(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
