Sri Jayadeva Goswami appeared in Orissa around 1200 AD. He is most reknowned for his composition, the “Gita Govinda” which has been sung across India in both Hindustani and Carnatic styles of classical Indian music. Possibly his most famous work, the Dasavatara stotra is an invocation, following which, his songs on Radha and Krsna’s sweet Vrindavan pastimes unfold. The Gita Govinda consists of 12 chapters, each consisting of prabhandhas, further divided into couplets of eight (explaining the famous “ashtapadis” these songs are commonly referred to). Songs from the Gita Govinda, such as “Priye Charusile” and “Chandana charchita” are known to all connoisseurs of classical Indian music regardless of school and style…
Sri Jayadeva married Padmavathi, a pious dancer in the temple of Sri Jagannatha in Puri. Together they served the Lord with exquisite devotion – Sri Jayadeva composed songs in the Lord’s honor, and Padmavathi danced to these compositions before the deities of Puri. Sri Jagannatha is so attached to the verses of these songs that He even wears a silk outfit with pure gold embroidery of Sri Jayadeva’s verses. A line in the song “Priye Charusile” is even reputed to have been penned by Lord Jagannatha Himself!
The following is the famous Dasavatara stotra by Sri Jayadeva which begins with “Pralayapayodhi jale.” This stotra includes ISKCON’s Nrisimha pranati which is recited daily at the end of Mangala and Sundara aartis.
Pralaya-payodhi-jale dhruta vanasi vedam
Vihita-vahitra-charitramakhedam
Keshava dhruta-meena-sarira jaya jagadisa hare!
Victory to Keshava, the lord of Universe,
Who assumed the form of a fish,
And gave protection like a boat to Vedas,
Which were immersed in the turbulent sea of deluge.
Kshitirathi vipulatare tisthtati tava prushte
Dharani-dharana-kina-chakra-garishte,
Keshava dhruta-kachapa-sarira jaya jagadisa hare!
Victory to Keshava, the lord of Universe,
Who assumed the form of a tortoise,
And made the great mountain rest on his back,
And allowed it to churn the ocean like a wheel.
Vasati dasana-sikhare dharani thava lagna
Sasini kalanka-kaleva nimagna
Keshava dhruta-sukara-rupa jaya jagadisa hare!
Victory to Keshava, the lord of Universe,
Who assumed the form of a boar,
On whose tusks rested the earth,
Which was drowned and appeared.
Like the shadow on the moon.
Thava kara-kamala-vare nakha madbhuta-srngam
Dalita-hiranyakasipu-thanu-bhrngam
Keshava dhruta-narahari-rupa jaya jagadisa hare!
Victory to Keshava, the lord of Universe,
Who assumed the form of a man lion,
Whose nails of his lotus like hand,
Were made wonderful weapons,
And Crushed Hiranyakasipu like a wasp.
Chalayasi vikramane balimadbhuta-vamana
Pada-nakha-nira-janita-jana-pavana
Keshava dhruta-vamana-rupa jaya jagadisa hare!
Victory to Keshava, the lord of Universe,
Who assumed the form of a dwarf Brahmin,
Who by his massive steps deceived Mahabali,
And the Ganges emanating from the nail of whose feet,
Made all living beings holy and divine.
Kshatriya-rudhira-maye jagad-apagata-papam
Snapayasi payasi samita-bhava-tapam
Keshava dhruta-bhrgupati-rupa jaya jagadisa hare!
Victory to Keshava, the lord of Universe,
Who assumed the form of Parasurama,
Who bathed the earth with blood of Kshatriyas,
Who washed away the sins of the world,
And who calmed down the pains of existence.
Vitarasi dikshu rane dik-pati-kamaniyam
Dasa-mukha-mauli-balim ramaniyam
Keshava dhruta-rama-sarira jaya jagadisa hare!
Victory to Keshava, the lord of Universe,
Who assumed the form of Lord Rama,
Who presented the lords of ten pretty directions,
The delightful offering of ten heads of Ravana.
Vahasi vapusi visade vasanam jaladabham
Hala-hati-bhiti-milita-yamunabham
Keshava dhruta-haladhara-rupa jaya jagadisa hare!
Victory to Keshava, the lord of Universe,
Who assumed the form of Balarama,
Who wore cloths of colour of the River,
Yamuna over his white body and made,
The river fear his weapon of the plough.
Nindasi yajna-vidher ahaha shruti-jatam
Sadaya-hrdaya darsita-pasu-ghatham
Keshava dhruta-buddha-sarira jaya jagadisa hare!
Victory to Keshava, the lord of Universe,
Who assumed the form of Buddha,
Who found fault with fire sacrifices,
In which poor animals were sacrificed,
As prescribed in the Vedas due to his compassionate heart.
Mleccha-nivaha-nidhane kalayasi karavalam
Dhumaketum iva kim api karalam
Keshava dhruta-kalki-sarira jaya jagadisa hare!
Victory to Keshava, the lord of Universe,
Who would assume the form of Lord Kalki,
Who would appear like a blazing comet,
Holding a terrifying sword and kill,
All barbarians at the end of Kali age.
Sri-jayadeva-kaver idam uditam udaaram
Srunu sukha-dam subha-dam bhava-saram
Keshava dhruta-dasa-vidha-rupa jaya jagadisa hare!
Victory to Keshava, the lord of Universe,
Who assumed ten different forms,
With a humble request to hear,
This pleasant, holy and divine,
Poem composed by Jayadeva.
Vedan uddharate jaganni vahate bhu-golam udbibhrate
Daityam darayate balim chalayate ksatra-ksayam kurvate
Paulastyam jayate halam kalayate karunyam aathanvate
Mlecchan murchayate dasakruti-krute krishnaya tubhyam namah!
Salutations to Lord Krishna who assumed ten different forms,
And saved the Vedas, bore a mountain, lifted the earth,
Killed Asuras, tricked Mahabali, exterminated Kshatriyas,
Won over Rakshasas, drew Yamuna towards him and showered mercy,
And would benumb the barbarians, in his ten different incarnations.
4 KRSNA 