Sri Dasavatara-stotra

(from Gîtâ-govinda)

by Jayadeva Gosvâmî

Matsya Avatâra:

(1)

pralaya-payodhi-jâle dhritavân asi vedam
In the waters of deluge, to preserve the knowledge of Vedas,

vihita-vahitra-caritram akhedam
You held the Vedas like a vessel undeflected from its course.

kes'ava dhrita-mîna-s'arîra
O Kesava, in the form of a Fish, Hail Hari, Lord of the universe!

jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare

Kurma Avatâra:

(2)

kshitir iha vipulatare tishthati tava prishthe
On the wide expanse of your back as a pivot for churning

dharani-dhârana-kina-cakra-garishthe
rests the world, the mountain, creating round marks.

kes'ava dhrita-kûrma-s'arîra
O Kes'ava, in the form of Tortoise, Hail Hari ! Lord of the universe!

jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare

*

Varâha Avatâra:

(3)

vasati das'ana-s'ikhare dharanî tava lagnâ
The earth once submerged at the bottom of the ocean,

s'as'ini kalaìka-kaleva nimagnâ
sits fixed on your tusk like a spot on the moon.

kes'ava dhrita-s'ûkara-rûpa
O Kes'ava, in the form of the Boar! Hail Hari ! Lord of the universe!.

jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare

Nrisimha Avatâra:

(4)

tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-s'rîngam
The sharp nails on your hands became wonderful claws

dalita-hiranyakas'ipu-tanu-bhrîngam
that tore up the body of Hiranyakasipu

kes'ava dhrita-narahari-rûpa
O Kes'ava, of body Man-Lion, Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!

jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare

*

Vâmana Avatâra:

(5)

chalayasi vikramane balim adbhuta-vâmana
Skillfully You defeated Bali, the mighty king of the world, o Vâmana !

pada-nakha-nîra-janita-jana-pâvana
and from your toe-nails came the Ganga, the purifier of the world.

kes'ava dhrita-vâmana-rûpa
O Kes'ava, in the form of a dwarf, Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!

jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare

Paras'urâma Avatâra:

(6)

kshatriya-rudhira-maye jagad-apagata-pâpam
freeing us of the tyrannous rulers, thus cleansing out the sin,

snapayasi payasi s'amita-bhava-tâpam
You destroy the anguish of the world

kes'ava dhrita-bhrigupati-rûpa
O Kes'ava, as Lord of Bhrigus Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!

jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare

*

Râma Avatâra:

(7)

vitarasi dikshu rane dik-pati-kamanîyam
To uphold dharma, You scattered Râvana's ten heads

das'a-mukha-mauli-balim ramanîyam
splendidly in the four directions, to the splendour of the guardians

kes'ava dhrita-râma-s'arîra
O Kes'ava, as Lord Sri Râma! Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!

jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare

Balarâma Avatâra:

(8)

vahasi vapushi vis'ade vasanam jaladâbham
wearing on your radiant body a garment of the color of the cloud,

hala-hati-bhîti-milita-yamunâbham
blue like the Yamuna river, flowing as if afraid for your plough!

kes'ava dhrita-haladhara-rûpa
O Kes'ava in the form of Balarâma. Hail Hari! Lord of the universe.

jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare

*

Buddha Avatâra:

(9)

nindasi yajña-vidher ahaha s'ruti-i-jâtam
Decrying slaughter according the rules of Vedic sacrifice,

sadaya-hridaya dars'ita-pas'u-ghâtam
You are compassionate of heart with the poor animals.

kes'ava dhrita-buddha-s'arîra
O Kes'ava in the form of Buddha! Hail Hari! Lord of the universe.

jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare

Kalki Avatâra:

(10)

mleccha-nivaha-nidhane kalayasi karavâlam
For the destruction of the wicked, with a comet for a sword,

dhûmaketum iva kim api karâlam
You're trailing a train of disaster to them.

kes'ava dhrita-kalki-s'arîra
O Kes'ava!, in the form of Kalki! Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!

jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare

* *

To this poem:

(11)

s'rî-jayedeva-kaver idam uditam udâram
Hear this hymn of the poet Jayadeva, O readers, it's most excellent,

s'rinu sukha-dam s'ubha-dam bhava-a-sâram
it gives happiness, good fortune, it's the best in this dark world.

kes'ava dhrita-das'a-vidha-rûpa
0 Kes'ava in the ten different incarnations! Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!

jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare, jaya jagadîs'a hare

To Lord Krishna:

(12)

vedân uddharate jaganti vahate bhû-golam udbi-bhrate.
As Matsya the Vedas, as Kurma the mountain, as Varâha the earth.

daityam dârayate balim chalayate kshatra-kshayam kurvate

as Nrsimha the demon, As Vâmana Bali, and as Parasurâma the ksatriyas.

paulastyam jayate halam kalayate kârunyam âtanvate-e
As Râma Râvana, as Balarâma the wicked, as Buddha of compassion

mlecchân mû-u-rchayate, das'a kriti-i-krite
krishnâya tubhyam namah
As Kalki to bewilder the degraded, O Krishna, O Krishna, my obeisances unto You