Dasavatara Sloka or Pralaya Payodhi or Hymn to the Ten Incarnations !

                                 


Pralaya-payodhi-jale dhruta vanasi vedam
Vihita-vahitra-charitramakhedam
Keshava dhruta-meena-sarira jaya jagadisa hare 1

Hail, O Lord
Lord of the Universe
Who became Fish
Protecting Vedas
Immersed as they were
In turbulent sea of deluge
From malefic influences
Protecing it like a boat !
Saluations to Thee !

Kshitirathi vipulatare tisthtati tava prushte
Dharani-dharana-kina-chakra-garishte ,
Keshava dhruta-kachapa-sarira jaya jagadisa hare 2

Tortoise Thou became
Making the mountain great
Rest on Thy back
Allowing it churn
Ocean like a wheel
Hail O Lord
Lord of Cosmos
To Thee our salutations !


Vasati dasana-sikhare dharani thava lagna
Sasini kalanka-kaleva nimagna
Keshava dhruta-sukara-rupa jaya jagadisa hare 3

Thou became Boar
In Thy Third Incarnation
Earth was drowned
Thou redeemed Earth
As the Boar Supernal
Earth rested on Thy Tusk
Hail O Lord
Lord of cosmos entire
To Thee our salutations !


Thava kara-kamala-vare nakha madbhuta-srngam
Dalita-hiranyakasipu-thanu-bhrngam
Keshava dhruta-narahari-rupa jaya jagadisa hare 4

In Thy Fourth Incarnation
Thou became Lion
Half lion half man
Thou tore into demon
Hiranyakashipu, Ego
Obliterating him for ever
Hail, O Lord of Universe
To Thee our salutations !


Chalayasi vikramane balimadbhuta-vamana
Pada-nakha-nira-janita-jana-pavana
Keshava dhruta-vamana-rupa jaya jagadisa hare 5

 
Thou became a Dwarf
To chastise Bali
Bali, the righteous King
Who became arrognat
And was deceived by Thee !
The water emanating
From Thy Lotus Feet
Made all beings divine !
Mother Ganges originated
From Thy Feet !
Hail O Lord
O Lord of the Universe
Accept our obeisances !

Kshatriya-rudhira-maye jagad-apagata-papam
Snapayasi payasi samita-bhava-tapam
Keshava dhruta-bhrgupati-rupa jaya jagadisa hare 6
 
Thou became warror
Parasurama by name
The Kshatriyas, of regal blood
Became arrogant and proud
Thou taught them a lesson
As Parasurama, the warrior sage
Earth was bathed with blood
Of the arrogant Kshatriyas
Thou washed the sins of this world
Hail, O Lord of the Universe
Accept our humble obeisances !

Vitarasi dikshu rane dik-pati-kamaniyam
Dasa-mukha-mauli-balim ramaniyam
Keshava dhruta-rama-sarira jaya jagadisa hare 7
 
Thou became Dharma Personified
As Lord Rama, Redeemer
Thou destroyed emblem of Ego
Ravana, with his ten heads

 

 

Mighty Ego, ever at arms

With the world tumultous
Kidnapping mental peace
Seeta, the Mother Divine
In that war fierce
Thou vanquished Ravana !
 
Hail, O Lord of the Universe
Accept our humble salutations !

Vahasi vapusi visade vasanam jaladabham
Hala-hati-bhiti-milita-yamunabham
Keshava dhruta-haladhara-rupa jaya jagadisa hare 8
 
Thou became Bala Rama
Brother of Lord Krishna
With his weapon, plough
Hail, O Lord of the Universe
Accept our humble obeisances !

Nindasi yajna-vidher ahaha shruti-jatam
Sadaya-hrdaya darsita-pasu-ghatham
Keshava dhruta-buddha-sarira jaya jagadisa hare 9
 
Thou became Divine Man
Buddha, the Enlightened
In Thy Ninth Incarnation
This incarnations theory
Depict Evolution human
Evolution of the species
Evolution of Consciousness
Thou went against sacrifices
Due to heart compassionate
Hail, O Lord of the Universe,
Accept our humble obeisances !

Mleccha-nivaha-nidhane kalayasi karavalam
Dhumaketum iva kim api karalam
Keshava dhruta-kalki-sarira jaya jagadisa hare 10
 
Thou will become Kalki
Fierce warrior
To destroy Evil
Will appear like comet
Destroying barbarians !
Hail, O Lord of the Universe
Accept our humble obeisances !

These verses divine
Were composed by Jayadeva
Poet Laureate
Hearing these verses
Fills one with Bliss
O Lord of the Universe
Blessed be Thy Tenfold Form !
 
 
Sri-jayadeva-kaver idam uditam udaaram
Srunu sukha-dam subha-dam bhava-saram
Keshava dhruta-dasa-vidha-rupa jaya jagadisa hare 11
 
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