॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
॥ त्रयोविंशोऽध्यायः - २३ ॥
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Discourse XXIII
Freed from bondage, Bali enters the region of Sutala (Preamble)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
इत्युक्तवन्तं पुरुषं पुरातनं
महानुभावोऽखिलसाधुसम्मतः ।
बद्धाञ्जलिर्बाष्पकलाकुलेक्षणो
भक्त्युद्गलो गद्गदया गिराब्रवीत् ॥ १॥
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Śrī Śuka resumed : To Lord Viṣṇu (the most ancient Person in the disguise of a dwarf), who had spoken thus, the magnanimous Bali, who was esteemed by all pious souls, submitted with joined palms and in a faltering voice (as follows), his eyes dimmed with drops of tears and his throat choked (with emotion). (1) (1)
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बलिरुवाच ।
अहो प्रणामाय कृतः समुद्यमः
प्रपन्नभक्तार्थविधौ समाहितः ।
यल्लोकपालैस्त्वदनुग्रहोऽमरै-
रलब्धपूर्वोऽपसदेऽसुरेऽर्पितः ॥ २॥
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Bali said : Oh, a (mere) sincere effort made to bow low (at Your feet) is (found) intent on (capable of) securing (even to people like me, who can never claim to be Your devotees) the boon sought for by devotees that have sought You (for protection). For by that (very) endeavour has been vouchsafed to a vile demon (full of Rajas like me) that (unique) favour of Yours which was never obtained before (even) by the guardians of the (various) worlds and (other) gods (who are eminently Sāttvika by nature). (2) (2)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
इत्युक्त्वा हरिमानम्य ब्रह्माणं सभवं ततः ।
विवेश सुतलं प्रीतो बलिर्मुक्तः सहासुरैः ॥ ३॥
एवमिन्द्राय भगवान् प्रत्यानीय त्रिविष्टपम् ।
पूरयित्वादितेः काममशासत्सकलं जगत् ॥ ४॥
लब्धप्रसादं निर्मुक्तं पौत्रं वंशधरं बलिम् ।
निशाम्य भक्तिप्रवणः प्रह्लाद इदमब्रवीत् ॥ ५॥
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Śrī Śuka continued : Having spoken thus and bowed low to Śrī Hari (disguised as a dwarf) and then to Brahmā (the creator) along with Lord Śiva (the Source of the universe), Bali, who was (now) free (from bondage) and full of delight, got ready to retire to Sutala (the third region below the earth), accompanied by the (other) demons (too). (3)
Having thus restored (the kingdom of) heaven to Indra and fulfilled the desire of Aditi (Indra's mother as well as His own), the Lord ruled over the (whole) universe (as a younger brother and protector of Indra). (4)
Seeing his grandson, Bali, who maintained the thread of his line, free from all bondage and a recipient of the Lord's grace, Prahrāda, who was steeped in Devotion, spoke (to the Lord) as follows. (5) (3-5)
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प्रह्लाद उवाच ।
नेमं विरिञ्चो लभते प्रसादं
न श्रीर्न शर्वः किमुतापरे ते ।
यन्नोऽसुराणामसि दुर्गपालो
विश्वाभिवन्द्यैरभिवन्दिताङ्घ्रिः ॥ ६॥
यत्पादपद्ममकरन्दनिषेवणेन
ब्रह्मादयः शरणदाश्नुवते विभूतीः ।
कस्माद्वयं कुसृतयः खलयोनयस्ते
दाक्षिण्यदृष्टिपदवीं भवतः प्रणीताः ॥ ७॥
चित्रं तवेहितमहोऽमितयोगमाया-
लीलाविसृष्टभुवनस्य विशारदस्य ।
सर्वात्मनः समदृशोऽविषमः स्वभावो
भक्तप्रियो यदसि कल्पतरुस्वभावः ॥ ८॥
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Prahrāda submitted : To think that You, whose feet are adored even by those (Brahmā, Śiva and others) that deserve the adoration of the universe, should play the governor * of a fort to us demons ! Neither Brahmā (the creator) nor Śrī (Your divine Spouse) nor (even) Lord Śiva (the Destroyer of the universe) has (ever) won such (unique) grace; how, then, could those others (Indra and so on) do so? (6)
(It is) by virtue of (their) addiction to the honey of Your lotus-feet (that guardians of the various worlds such as) Brahmā and others enjoy opulence and powers (of various kinds), O Lord affording shelter to all ! (Such being the case,) we are at a loss to understand wherefore we, those born of a wicked race and following evil ways should have been made the recipients of Your gracious look (kindness). (7)
Oh, in Your case—who have released the (different) worlds through the sportful activity of Your inconceivable creative energy, are omniscient, nay, the (very) Self of all and (therefore) regard all with the same eye—a discriminating disposition, in the sense that You are fond of Your devotees (alone), is a wonderful gesture. (But) You (only) exhibit (thereby) the essential characteristic of a wish-yielding tree (which fulfils the desire of only those who betake themselves to it and cannot therefore be justly accused of partiality). (8) (6-8)
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श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
वत्स प्रह्लाद भद्रं ते प्रयाहि सुतलालयम् ।
मोदमानः स्वपौत्रेण ज्ञातीनां सुखमावह ॥ ९॥
नित्यं द्रष्टासि मां तत्र गदापाणिमवस्थितम् ।
मद्दर्शनमहाह्लादध्वस्तकर्मनिबन्धनः ॥ १०॥
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The glorious Lord replied : Prahrāda dear, may all be well with you ! Depart to (the subterranean region of) Sutāla and, rejoicing (there) with your grandson (Bali), bring delight to your kinsfolk. (9)
You will always behold Me stationed there, mace in hand; (and) you will have your ignorance (the root of all Karma) wiped out by the infinite joy induced by My sight. (10) (9-10)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
आज्ञां भगवतो राजन् प्रह्लादो बलिना सह ।
बाढमित्यमलप्रज्ञो मूर्ध्न्याधाय कृताञ्जलिः ॥ ११॥
परिक्रम्यादिपुरुषं सर्वासुरचमूपतिः ।
प्रणतस्तदनुज्ञातः प्रविवेश महाबिलम् ॥ १२॥
अथाहोशनसं राजन् हरिर्नारायणोऽन्तिके ।
आसीनमृत्विजां मध्ये सदसि ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ॥ १३॥
ब्रह्मन् सन्तनु शिष्यस्य कर्मच्छिद्रं वितन्वतः ।
यत्तत्कर्मसु वैषम्यं ब्रह्मदृष्टं समं भवेत् ॥ १४॥
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Śrī Suka went on : Accepting the Lord's command in the word 'A men, and bowing down to Him with joined palms, O Paṅkṣit, Prahrāda of sinless mind, the generalissimo of all the Asura forces, walked round the most ancient Person (as a mark of reverence) and, permitted by Him, withdrew to the subterranean world along with Bali. (11-12)
Thereupon Lord Viṣṇu (who takes away the sins of His devotees and) who has His abode in water, O king, spoke (as follows) to the sage Uśanā (Śukrācārya, the preceptor of Bali), sitting near at hand in the midst of (other) priests in the assembly of seers (exponents of the Veda):— (13)
"O (holy) Brāhmaṇa, (please) accomplish whatever has been left incomplete by your disciple while performing the ritual (sacrifice). (For) whatever is found lacking in rituals is made up (even) when noticed by a Brāhmaṇa (and much more when it is actually completed by a Brāhmaṇa)." (14) (11-14)
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शुक्र उवाच ।
कुतस्तत्कर्मवैषम्यं यस्य कर्मेश्वरो भवान् ।
यज्ञेशो यज्ञपुरुषः सर्वभावेन पूजितः ॥ १५॥
मन्त्रतस्तन्त्रतश्छिद्रं देशकालार्हवस्तुतः ।
सर्वं करोति निश्छिद्रं नामसङ्कीर्तनं तव ॥ १६॥
तथापि वदतो भूमन् करिष्याम्यनुशासनम् ।
एतच्छ्रेयः परं पुंसां यत्तवाज्ञानुपालनम् ॥ १७॥
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Śukra replied: How could there be any defect in the sacrificial performance of one by whom You, the Prompter of (all) actions and the Lord (the Bestower of the fruit) of sacrifices, nay, the deity presiding over sacrifices, have been propitiated with all his substance (in all devotion)? (15)
The very chanting of Your Name neutralizes all defects relating to (the correct intonation of) Mantras (sacred texts employed in a sacrifice), procedure, time and place (of sacrifices) as well as those relating to (the qualifications of) the priests (officiating at the sacrifice or receiving gifts on that occasion) or the material (or money) used. (16)
Nevertheless, since it is You who are saying so, O infinite Lord, I shall do Your bidding. (For) to obey Your command—this constitutes the highest good of men. (17) (15-17)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
अभिनन्द्य हरेराज्ञामुशना भगवानिति ।
यज्ञच्छिद्रं समाधत्त बलेर्विप्रर्षिभिः सह ॥ १८॥
एवं बलेर्महीं राजन् भिक्षित्वा वामनो हरिः ।
ददौ भ्रात्रे महेन्द्राय त्रिदिवं यत्परैर्हृतम् ॥ १९॥
प्रजापतिपतिर्ब्रह्मा देवर्षिपितृभूमिपैः ।
दक्षभृग्वङ्गिरोमुख्यैः कुमारेण भवेन च ॥ २०॥
कश्यपस्यादितेः प्रीत्यै सर्वभूतभवाय च ।
लोकानां लोकपालानामकरोद्वामनं पतिम् ॥ २१॥
वेदानां सर्वदेवानां धर्मस्य यशसः श्रियः ।
मङ्गलानां व्रतानां च कल्पं स्वर्गापवर्गयोः ॥ २२॥
उपेन्द्रं कल्पयाञ्चक्रे पतिं सर्वविभूतये ।
तदा सर्वाणि भूतानि भृशं मुमुदिरे नृप ॥ २३॥
ततस्त्विन्द्रः पुरस्कृत्य देवयानेन वामनम् ।
लोकपालैर्दिवं निन्ये ब्रह्मणा चानुमोदितः ॥ २४॥
प्राप्य त्रिभुवनं चेन्द्र उपेन्द्रभुजपालितः ।
श्रिया परमया जुष्टो मुमुदे गतसाध्वसः ॥ २५॥
ब्रह्मा शर्वः कुमारश्च भृग्वाद्या मुनयो नृप ।
पितरः सर्वभूतानि सिद्धा वैमानिकाश्च ये ॥ २६॥
सुमहत्कर्म तद्विष्णोर्गायन्तः परमाद्भुतम् ।
धिष्ण्यानि स्वानि ते जग्मुरदितिं च शशंसिरे ॥ २७॥
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Śrī Śuka continued: Gladly accepting in these words the behest of Śrī Hari, the glorious sage Uśanā with the help of other Brāhmaṇa sages accomplished what was wanting in the sacrificial performance of Bali. (18)
Having thus begged the earth (as well as heaven), that had been usurped by his enemies (the demons), Lord Śrī Hari, disguised as a dwarf, gave them (back) to His (elder) brother, the mighty Indra. (19)
For the gratification of the sage Kaśyapa and Aditi (his wife) as well as for the welfare of all created beings Brahmā, the lord of Prajāpatis, together with the gods, seers, manes and the Manus (the protector of the earth) as well as with Dakṣa, Bhrgu, Aṅgirā and others, the sage Sanatkumāra and Lord Śiva (the Source of the universe) made the divine Dwarf the (suzerain) Lord of (all) the worlds and their guardians. (20-21)
(Nay,) for the prosperity of all he further made Lord Vāmana (the younger Brother of Indra), the custodian of the Vedas as well as of all the gods, of righteousness, wealth and fame, of (all) blessings and sacred vows, nay, of heaven and final beatitude (too), capable as He was to protect them (all). On that occasion all created being rejoiced much, O protector of human beings! (22-23)
Then, permitted by Brahmā (the creator), Indra along with the (other) guardians of the (different) worlds placed the divine Dwarf before him and actually took Him in a heavenly car to heaven. (24)
Having recovered (the sovereignty of) all the three worlds, Indra, whose fear was (now) gone, protected as he was by the arms of Lord Vāmana (his younger Brother), was invested with supreme glory and rejoiced. (25)
Brahmā, Lord Śiva (the Destroyer of the universe) and Sanatkumāra, sages headed by Bhrgu, O protector of men, the manes and all (other) created beings, the Siddhas and whatever (other) heavenly beings (moving about in aerial cars) there were, (all) returned each to his own sphere, celebrating the aforesaid extraordinary and most wonderful deed of Lord Viṣṇu, and extolled Aditi (as well). (26-27) (18-27)
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सर्वमेतन्मयाऽऽख्यातं भवतः कुलनन्दन ।
उरुक्रमस्य चरितं श्रोतॄणामघमोचनम् ॥ २८॥
पारं महिम्न उरुविक्रमतो गृणानो
यः पार्थिवानि विममे स रजांसि मर्त्यः ।
किं जायमान उत जात उपैति मर्त्य
इत्याह मन्त्रदृगृषिः पुरुषस्य यस्य ॥ २९॥
य इदं देवदेवस्य हरेरद्भुतकर्मणः ।
अवतारानुचरितं शृण्वन् याति परां गतिम् ॥ ३०॥
क्रियमाणे कर्मणीदं दैवे पित्र्येऽथ मानुषे ।
यत्र यत्रानुकीर्त्येत तत्तेषां सुकृतं विदुः ॥ ३१॥
इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहिताया-
मष्टमस्कन्धे वामनावतारचरिते त्रयोविंशोऽध्यायः ॥ २३॥
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All the story of Lord Viṣṇu of wide strides, which takes away the sins of those who listen to it, has been narrated to you, O delight of your race! (28)
The mortal who presumes to describe the fullest extent of the glory of Lord Viṣṇu (who took long strides as aforementioned) must as well (be said to) have counted the particles of dust of the (entire) globe (which is impossible). Can any mortal (already) born or going to be born (hereafter) reach the end of the glory of that perfect Person?—so says the seer Vasiṣṭha. (29)
Whosoever hears (or recites or remembers) this story of the descent (as Vāmana) of Śrī Hari, the god of gods, of marvellous deeds attains the highest (divine) state. (30)
In the course of whatever religious performance, intended to propitiate the gods, the manes or any human being (such as one's own preceptor) this story will be repeatedly recited by the performers, the wise declare that performance of theirs as well-executed. (31)
Thus ends the twenty-third discourse, comprised in the story of the descent of the divine Dwarf, in Book Eight of the great and glorious Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Sarhhitā. (28-31)
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