीष्यंति यदा कुं क्षत्रियाः पुनः । तदैव तान्हनिष्यामि पुनर्दा स्यामि मेदिनीम्

brāhmaṇebhyo grahīṣyaṁti yadā kuṁ kṣatriyāḥ punaḥ | tadaiva tānhaniṣyāmi punardā syāmi medinīm

'When the kshatriyas again seize the earth from the brahmins, then I shall slay them once more, and give the earth away again.'

Verse 179 (skanda.7.383.179)

त्रिसप्तवारं दास्यामि जित्वा जित्वा वसुंधराम् । शस्त्रन्यासं करिष्यामि निर्विण्णो युद्धकर्मणि । विहरिष्यामि रम्येषु वनेषु गिरिसानुषु

trisaptavāraṁ dāsyāmi jitvā jitvā vasuṁdharām | śastranyāsaṁ kariṣyāmi nirviṇṇo yuddhakarmaṇi | vihariṣyāmi ramyeṣu vaneṣu girisānuṣu

'Twenty-one times I shall give away the earth, conquering it again and again; then, weary of the work of war, I shall lay down my weapons, and wander in lovely forests and mountain-ridges.'

Verse 180 (skanda.7.383.180)

लंकायां रावणो राज्यं करिष्यति महाबलः । त्रैलोक्यकंटकं नाम यदासौ धारयिष्यति

laṁkāyāṁ rāvaṇo rājyaṁ kariṣyati mahābalaḥ | trailokyakaṁṭakaṁ nāma yadāsau dhārayiṣyati

'The mighty Ravana shall reign in Lanka; when he bears the name "Thorn of the Three Worlds" -'

Verse 181 (skanda.7.383.181)

तदा दाशरथी रामः कौसल्यानंदवर्द्धनः । भविष्ये भ्रातृभिः सार्द्धं गमिष्ये यज्ञमंडपे

tadā dāśarathī rāmaḥ kausalyānaṁdavarddhanaḥ | bhaviṣye bhrātṛbhiḥ sārddhaṁ gamiṣye yajñamaṁḍape

'-then I shall become Rama, son of Dasharatha, increasing Kausalya's joy; together with my brothers, I shall go to a sacrificial pavilion.'

Verse 182 (skanda.7.383.182)

ताडकां ताडयित्वाहं सुबाहुं यज्ञमंदिरे । नीत्वा यज्ञाद्गमिष्यामि सीतायास्तु स्वयंवरे

tāḍakāṁ tāḍayitvāhaṁ subāhuṁ yajñamaṁdire | nītvā yajñādgamiṣyāmi sītāyāstu svayaṁvare

'I shall strike down Tataka, and slay Subahu at the sacrificial site; taken from the sacrifice, I shall go to Sita's svayamvara.'

Verse 183 (skanda.7.383.183)

परिणेष्याभि तां सीतां भंक्त्वा माहेश्वरं धनुः । त्यक्त्वा राज्यं गमिष्यामि वने वर्षांश्चतुर्दश

pariṇeṣyābhi tāṁ sītāṁ bhaṁktvā māheśvaraṁ dhanuḥ | tyaktvā rājyaṁ gamiṣyāmi vane varṣāṁścaturdaśa

'I shall wed that Sita, having broken the great bow of Maheshvara; giving up my kingdom, I shall go to the forest for fourteen years.'

Verse 184 (skanda.7.383.184)

सीताहरणजं दुःखं प्रथमं मे भविष्यति । नासाकर्णविहीनां तां करिष्ये राक्षसीं वने

sītāharaṇajaṁ duḥkhaṁ prathamaṁ me bhaviṣyati | nāsākarṇavihīnāṁ tāṁ kariṣye rākṣasīṁ vane

'The grief born of Sita's abduction shall first come upon me; I shall render that female demon, in the forest, deprived of nose and ears.'

Verse 185 (skanda.7.383.185)

चतुर्द्दशसहस्राणि त्रिशिरःखरदूषणान् । द्हत्वा हनिष्ये मारीचं राक्षसं मृगरूपिणम्

caturddaśasahasrāṇi triśiraḥkharadūṣaṇān | dhatvā haniṣye mārīcaṁ rākṣasaṁ mṛgarūpiṇam

'Having slain fourteen thousand demons, and Trishira, Khara, and Dushana, I shall kill the rakshasa Maricha, who takes the form of a deer.'

Verse 186 (skanda.7.383.186)

हृतदारो गमिष्यामि दग्ध्वा गृध्रं जटायुषम् । सुग्रीवेण समं मैत्रीं कृत्वा हत्वाऽथ वालिनम्

hṛtadāro gamiṣyāmi dagdhvā gṛdhraṁ jaṭāyuṣam | sugrīveṇa samaṁ maitrīṁ kṛtvā hatvā'tha vālinam

'My wife taken from me, I shall go on, having cremated the vulture Jatayu; making friendship with Sugriva, and then slaying Vali,'

Verse 187 (skanda.7.383.187)

समुद्रं बंधयिष्यामि नलप्रमुखवानरैः । लंकां संवेष्टयिष्यामि मारयिष्यामि राक्षसान्

samudraṁ baṁdhayiṣyāmi nalapramukhavānaraiḥ | laṁkāṁ saṁveṣṭayiṣyāmi mārayiṣyāmi rākṣasān

'I shall have the ocean bridged by the monkeys, foremost among them Nala; I shall besiege Lanka, and slay the rakshasas.'

Verse 188 (skanda.7.383.188)

कुम्भकर्णं निहत्याजौ मेघनादं ततो रणे । निहत्य रावणं रक्षः पश्यतां सर्वरक्षसाम्

kumbhakarṇaṁ nihatyājau meghanādaṁ tato raṇe | nihatya rāvaṇaṁ rakṣaḥ paśyatāṁ sarvarakṣasām

'Having slain Kumbhakarna in battle, and then Meghanada in war, I shall slay the rakshasa Ravana before the eyes of all the rakshasas.'

Verse 189 (skanda.7.383.189)

विभीषणाय दास्यामि लंकां देवविनिर्मिताम् । अयोध्यां पुनरागत्य कृत्वा राज्यमकंटकम्

vibhīṣaṇāya dāsyāmi laṁkāṁ devavinirmitām | ayodhyāṁ punarāgatya kṛtvā rājyamakaṁṭakam

'I shall give Lanka, built by the gods, to Vibhishana; returning again to Ayodhya, having made my kingdom free of thorns -'

Verse 190 (skanda.7.383.190)

कालदुर्वाससोश्चित्रचरित्रेणामरावतीम् । यास्येहं भ्रातृभिः सार्द्धं राज्यं पुत्रे निवेद्य च

kāladurvāsasościtracaritreṇāmarāvatīm | yāsyehaṁ bhrātṛbhiḥ sārddhaṁ rājyaṁ putre nivedya ca

'-through the wondrous events of Kala and Durvasa, I shall go, together with my brothers, to Amaravati, having handed my kingdom over to my son.'

Verse 191 (skanda.7.383.191)

द्वापरे समनुप्राप्ते क्षत्रियैर्बहुभिर्मही । भाराक्रांता न शक्नोति पातालं गंतुमुद्यता

dvāpare samanuprāpte kṣatriyairbahubhirmahī | bhārākrāṁtā na śaknoti pātālaṁ gaṁtumudyatā

'When the Dvapara age arrives, the earth, burdened by many kshatriyas, unable to bear it, will be ready to sink into Patala.'

Verse 192 (skanda.7.383.192)

मथुरायां तदा कर्त्ता कंसो राज्यं महासुरः । शिशुपालजरासंधौ कालनेमिर्महासुरः

mathurāyāṁ tadā karttā kaṁso rājyaṁ mahāsuraḥ | śiśupālajarāsaṁdhau kālanemirmahāsuraḥ

'Then the great asura Kamsa shall rule in Mathura; Shishupala and Jarasandha, and the great asura Kalanemi -'

Verse 193 (skanda.7.383.193)

पौंड्रको वासुदेवश्च बाणो राजा महासुरः । गजवाजितुरंगाढ्या वध्यंते मे तदा मुने

pauṁḍrako vāsudevaśca bāṇo rājā mahāsuraḥ | gajavājituraṁgāḍhyā vadhyaṁte me tadā mune

'-Paundraka, calling himself Vasudeva, and the great asura King Bana, rich in elephants, horses, and chariots, shall all be slain by me then, O sage.'

Verse 194 (skanda.7.383.194)

कलौ स्वल्पोदका मेघा अल्पदुग्धाश्च धेनवः । दुग्धे घृतं न चैवास्ति नास्ति सत्यं जनेषु च

kalau svalpodakā meghā alpadugdhāśca dhenavaḥ | dugdhe ghṛtaṁ na caivāsti nāsti satyaṁ janeṣu ca

'In the Kali age, the clouds shall hold but little water, and cows shall give but little milk; there shall be no ghee in the milk, and no truth among the people.'

Verse 195 (skanda.7.383.195)

चोरैरुपहता लोका व्याधिभिः परिपीडिताः । त्रातारं नाभि गच्छंति युद्धावस्थां गता अपि

corairupahatā lokā vyādhibhiḥ paripīḍitāḥ | trātāraṁ nābhi gacchaṁti yuddhāvasthāṁ gatā api

'People shall be afflicted by thieves and tormented by diseases; even those brought to the state of war shall find no protector to turn to.'

Verse 196 (skanda.7.383.196)

क्षुद्राः पश्चिमवाहिन्यो नद्यः शुष्यंति कार्त्तिके । एकादशीव्रतं नास्ति कृष्णा या च चतुर्द्दशी

kṣudrāḥ paścimavāhinyo nadyaḥ śuṣyaṁti kārttike | ekādaśīvrataṁ nāsti kṛṣṇā yā ca caturddaśī

'The small westward-flowing rivers shall dry up even in Kartika; the vow of Ekadashi shall be forgotten, as shall the dark fourteenth.'

Verse 197 (skanda.7.383.197)

न जानाति जनः कश्चिद्विक्रांतमपि स्वे गृहे । दरिद्रोपहतं सर्वं संध्यास्नानविवर्जितम् । भविष्यति कलौ सर्वं न तत्पूर्वयुगत्रये

na jānāti janaḥ kaścidvikrāṁtamapi sve gṛhe | daridropahataṁ sarvaṁ saṁdhyāsnānavivarjitam | bhaviṣyati kalau sarvaṁ na tatpūrvayugatraye

'No one shall know what happens even within their own household; everything shall be beset with poverty, bereft of the twilight-bathing rite. All this shall come to pass in the Kali age - none of it in the three ages before it.'

Verse 198 (skanda.7.383.198)

पितरं मातरं पुत्रस्त्यक्त्वा भार्यां निषेवते । न गुरुः स्वजनः कश्चित्कोऽपि कं नानुसेवते

pitaraṁ mātaraṁ putrastyaktvā bhāryāṁ niṣevate | na guruḥ svajanaḥ kaścitko'pi kaṁ nānusevate

'A son shall abandon his father and mother, and serve only his wife; no one shall be a true teacher or kinsman - none shall honour anyone else.'

Verse 199 (skanda.7.383.199)

यथायथा कलिर्व्याप्तिं करोति धरणीतले । तथातथा जनः सर्व एकाकारो भविष्यति

yathāyathā kalirvyāptiṁ karoti dharaṇītale | tathātathā janaḥ sarva ekākāro bhaviṣyati

'In whatever measure the Kali age spreads over the earth, in that same measure all people shall become of a single degraded kind.'

Verse 200 (skanda.7.383.200)

म्लेच्छैरुपहतं सर्वं संध्यास्नानविवर्जितम् । कल्किरित्यभिविख्यातो भविष्ये ब्राह्मणो ह्यहम्

mlecchairupahataṁ sarvaṁ saṁdhyāsnānavivarjitam | kalkirityabhivikhyāto bhaviṣye brāhmaṇo hyaham

'When all is oppressed by barbarians, and bereft of the twilight-bathing rite, I shall become a brahmin renowned by the name Kalki.'

Verse 201 (skanda.7.383.201)

म्लेच्छानां छेदनं कृत्वा याज्ञवल्यपुरोहितः । बहुस्वर्णेन यज्ञेन यक्ष्ये निष्कृतिकारणात्

mlecchānāṁ chedanaṁ kṛtvā yājñavalyapurohitaḥ | bahusvarṇena yajñena yakṣye niṣkṛtikāraṇāt

'Having destroyed the barbarians, with Yajnavalkya as my priest, I shall sacrifice with much gold, for the sake of the world's redemption.'

Verse 202 (skanda.7.383.202)

भविष्यंत्यवतारा मे युद्धं तेषु भविष्यति । इदानीं बलिना युद्धं करिष्यंति न देवताः

bhaviṣyaṁtyavatārā me yuddhaṁ teṣu bhaviṣyati | idānīṁ balinā yuddhaṁ kariṣyaṁti na devatāḥ

'These shall be my future incarnations, and war shall occur in them. But now, the gods shall not make war with Bali.'

Verse 203 (skanda.7.383.203)

स मां यजति दैत्येन्द्रो न मे वध्यो बलिर्भवेत् । सर्वस्वदाननियमं करोति स महाध्वरे ।

sa māṁ yajati daityendro na me vadhyo balirbhavet | sarvasvadānaniyamaṁ karoti sa mahādhvare |

'That lord of daityas worships me; Bali shall not be one to be slain by me. He observes the vow of giving everything away, in his great sacrifice.'

Verse 204 (skanda.7.383.204)

सारस्वत उवाच इत्युक्त्वा नारदं देवो विसृज्य तमथाभ्यगात् । द्रष्टुं बलिकृतं यज्ञं देवकार्यप्रसिद्धये

sārasvata uvāca ityuktvā nāradaṁ devo visṛjya tamathābhyagāt | draṣṭuṁ balikṛtaṁ yajñaṁ devakāryaprasiddhaye

Sarasvata said: Having said this, the god took leave of Narada, and then went to behold the sacrifice performed by Bali, for the accomplishment of the gods' purpose.

Verse 205 (skanda.7.383.205)

वामनो नगरं गत्वा वीक्षमाणो गृहाद्गृहम् । ब्राह्मणानां गृहं गत्वा भोजनं स तु याचते

vāmano nagaraṁ gatvā vīkṣamāṇo gṛhādgṛham | brāhmaṇānāṁ gṛhaṁ gatvā bhojanaṁ sa tu yācate

Vamana, going to the city, wandering from house to house, going to the homes of brahmins, begged for food there.

Verse 206 (skanda.7.383.206)

नित्यं स्नानपरो विप्रो वेदाध्ययनतत्परः । वामनो लभते भिक्षां भोजनं द्विजमंदिरे

nityaṁ snānaparo vipro vedādhyayanatatparaḥ | vāmano labhate bhikṣāṁ bhojanaṁ dvijamaṁdire

Ever devoted to bathing, that brahmin, intent on Vedic study, Vamana obtained alms and food in the homes of the twice-born.

Verse 207 (skanda.7.383.207)

चतुष्पथेषु रम्येषु देवतायतनेषु च । आस्ते परिवृतो लोकैश्चालयन्विपुलां कटिम्

catuṣpatheṣu ramyeṣu devatāyataneṣu ca | āste parivṛto lokaiścālayanvipulāṁ kaṭim

At lovely crossroads and in temples of the gods, he would sit, surrounded by people, swaying his ample hips,

Verse 208 (skanda.7.383.208)

शिरो विधूनते स्थूलं स्थूलस्कन्धो महाहनुः । नृत्यते तालमानेन गायत्यतिमनोहरम्

śiro vidhūnate sthūlaṁ sthūlaskandho mahāhanuḥ | nṛtyate tālamānena gāyatyatimanoharam

shaking his large head, his shoulders stout, his jaw broad, dancing in rhythm, singing most enchantingly.

Verse 209 (skanda.7.383.209)

वेदानधीते चतुरो वामनो द्विजसंसदि । दैत्यानां तनयाः सर्वे ब्राह्मणानां तथैव च

vedānadhīte caturo vāmano dvijasaṁsadi | daityānāṁ tanayāḥ sarve brāhmaṇānāṁ tathaiva ca

Vamana recited the four Vedas in the assembly of brahmins; all the sons of the daityas, and likewise of the brahmins,

Verse 210 (skanda.7.383.210)

वामनं पर्युपासंते दिवारात्रं मनोरमम् । अथ तैः सकलैर्नीतो वामनो यज्ञमंडपे

vāmanaṁ paryupāsaṁte divārātraṁ manoramam | atha taiḥ sakalairnīto vāmano yajñamaṁḍape

attended upon the enchanting Vamana day and night. Then, brought along by all of them, Vamana came to the sacrificial pavilion.

Verse 211 (skanda.7.383.211)

निश्चितं मठिकास्थानं याचितव्यो बलिस्त्वया । तदास्माकं महच्छ्रेयो देशस्य नगरस्य च

niścitaṁ maṭhikāsthānaṁ yācitavyo balistvayā | tadāsmākaṁ mahacchreyo deśasya nagarasya ca

The boys said: 'You should ask Bali for a fixed site for a hermitage - that would be a great blessing for us, for the land, and for the city.'

Verse 212 (skanda.7.383.212)

विज्ञप्तो वामनः सर्वैर्दैत्यद्विजकुमारकैः । वामन वस्तव्यं दैत्येंद्रनगरे सदा

vijñapto vāmanaḥ sarvairdaityadvijakumārakaiḥ | vāmana vastavyaṁ daityeṁdranagare sadā

Vamana was entreated by all the daitya and brahmin boys: 'Vamana, you should dwell forever in the city of the lord of daityas.'

Verse 213 (skanda.7.383.213)

सारस्वत उवाच प्रविवेश तथेत्युक्त्वा वामनो यज्ञमंडपे । ततः कोलाहलो जातो द्वाःस्थैर्द्वारि कृतो महान्

sārasvata uvāca praviveśa tathetyuktvā vāmano yajñamaṁḍape | tataḥ kolāhalo jāto dvāḥsthairdvāri kṛto mahān

Sarasvata said: Saying 'so be it,' Vamana entered the sacrificial pavilion; then a great commotion arose, raised by the gatekeepers at the door.

Verse 214 (skanda.7.383.214)

ब्राह्मणैर्बहुभिः सार्द्धं वेदानुच्चारयन्स्थितः । ततो वेदध्वनिर्जातो महान्वै यज्ञमंडप्रे

brāhmaṇairbahubhiḥ sārddhaṁ vedānuccārayansthitaḥ | tato vedadhvanirjāto mahānvai yajñamaṁḍapre

He stood there reciting the Vedas together with many brahmins; then a great sound of Vedic chanting arose in the sacrificial pavilion.

Verse 215 (skanda.7.383.215)

प्रविष्टौ प्रथमं दैत्यौ दैत्याय विनिवेदितः । द्रष्टुं समागतो देव ब्राह्मणो वामनोऽध्वरे

praviṣṭau prathamaṁ daityau daityāya viniveditaḥ | draṣṭuṁ samāgato deva brāhmaṇo vāmano'dhvare

Two daityas entered first and reported to the king daitya: 'A brahmin named Vamana, O lord, has come to see the sacrifice.'

Verse 216 (skanda.7.383.216)

भवंतं कौतुकात्तावद्द्वारदेशे समाविशत् । एक एव यथायाति वामनस्तव सन्निधौ

bhavaṁtaṁ kautukāttāvaddvāradeśe samāviśat | eka eva yathāyāti vāmanastava sannidhau

'Out of curiosity, he has come to the doorway to see you; he comes alone, just as Vamana, into your presence.'

Verse 217 (skanda.7.383.217)

निरीहो वामनो देव यावत्तत्रैव किंचन । वेदानां तु ध्वनिं कृत्वा चतुर्णामेकवक्त्रतः

nirīho vāmano deva yāvattatraiva kiṁcana | vedānāṁ tu dhvaniṁ kṛtvā caturṇāmekavaktrataḥ

'Vamana, O lord, is desireless, content wherever he is; he makes the sound of the four Vedas with a single mouth.'

Verse 218 (skanda.7.383.218)

बलिर्हृष्टोऽब्रवीद्वाक्यं द्वाःस्थमेनं प्रवेशय । पूजयिष्यामि विप्रेद्रं दास्ये चास्य यदीप्सितम्

balirhṛṣṭo'bravīdvākyaṁ dvāḥsthamenaṁ praveśaya | pūjayiṣyāmi vipredraṁ dāsye cāsya yadīpsitam

Bali, delighted, said to the gatekeeper: 'Let him in! I shall honour this foremost of brahmins, and give him whatever he desires.'

Verse 219 (skanda.7.383.219)

स्मरामि स्मृतिवाक्यानि यानि प्राह गुरुर्मम । किंचिद्वेदमयं पात्रं किंचित्पात्रं तपोमयम्

smarāmi smṛtivākyāni yāni prāha gururmama | kiṁcidvedamayaṁ pātraṁ kiṁcitpātraṁ tapomayam

'I remember the words of the scriptures that my guru once told me: "Some worthy recipients are made of the Vedas; some worthy recipients are made of austerity;"'

Verse 220 (skanda.7.383.220)

आगमिष्यति यत्पात्रं तत्पात्रं तारयिष्यति । यज्ञे प्रवर्त्तमाने तु दातव्या दक्षिणा मया

āgamiṣyati yatpātraṁ tatpātraṁ tārayiṣyati | yajñe pravarttamāne tu dātavyā dakṣiṇā mayā

'"whatever worthy recipient shall come, that recipient shall bring salvation." Since the sacrifice is underway, I must give the sacrificial gift.'

Verse 221 (skanda.7.383.221)

वामनो न विचार्यस्तु सत्यमस्तु वचो मम । इति श्रुत्वा गुरुः शुक्रो वारयामास तं बलिम्

vāmano na vicāryastu satyamastu vaco mama | iti śrutvā guruḥ śukro vārayāmāsa taṁ balim

'Vamana need not be scrutinised - let my word be true.' Hearing this, the guru Shukra tried to restrain Bali.

Verse 222 (skanda.7.383.222)

शुक्र उवाच ॥ । द्वारि पूज्या द्विजाः सवें दीनांध कृपणादयः । बधिरा वामनाः कुब्जा रोगिणो ये तु निष्ठुराः

śukra uvāca | dvāri pūjyā dvijāḥ saveṁ dīnāṁdha kṛpaṇādayaḥ | badhirā vāmanāḥ kubjā rogiṇo ye tu niṣṭhurāḥ

Shukra said: 'All brahmins at the door should be honoured, as should the poor, the blind, the destitute, and the like - the deaf, the dwarfish, the hunchbacked, and the sick, however unpleasant they may be -'

Verse 223 (skanda.7.383.223)

सुवर्णरजतैर्वस्त्रैर्वामनो द्वारि पूज्यताम् । चतुर्णां तु वृथा जन्म वृथा दानानि षोडश

suvarṇarajatairvastrairvāmano dvāri pūjyatām | caturṇāṁ tu vṛthā janma vṛthā dānāni ṣoḍaśa

'-a dwarf should be honoured at the door itself, with gold, silver, and cloth. For four kinds of people, birth is in vain, and for sixteen kinds, gifts are in vain -'

Verse 224 (skanda.7.383.224)

अपुत्राणां वृथा जन्म ये च धर्मबहिष्कृताः । परपाकं च येश्नंति परदाररताश्च ये

aputrāṇāṁ vṛthā janma ye ca dharmabahiṣkṛtāḥ | parapākaṁ ca yeśnaṁti paradāraratāśca ye

'-birth is in vain for the sonless, for those excluded from dharma, for those who eat food cooked by others dishonourably, and for those devoted to another's wife.'

Verse 225 (skanda.7.383.225)

अन्यायेनार्जितं वित्तं न देयं श्रेय इच्छता । व्यर्थमब्राह्मणे दानमारूढपतिते तथा

anyāyenārjitaṁ vittaṁ na deyaṁ śreya icchatā | vyarthamabrāhmaṇe dānamārūḍhapatite tathā

'Wealth acquired unjustly should not be given by one who desires welfare; a gift is in vain when given to a non-brahmin, or to one fallen from his station -'

Verse 226 (skanda.7.383.226)

संध्याहीने द्विजे नष्टे पतिते तस्करे तथा । गुरोश्चाप्रीतिजनके पितृमातृपराङ्मुखे ।

saṁdhyāhīne dvije naṣṭe patite taskare tathā | guroścāprītijanake pitṛmātṛparāṅmukhe |

'-to a brahmin who has abandoned the twilight rite, to one ruined, fallen, or a thief, to one who displeases his guru, or who turns away from his father and mother -'

Verse 227 (skanda.7.383.227)

ब्रह्मबन्धौ च यद्दतं यद्दत्तं वृषलीपतौ । वेदविक्रयके चैव कृतघ्ने ग्रामयाजके

brahmabandhau ca yaddataṁ yaddattaṁ vṛṣalīpatau | vedavikrayake caiva kṛtaghne grāmayājake

'-whatever is given to a mere nominal brahmin, or to the husband of a shudra woman, to one who sells the Vedas, to an ingrate, or to a village priest for hire -'

Verse 228 (skanda.7.383.228)

स्त्रीनिर्जिते च यद्दत्तं व्यालग्राहे तथैव च । परिवारेषु यद्दत्तं वृथा दानानि षोडश

strīnirjite ca yaddattaṁ vyālagrāhe tathaiva ca | parivāreṣu yaddattaṁ vṛthā dānāni ṣoḍaśa

'-whatever is given to one dominated by a woman, or likewise to a snake-charmer, or given to servants for show - these are the sixteen kinds of gifts made in vain.'

Verse 229 (skanda.7.383.229)

सारस्वत उवाच अत्रांतरे बलिर्ब्रूते नैवं वाच्यं त्वया गुरो । वेदानधीते यः कश्चित्स मे विष्णुः समागतः

sārasvata uvāca atrāṁtare balirbrūte naivaṁ vācyaṁ tvayā guro | vedānadhīte yaḥ kaścitsa me viṣṇuḥ samāgataḥ

Sarasvata said: Meanwhile Bali said: 'You should not speak thus, guru. Whoever recites the Vedas is, to me, Vishnu himself come to my door.'

Verse 230 (skanda.7.383.230)

न विलंबस्तु कर्त्तव्यः श्रोत्रिये गृहमागते । अभ्युत्थानेन वचसा पादप्रक्षालनेन च

na vilaṁbastu karttavyaḥ śrotriye gṛhamāgate | abhyutthānena vacasā pādaprakṣālanena ca

'No delay should be made when a Vedic scholar arrives at one's house - he should be met with rising up, with kind words, and with the washing of feet.'

Verse 231 (skanda.7.383.231)

यथा शक्त्या प्रदातव्यं भोजनं गृहमेधिना । अपूजितो यदा याति वामनो मंडपाद्बहिः

yathā śaktyā pradātavyaṁ bhojanaṁ gṛhamedhinā | apūjito yadā yāti vāmano maṁḍapādbahiḥ

'Food should be given according to one's means by the householder. If Vamana leaves the pavilion unworshipped -'

Verse 232 (skanda.7.383.232)

तदायं व्यर्थतां याति यज्ञः सर्वस्वदक्षिणः । अत्रांतरे समानीतो वामनो बलिसंनिधौ

tadāyaṁ vyarthatāṁ yāti yajñaḥ sarvasvadakṣiṇaḥ | atrāṁtare samānīto vāmano balisaṁnidhau

'-then this sacrifice, with all my wealth as its fee, will have been in vain.' Meanwhile, Vamana was brought into Bali's presence.

Verse 233 (skanda.7.383.233)

आयांतं ददृशे दैत्यो वामनं विष्णुरूपिणम् । जाज्वल्यमानं वपुषा पिंगलं सूर्यसंनिभम्

āyāṁtaṁ dadṛśe daityo vāmanaṁ viṣṇurūpiṇam | jājvalyamānaṁ vapuṣā piṁgalaṁ sūryasaṁnibham

The daitya beheld Vamana approaching, in the very form of Vishnu, his body blazing, tawny, radiant as the sun.

Verse 234 (skanda.7.383.234)

उत्थायाभिमुखः प्रायान्नमस्कृत्याग्रतः स्थितः । धन्योऽहं यस्य मे यज्ञे प्राप्तो विष्णुसमो द्विजः

utthāyābhimukhaḥ prāyānnamaskṛtyāgrataḥ sthitaḥ | dhanyo'haṁ yasya me yajñe prāpto viṣṇusamo dvijaḥ

Rising, he went forward to meet him, bowed, and stood before him: 'Blessed am I, in whose sacrifice a brahmin equal to Vishnu has arrived.'

Verse 235 (skanda.7.383.235)

वेदिमध्ये समानीतो ददौ तस्यासनं बलिः । पाद्यमाचमनीयं च दत्त्वार्घ्यं विष्टरं बलिः । श्रीखंडगंधपुष्पाद्यैः पूजयित्वाग्रतः स्थितः

vedimadhye samānīto dadau tasyāsanaṁ baliḥ | pādyamācamanīyaṁ ca dattvārghyaṁ viṣṭaraṁ baliḥ | śrīkhaṁḍagaṁdhapuṣpādyaiḥ pūjayitvāgrataḥ sthitaḥ

Bringing him into the midst of the altar, Bali gave him a seat; giving him water for his feet, water for rinsing, a guest-offering, and a mat, Bali worshipped him with sandalwood, fragrances, flowers and the like, and stood before him.

Verse 236 (skanda.7.383.236)

मधुपर्कं च गां तस्मै सत्वरं स निवेद्य च । आघ्राते मधुपर्के च वामनेन ततः परम्

madhuparkaṁ ca gāṁ tasmai satvaraṁ sa nivedya ca | āghrāte madhuparke ca vāmanena tataḥ param

Offering him promptly a guest-gift of honey-mixture and a cow, and, after Vamana had partaken of the honey-mixture -

Verse 237 (skanda.7.383.237)

स्वागतं बलिना प्रोक्तं स्वस्तीत्युक्तं द्विजन्मना । अहमर्थी समायातो दीयतां वद किं विभो

svāgataṁ balinā proktaṁ svastītyuktaṁ dvijanmanā | ahamarthī samāyāto dīyatāṁ vada kiṁ vibho

Bali spoke words of welcome, and the twice-born replied with blessing: 'I have come here as a suppliant - let something be given to me. Tell me, what shall it be, O lord?'

Verse 238 (skanda.7.383.238)

मेदिनीं देहि मे दैत्य कियन्मात्रां द्विजोत्तम । वासार्थं मम दैत्येन्द्र दीयतां मे क्रम त्रयम्

medinīṁ dehi me daitya kiyanmātrāṁ dvijottama | vāsārthaṁ mama daityendra dīyatāṁ me krama trayam

'Give me some land, O daitya' - 'How much, O foremost of brahmins?' - 'For my dwelling, O lord of daityas, let three paces be given to me.'

Verse 239 (skanda.7.383.239)

विधाय मठिकां दिव्यां शिष्यानध्यापयाम्यहम् । दत्तं क्रमत्रयं तुभ्यं गृहीतं वामनोऽब्रवीत्

vidhāya maṭhikāṁ divyāṁ śiṣyānadhyāpayāmyaham | dattaṁ kramatrayaṁ tubhyaṁ gṛhītaṁ vāmano'bravīt

'I shall build a divine hermitage there, and teach my disciples.' 'Three paces are given to you.' 'Accepted,' said Vamana.

Verse 240 (skanda.7.383.240)

मा देहीत्यवदच्छुक्रो विष्णुरेव सनातनः । हृष्टो ब्रूते बलिः शुक्रं पात्रं स्यात्किमतः परम्

mā dehītyavadacchukro viṣṇureva sanātanaḥ | hṛṣṭo brūte baliḥ śukraṁ pātraṁ syātkimataḥ param

'Do not give!' said Shukra, warning that this was none other than the eternal Vishnu. Delighted, Bali said to Shukra: 'What recipient could be greater than this?'

Verse 241 (skanda.7.383.241)

सव्यं कृत्वा बलिर्दर्भान्साक्षतान्दक्षिणे करे । प्रयोगं न गुरुश्चक्रे न मुंचति जलं करे

savyaṁ kṛtvā balirdarbhānsākṣatāndakṣiṇe kare | prayogaṁ na guruścakre na muṁcati jalaṁ kare

Bali, taking kusha grass and unbroken rice in his right hand, held it aloft, but the guru did not perform the ritual, and did not release the water from his hand.

Verse 242 (skanda.7.383.242)

विस्मिता ऋषयः सर्वे होतारो ये सभासदः । ब्राह्मणा बटवो दैत्या भार्यापुत्राश्च बांधवाः

vismitā ṛṣayaḥ sarve hotāro ye sabhāsadaḥ | brāhmaṇā baṭavo daityā bhāryāputrāśca bāṁdhavāḥ

All the sages, the officiating priests, the members of the assembly, brahmins, students, daityas, wives, sons, and kinsmen were astonished.

Verse 243 (skanda.7.383.243)

दत्तं गृहीतमित्युक्ते कस्मात्तोयं न मुञ्चति । वामनाय करे तोयं विवेकाय प्रदीयते

dattaṁ gṛhītamityukte kasmāttoyaṁ na muñcati | vāmanāya kare toyaṁ vivekāya pradīyate

'When it has been said "given" and "accepted," why does he not release the water?' The water in the hand, meant for Vamana, was withheld for the sake of discernment.

Verse 244 (skanda.7.383.244)

यद्दानं वचसा दत्तं कर्मणा नोपपाद्यते । विधाय नरके पूये यजमानं न निष्कृतिः

yaddānaṁ vacasā dattaṁ karmaṇā nopapādyate | vidhāya narake pūye yajamānaṁ na niṣkṛtiḥ

'A gift given only in word, and not accomplished in deed, places the giver, though intended for it, in a hell of filth, without redemption.'

Verse 245 (skanda.7.383.245)

उशना प्राह दैत्येन्द्र वामनो हरिरित्ययम् । केनापि दैवयोगेन त्वां द्रष्टुं समुपागतः

uśanā prāha daityendra vāmano harirityayam | kenāpi daivayogena tvāṁ draṣṭuṁ samupāgataḥ

Ushanas said: 'O lord of daityas, this Vamana is Hari himself; by some turn of fate he has come here to see you.'

Verse 246 (skanda.7.383.246)

अप्रियं वा प्रियं वापि न जाने किं करिष्यति । बभाषे भार्गवं यष्टा श्रूयतां वचनं गुरो

apriyaṁ vā priyaṁ vāpi na jāne kiṁ kariṣyati | babhāṣe bhārgavaṁ yaṣṭā śrūyatāṁ vacanaṁ guro

'I do not know whether he shall do you good or ill.' Then the sacrificer spoke to the descendant of Bhrigu: 'Hear my words, O guru.'

Verse 247 (skanda.7.383.247)

प्रोच्यते दानकालेषु यजमानैर्द्विजैरपि । अहमिन्द्रो द्विजो विष्णुर्द्रव्यमादित्यदेवता । तत्कथं न मया देयं विष्णवे प्रीयतामिति

procyate dānakāleṣu yajamānairdvijairapi | ahamindro dvijo viṣṇurdravyamādityadevatā | tatkathaṁ na mayā deyaṁ viṣṇave prīyatāmiti

'It is declared at the time of giving, by sacrificers and brahmins alike: "I am Indra, the brahmin is Vishnu, the object given is the deity of the sun." How then could I not give it to Vishnu? Let him be pleased.'

Verse 248 (skanda.7.383.248)

इत्युक्त्वा स ददौ तोयं वामनाय करे बलिः । ततः किमिदमित्युक्त्वा संस्थितो मण्डपाद्बहिः

ityuktvā sa dadau toyaṁ vāmanāya kare baliḥ | tataḥ kimidamityuktvā saṁsthito maṇḍapādbahiḥ

Having said this, Bali poured the water into Vamana's hand; then, saying 'What is this?', Shukra withdrew and stood outside the pavilion.

Verse 249 (skanda.7.383.249)

मध्येऽपि वामनो विप्रो बलिमात्रो वभूव सः । दत्तहस्तोऽसुरेन्द्रेण ग्रहीतुं तु पदत्रयम्

madhye'pi vāmano vipro balimātro vabhūva saḥ | dattahasto'surendreṇa grahītuṁ tu padatrayam

Even there, in the midst of the assembly, the brahmin Vamana, his hand given by the lord of asuras to take his three paces, remained of Vamana's own small size for a moment.

Verse 250 (skanda.7.383.250)

यजमानद्विजौ हष्टौ दृष्टौ यज्ञे सुरादिभिः । ववृधे वामनोतीव कृत्वा रूपं चतुर्भुजम्

yajamānadvijau haṣṭau dṛṣṭau yajñe surādibhiḥ | vavṛdhe vāmanotīva kṛtvā rūpaṁ caturbhujam

The sacrificer and the brahmin, both joyful, were beheld at the sacrifice by the gods and others; then Vamana grew exceedingly, assuming a four-armed form.

Verse 251 (skanda.7.383.251)

नारदोऽपि समायातो बभाषे कि कृतं बले । शिष्याभ्यां सहितो हृष्टो नरीनर्ति पुरः स्थितः

nārado'pi samāyāto babhāṣe ki kṛtaṁ bale | śiṣyābhyāṁ sahito hṛṣṭo narīnarti puraḥ sthitaḥ

Narada too arrived and said: 'What have you done, Bali?' Delighted, together with his two disciples, he danced about, standing before them.

Verse 252 (skanda.7.383.252)

गृहाण दक्षिणां देव सभार्यो भाषते बलिः । अद्य किं न मया प्राप्तं यद्गृह्णाति जनार्द्दनः ।

gṛhāṇa dakṣiṇāṁ deva sabhāryo bhāṣate baliḥ | adya kiṁ na mayā prāptaṁ yadgṛhṇāti janārddanaḥ |

'Accept the sacrificial gift, O god,' said Bali, together with his wife. 'What have I not gained today, that Janardana accepts a gift from me?'

Verse 253 (skanda.7.383.253)

सार्द्धक्रमक्षयं कृत्वा धरणीं याचते त्रयम् । यदस्ति तेन कर्तव्यः सन्तोषो मधुसूदन

sārddhakramakṣayaṁ kṛtvā dharaṇīṁ yācate trayam | yadasti tena kartavyaḥ santoṣo madhusūdana

Having claimed the exhausted measure of two-and-a-half paces of the earth, and asking for the third: 'With what remains, be content, O Madhusudana.'

Verse 254 (skanda.7.383.254)

वर्द्धमानं हरिं दृष्ट्वा ब्राह्मणा ऋषयः सुराः । तुष्टुवुर्गगने यांतं भगवंतं जनार्द्दनम्

varddhamānaṁ hariṁ dṛṣṭvā brāhmaṇā ṛṣayaḥ surāḥ | tuṣṭuvurgagane yāṁtaṁ bhagavaṁtaṁ janārddanam

Beholding Hari growing ever larger, the brahmins, sages, and gods praised the lord Janardana as he rose into the sky.

Verse 255 (skanda.7.383.255)

देवर्षय ऊचुः जय देव जयानन्त जय विष्णो जयाऽच्युत । जय मत्स्य नमस्तुभ्यं जय कूर्म धराधर

devarṣaya ūcuḥ jaya deva jayānanta jaya viṣṇo jayā'cyuta | jaya matsya namastubhyaṁ jaya kūrma dharādhara

The divine sages said: 'Victory, O god! Victory, O Infinite One! Victory, Vishnu! Victory, Achyuta! Victory, Matsya, salutation to you! Victory, Kurma, bearer of the earth!'

Verse 256 (skanda.7.383.256)

वराहाय नमस्तुभ्यं नरसिंह नमोनमः । जामदग्न्य नमस्तुभ्यं जय राम सलक्ष्मण

varāhāya namastubhyaṁ narasiṁha namonamaḥ | jāmadagnya namastubhyaṁ jaya rāma salakṣmaṇa

'Salutation to you, Varaha! Salutation, salutation, Narasimha! Salutation to you, son of Jamadagni! Victory, Rama, with Lakshmana!'

Verse 257 (skanda.7.383.257)

जय कृष्ण जगन्नाथ जय देवकिनन्दन । नमामि बुद्धं कृष्णं च कल्किनं प्रणमाम्यहम्

jaya kṛṣṇa jagannātha jaya devakinandana | namāmi buddhaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ ca kalkinaṁ praṇamāmyaham

'Victory, Krishna, lord of the universe! Victory, son of Devaki! I bow to Buddha; I bow to Kalki!'

Verse 258 (skanda.7.383.258)

सारस्वत उवाच नरीनर्ति तथा स्तौति नारदो गगनं गतः । योगिनः सनकाद्या ये स्तुवंति च जनार्दनम्

sārasvata uvāca narīnarti tathā stauti nārado gaganaṁ gataḥ | yoginaḥ sanakādyā ye stuvaṁti ca janārdanam

Sarasvata said: Narada danced about and sang praise, then rose into the sky; the yogis, beginning with Sanaka, also praised Janardana.

Verse 259 (skanda.7.383.259)

अन्तरिक्षे गते कृष्णे वर्द्धमाने बलेः पुरः । ऊर्ध्ववक्त्राः स्थिताः सर्वे निरी क्षन्ते दिवाकरम्

antarikṣe gate kṛṣṇe varddhamāne baleḥ puraḥ | ūrdhvavaktrāḥ sthitāḥ sarve nirī kṣante divākaram

As Krishna rose into the sky, growing ever larger before Bali's city, all stood with faces upturned, gazing at the sun.

Verse 260 (skanda.7.383.260)

दृष्टच्छत्राकृतिस्तावत्पश्चादूर्ध्वं गतो हरिः । चूडामणिरिवाभाति भास्करो हरिमस्तके

dṛṣṭacchatrākṛtistāvatpaścādūrdhvaṁ gato hariḥ | cūḍāmaṇirivābhāti bhāskaro harimastake

Seen first in the shape of a parasol, Hari then rose further upward; the sun shone like a crest-jewel upon Hari's head.

Verse 261 (skanda.7.383.261)

दैत्यैर्निरीक्षितः सम्यग्ललाटे तिलकायते । हरिः संवर्द्धते यावत्कर्णेऽसौ कुण्डलायते

daityairnirīkṣitaḥ samyaglalāṭe tilakāyate | hariḥ saṁvarddhate yāvatkarṇe'sau kuṇḍalāyate

Watched closely by the daityas, it appeared like a tilaka mark on his forehead; as Hari continued to grow, it became like an earring at his ear.

Verse 262 (skanda.7.383.262)

वर्द्धमानस्य च हरेर्हृदये कौस्तुभायते । इंद्राद्या देवता रुद्रा वसवो गगने स्थिताः

varddhamānasya ca harerhṛdaye kaustubhāyate | iṁdrādyā devatā rudrā vasavo gagane sthitāḥ

As Hari continued growing, it appeared like the Kaustubha gem upon his heart; Indra and the other gods, the Rudras and Vasus, stood in the sky.

Verse 263 (skanda.7.383.263)

ऊर्ध्वं पुनर्यत्र हरिर्न तत्र गगनं मतम् । वनमाला तदा कण्ठे वासवेन निवेशिता

ūrdhvaṁ punaryatra harirna tatra gaganaṁ matam | vanamālā tadā kaṇṭhe vāsavena niveśitā

Higher and higher Hari rose, until there was no more sky thought to exist beyond him; then Indra placed a forest-garland upon his neck.

Verse 264 (skanda.7.383.264)

पृथिवी कम्पते सर्वा दिविस्थं सूर्यमण्डलम् । किं भविष्यति दैत्यास्ते भीताः पश्यंति भास्करम्

pṛthivī kampate sarvā divisthaṁ sūryamaṇḍalam | kiṁ bhaviṣyati daityāste bhītāḥ paśyaṁti bhāskaram

The whole earth trembled; the orb of the sun stood fixed in the sky. 'What will become of us?' - the daityas, terrified, gazed at the sun.

Verse 265 (skanda.7.383.265)

नाभौ पद्मायते सूर्यः कटौ च रशनायते । एवं संवर्द्धितो विष्णुर्जगृहे च पदद्वयम्

nābhau padmāyate sūryaḥ kaṭau ca raśanāyate | evaṁ saṁvarddhito viṣṇurjagṛhe ca padadvayam

The sun appeared like a lotus at his navel, and like a girdle at his waist; thus grown vast, Vishnu took his two strides.

Verse 266 (skanda.7.383.266)

स्थानं नास्ति तृतीयस्य ब्रह्मांडं सकलं कृतम् । अहर्दण्डो जगत्स्रष्टा ब्रह्मदंडायते तदा

sthānaṁ nāsti tṛtīyasya brahmāṁḍaṁ sakalaṁ kṛtam | ahardaṇḍo jagatsraṣṭā brahmadaṁḍāyate tadā

There was no place left for the third; the whole universe had been covered. Then the creator of the world, with his staff of days, became as it were Vishnu's very staff of Brahman.

Verse 267 (skanda.7.383.267)

देवदानव गंधर्वमनुष्योरगपन्नगैः । पूज्यते चरणो विष्णोः स्तूयते चानुमीयते

devadānava gaṁdharvamanuṣyoragapannagaiḥ | pūjyate caraṇo viṣṇoḥ stūyate cānumīyate

Vishnu's foot was worshipped by gods, danavas, gandharvas, men, and serpents; it was praised, and its greatness inferred.

Verse 268 (skanda.7.383.268)

धर्मात्मा यतदण्डो हि गंधर्वैर्गीयते मुहुः । ज्योतिश्चक्राक्षदंडः किं हरिणा निर्मितः स्वयम्

dharmātmā yatadaṇḍo hi gaṁdharvairgīyate muhuḥ | jyotiścakrākṣadaṁḍaḥ kiṁ hariṇā nirmitaḥ svayam

That righteous one, whose staff of restraint was so vast, was sung of again and again by the Gandharvas: 'Was this axle-staff of the wheel of the stars fashioned by Hari himself?'

Verse 269 (skanda.7.383.269)

जित्वेदं भुवनं गंगा ध्वजदंडोऽमरैः कृतः । त्रिविक्रमांघ्रिदण्डोऽयं कीर्तिदंडायते ध्रुवम्

jitvedaṁ bhuvanaṁ gaṁgā dhvajadaṁḍo'maraiḥ kṛtaḥ | trivikramāṁghridaṇḍo'yaṁ kīrtidaṁḍāyate dhruvam

'Having conquered this world, the Ganga was made into his banner-staff by the immortals; this leg-staff of Trivikrama becomes surely a staff of undying fame.'

Verse 270 (skanda.7.383.270)

वेगेनाक्षिप्य हरिणा नीतो ब्रह्मांडमस्तके । पादस्तन्मस्तकं भित्त्वा बहिर्यास्यति वेगतः

vegenākṣipya hariṇā nīto brahmāṁḍamastake | pādastanmastakaṁ bhittvā bahiryāsyati vegataḥ

Hari, thrusting with great force, brought his foot to the very crown of the universe; that foot, piercing through that crown, was about to burst forth beyond it with great speed.

Verse 271 (skanda.7.383.271)

तावद्ब्रह्मांडवेगोऽयं विराडिति हि संज्ञितः । स सर्व बीजरूपो हि परमात्मेति गद्यते

tāvadbrahmāṁḍavego'yaṁ virāḍiti hi saṁjñitaḥ | sa sarva bījarūpo hi paramātmeti gadyate

That very force of the cosmic egg is indeed called Virat; he, of the nature of the seed of all things, is declared to be the Supreme Self.

Verse 272 (skanda.7.383.272)

तेनेदं सकलं जातं पादस्याग्रे व्यवस्थितम् । ब्रह्मांडभेदनं कृत्वा न गन्तव्यं बहिस्त्वया

tenedaṁ sakalaṁ jātaṁ pādasyāgre vyavasthitam | brahmāṁḍabhedanaṁ kṛtvā na gantavyaṁ bahistvayā

By him all of this was created, and it stood arrayed before the tip of his foot. The gods pleaded: 'Having pierced the cosmic egg, you should not go out beyond it.'

Verse 273 (skanda.7.383.273)

तेनैव सह ब्रह्मांडे पफाल चरणो हरेः । ब्रह्मांडं जर्जरं जातं पादसंकोचनादपि

tenaiva saha brahmāṁḍe paphāla caraṇo hareḥ | brahmāṁḍaṁ jarjaraṁ jātaṁ pādasaṁkocanādapi

Even so, together with that very piercing, Hari's foot broke through the cosmic egg; the universe became shattered, even by the mere contraction of his foot.

Verse 274 (skanda.7.383.274)

भिन्ने तस्मिन्समायातं ब्राह्मं तोयं जगत्त्रये । विष्णुपादोद्भवा गंगा मस्तकान्निःसृता तदा

bhinne tasminsamāyātaṁ brāhmaṁ toyaṁ jagattraye | viṣṇupādodbhavā gaṁgā mastakānniḥsṛtā tadā

When it was pierced, the water of Brahma's realm came pouring into the three worlds; the Ganga, born from Vishnu's foot, then flowed forth from the summit.

Verse 275 (skanda.7.383.275)

त्रैलोक्यप्लाविनी देवी या रुद्रेण स्वयं धृता । स्वर्धुनी पूज्यते स्वर्गे गंगेति गां गता सती ।

trailokyaplāvinī devī yā rudreṇa svayaṁ dhṛtā | svardhunī pūjyate svarge gaṁgeti gāṁ gatā satī |

That goddess, who floods the three worlds, was held on his head by Rudra himself; worshipped in heaven as the celestial river, as the faithful Ganga she came down to earth.

Verse 276 (skanda.7.383.276)

पाताले सा यदा प्राप्ता ख्याता त्रिपथगैव सा । यस्याः स्मरणमात्रेण सर्वपापक्षयो भवेत्

pātāle sā yadā prāptā khyātā tripathagaiva sā | yasyāḥ smaraṇamātreṇa sarvapāpakṣayo bhavet

When she reached Patala, she became known indeed as Tripathaga, "she who goes by three paths"; by the mere remembrance of her, the destruction of all sin comes about.

Verse 277 (skanda.7.383.277)

दर्शनादश्वमेधस्य संपूर्णस्य फलं लभेत् । स्नानमात्रेण नश्येत सप्तजन्मकृतं त्वघम्

darśanādaśvamedhasya saṁpūrṇasya phalaṁ labhet | snānamātreṇa naśyeta saptajanmakṛtaṁ tvagham

By her mere sight, one obtains the fruit of a complete Ashvamedha sacrifice; by bathing in her alone, sins committed across seven births are destroyed.

Verse 278 (skanda.7.383.278)

स्नात्वा संपूजयेद्यस्तु देवौ हरिहरौ नरः । इन्द्रलोकमतिक्रम्य विष्णुलोके महीयते ।

snātvā saṁpūjayedyastu devau hariharau naraḥ | indralokamatikramya viṣṇuloke mahīyate |

The man who, having bathed, worships the two gods Hari and Hara, passing beyond even the world of Indra, is exalted in the world of Vishnu.

Verse 279 (skanda.7.383.279)

विष्णुपादोदकं पीत्वा ज्ञात्वा तत्त्वानि संयमी । उपोष्य दिवसं विष्णोर्मुक्तिं गच्छति देहवान्

viṣṇupādodakaṁ pītvā jñātvā tattvāni saṁyamī | upoṣya divasaṁ viṣṇormuktiṁ gacchati dehavān

Drinking the water from Vishnu's foot, knowing the true principles, the self-controlled, having fasted on Vishnu's day, an embodied being attains liberation.

Verse 280 (skanda.7.383.280)

शुद्धस्वभावसत्त्वस्था विरक्ता जन्मभूमिषु । संसारबंधनं छित्त्वा याति ते परमां गतिम्

śuddhasvabhāvasattvasthā viraktā janmabhūmiṣu | saṁsārabaṁdhanaṁ chittvā yāti te paramāṁ gatim

Those established in pure and sattvic nature, detached from the round of birth, cut the bonds of worldly existence and go to the supreme destination.