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Bhīṣma said.
Then Indra saw the radiant Goddess Śrī, in her true form, emerging from the body of the great-souled Bali.
Seeing her radiant brilliance, Indra, filled with amazement, his eyes wide, asked Bali.
Who is this powerful, radiant, crested woman, adorned with armlets, who has departed from you and stands shining with her own brilliance?
Bali said.
I truly do not know whether she is of the asura kind, divine, or human; you alone should ask her, or do as you wish, O Vāsava (Indra).
Indra said.
Who are you, radiant crested lady, who has left Bali? O pure-smiled one, please tell me your name, for I do not know it.
Who are you, standing here like an illusion, radiant with your own splendor? O beautiful-browed one, having left the lord of the Daityas, tell me the truth about this.
Śrī said.
Neither Virocana nor Bali, the son of Virocana, knows me; they say I am hard to bear, and thus, those who desire to know, know me so.
People call me prosperity, Lakshmi, and fortune, O Indra. But you, O Śakra, do not know me; nor do any of the gods know me.
Indra said.
What is this—are you doing this for my sake, or for the sake of the powerful? Are you, who have long lived with him, now wishing to abandon him in this unbearable situation?
Śrī said.
Neither the supporter nor the creator appoints me in any way. It is Time alone, O Indra, through cycles; O Indra, do not disregard this one (me).
Indra said:
O Śucismitā, tell me: How was Bali abandoned by you, for what reason, O Śikhaṇḍinī? And how is it that you would not abandon me? Please tell me that.
Śrī said.
I am established in truth, in charity, in vows, and in austerity indeed; in valor and in righteousness as well, therefore Bali is ancient.
Although always devoted to Brahman, truthful, and self-controlled, he envied Brāhmaṇas, and being defiled by food remnants, did not touch clarified butter.
This deluded soul, who was formerly devoted to sacrifice, said to the worlds, 'He worships only me,' being oppressed by time.
O Śakra, when the obstacles are removed, I shall dwell with you, O Vāsava. I am to be sustained by the vigilant through austerity and valor.
Indra said.
O Kamalālaye, is there any god among men, or any man among all beings, who alone is able to withstand you?
Śrī said.
Neither god, nor gandharva, nor asura, nor even rākṣasa—there is no one, O Purandara, who alone is capable of overcoming me.
Indra said.
O auspicious one, please tell me how you should always remain in me. I shall do that; your words are like nectar. You are worthy to speak.
Śrī said.
O Indra of the gods, know that I shall always remain in you. By the ordinance as seen in the Veda, divide me into four parts.
Indra said.
O Lakṣmī, I will indeed place you as per my ability and strength, but let me never transgress in your presence.
The earth, truly the supporter and producer of beings among men, should be able to bear your foot—this is my opinion.
Śrī said.
This foot of mine is placed and established on the earth. O Śakra, therefore, place my second foot well.
Indra said.
The waters, truly, are the flowing attendants among men. Let them bear your foot; let the waters be able to endure it.
Śrī said.
This is my foot that I have placed, which stands established in the waters. O Śakra, therefore, make my third foot well-placed.
Indra said.
That third step of yours, Agni, in which the gods and sacrifices and the Vedas are established, will be well supported and upheld by you.
Śrī said.
This is my foot that has been placed and established in the fire. O Śakra, therefore, make my fourth foot well-established.
Indra said.
Those among men who are virtuous, devoted to Brahman, and speakers of truth—such persons should be able to endure every hardship; it is the nature of the virtuous to endure.
Śrī said.
This is my foot, which I have set among the virtuous. In this way, O Śakra, surround me, who is established among beings.
Indra said.
Whoever among beings here should harm you, who have been appointed by me and are existing, he should become my enemy; thus let all hear my words.
Bhīṣma said.
Then, when prosperity had left him, King Bali of the Daityas said: "As long as it shines in the east, let us proceed to the southern direction."
Just as the sun stays in the west for a time and then in the north, and at midday sets when the time comes, so too, when the battle between gods and demons is about to occur, then I will be your conqueror.
When the Sun scorches all the worlds from one place, then, O Śatakratu, in the battle between gods and asuras, I will conquer you.
Indra said.
I have been well-instructed by Brahmā that you are not to be killed. Therefore, I do not hurl the thunderbolt at your head in battle.
Go as you wish, O lord of the Daityas; may well-being be yours, O great Asura. The Sun has never scorched from the middle.
The time for this world was indeed established long ago by Svayambhū; this time moves unceasingly, protecting all creatures by the power of truth.
The Sun's path consists of six months each in the northern and southern directions; by this movement, the Sun brings about cold and heat in the worlds.
Bhīṣma said.
O Bhārata, when thus addressed by Indra, the lord of the Daityas, Bali, went to the southern direction, while Purandara (Indra) went to the north.
Having heard this statement called 'absence of ego', spoken by the mighty one, Indra (the thousand-eyed) then immediately ascended into the sky.
