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Album V

   

 

 

S'rī Das'āvatāra Stotra


Text & Melody: Sri Jayadeva Gosvāmi
Singer/arr.: Anand Aadhar Prabhu
Duration: 9 min 35 sec
Date: 18 Dec. 2002



  Sing with Aadhar

Take the lead   

 

Intro
(C Em F G F G Am Dm C)

Matsya Avatāra:  

(1)

(C Em F G F)
pralaya-payodhi-jāle dhritavān asi vedam
In the waters of deluge, to preserve the knowledge of Vedas,

(G Am Dm C)
vihita-vahitra-caritram akhedam
You held the Vedas like a vessel undeflected from its course.

(C G Em F )
kes'ava dhrita-mīna-s'arīra
O Kesava, in the form of a Fish, Hail Hari, Lord of the universe!

(G F G Dm C F C)
jaya jagadīs'a hare,  jaya jagadīs'a hare, jaya jagadīs'a hare

Kurma Avatāra:

(2)

(C Em F G F)
kshitir iha vipulatare tishthati tava prishthe
On the wide expanse of your back as a pivot for churning

(G Am Dm C)
dharani-dhārana-kina-cakra-garishthe
rests the world, the mountain, creating round marks.

(C G Em F)
kes'ava dhrita-kūrma-s'arīra
O Kes'ava, in the form of Tortoise, Hail Hari ! Lord of the universe!

(G F G Dm C F C)
jaya jagadīs'a hare,  jaya jagadīs'a hare, jaya jagadīs'a hare  

*

Varāha Avatāra:

(3)

(C Em F G F)
vasati das'ana-s'ikhare dharanī tava lagnā
The earth once submerged at the bottom of the ocean,

(G Am Dm C)
s'as'ini kalaģka-kaleva nimagnā
sits fixed on your tusk like a spot on the moon.

(C G Em F)
kes'ava dhrita-s'ūkara-rūpa
 O Kes'ava, in the form of the Boar! Hail Hari ! Lord of the universe!.

(G F G Dm C F C)
jaya jagadīs'a hare,  jaya jagadīs'a hare, jaya jagadīs'a hare

 

Nrisimha Avatāra:

(4)

(C Em F G F)
tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-s'rīngam
The sharp nails on your hands became wonderful claws

(G Am Dm C)
dalita-hiranyakas'ipu-tanu-bhrīngam
that tore up the body of Hiranyakasipu

(C G Em F)
kes'ava dhrita-narahari-rūpa
 O Kes'ava, of body Man-Lion, Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!  

(G F G Dm C F C)
jaya jagadīs'a hare,  jaya jagadīs'a hare, jaya jagadīs'a hare  

(Am Bdim C Dm E F D Am F Dm C dm Em F G
C Dm G Am G Am Bdim C)

*  

Vāmana Avatāra:

(5)

(C Em F G F)
chalayasi vikramane balim adbhuta-vāmana
Skillfully You defeated Bali, the mighty king of the world, o Vāmana !

(G Am Dm C)
pada-nakha-nīra-janita-jana-pāvana
and from your toe-nails came the Ganga, the purifier of the world.

(C G Em F)
kes'ava dhrita-vāmana-rūpa
O Kes'ava, in the form of a dwarf, Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!  

(G F G Dm C F C)
jaya jagadīs'a hare,  jaya jagadīs'a hare, jaya jagadīs'a hare  

Paras'urāma Avatāra:  

(6)

(C Em F G F)
kshatriya-rudhira-maye jagad-apagata-pāpam
freeing us of the tyrannous rulers, thus cleansing out the sin,

(G Am Dm C)
snapayasi payasi s'amita-bhava-tāpam
You destroy the anguish of the world

(C G Em F)
kes'ava dhrita-bhrigupati-rūpa
O Kes'ava, as Lord of Bhrigus  Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!

(G F G Dm C F C)
jaya jagadīs'a hare,  jaya jagadīs'a hare, jaya jagadīs'a hare

*  

Rāma Avatāra:

(7)

(C Em F G F)
vitarasi dikshu rane dik-pati-kamanīyam
To uphold dharma, You scattered Rāvana's ten heads

(G Am Dm C)
das'a-mukha-mauli-balim ramanīyam
splendidly in the four directions, to the splendour of the guardians

(C G Em F)
kes'ava dhrita-rāma-s'arīra
O Kes'ava, as Lord Sri Rāma! Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!  

(G F G Dm C F C)
jaya jagadīs'a hare,  jaya jagadīs'a hare, jaya jagadīs'a hare  

Balarāma Avatāra:

(8)

(C Em F G F)
vahasi vapushi vis'ade vasanam jaladābham
wearing on your radiant body a garment of the color of the cloud,

(G Am Dm C)
hala-hati-bhīti-milita-yamunābham
blue like the Yamuna river, flowing as if afraid for your plough!

(C G Em F)
kes'ava dhrita-haladhara-rūpa
O Kes'ava in the form of Balarāma. Hail Hari! Lord of the universe.  

(G F G Dm C F C)
jaya jagadīs'a hare,  jaya jagadīs'a hare, jaya jagadīs'a hare

 

*

Buddha Avatāra:

(9)

(C Em F G F)
nindasi yajńa-vidher ahaha s'ruti-i-jātam
Decrying slaughter according the rules of Vedic sacrifice,

(G Am Dm C)
sadaya-hridaya dars'ita-pas'u-ghātam
You are compassionate of heart with the poor animals.

(C G Em F)
kes'ava dhrita-buddha-s'arīra
O Kes'ava in the form of Buddha! Hail Hari! Lord of the universe.  

(G F G Dm C F C)
jaya jagadīs'a hare,  jaya jagadīs'a hare, jaya jagadīs'a hare  

Kalki Avatāra:

(10)

(C Em F G F)
mleccha-nivaha-nidhane kalayasi karavālam
For the destruction of the wicked, with a comet for a sword,

(G Am Dm C)
dhūmaketum iva kim api karālam
You're trailing a train of disaster to them.

(C G Em F)
kes'ava dhrita-kalki-s'arīra
O Kes'ava!, in the form of Kalki! Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!  

(G F G Dm C F C)
jaya jagadīs'a hare,  jaya jagadīs'a hare, jaya jagadīs'a hare

* *  

To this poem:

(11)

(C Em F G F)
s'rī-jayedeva-kaver idam uditam udāram
Hear this hymn of the poet Jayadeva, O readers, it's most excellent,

(G Am Dm C)
s'rinu sukha-dam s'ubha-dam bhava-a-sāram
it gives happiness, good fortune, it's the best in this dark world.  

(C G Em F)
kes'ava dhrita-das'a-vidha-rūpa
0 Kes'ava in the ten different incarnations! Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!  

(G F G Dm C F C)
jaya jagadīs'a hare,  jaya jagadīs'a hare, jaya jagadīs'a hare  

 

To Lord Krishna:

(12)

(C Em F G F)
vedān uddharate jaganti vahate bhū-golam udbi-bhrate.
As Matsya the Vedas, as Kurma the mountain, as Varāha the earth.

(G Am Dm C)
daityam dārayate balim chalayate kshatra-kshayam kurvate

as Nrsimha the demon, As Vāmana Bali, and as Parasurāma the ksatriyas.

(C G Em F)
paulastyam jayate halam kalayate kārunyam ātanvate-e
As Rāma Rāvana, as Balarāma the wicked, as Buddha of compassion

(G F G Dm C F C)
mlecchān mū-u-rchayate, das'a kriti-i-krite
krishnāya tubhyam namah

As Kalki to bewilder the degraded, O Krishna, O Krishna, my obeisances unto You

Exit:
(C Em F G F G Am Dm C)
 

(Chords harmonium)

 

  

ELABORATE TRANSLATION (Prabhupāda)

(1) O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a fish! All glories to You! You easily acted as a boat in the form of a giant fish just to give protection to the Vedas, which had become immersed in the turbulent sea of devastation.

(2) O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a tortoise! All glories to You! In this incarnation as a divine tortoise the great Mandara Mountain rests upon Your gigantic back as a pivot for churning the ocean of milk. From holding up the huge mountain a large scar like depression is put in Your back, which has become most glorious. 

(3) O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a boar! All glories to You! The earth, which had become I,merged in the Garbhodaka Ocean at the bottom of the universe, sits fixed upon the tip of Your tusk like a spot upon the moon. 

(4) O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of half-man, half-lionl All glories to You! lust as one can easily crush a wasp between one's fingernails, so in the same way the body of the wasp like demon Hiranyakasipu has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful lotus hands.

(5) O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a dwarf-brahmana! All glories to You! O wonderful dwarf, by Your massive steps You deceive King Bali, and by the Ganges water that has emanated from the nails of your lotus feet, You deliver all living beings within this world.

(6) O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Bhrgupati [Parasurama] ! All glories to You! At Kuruksetra You bathe the earth in the rivers of blood from the bodies of I he demoniac ksatriyas that You have slain. The sins of the world are washed away by You, and because of You people are relieved room the blazing fire of material existence.

(7) O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who haze assumed the form of Ramacandra! All glories to You! In the battle of Lanka You destroy the ten-headed demon Ravana and distribute his heads as a delightful offering to the presiding deities of the ten directions, headed by Indira. This action was long desired by all of them, who were much harassed by this monster.

(8) O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Balarama, the yielder of the prowl All glories to You! On Your brilliant white body You wear garments the color of a fresh blue rain cloud. These garments are colored like the beautiful dark hue of the River Yamuna, who feels great fear due to the striking of Your plowshare.

(9) O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Buddha! All glories to You! O Buddha of compassionate heart, you decry the slaughtering of poor animals performed according to the rules of Vedic sacrifice

(10) 0 Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Kalki! All glories to You! You appear like a comet and carry a terrifying sword for bringing about the annihilation of the wicked barbarian men at the end of the Kali-yuga.

(11) 0 Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed these ten different forms of incarnation! All glories to You! O readers, please hear this hymn of the poet Jayadeva, which is most excellent, an awarder of happiness, a bestower of auspiciousness, and is the best thing in this dark world.

(12) O Lord Krsna, I offer my obeisances unto You, who appear in the forms of these ten incarnations. In the form of Matsya You rescue the Vedas, and as Karma You bear the Mandara Mountain on Your back. As Varaha You lift the earth with Your tusk, and in the form of Narasimha You tear open the chest of the daitya Hiranyakasipu. In the form of Vāmana You trick the daitya king Bali by asking him for only three steps of land, and then You take away the whole universe from him by expanding Your steps. As Parasurama You slay all of the wicked ksatriyas, and as Ramacandra You conquer the raksasa king Ravana. In the form of Balarama You carry a plow with which You subdue the wicked and draw toward You the River Yamuna. As Lord Buddha You show compassion toward all the living beings suffering in this world and a the end of the Kali-yuga You appear as Kalki to bewilder the mlecchas [degraded low-class men].

 

Further Purports:

 

Matsya Purport: The first avatara signifies the restoration of true knowledge (Vedas), recovered from the deluge of egoism, which has to be destroyed in the process.

Kurma Purport: The incarnation of God in the Tortoise form during the churning of the Ocean, signifies that the churning of the ocean of experience with the churn of knowledge, towards the Absolute can rest only on the immovable, all-sufficient, all-sustaining basis of self-evident truth, symbolized by the Tortoise avatara.

Varāha Purport: The Boar avatara is identified with sacrifice both in the Vishnupurana and Bhagavata. As sacrifice (of worldly affairs) is essential for the stability of mind for contemplation on God, it is symbolized by the Boar form of the Lord.

Nrsmha Purport: This avatara illustrates that a true devotee is fearless (as Prahlāda) and God comes to his rescue.

Vāmana Purport: The Dwarf avatara shows that valour (as exemplified by King Bali) can find its fulfilment only in complete surrender.

Parasurāma Purport: When the rulers, endowed with power for protection of the subjects, had however degenerated into an oppressive tyranny, it had to be crushed ruthlessly. This is illustrated by the Parasurama avatara.

Rāma Purport: The Sri Rāma avatara is an ideal demonstration of how a man can rise to divinity, by unswerving adherence to dharma, in all its details.

Kalki Purport: The yet to be avatara is Kalki, the mighty warrior, born in a pious family, to rid the world of the oppression of its unrighteous rulers.

 

Comment

The Dasavatara Stotra is a Hymn in salutation to the ten incarnations of Lord Maha Vishnu. The Stotra forms the first section of Gita Govinda, the masterpiece work of Sri Jayadeva. He was a court poet of King Lakshmanasena, who ruled Bengal during the 12th Century. Sri Jayadeva was a great devotee of Lord Krishna and a mystic. His mastery of Sanskrit language was matched by his extraordinary talent in music and dancing.

The theme of Gita Govindam is the love of Radha Devi and Sri Krishna, symbolizing the longing and striving of the individual, for communion with God, culminating in their blissful union.

Incarnation is a special manifestation of God for the protection of the good, the destruction of evil and the establishment of Dharma. Holy scriptures, such as Bhagavata Purana enumerate 24 incarnations, including Kapila, the great sage and founder of the Sankhya school of philosophy, and Rishabha, whom the Jains revere as their first prophet.

Worship of the incarnation and contemplation of His attributes are for most men and women the best preparation for unitive knowledge of Godhead.

Sri Jayadeva in the Dasavatara Stotra enumerates the ten incarnations of the Lord. Sri Krishna Chaitanya, the great Vaishnavite saint took inspiration from his songs.

In the Sri Krishna temple of Guruvayoor in Kerala, Jayadeva's songs are sung daily in Carnatic Music ragas. In Nepal, they are sung during the Spring festivals. Guru Arjun Singh included two of Jayadeva's songs in Adi Guru Grantha, the holy scripture of the Sikhs.

 

(source)

 

  (chords harmonium)      

 

 

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