Dasakam 031 - Sloka 02

तामीक्षणां बलिगिरमुपाकर्ण्य कारुण्यपूर्णोऽ- प्यस्योत्सेकं शमयितुमना दैत्यवंशं प्रशंसन् । भूमिं पादत्रयपरिमितां प्रार्थयामासिथ त्वं सर्वं देहीति तु निगदिते कस्य हास्यं न वा स्यात् ॥२॥

ताम्-अक्षीणां बलि-गिरम्-that bold voice of Baliउपाकर्ण्यon hearingकारुण्य-पूर्ण:-अपिthough full of compassionअस्य-उत्सेकंhis (Bali's) prideशमयितुमनाdesirous of curbingदैत्य-वंशं प्रशंसन्the lineage of the Asuras praisingभूमिं पाद-त्रय-परिमितांearth, by three steps (of thy feet) measurableप्रार्थयामासिथ त्वंasked for Thouसर्वं देहि-इतिgive everything' thusतु निगदितेindeed having saidकस्य हास्यंwhose sneer (ridicule)न वा स्यात्would not be invited

On hearing those bold words of Bali, though filled with compassion Thou were desirous of curbing his pride. Speaking highly of the generosity of the Asura clan, Thou asked for earth measurable by Thy three steps. To ask for all, would have invited sneer from everyone.