Prayers to Lord Jagannatha,
Sri
Krishna as the Lord of the Universe
Jagannathastaka
(As issued from the
mouth of Lord Caitanya)
kadacit kalindi-tata-vipina-sangitaka-ravo
mudabhiri-nari-vadana-kamalasvada-madhupaha
rama-shambhu-brahmamara-pati-ganesharcita-pado
jagannathah svami
nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
"Sometimes in great happiness
Lord Jagannatha, with His flute, makes a loud concert in the groves on the banks
of the Yamuna. He is like a bumblebee who tastes the beautiful lotus-like faces
of the cowherd damsels of Vraja, and His lotus feet are worshiped by great
personalities such as Lakshmi, Shiva, Brahma, Indra and Ganesha. May that
Jagannatha Svami be the object of my vision."
bhuje savye venum Shirasi Shikhi-puccham katitate
dukulam netrante sahacara-kataksham vidadhate
sada shrimad-vrindavana-vasati-lila-paricayo
jagannathah svami
nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
"In His left hand Lord
Jagannatha holds a flute. On His head He wears the feathers of peacocks and on
His hips He wears fine yellow silken cloth. Out of the corners of His eyes He
bestows sidelong glances upon His loving devotees and He always reveals Himself
through His pastimes in His divine abode of Vrindavana. May that Jagannatha
Svami be the object of my vision."
mahambhodhes tire kanaka-rucire nila-shikhare
vasan prasadantah sahaja-balabhadrena balina
subhadra-madhya-sthah sakala-sura-sevavasara-do
jagannathah svami
nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
"Residing on the shore of the
great ocean, within a large palace situated upon the crest of the brilliant,
golden Nilachala Hill, along with His powerful brother Balabhadra, and in the
middle of Them His sister Subhadra, Lord Jagannatha bestows the opportunity for
devotional service upon all godly souls. May that Jagannatha Svami be the object
of my vision."
kripa-paravarah sajala-jalada-shreni-ruciro
rama-vani-ramah sphurad-amala-punkeruha-makhaha
surendrair aradhyah shruti-gana-shikha-gita-charito
jagannathah svami
nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
"Lord Jagannatha is an ocean of
mercy and He is beautiful like a row of blackish rain clouds. He is the
storehouse of bliss for Lakshmi and Sarasvati, and His face is like a spotless
full-blown lotus. He is worshiped by the best of demigods and sages, and His
glories are sung by the Upanishads. May that Jagannatha Svami be the object of
my vision."
ratharudho gacchan pathi milita-bhudeva-patalaih
stuti-pradurbhavam prati-padam upakarnya sadayaha
daya-sindhur bandhuh sakala-jagatam sindhu-sutaya
jagannathah svami
nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
"When Lord Jagannatha is on His
Ratha-yatra cart and is moving along the road, at every step there is a loud
presentation of prayers and songs chanted by large assemblies of brahmanas.
Hearing their hymns Lord Jagannatha is very favorably disposed towards them. He
is the ocean of mercy and the true friend of all the worlds. May that Jagannatha
Svami, along with His consort Lakshmi, who was born from the ocean of nectar, be
the object of my vision."
para-brahmapidah kuvalaya-dalotphulla-nayano
nivasi niladrau nihita-carano 'nanta-shirasi
rasanando radha-sarasa-vapur-alingana-sukho
jagannathah svami
nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
"He is the ornament of the head
of Lord Brahma and His eyes are like the full-blown petals of the lotus. He
resides on the Nilachala Hill, and His lotus feet are placed on the heads of
Anantadeva. Lord Jagannatha is overwhelmed by the mellows of love and He becomes
joyful in the embracing of the body of Srimati Radharani, which is like a cool
pond. May that Jagannatha Svami be the object of my vision."
na vai yace rajyam na cha kanaka-manikya-vibhavam
na yace 'ham ramyam sakala-jana-kamyam vara-vadhum
sada kale kale pramatha-patina gita-charito
jagannathah svami
nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
"I do not pray for a kingdom,
nor for gold, rubies and wealth. I do not ask for an excellent and beautiful
wife as desired by all men. I simply pray that Jagannatha Svami, whose glories
are always sung by Lord Shiva, be the constant object of my vision."
hara tvam samsaram drutataram asaram sura-pate
hara tvam papanam vitatim aparam yadava-pate
aho dine 'nathe nihita-charano nishcitam idam
jagannathah svami
nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
"O Lord of the demigods, please quickly remove this useless material existence I am undergoing. O Lord of the Yadus, please destroy this vast ocean of sins which has no shore. Alas, this is certain that Lord Jagannatha's lotus feet are bestowed upon those who feel themselves fallen and have no shelter in this world but Him. May that Jagannatha Svami be the object of my vision."
[These prayers are available at www.stephen-knapp.com]