tad-vidvān dvija-vatsalaḥ

tad-vidvān dvija-vatsalaḥ

svam āyur dvija-liṅgebhyo

devebhyo 'dāt sa yācitaḥ

Your father, Virocana, the son of Mahārāja Prahlāda, was very affectionate toward brāhmaṇas. Although he knew very well that it was the devatās who had come to him in the dress of brāhmaṇas, at their request he delivered to them the duration of his life.

Your father, Virocana, the son of Prahlāda, though knowing they were enemies, gave the devatās dressed as brāhmaṇas his life, because he was affectionate to brāhmaṇas.   Though he knew they were enemies he gave his life to them because they were dressed like brāhmaṇas.

|| 8.19.15 ||

bhavān ācaritān dharmān

āsthito gṛhamedhibhiḥ

brāhmaṇaiḥ pūrvajaiḥ śūrair

anyaiś coddāma-kīrtibhiḥ

You also have observed the principles followed by great personalities who are householder brāhmaṇas, by your forefathers and by great heroes who are extremely famous for their exalted activities.

|| 8.19.16 ||

tasmāt tvatto mahīm īṣad

vṛṇe 'haṁ varadarṣabhāt

padāni trīṇi daityendra

sammitāni padā mama

O King of the Daityas! From you, who are able to give charity munificently, I ask only three paces of land, to the measurement of my steps.

It will later be understood that his three steps covered by three worlds. He asked for only a little area that covered his three steps (mahīm īṣat). This will be for my hermitage. This will be enough for my subsistence by taking whatever food is offered. This was the meaning he intended to convey to Bali. When he says that he will take only the measurement of three steps, it is not untrue since he later expanded as Trivikrama, and those steps could not be refused by Bali.

 

|| 8.19.17 ||

nānyat te kāmaye rājan