Vamana: The Three Strides

Verse 1 (skanda.8.116.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । एवं तदभवद् व्यास अमृतस्यावमन्थनम् । युद्धञ्च सुमहाघोरं प्रह्लादेन सहैव तु

sanatkumāra uvāca | evaṁ tadabhavad vyāsa amṛtasyāvamanthanam | yuddhañca sumahāghoraṁ prahlādena sahaiva tu

Sanatkumara said: Thus, O Vyasa, did the churning of the nectar take place, along with that most terrible battle with Prahlada.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.116.2)

स तु कालेन महता कृत्वा युद्धशतान्युत । पुत्रे विरोचने राज्यं प्रददावसुरेश्वरः

sa tu kālena mahatā kṛtvā yuddhaśatānyuta | putre virocane rājyaṁ pradadāvasureśvaraḥ

That lord of demons, after a great span of time, having waged hundreds of battles, then bestowed his kingdom upon his son Virochana.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.116.3)

विरोचनः पुनर्व्यास राज्यस्यार्थे महाबलः । आटीबके हतो युद्धे देवेन्द्रेण महौजसा

virocanaḥ punarvyāsa rājyasyārthe mahābalaḥ | āṭībake hato yuddhe devendreṇa mahaujasā

O Vyasa, that mighty Virochana, in turn, for the sake of the kingdom, was slain in the battle called Atibaka by the greatly powerful lord of the gods.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.116.4)

व्यास उवाच । आटीबकः स संग्रामः कथमासीन्महाभयः । श्रोतुमिच्छामि भगवन् परं कौतूहलं हि मे

vyāsa uvāca | āṭībakaḥ sa saṅgrāmaḥ kathamāsīnmahābhayaḥ | śrotumicchāmi bhagavan paraṁ kautūhalaṁ hi me

Vyasa said: How did that most fearsome battle called Atibaka come about? O Lord, I wish to hear it, for I am filled with great curiosity.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.116.5)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । बभूव पुनरेवेह देवानामसुरैः सह । सख्यं ते ददृशुश्चैव दूराद्वै विस्मिताननाः

sanatkumāra uvāca | babhūva punareveha devānāmasuraiḥ saha | sakhyaṁ te dadṛśuścaiva dūrādvai vismitānanāḥ

Sanatkumara said: Once again, friendship arose here between the gods and the demons. One day, from a distance, with astonished faces, they beheld something -

Verse 6 (skanda.8.116.6)

घोरामिलावृते तस्मिन् वर्षे विकृतरूपिणीम् । उग्रामाथर्वणीं कृत्यामसुराणां भयंकरीम्

ghorāmilāvṛte tasmin varṣe vikṛtarūpiṇīm | ugrāmātharvaṇīṁ kṛtyāmasurāṇāṁ bhayaṅkarīm

a terrible being of monstrous form, in that land encircled by Ila - a fierce sorceress-being (kritya) born of Atharvan spells, terrifying even to the demons -

Verse 7 (skanda.8.116.7)

तां दृष्टवा तेब्रुवन् केयमाटिरित्येव देवताः । असुरा बक इत्येव विवादश्चाप्यजायत

tāṁ dṛṣṭavā tebruvan keyamāṭirityeva devatāḥ | asurā baka ityeva vivādaścāpyajāyata

Seeing it, the gods said, 'Who is this Ati?' while the demons said, 'This is Baka.' And thus a dispute arose between them.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.116.8)

सापि कृत्या तदा घोरा देवेभ्यो दर्शनं ददौ । आटिरित्येव तेषां च असुराणां बकोभवत्

sāpi kṛtyā tadā ghorā devebhyo darśanaṁ dadau | āṭirityeva teṣāṁ ca asurāṇāṁ bakobhavat

That terrible sorceress-being appeared to the gods precisely as 'Ati,' while to those demons it appeared just as 'Baka.'

Verse 9 (skanda.8.116.9)

तेषां पणोभवत्तत्र राज्यं प्रति महामुने । यो नो जितः स नो दासो जेता स्वामी भवत्विति

teṣāṁ paṇobhavattatra rājyaṁ prati mahāmune | yo no jitaḥ sa no dāso jetā svāmī bhavatviti

O great sage, a wager then arose between them concerning the kingdom: 'Whichever of us is proven wrong shall become the other's slave; the victor shall become the master.'

Verse 10 (skanda.8.116.10)

ततस्सा ह्याटिरूपेण सर्वेभ्यो दर्शनं ददौ । ततस्ते विजिता देवाः प्रोचुर्ना स्म जिता इति

tatassā hyāṭirūpeṇa sarvebhyo darśanaṁ dadau | tataste vijitā devāḥ procurnā sma jitā iti

Then it revealed itself to everyone in the form of 'Ati' alone. Yet the gods, being called defeated by the demons, protested, 'We have not been defeated!'

Verse 11 (skanda.8.116.11)

बक एवैष सुव्यक्तं जिता यूयं न संशयः । नायमाटिर्बकोयं वै न बकश्चाटिरेव हि

baka evaiṣa suvyaktaṁ jitā yūyaṁ na saṁśayaḥ | nāyamāṭirbakoyaṁ vai na bakaścāṭireva hi

(The demons said:) 'This is clearly Baka - you are defeated, without doubt.' 'No, this is not Ati, it is Baka!' 'No, it is not Baka, it is truly Ati!' - so the dispute raged on both sides.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.116.12)

एवं विवदतां युद्धमभवद्राज्यकारणात् । तेषां दानवमुख्यानां देवैस्सह भयावहम्

evaṁ vivadatāṁ yuddhamabhavadrājyakāraṇāt | teṣāṁ dānavamukhyānāṁ devaissaha bhayāvaham

Thus disputing, a fearsome battle broke out between those chief danavas and the gods over the matter of the kingdom.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.116.13)

वर्षाणां वै सहस्रं तु हतो यत्र विरोचनः । हते विरोचने ब्रह्मा बलिं तेषां महासुरम्

varṣāṇāṁ vai sahasraṁ tu hato yatra virocanaḥ | hate virocane brahmā baliṁ teṣāṁ mahāsuram

That battle raged a thousand years, in which Virochana was slain. When Virochana had fallen, Brahma then consecrated their great demon Bali -

Verse 14 (skanda.8.116.14)

अभ्यषेचयदिन्द्रत्वे स च राजा बभूव ह । ततस्स लोकांस्त्रीन् व्यास बलेनाक्रामदव्ययः

abhyaṣecayadindratve sa ca rājā babhūva ha | tatassa lokāṁstrīn vyāsa balenākrāmadavyayaḥ

- to the rank of Indra, and he became king. Then, O Vyasa, that unyielding Bali, by his own might, took possession of all three worlds.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.116.15)

त्रैलोक्यस्येश्वरश्चैव स जज्ञे ह्यसुरेश्वरः । जित्वा युद्धेन देवेन्द्रं स्थानादच्यावयत् प्रभुः

trailokyasyeśvaraścaiva sa jajñe hyasureśvaraḥ | jitvā yuddhena devendraṁ sthānādacyāvayat prabhuḥ

That lord of the demons became the master of the three worlds. Having conquered Indra in battle, that mighty one cast him down from his station.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.116.16)

इन्द्रत्वमकरोच्चैव यमत्वञ्च महाबलः । स एव वरुणश्चाभूद्धनेशोग्निस्तथैव च

indratvamakaroccaiva yamatvañca mahābalaḥ | sa eva varuṇaścābhūddhaneśognistathaiva ca

That mighty one made himself Indra, and Yama as well; he himself became Varuna, and Dhanesha, and Agni too.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.116.17)

आदित्यश्चैव सोमश्च पर्जन्यो वृष्टिसर्जनः । सर्वं जगति कर्तव्यं स एव कुरुते सदा

ādityaścaiva somaśca parjanyo vṛṣṭisarjanaḥ | sarvaṁ jagati kartavyaṁ sa eva kurute sadā

He became Aditya, and Soma too, and Parjanya, sender of the rains. Whatever there was to be done in the world, he alone did it always.

Verse 18 (skanda.8.116.18)

एवं शासति वै राज्यं देवानामसुखं तदा । भ्रष्टैश्वर्या महात्मानो भ्रमन्ति शकुना इव

evaṁ śāsati vai rājyaṁ devānāmasukhaṁ tadā | bhraṣṭaiśvaryā mahātmāno bhramanti śakunā iva

While he thus ruled the kingdom, there was suffering for the gods. Stripped of their sovereignty, those great-souled ones wandered about like homeless birds.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.116.19)

तेषां ब्रह्मा ददौ बुद्धिं दुःखितानां महात्मनाम् । आश्वास्य बहुधा व्यास कारुण्याद् देवसत्तमः

teṣāṁ brahmā dadau buddhiṁ duḥkhitānāṁ mahātmanām | āśvāsya bahudhā vyāsa kāruṇyād devasattamaḥ

O Vyasa, out of compassion, that best of gods, Brahma, consoled those grieving great souls in many ways, and gave them wise counsel.

Verse 20 (skanda.8.116.20)

ब्रह्मोवाच । देवा न शक्यो युष्माभिर्बलिरेष प्रवाधितुम् । महात्मा धार्मिकश्चायममरश्च न संशयः

brahmovāca | devā na śakyo yuṣmābhirbalireṣa pravādhitum | mahātmā dhārmikaścāyamamaraśca na saṁśayaḥ

Brahma said: O gods, this Bali cannot be overcome by you, for he is great-souled, righteous, and, without doubt, now immortal.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.116.21)

ब्रह्मण्यश्च बलीयाँश्च तथा लब्धवरश्च ह । तं गत्वा विप्ररूपेण विष्णुरेष प्रयाचतु

brahmaṇyaśca balīyām̐śca tathā labdhavaraśca ha | taṁ gatvā vipraḥrūpeṇa viṣṇureṣa prayācatu

He is devoted to brahmins, exceedingly powerful, and has already obtained boons. Let this Vishnu go to him in the guise of a brahmin and make his request.

Verse 22 (skanda.8.116.22)

वामनं रूपमास्थाय भूमेर्वै विक्रमत्रयम् । दास्यते स गृहीत्वा तत् क्रमतामेष सर्वशः

vāmanaṁ rūpamāsthāya bhūmervai vikramatrayam | dāsyate sa gṛhītvā tat kramatāmeṣa sarvaśaḥ

Taking the form of a dwarf, let him beg three paces of earth; Bali will accept and grant it, and then let this one measure out all he can with those paces.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.116.23)

भूमिं क्रमसमां सर्वं करिष्यति न संशयः । क्रमं द्वितीयं धातास्य अन्तरिक्षे ततः स्वयम्

bhūmiṁ kramasamāṁ sarvaṁ kariṣyati na saṁśayaḥ | kramaṁ dvitīyaṁ dhātāsya antarikṣe tataḥ svayam

Without doubt, he shall bring the whole earth within the measure of a single stride. His second stride I, the Ordainer, shall myself accommodate in the sky -

Verse 24 (skanda.8.116.24)

अहं चैव प्रदास्यामि तृतीयं क्रममित्युत । एवं वो राज्यलाभोयं दृश्यते नान्यथा सुराः

ahaṁ caiva pradāsyāmi tṛtīyaṁ kramamityuta | evaṁ vo rājyalābhoyaṁ dṛśyate nānyathā surāḥ

and I myself shall furnish room for the third stride as well. Thus alone, O gods, do I see your regaining of the kingdom - not otherwise.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.116.25)

यस्मिन्काले प्रक्रमते विष्णुरेष त्रिविष्टपम् । तस्मिन्काले च रक्षध्वं सर्वयत्नेन दानवान्

yasminkāle prakramate viṣṇureṣa triviṣṭapam | tasminkāle ca rakṣadhvaṁ sarvayatnena dānavān

At the moment when this Vishnu strides forth toward heaven, at that very time, guard against the danavas with all your effort.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.116.26)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । त एवमुक्ता देवेशा निश्चित्य बहुधा शुभम् । विष्णुमूचुर्महासत्वाः क्रियतां ब्रह्मणो वचः

sanatkumāra uvāca | ta evamuktā deveśā niścitya bahudhā śubham | viṣṇumūcurmahāsatvāḥ kriyatāṁ brahmaṇo vacaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Thus instructed, those mighty lords of the gods, after much deliberation upon this auspicious plan, said to Vishnu: Let Brahma's counsel be carried out.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.116.27)

दीक्षितश्चासुरश्रेष्ठो हयमेधेन सोद्य वै । कल्यं चावभृथं तस्य गत्वा याचस्व तं प्रभो

dīkṣitaścāsuraśreṣṭho hayamedhena sodya vai | kalyaṁ cāvabhṛthaṁ tasya gatvā yācasva taṁ prabho

That foremost of demons has just now been consecrated for an Ashvamedha sacrifice, and tomorrow is his ritual bath of completion. O Lord, go to him and make your request.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.116.28)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । एवमस्त्विति तेनोक्ता देवा युद्धाय दंशिताः । अतिष्ठन्त तदा सर्वे शक्रं कृत्वा पुरस्सरम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | evamastviti tenoktā devā yuddhāya daṁśitāḥ | atiṣṭhanta tadā sarve śakraṁ kṛtvā purassaram

Sanatkumara said: 'So be it,' he said, and thus told, the gods, armoured for battle, all took their stand there, with Shakra placed at their head.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.116.29)

नारदोथ तदा गत्वा पूजितस्तेन भक्तितः । सुखोपविष्टः प्राहेदं वचनं वदतां वरः

nāradotha tadā gatvā pūjitastena bhaktitaḥ | sukhopaviṣṭaḥ prāhedaṁ vacanaṁ vadatāṁ varaḥ

Then Narada went there, and, honoured with devotion by Bali, comfortably seated, that best of speakers said these words -

Verse 30 (skanda.8.116.30)

धर्मेण तव तुष्टोहमृषयश्च तपोधनाः । अनासुरमिद वृत्तं तव दानवसत्तम

dharmeṇa tava tuṣṭohamṛṣayaśca tapodhanāḥ | anāsuramida vṛttaṁ tava dānavasattama

O best of danavas, I, and the sages rich in austerity, are pleased with your righteousness. This conduct of yours is not that of an ordinary demon at all.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.116.31)

सर्वे हि दानवाः क्रूराः ब्रह्मघ्ना लोककण्टकाः । त्वं तु ब्राह्मणभक्तश्च लोकानां हितकृत्तथा

sarve hi dānavāḥ krūrāḥ brahmaghnā lokakaṇṭakāḥ | tvaṁ tu brāhmaṇabhaktaśca lokānāṁ hitakṛttathā

All danavas are generally cruel, slayers of brahmins, thorns in the side of the world. But you are a devotee of brahmins, and likewise a benefactor of the worlds.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.116.32)

तस्मात्तव शुभं चिन्त्यं सदैवासुरपुङ्गव । यथा च ते शुभं किञ्चित् स्याद् राजन्नित्यमेव हि

tasmāttava śubhaṁ cintyaṁ sadaivāsurapuṅgava | yathā ca te śubhaṁ kiñcit syād rājannityameva hi

Therefore, O bull among demons, I ever think of your welfare. O king, may some good ever come to you, always - that is my constant wish.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.116.33)

एष देवैः प्रणिहितो विष्णुर्विप्रत्वमास्थितः । त्रीँस्त्वा राज्यार्थमुद्युक्तः प्रार्थयिष्यति विक्रमान्

eṣa devaiḥ praṇihito viṣṇurvipratvamāsthitaḥ | trīm̐stvā rājyārthamudyuktaḥ prārthayiṣyati vikramān

This Vishnu, having taken the form of a brahmin, has been sent by the gods; intent upon regaining the kingdom, he will beg of you three paces.

Verse 34 (skanda.8.116.34)

तन्न तस्य त्वया देयं राज्यं पश्चान्न ते भवेत् । अतः परं भवान् राजन् प्रमाणमसुरेश्वर

tanna tasya tvayā deyaṁ rājyaṁ paścānna te bhavet | ataḥ paraṁ bhavān rājan pramāṇamasureśvara

Therefore give him nothing, or afterward the kingdom shall no longer be yours. Beyond this, O king, O lord of the demons, the judgment is yours alone.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.116.35)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा बलिर्वैरोचनिस्तदा । उवाच प्रणतो व्यास नारदं दानवेश्वरः

sanatkumāra uvāca | tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā balirvairocanistadā | uvāca praṇato vyāsa nāradaṁ dānaveśvaraḥ

Sanatkumara said: O Vyasa, having heard those words, Bali, son of Virochana, that lord of the danavas, bowing, said to Narada -

Verse 36 (skanda.8.116.36)

शत्रवस्ते मम दृढं तेषां चाहं महामुने । यदि ते मां प्रयाचन्ते कृतार्थोस्मि ततो ननु

śatravaste mama dṛḍhaṁ teṣāṁ cāhaṁ mahāmune | yadi te māṁ prayācante kṛtārthosmi tato nanu

O great sage, they are indeed firmly my enemies, and I theirs. Yet if they should come to beg of me, then surely I shall consider myself fulfilled.

Verse 37 (skanda.8.116.37)

स्वधर्मं संपरित्यज्य यदि चेन्मधुसूदनः । मां प्रयाचति दीनात्मा सफलं जीवितं मम

svadharmaṁ saṁparityajya yadi cenmadhusūdanaḥ | māṁ prayācati dīnātmā saphalaṁ jīvitaṁ mama

If Madhusudana, abandoning his own dignity, humbling himself, should beg of me, then my very life would become fruitful.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.116.38)

व्रतं चेदं मम ब्रह्मन् सदैव हि महामुने । याचितो न ददामीति न वदेयमिति प्रभो

vrataṁ cedaṁ mama brahman sadaiva hi mahāmune | yācito na dadāmīti na vadeyamiti prabho

O brahmin, O great sage, O lord, this is ever my vow: that when begged, I never say, 'I shall not give.'

Verse 39 (skanda.8.116.39)

उर्ध्वं प्राणा ह्युत्क्रामन्ति याचतो विप्रसत्तम । ब्रुवतो न ददामीति नरकायोत्क्रमन्त्यथ

ūrdhvaṁ prāṇā hyutkrāmanti yācato viprasattama | bruvato na dadāmīti narakāyotkramantyatha

O best of brahmins, when one who is begged of gives, the life-breaths rise upward; but when one says, 'I shall not give,' those breaths rise toward hell instead.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.116.40)

देहीति रुदितस्याख्या नास्तीति प्रतिरोदना । मा मां नारद पश्यन्तु रुदन्तमितरे जनाः

dehīti ruditasyākhyā nāstīti pratirodanā | mā māṁ nārada paśyantu rudantamitare janāḥ

To say 'give' is itself a form of weeping, and to say 'I have none' is a counter-weeping. O Narada, let other people never see me thus weeping - that is, refusing.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.116.41)

एषा भवति सर्वस्य पुरुषस्य महामुने । याचतो मम दातायमिच्छा तद्ध्यक्षयं फलम्

eṣā bhavati sarvasya puruṣasya mahāmune | yācato mama dātāyamicchā taddhyakṣayaṁ phalam

O great sage, this alone is every man's true desire: 'let me be the one who gives to the one who begs' - and that desire alone bears imperishable fruit.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.116.42)

सोहं यदि न दास्यामि शत्रुभ्यो याचितं महत् । नरकं रौरवं नाम प्रतिपत्स्याम्यसंशयम्

sohaṁ yadi na dāsyāmi śatrubhyo yācitaṁ mahat | narakaṁ rauravaṁ nāma pratipatsyāmyasaṁśayam

If I should fail to give even a great thing when asked by my very enemies, I shall without doubt go to the hell named Raurava.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.116.43)

यो हि वै याचमानाय न ददाति नराधमः । स तं हिनस्ति याचन्तमाशाच्छेदान्न संशयः

yo hi vai yācamānāya na dadāti narādhamaḥ | sa taṁ hinasti yācantamāśācchedānna saṁśayaḥ

That basest of men who refuses one who begs of him - by cutting off his hope, he slays that very supplicant, without doubt.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.116.44)

भबान्मम पिता व्यक्तं पुत्रः स्नेहकृतो ह्यहम् । नाहं न दास्ये विप्रेन्द्र निर्वृतिस्ते भवत्वियम्

bhabānmama pitā vyaktaṁ putraḥ snehakṛto hyaham | nāhaṁ na dāsye viprendra nirvṛtiste bhavatviyam

You are clearly as a father to me, and out of affection I am, as it were, your son. O foremost of brahmins, I shall not refuse to give - let this assurance be yours.

Verse 45 (skanda.8.116.45)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्स तं तदामन्त्र्य तेन चैव सुपूजितः । दिवमक्रामदव्यग्रश्चिन्तयानः कथं भवेत्

sanatkumāra uvāca | tatassa taṁ tadāmantrya tena caiva supūjitaḥ | divamakrāmadavyagraścintayānaḥ kathaṁ bhavet

Sanatkumara said: Then, having taken leave of him and being well honoured by him, Narada, unruffled, pondering how this would all unfold, ascended to heaven.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.116.46)

गतेथ तस्मिन्दिवसे रजन्यां स महायशाः । विष्णुर्वामनरूपेण विप्रो भूत्वा तमर्थयत्

gatetha tasmindivase rajanyāṁ sa mahāyaśāḥ | viṣṇurvāmanarūpeṇa vipro bhūtvā tamarthayat

When that day had passed, in the night, that illustrious Vishnu, taking the form of the dwarf Vamana as a brahmin, went to beg of him.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.116.47)

स चापि राजा विप्रेन्द्र रत्नानि च वसूनि च । ग्रामान्दासीश्च महिषीर्गवाश्वान् रथहस्तिनः

sa cāpi rājā viprendra ratnāni ca vasūni ca | grāmāndāsīśca mahiṣīrgavāśvān rathahastinaḥ

That king, too, gave every excellent brahmin who came to him jewels and wealth, villages, maidservants, buffaloes, cows, horses, chariots, and elephants,

Verse 48 (skanda.8.116.48)

वाहनानि च चित्राणि सुवर्णं शयनानि च । शय्यास्तरणवस्त्राणि भूषणानि गृहाणि च

vāhanāni ca citrāṇi suvarṇaṁ śayanāni ca | śayyāstaraṇavastrāṇi bhūṣaṇāni gṛhāṇi ca

and wondrous mounts, gold, beds, bedspreads, garments, ornaments, and houses -

Verse 49 (skanda.8.116.49)

यं यमर्थयते विप्रो यावद्यश्च यथा यथा । तथा तथा स दैत्येन्द्रो ददात्येवाविचारयन्

yaṁ yamarthayate vipro yāvadyaśca yathā yathā | tathā tathā sa daityendro dadātyevāvicārayan

whatever and however much each brahmin requested, in whatever manner - that very thing, without hesitation, that lord of demons gave.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.116.50)

तं तथा वर्तमानं तु वामनः सुमहायशाः । प्राह मह्यं प्रयच्छस्व यदहं प्रब्रवीमि ते

taṁ tathā vartamānaṁ tu vāmanaḥ sumahāyaśāḥ | prāha mahyaṁ prayacchasva yadahaṁ prabravīmi te

To him, thus behaving so liberally, the illustrious Vamana said: Grant me that which I shall now tell you.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.116.51)

स तमर्घेण पाद्येन आसनादिभिरेव च । संपूज्यैवाब्रवीद् ब्रूहि यत्तवेष्टं द्विजोत्तम

sa tamargheṇa pādyena āsanādibhireva ca | saṁpūjyaivābravīd brūhi yattaveṣṭaṁ dvijottama

Having honoured him with the offering of arghya, water for the feet, a seat, and the like, the king said: Speak, O best of the twice-born, whatever it is you desire.

Verse 52 (skanda.8.116.52)

वामन उवाच । यदि प्रयच्छसे राजन् याचमानाय कामतः । ततो ब्रवीम्यन्यथा तु न वक्ष्याम्यसुरेश्वर

vāmana uvāca | yadi prayacchase rājan yācamānāya kāmataḥ | tato bravīmyanyathā tu na vakṣyāmyasureśvara

Vamana said: O king, if you will freely give to the one who begs whatever he desires, only then shall I speak; otherwise, O lord of demons, I shall not speak at all.

Verse 53 (skanda.8.116.53)

बलिरुवाच । ज्ञात्वार्थं प्रतिजानीयां देयं ब्राह्मण तद्यदि । दातुं च शक्यं तत् स्यात्तु ततोहं दातुमुत्सहे

baliruvāca | jñātvārthaṁ pratijānīyāṁ deyaṁ brāhmaṇa tadyadi | dātuṁ ca śakyaṁ tat syāttu tatohaṁ dātumutsahe

Bali said: O brahmin, only after knowing the matter shall I promise - if it is indeed something fit to be given, and if giving it is truly possible, then I am eager to give it.

Verse 54 (skanda.8.116.54)

वामन उवाच । प्रतिज्ञा भवतो नित्यमियं ह्यसुरसत्तम । यद्यत्प्रयाचते विप्रो दद्यां तत्तदहं त्विति

vāmana uvāca | pratijñā bhavato nityamiyaṁ hyasurasattama | yadyatprayācate vipro dadyāṁ tattadahaṁ tviti

Vamana said: O best of demons, this is your ever-standing vow - 'whatever a brahmin asks of me, that I shall give.'

Verse 55 (skanda.8.116.55)

दीक्षितश्चाश्वमेधेन त्वं ददास्यसुराधिप । यद्यत् प्रयाचते विप्रस्तत्तद्दत्से न संशयः

dīkṣitaścāśvamedhena tvaṁ dadāsyasurādhipa | yadyat prayācate viprastattaddatse na saṁśayaḥ

O lord of demons, you are consecrated for the Ashvamedha, and whatever a brahmin asks of you, that you grant, without doubt.

Verse 56 (skanda.8.116.56)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । स एवमुक्तो निश्चित्य पुनरेवाह तं नृपः । प्रहस्य सुमहावीर्यं इदं वचनकोविदः

sanatkumāra uvāca | sa evamukto niścitya punarevāha taṁ nṛpaḥ | prahasya sumahāvīryaṁ idaṁ vacanakovidaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Thus addressed, that king, pondering once more, skilled in speech, smiling, said this to that one of very great valour -

Verse 57 (skanda.8.116.57)

बलिरुवाच । भवान् विष्णुर्विप्ररूपी छद्मना मां प्रयाचसे । क्षत्रधर्मं समुत्सृज्य कार्पण्यं च प्रभाषसे

baliruvāca | bhavān viṣṇurvipraḥrūpī chadmanā māṁ prayācase | kṣatradharmaṁ samutsṛjya kārpaṇyaṁ ca prabhāṣase

Bali said: You are Vishnu, disguised in a brahmin's form, and you beg of me by deceit. Abandoning the ways of a kshatriya, you speak the language of a beggar.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.116.58)

दीनानामपि सर्वेषामहं दद्यां प्रयाचितः । राज्यं विना हि देवाय तुभ्यं दास्ये यथेप्सितम्

dīnānāmapi sarveṣāmahaṁ dadyāṁ prayācitaḥ | rājyaṁ vinā hi devāya tubhyaṁ dāsye yathepsitam

Even to all the humblest of the destitute, I give when asked. O god, apart from my kingdom itself, I shall give you whatever you desire.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.116.59)

वामन उवाच । सत्यमेतदहं विष्णुर्हृतराज्या वयं त्वया । न राज्येद्य स्पृहास्माकं निःस्पृहा हि ततो वयम् । गृहं त्वां संप्रयाचाम यत्र वत्स्यामि निर्वृतः

vāmana uvāca | satyametadahaṁ viṣṇurhṛtarājyā vayaṁ tvayā | na rājyedya spṛhāsmākaṁ niḥspṛhā hi tato vayam | gṛhaṁ tvāṁ saṁprayācāma yatra vatsyāmi nirvṛtaḥ

Vamana said: This is true - I am Vishnu, and it is you who have taken our kingdom. But we have no desire for the kingdom now - we are free of any craving for it. What I ask of you is a dwelling, where I might live content.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.116.60)

बलिरुवाच । किंप्रमाणं गृहं तद्वै प्रयाचसि सुरेश्वर । कीदृशं क्व च तद् दास्ये ब्रूहि वामन सर्वशः

baliruvāca | kiṁpramāṇaṁ gṛhaṁ tadvai prayācasi sureśvara | kīdṛśaṁ kva ca tad dāsye brūhi vāmana sarvaśaḥ

Bali said: O lord of the gods, of what size is the dwelling you ask for? Tell me fully, O Vamana, what sort it should be and where, so that I may grant it.

Verse 61 (skanda.8.116.61)

वामन उवाच । सर्वभूमिगुणैर्युक्तं यत्र तत्र महागृहम् । मम क्रमैस्त्रिभिर्युक्तं दत्स्व राजन् गृहार्थिने

vāmana uvāca | sarvabhūmiguṇairyuktaṁ yatra tatra mahāgṛham | mama kramaistribhiryuktaṁ datsva rājan gṛhārthine

Vamana said: Give me, O king, seeking merely a dwelling, a grand house wherever it may be, endowed with all the qualities of good earth, equal in extent to but three of my paces.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.116.62)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । अथ शुक्रस्तदा व्यास बलिं प्राह महातपाः । न दातव्यं महाराज विष्णुरेव महाबलः

sanatkumāra uvāca | atha śukrastadā vyāsa baliṁ prāha mahātapāḥ | na dātavyaṁ mahārāja viṣṇureva mahābalaḥ

Sanatkumara said: O Vyasa, then Shukra, of great austerity, said to Bali: O great king, do not grant this - this is none other than the mighty Vishnu himself.

Verse 63 (skanda.8.116.63)

अयं स हन्ता सर्वेषां दानवानां दुरासदः । छद्मनैवमिहायातो विष्णुरेनं विसर्जय

ayaṁ sa hantā sarveṣāṁ dānavānāṁ durāsadaḥ | chadmanaivamihāyāto viṣṇurenaṁ visarjaya

This is that very Vishnu, formidable, the slayer of all danavas. He has come here in this way by deceit - send him away.

Verse 64 (skanda.8.116.64)

अनादृत्य वचस्तस्य प्रोवाच दितिनन्दनः । दास्ये तुभ्यं गृहं विष्णो यादृशं त्वं प्रयाचसे

anādṛtya vacastasya provāca ditinandanaḥ | dāsye tubhyaṁ gṛhaṁ viṣṇo yādṛśaṁ tvaṁ prayācase

Disregarding those words, that son of Diti replied: O Vishnu, I shall give you the dwelling exactly as you ask for it.

Verse 65 (skanda.8.116.65)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रोवाच मधुसूदनः । बलिं राजानमनघं सर्वेषामेव सन्निधौ

sanatkumāra uvāca | tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā provāca madhusūdanaḥ | baliṁ rājānamanaghaṁ sarveṣāmeva sannidhau

Sanatkumara said: Having heard those words, Madhusudana said to that blameless King Bali, in the presence of all -

Verse 66 (skanda.8.116.66)

वामन उवाच । साध्यो देवोहमनघ धर्मपुत्रो दितेः सुत । ततः प्रतिग्रहे दोषो न ममास्ति महाबल

vāmana uvāca | sādhyo devohamanagha dharmaputro diteḥ suta | tataḥ pratigrahe doṣo na mamāsti mahābala

Vamana said: O blameless one, O son of Diti, I am a Sadhya god, a son of Dharma. Therefore, O mighty one, there is no fault in my accepting this gift.

Verse 67 (skanda.8.116.67)

यदि देयं गृहं मध्यं पश्चात् तापो न ते यदि । हस्ते मम जलं राजन् पातयस्वासुरेश्वर

yadi deyaṁ gṛhaṁ madhyaṁ paścāt tāpo na te yadi | haste mama jalaṁ rājan pātayasvāsureśvara

If the dwelling is truly to be given, and if you shall not afterward regret it, then, O king, O lord of demons, pour the water of gifting into my hand.

Verse 68 (skanda.8.116.68)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्स बाढमित्युक्त्वा भृङ्गारेण महाबलः । प्रदातुमुपचक्राम वामनाय गृहं महत्

sanatkumāra uvāca | tatassa bāḍhamityuktvā bhṛṅgāreṇa mahābalaḥ | pradātumupacakrāma vāmanāya gṛhaṁ mahat

Sanatkumara said: Then that mighty one, saying 'So be it,' taking up his water-vessel, prepared to grant Vamana that great dwelling.

Verse 69 (skanda.8.116.69)

अथ ते दानवाः क्रूराः प्रतिषेधनलालसाः । आजग्मुर्भृशमायत्ता बलिं प्रति महामुने

atha te dānavāḥ krūrāḥ pratiṣedhanalālasāḥ | ājagmurbhṛśamāyattā baliṁ prati mahāmune

O great sage, then those cruel danavas, eager to prevent this, came rushing, intensely determined, to Bali.

Verse 70 (skanda.8.116.70)

प्रह्लादो भ्रातृभिः सार्धं मयो जम्भोर्द्धलोचनः । विप्रचित्तिश्च विक्रान्त अन्ये च सुमहाबलाः

prahlādo bhrātṛbhiḥ sārdhaṁ mayo jambhorddhalocanaḥ | vipracittiśca vikrānta anye ca sumahābalāḥ

Prahlada with his brothers, Maya, Jambha of the upturned eyes, the valiant Vipracitti, and other exceedingly mighty ones -

Verse 71 (skanda.8.116.71)

ऊचुस्ते तं तदा गत्वा कृत्वा प्रह्लादमग्रतः । बलिं वैरोचनिं व्यास चिन्तयन्तः पराभवम्

ūcuste taṁ tadā gatvā kṛtvā prahlādamagrataḥ | baliṁ vairocaniṁ vyāsa cintayantaḥ parābhavam

O Vyasa, those demons, placing Prahlada at their head, went to Bali, son of Virochana, and, fearing his downfall, said to him -

Verse 72 (skanda.8.116.72)

प्रह्लाद उवाच । किमिदं पुत्र दुर्बुद्धे त्वया व्यवसितं महत् । नाशनं दितिपुत्राणां नैतत् कार्यं महाबल

prahlāda uvāca | kimidaṁ putra durbuddhe tvayā vyavasitaṁ mahat | nāśanaṁ ditiputrāṇāṁ naitat kāryaṁ mahābala

Prahlada said: O foolish son, what great decision is this you have made? This would mean the ruin of the sons of Diti - do not do this, O mighty one.

Verse 73 (skanda.8.116.73)

विष्णुरेव महामायो दुरात्मा दैत्यघातकः । लोकत्रयमपि ह्येष क्रमिष्यति न संशयः

viṣṇureva mahāmāyo durātmā daityaghātakaḥ | lokatrayamapi hyeṣa kramiṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

This is Vishnu himself, the great illusionist, the destroyer of demons - the very evil-souled one. He shall, without doubt, stride across all three worlds with his paces.

Verse 74 (skanda.8.116.74)

त्वमस्माकं गतिः पुत्र त्वं वीर्यं त्वं पराक्रमः । त्वयि जीवितमायत्तं मा नः क्षिप्रं विनाशय

tvamasmākaṁ gatiḥ putra tvaṁ vīryaṁ tvaṁ parākramaḥ | tvayi jīvitamāyattaṁ mā naḥ kṣipraṁ vināśaya

You, my son, are our refuge; you our strength, you our valour. Our very life depends upon you - do not swiftly bring about our ruin.

Verse 75 (skanda.8.116.75)

हिरण्यकशिपू राजा हिरण्याक्षश्च दानवः । तव राज्ञः कलां पुत्र नार्घतः षोडशीमपि

hiraṇyakaśipū rājā hiraṇyākṣaśca dānavaḥ | tava rājñaḥ kalāṁ putra nārghataḥ ṣoḍaśīmapi

King Hiranyakashipu and the danava Hiranyaksha, O son, were not worth even a sixteenth part of your kingship.

Verse 76 (skanda.8.116.76)

मैतस्य विबुधस्य त्वं गृहं दत्स्व ब्रवीम्यहम् । एतद्धि श्रेयः सर्वेषां तव चैव महाबल

maitasya vibudhasya tvaṁ gṛhaṁ datsva bravīmyaham | etaddhi śreyaḥ sarveṣāṁ tava caiva mahābala

I say to you: do not give this god a dwelling. This alone, O mighty one, is for the good of all, and for your own good as well.

Verse 77 (skanda.8.116.77)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रह्लादस्य महात्मनः । बलिः प्रणम्य धर्मात्मा इदमाह महायशाः

sanatkumāra uvāca | tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā prahlādasya mahātmanaḥ | baliḥ praṇamya dharmātmā idamāha mahāyaśāḥ

Sanatkumara said: Having heard those words of the great-souled Prahlada, that righteous and illustrious Bali, bowing, said this -

Verse 78 (skanda.8.116.78)

बलिरुवाच । जानेहं विबुधोयं वै विष्णुः सर्वासुरान्तकः । प्रतिज्ञैव ममेयं हि दातव्यं याचितेन मे

baliruvāca | jānehaṁ vibudhoyaṁ vai viṣṇuḥ sarvāsurāntakaḥ | pratijñaiva mameyaṁ hi dātavyaṁ yācitena me

Bali said: I know full well that this god, the destroyer of all demons, is Vishnu himself. But this is my very vow: that whoever begs of me must be given what he asks.

Verse 79 (skanda.8.116.79)

अहं दानपतिः ख्यातस्त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतः । कथं तदन्यथा कुर्याञ्जीविते सति दानवाः

ahaṁ dānapatiḥ khyātastriṣu lokeṣu viśrutaḥ | kathaṁ tadanyathā kuryāñjīvite sati dānavāḥ

O danavas, I am renowned as the very lord of giving, famed throughout the three worlds. How, while I yet live, could I act otherwise than my word?

Verse 80 (skanda.8.116.80)

अधर्म्यमयशस्यञ्च अस्वर्ग्यं भयदं महत् । कथं नामानृतं कुर्यामिति मे व्रतमाहितम् । प्रतिश्रुत्य कथं भूयोसुरास्ते धर्मकारणात्

adharmyamayaśasyañca asvargyaṁ bhayadaṁ mahat | kathaṁ nāmānṛtaṁ kuryāmiti me vratamāhitam | pratiśrutya kathaṁ bhūyosurāste dharmakāraṇāt

Unrighteous, shameful, unheaven-worthy, a source of great terror - how could I ever commit such a falsehood? This is the vow fixed in me. O demons, having once promised, how, for the sake of dharma, could I break it again?

Verse 81 (skanda.8.116.81)

प्रह्लाद उवाच । दानवानां सदैत्यानां पुत्र धर्मः स्वयं कृतः । अधर्मेण हि वर्धन्ते सदैव दितिदानवाः

prahlāda uvāca | dānavānāṁ sadaityānāṁ putra dharmaḥ svayaṁ kṛtaḥ | adharmeṇa hi vardhante sadaiva ditidānavāḥ

Prahlada said: O son, the dharma of the danavas and daityas is one of our own making. The danavas born of Diti flourish ever through unrighteousness alone.

Verse 82 (skanda.8.116.82)

माया चैवानृतं चैव दम्भः सर्ववधस्तथा । यज्ञानां परिमोषश्च धर्म एष हि नः शुभः

māyā caivānṛtaṁ caiva dambhaḥ sarvavadhastathā | yajñānāṁ parimoṣaśca dharma eṣa hi naḥ śubhaḥ

Deceit and falsehood, hypocrisy, slaying without restraint, and the plundering of sacrifices - this indeed is our own auspicious code.

Verse 83 (skanda.8.116.83)

स त्वं प्रतिश्रुत्य विभो मा ददस्व दुरात्मने । तथा हि नो भवेद् वृद्धिरन्यथेह भयं महत्

sa tvaṁ pratiśrutya vibho mā dadasva durātmane | tathā hi no bhaved vṛddhirannyatheha bhayaṁ mahat

Therefore, O mighty one, having promised or not, do not give to this evil-minded one. Only thus shall we prosper; otherwise, great danger lies here for us.

Verse 84 (skanda.8.116.84)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा बलिर्निश्चिन्त्य बुद्धिमान् । उवाचासुरशार्दूल इदं वचनकोविदः

sanatkumāra uvāca | tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā balirniścintya buddhimān | uvācāsuraśārdūla idaṁ vacanakovidaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Having heard those words, the wise Bali, having deliberated carefully, skilled in speech, said this to that tiger among demons -

Verse 85 (skanda.8.116.85)

बलिरुवाच । य एष धर्मो धर्मेण भवद्भिः संप्रचोदितः । न ह्यस्य फलमानन्त्य क्रूरस्यासुरसत्तम

baliruvāca | ya eṣa dharmo dharmeṇa bhavadbhiḥ saṁpracoditaḥ | na hyasya phalamānantya krūrasyāsurasattama

Bali said: O best of demons, this so-called dharma that you all urge upon me as righteous - the fruit of such cruelty is not everlasting.

Verse 86 (skanda.8.116.86)

हिरण्यकशिपू राजा नात्यन्तं सुखमाप्तवान् । हिरण्याक्षस्तथा चैव अन्धकश्चैव तत्सुतः

hiraṇyakaśipū rājā nātyantaṁ sukhamāptavān | hiraṇyākṣastathā caiva andhakaścaiva tatsutaḥ

King Hiranyakashipu did not, in the end, attain lasting happiness, nor did Hiranyaksha, nor did Andhaka, his own son.

Verse 87 (skanda.8.116.87)

भवान् पितामहोस्माकं तथा क्रूरेण कर्मणा । तस्मान्नेदं प्रशंसन्ति ये केचिद्विदुषो जनाः

bhavān pitāmahosmākaṁ tathā krūreṇa karmaṇā | tasmānnedaṁ praśaṁsanti ye kecidviduṣo janāḥ

You, our own grandsire, likewise did not prosper by such cruel deeds. That is why whatever wise men there are, do not praise this way.

Verse 88 (skanda.8.116.88)

ऋषयः पश्य सत्येन धर्मेण दिवि संस्थिताः । देवा जयन्ति चात्यर्थं ग्रहा दिव्यन्ति चैव हि

ṛṣayaḥ paśya satyena dharmeṇa divi saṁsthitāḥ | devā jayanti cātyarthaṁ grahā divyanti caiva hi

Behold - the sages abide in heaven through truth and righteousness alone; the gods triumph exceedingly, and the celestial bodies too shine on in their courses.

Verse 89 (skanda.8.116.89)

न कश्चिद् दृश्यते व्योम्नि तथा क्रूरेण कर्मणा । प्रसादयन् क्षामये त्वां ब्रवीमि दितिजेश्वर

na kaścid dṛśyate vyomni tathā krūreṇa karmaṇā | prasādayan kṣāmaye tvāṁ bravīmi ditijeśvara

No one is ever seen abiding in the sky through cruel deeds. O lord of Diti's sons, seeking to please you, and asking your forgiveness, I say this.

Verse 90 (skanda.8.116.90)

प्रह्लाद उवाच । दुष्टं वाप्यथवा क्रूरं शोभनं वापि दानव । स्वकर्म न विमोक्तव्यं पारम्पर्यागतं महत्

prahlāda uvāca | duṣṭaṁ vāpyathavā krūraṁ śobhanaṁ vāpi dānava | svakarma na vimoktavyaṁ pāramparyāgataṁ mahat

Prahlada said: O danava, whether it be wicked, or cruel, or fair - one's own great duty, handed down through generations, must never be abandoned.

Verse 91 (skanda.8.116.91)

पितृभिश्चैव तथा चैव पितामहैः । आचीर्णं पुत्र नैतत्ते विमोक्तव्यं महामुने

pitṛbhiścaiva tathā caiva pitāmahaiḥ | ācīrṇaṁ putra naitatte vimoktavyaṁ mahāmune

[Note: the opening of this line is damaged and illegible in the source.] ...that which has been practised by our forefathers and grandfathers, O son, this you must never abandon, O great sage.

Verse 92 (skanda.8.116.92)

बलिरुवाच । पितृभिर्हि यथा चीर्ण कर्तव्यं यदशङ्कितैः । गर्हितं यत् सतां चापि पितामह शृणुष्व मे

baliruvāca | pitṛbhirhi yathā cīrṇa kartavyaṁ yadaśaṅkitaiḥ | garhitaṁ yat satāṁ cāpi pitāmaha śṛṇuṣva me

Bali said: O grandsire, must everything the forefathers did, without hesitation, therefore be done again? And that which is condemned even by the virtuous - hear this too from me.

Verse 93 (skanda.8.116.93)

आसीदृषिरदीनात्मा वामदेव इति श्रुतः । तस्य दृष्टवोर्वशी मोहाद्रेतः स्कन्दो बभूव ह

āsīdṛṣiradīnātmā vāmadeva iti śrutaḥ | tasya dṛṣṭavorvaśī mohādretaḥ skando babhūva ha

There was once a great-hearted sage known as Vamadeva. Seeing Urvashi, his seed, moved by infatuation, spilled forth.

Verse 94 (skanda.8.116.94)

तद् भूमावविद्धं वै चखाद वडवा किल । तस्या गर्भः समभवत् सद्यः सोश्वतरी भवत्

tad bhūmāvaviddhaṁ vai cakhāda vaḍavā kila | tasyā garbhaḥ samabhavat sadyaḥ sośvatarī bhavat

That seed, having gone astray, fell upon the ground, and a mare, as it happened, ate it. She at once conceived, and immediately a she-mule was born of her.

Verse 95 (skanda.8.116.95)

तामृषिः स सुतस्नेहात् पुपोष बहुला समाः । अथागात्तत्र राजर्षिरष्टको नाम वीर्यवान्

tāmṛṣiḥ sa sutasnehāt pupoṣa bahulā samāḥ | athāgāttatra rājarṣiraṣṭako nāma vīryavān

That sage reared her with a father's affection for many years. Then there came to that place a mighty royal sage named Ashtaka.

Verse 96 (skanda.8.116.96)

स तामपश्यद्राजेन्द्र ऋषेराश्रममध्यगाम् । अचिन्तयद्धृदा चैव इदं परमहर्षितः

sa tāmapaśyadrājendra ṛṣerāśramamadhyagām | acintayaddhṛdā caiva idaṁ paramaharṣitaḥ

That king of kings saw her wandering within the sage's hermitage, and, filled with the greatest delight, he thought this in his heart -

Verse 97 (skanda.8.116.97)

मम पत्न्यास्तु सदृशी इयं लक्षणसम्पदा । यदि दद्यादिमां विप्रः स्यादग्रं मम संगतम्

mama patnyāstu sadṛśī iyaṁ lakṣaṇasampadā | yadi dadyādimāṁ vipraḥ syādagraṁ mama saṅgatam

This creature, with all its auspicious marks, would well match my queen. If this brahmin would give her to me, that would be my finest acquisition.

Verse 98 (skanda.8.116.98)

न चायं दास्यते विप्रो मह्यमेनां सुदुर्लभाम् । उपायं तु करिष्यामि येन दास्यति सुप्रभाम्

na cāyaṁ dāsyate vipro mahyamenāṁ sudurlabhām | upāyaṁ tu kariṣyāmi yena dāsyati suprabhām

But this brahmin will not readily give me this creature, so hard to obtain. I shall devise a means by which he may be led to give up this splendid one.

Verse 99 (skanda.8.116.99)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्स राजा तं गत्वा वामदेवमुवाच ह । प्रणम्य बहुमानेन निकृत्या शक्तिनन्दन

sanatkumāra uvāca | tatassa rājā taṁ gatvā vāmadevamuvāca ha | praṇamya bahumānena nikṛtyā śaktinandana

Sanatkumara said: O descendant of Shakti, then that king went to Vamadeva, bowed with great respect, and, with cunning intent, said to him -

Verse 100 (skanda.8.116.100)

राजोवाच । अश्वतर्यानया कार्यं मम किञ्चिन्महामुने । संवत्सरं सुसंपूर्णं प्रयच्छस्व प्रयाचितः

rājovāca | aśvataryānayā kāryaṁ mama kiñcinmahāmune | saṁvatsaraṁ susaṁpūrṇaṁ prayacchasva prayācitaḥ

The king said: O great sage, I have some need of this mule. I beg you - lend her to me for a full year.

Verse 101 (skanda.8.116.101)

परिप्राप्ते पुनः कृत्ये तुभ्यं वै द्विजसत्तम । पुनः प्रदास्ये विप्रेन्द्र यदि देया प्रदीयताम्

paripraprāpte punaḥ kṛtye tubhyaṁ vai dvijasattama | punaḥ pradāsye viprendra yadi deyā pradīyatām

O best of the twice-born, once my task is complete, I shall return her to you again. O foremost of brahmins, if she may be given, please grant her.

Verse 102 (skanda.8.116.102)

ततः स ऋषिशार्दूलस्तस्मै प्रादादनिन्दिताम् । तां गृहीत्वा ययौ राजा लब्धेति हृषितस्तदा

tataḥ sa ṛṣiśārdūlastasmai prādādanindatām | tāṁ gṛhītvā yayau rājā labdheti hṛṣitastadā

Then that foremost of sages gave him that unblemished creature. Taking her, the king departed, delighted, thinking, 'I have obtained her.'

Verse 103 (skanda.8.116.103)

अथ संवत्सरे पूर्णे तमाह ऋषिसत्तमः । तमुवाच ततो विप्रः प्रयच्छाश्वतरीं शुभाम्

atha saṁvatsare pūrṇe tamāha ṛṣisattamaḥ | tamuvāca tato vipraḥ prayacchāśvatarīṁ śubhām

When the year was complete, that best of sages spoke to him. The brahmin said to him: Now return that fair mule to me.

Verse 104 (skanda.8.116.104)

न ददौ स हि दुर्बुद्धिर्ऋषिः क्रोधाज्जघान तम् । तस्य पुत्रस्ततो राजा बभूव नरपुङ्गवः

na dadau sa hi durbuddhirṛṣiḥ krodhājjaghāna tam | tasya putrastato rājā babhūva narapuṅgavaḥ

But that foolish king did not return her, so the sage, in wrath, cursed and slew him. Thereafter his son, a bull among men, became king.

Verse 105 (skanda.8.116.105)

तमप्याह ततो विप्रो न ददौ स च तां तदा । ततो ममार सोप्येवं विप्रक्रोधाद् दुरात्मवान्

tamapyāha tato vipro na dadau sa ca tāṁ tadā | tato mamāra sopyevaṁ viprakrodhād durātmavān

The brahmin spoke to him as well, but he too did not return her. Then that evil-souled one likewise died, through the brahmin's wrath.

Verse 106 (skanda.8.116.106)

तस्य पुत्रोभवच्चैव राजा दितिजसत्तमः । तमुवाच ततो विप्रः प्रयच्छाश्वतरीमिति

tasya putrobhavaccaiva rājā ditijasattamaḥ | tamuvāca tato vipraḥ prayacchāśvatarīmiti

O best of Diti's sons, his son too became king. The brahmin said to him as well: 'Return the mule.'

Verse 107 (skanda.8.116.107)

अथ सोपि तथा कृत्वा याचितः सुदुरात्मवान् । उवाच नाहं दास्यामि पितृहन्त्रे दुरात्मने

atha sopi tathā kṛtvā yācitaḥ sudurātmavān | uvāca nāhaṁ dāsyāmi pitṛhantre durātmane

That most evil-souled one, too, when thus asked, said: I shall not give her to the evil-minded slayer of my own father.

Verse 108 (skanda.8.116.108)

ततस्तमप्यसौ क्रुद्धो विप्रः प्राणैर्व्ययोजयत् । ततो बालः सुतस्तस्य राजाभवदतिद्युतिः

tatastamapyasau kruddho vipraḥ prāṇairvyayojayat | tato bālaḥ sutastasya rājābhavadatidyutiḥ

Then that brahmin, enraged, deprived him too of his life. Thereafter his young son, of exceeding splendour, became king.

Verse 109 (skanda.8.116.109)

तमप्यसौ तथा विप्रः प्रोवाच क्रोधमूर्छितः । नाशयिष्ये कुलं तद् वै अष्टकस्य दुरात्मनः

tamapyasau tathā vipraḥ provāca krodhamūrchitaḥ | nāśayiṣye kulaṁ tad vai aṣṭakasya durātmanaḥ

To him too, that brahmin, beside himself with rage, declared: I shall destroy the entire lineage of that evil-souled Ashtaka.

Verse 110 (skanda.8.116.110)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा बालः संपूज्य तं द्विजम् । उवाच सचिवान् पृष्ट्वा पश्चाद्दास्यामि वाडवाम्

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā bālaḥ saṁpūjya taṁ dvijam | uvāca sacivān pṛṣṭvā paścāddāsyāmi vāḍavām

Hearing his words, the young king, honouring that brahmin, said: Having consulted my ministers, I shall then give you the mare.

Verse 111 (skanda.8.116.111)

सचिवान् स तदानाय्य अपृच्छद् दानवेश्वर । इयमश्वतरी ब्रूत दातव्या नेति वा शुभा

sacivān sa tadānāyya apṛcchad dānaveśvara | iyamaśvatarī brūta dātavyā neti vā śubhā

O lord of the danavas, he then summoned his ministers and asked: Tell me, should this fair mule be given, or not?

Verse 112 (skanda.8.116.112)

सचिवा ऊचुः । पितामहस्य ते पित्रा इयमश्वतरी पुरा । वर्षमेकं प्रयाच्येह समानीता नरेश्वर

sacivā ūcuḥ | pitāmahasya te pitrā iyamaśvatarī purā | varṣamekaṁ prayācyeha samānītā nareśvara

The ministers said: O lord of men, this mule was, long ago, brought here by your great-great-grandfather, who begged the loan of her for one year.

Verse 113 (skanda.8.116.113)

पूर्णे वर्षे तु विप्रस्य याचतोपि महामुने । न दत्ता स च कोपेन विप्रस्यास्य ममार ह

pūrṇe varṣe tu viprasya yācatopi mahāmune | na dattā sa ca kopena viprasyāsya mamāra ha

O great sage, when the year was complete, even though the brahmin asked, she was not returned, and that king died through this very brahmin's wrath.

Verse 114 (skanda.8.116.114)

ततः पितामहस्तुभ्यमासीद्राजा प्रजेश्वर । तथैव सोप्यदत्वैनां विप्रक्रोधान्ममार ह

tataḥ pitāmahastubhyamāsīdrājā prajeśvara | tathaiva sopyadatvaināṁ viprakrodhānmamāra ha

Then, O lord of subjects, your grandfather became king. He too, not returning her, likewise died through the brahmin's wrath.

Verse 115 (skanda.8.116.115)

भवाँस्तु यदि पूर्वेषां वृत्तं समनुवर्तते । न देया विप्ररूपस्य मृत्योरस्य दुरात्मनः

bhavām̐stu yadi pūrveṣāṁ vṛttaṁ samanuvartate | na deyā vipraḥrūpasya mṛtyorasya durātmanaḥ

If you now follow the example of your forebears, then do not give her to this evil-souled brahmin, this very Death in disguise.

Verse 116 (skanda.8.116.116)

तेषान्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सचिवानां प्रमन्युमान् । निर्भत्स्य तानधर्मज्ञानिदमाह महातपाः

teṣāntadvacanaṁ śrutvā sacivānāṁ pramanyumān | nirbhatsya tānadharmajñānidamāha mahātapāḥ

Hearing these words of his ministers, that great ascetic king, wrathful, rebuking those ministers as ignorant of dharma, said this -

Verse 117 (skanda.8.116.117)

पूर्वे ते मौर्ख्यमास्थाय कृतवन्तोतिदारुणम् । अधर्म्यमयशस्यञ्च सद्भिश्चैव विगर्हितम्

pūrve te maurkhyamāsthāya kṛtavantotidāruṇam | adharmyamayaśasyañca sadbhiścaiva vigarhitam

My forefathers, resorting to foolishness, did that most terrible, unrighteous, shameful thing, condemned by the virtuous.

Verse 118 (skanda.8.116.118)

अहन्न तेषां पन्थानमनुवर्ते कथञ्चन । अद्य तानकृतप्रज्ञान् पितॄनथ पितामहान्

ahanna teṣāṁ panthānamanuvarte kathañcana | adya tānakṛtaprajñān pitṝnatha pitāmahān

I shall in no way follow that path of theirs. This very day, those unwise fathers and grandfathers of mine -

Verse 119 (skanda.8.116.119)

गर्तस्थान् तारयिष्यामि कुलं च सुमहत्तथा । इत्युक्त्वा निधने तेषां जातः पुत्रो महामतिः

gartasthān tārayiṣyāmi kulaṁ ca sumahattathā | ityuktvā nidhane teṣāṁ jātaḥ putro mahāmatiḥ

lying trapped as they are - and my own great lineage besides, I shall deliver.' So saying - for he was the wise son born after their deaths -

Verse 120 (skanda.8.116.120)

विप्रस्याश्वतरीदाने मतिं चक्रे सुनिश्चिताम् । ततस्तमृषिमभ्यर्च्य गन्धमाल्यादिभिर्नृपः

viprasyāśvatarīdāne matiṁ cakre suniścitām | tatastamṛṣimabhyarcya gandhamālyādibhirnṛpaḥ

resolved firmly to give the mule back to the brahmin. Then that king, worshipping the sage with sandal-paste, garlands, and the like,

Verse 121 (skanda.8.116.121)

ताञ्चैवाश्वतरीं प्रादादात्मीयां स नराधिपः । वसु चैव हि दत्त्वास्मै ऋषिं तं स प्रसादयत्

tāñcaivāśvatarīṁ prādādātmīyāṁ sa narādhipaḥ | vasu caiva hi dattvāsmai ṛṣiṁ taṁ sa prasādayat

that lord of men returned that very mule of his own to him, and, giving him wealth as well, appeased that sage.

Verse 122 (skanda.8.116.122)

ततः स ऋषिशार्दूलः प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना । उत्थाप्य राजशार्दूलमिदमाह तदा विभुः

tataḥ sa ṛṣiśārdūlaḥ prahṛṣṭenāntarātmanā | utthāpya rājaśārdūlamidamāha tadā vibhuḥ

Then that foremost of sages, his inner heart filled with delight, raising up that tiger among kings, then said this -

Verse 123 (skanda.8.116.123)

त्वया तीर्णाः सुपुत्रेण पितरः सपितामहाः । नरकस्था महाबाहो ब्राह्मणस्वेन वेष्टिताः

tvayā tīrṇāḥ suputreṇa pitaraḥ sapitāmahāḥ | narakasthā mahābāho brāhmaṇasvena veṣṭitāḥ

O mighty-armed one, as a true and worthy son, you have delivered your fathers and grandfathers - who lay trapped in hell, bound fast by their claim on a brahmin's property.

Verse 124 (skanda.8.116.124)

न कृत्यं मम रत्नैश्च नाश्वतर्या नराधिप । तुष्टस्तुभ्यं प्रयच्छामि सर्वमेतन्नराधिप

na kṛtyaṁ mama ratnaiśca nāśvataryā narādhipa | tuṣṭastubhyaṁ prayacchāmi sarvametannarādhipa

O lord of men, I have no need of jewels, nor of the mule. Pleased with you, O lord of men, I give all of this back to you.

Verse 125 (skanda.8.116.125)

यद्यष्टको ममैवं वै कृतवान् स्याद् दुरात्मवान् । तत्पुत्रो वा महाबाहो पिता वा तव दुर्मतिः

yadyaṣṭako mamaivaṁ vai kṛtavān syād durātmavān | tatputro vā mahābāho pitā vā tava durmatiḥ

O mighty-armed one, had Ashtaka himself acted thus toward me, or his evil-souled son, or your own unwise father,

Verse 126 (skanda.8.116.126)

विनाशं न गतास्ते स्युरहन्तुष्टश्च सर्वशः । तदापृच्छे गमिष्यामि तवैषा द्रव्यमेव च

vināśaṁ na gatāste syurahantuṣṭaśca sarvaśaḥ | tadāpṛcche gamiṣyāmi tavaiṣā dravyameva ca

then they would not have met their ruin, and I would have been fully content. Now, taking my leave, I shall go my way; this mule and property remain yours.

Verse 127 (skanda.8.116.127)

ततस्स ऋषिशार्दूलो जगाम वनमेव हि । राजाप्यश्वतरीं लब्ध्वा तया रेमे यथासुखम्

tatassa ṛṣiśārdūlo jagāma vanameva hi | rājāpyaśvatarīṁ labdhvā tayā reme yathāsukham

Thereupon that foremost of sages went back to the forest, and the king, having regained his mule, dwelt happily with her as he pleased.

Verse 128 (skanda.8.116.128)

एवं हि न प्रशंसन्ति पूर्वेषां धर्मवर्जितम् । कर्म सर्वे द्विजा राजन् ये चान्ये धर्मवादिनः । तस्माद्दास्याम्यहं राज्यं वामनाय महात्मने

evaṁ hi na praśaṁsanti pūrveṣāṁ dharmavarjitam | karma sarve dvijā rājan ye cānye dharmavādinaḥ | tasmāddāsyāmyahaṁ rājyaṁ vāmanāya mahātmane

Thus, O king, all the twice-born and all other upholders of dharma do not praise deeds of ancestors devoid of righteousness. Therefore I shall give this kingdom to the great-souled Vamana.

Verse 129 (skanda.8.116.129)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्सोसुरशार्दूलो वामनस्य तदा करे । पातयामास विधिवज्जलं परमपूजितम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | tatassosuraśārdūlo vāmanasya tadā kare | pātayāmāsa vidhivajjalaṁ paramapūjitam

Sanatkumara said: Then that tiger among demons duly poured the water of gifting into the hand of that most venerable Vamana.

Verse 130 (skanda.8.116.130)

तस्य पातितमात्रे तु जले विष्णोर्महात्मनः । दैत्येन्द्रस्योपरि तदा पुष्पवृष्टिः पपात ह

tasya pātitamātre tu jale viṣṇormahātmanaḥ | daityendrasyopari tadā puṣpavṛṣṭiḥ papāta ha

The very instant that water fell into the hand of the great-souled Vishnu, a shower of flowers fell upon that lord of demons.

Verse 131 (skanda.8.116.131)

साधुसाध्विति भूतानामदृश्यानाञ्च निस्वनः । देवदुन्दुभयश्चात्र स्वयं नेदुरनाहताः

sādhusādhviti bhūtānāmadṛśyānāñca nisvanaḥ | devadundubhayaścātra svayaṁ nedurnāhatāḥ

The sound of unseen beings crying 'Well done, well done!' arose, and the drums of the gods sounded of their own accord, unstruck by any hand.

Verse 132 (skanda.8.116.132)

मरुतश्च शुभान् गन्धानादाय प्रववुः शुभाः । हताः स्थ दानवास्सर्वे इति चात्राभवत् स्वनः

marutaśca śubhān gandhānādāya pravavuḥ śubhāḥ | hatāḥ stha dānavāssarve iti cātrābhavat svanaḥ

Auspicious winds began to blow, carrying sweet fragrances, and there arose too the cry: 'O danavas, you are all now vanquished!'

Verse 133 (skanda.8.116.133)

तत्कर्म तस्यातिसुदुष्करं तदा समीक्ष्य सर्वे ऋषयस्तपोधनाः । प्रशंसमाना दितिनन्दनेश्वरं प्रणेमुरारान्मधुसूदनं तदा

tatkarma tasyātisudukṣkaraṁ tadā samīkṣya sarve ṛṣayastapodhanāḥ | praśaṁsamānā ditinandaneśvaraṁ praṇemurārānmadhusūdanaṁ tadā

Then, beholding that most difficult deed of his, all the sages rich in austerity, praising that lord of Diti's sons, thereupon also bowed from afar to Madhusudana.