Jagannatha Stotram (Nilachala Nivasaya)
जगन्नाथ स्तोत्रम् (नीलाचलनिवासाय)
Also known as: nilachala nivasaya nityaya paramatmane · jagannath stotram · anathasya jagannatha
✦ Meaning
This is one of the most loved Sanskrit prayers to Lord Jagannatha — the form of Vishnu (Krishna) enshrined at the great temple of Puri in Odisha with Balabhadra and Subhadra. Verses of complete surrender (prapatti), they remind the Lord of how swiftly He once rescued Draupadi and Gajendra, and place the devotee wholly in His care.
Origin & Story
Traditional Jagannatha stotra · Traditional · Classical
Lord Jagannatha — the 'Lord of the Universe', a form of Krishna/Vishnu worshipped with His elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra — is enshrined at the great 12th-century temple of Puri in Odisha, called Nilachala or Nilagiri, the Blue Mountain. This stotra of surrender is recited across Odisha and beyond; its verses lovingly remind the Lord of His swift grace to Draupadi and Gajendra and seek that same compassion.
✦ As told in scripture
Devotees hold that one who takes refuge in Lord Jagannatha with this prayer need never fear sorrow — for, as the verse says, how can grief touch one whose very Lord is the Lord of the Universe?
The Mantra
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नीलाचलनिवासाय नित्याय परमात्मने । बलभद्रसुभद्राभ्यां जगन्नाथाय ते नमः ॥ १॥ जगदानन्दकन्दाय प्रणतार्तिहराय च । नीलाचलनिवासाय जगन्नाथाय ते नमः ॥ २॥ अनाथस्य जगन्नाथ नाथस्त्वं मे न संशयः । यस्य नाथो जगन्नाथस्तस्य दुःखं कथं प्रभो ॥ ३॥ या त्वरा द्रौपदीत्राणे या त्वरा गजमोक्षणे । मय्यार्ते करुणामूर्ते सा त्वरा क्व गता हरे ॥ ४॥ मत्समो पातकी नास्ति त्वत्समो नास्ति पापहा । इति विज्ञाय देवेश यथायोग्यं तथा कुरु ॥ ५॥
nīlācalanivāsāya nityāya paramātmane | balabhadrasubhadrābhyāṃ jagannāthāya te namaḥ || 1|| jagadānandakandāya praṇatārtiharāya ca | nīlācalanivāsāya jagannāthāya te namaḥ || 2|| anāthasya jagannātha nāthastvaṃ me na saṃśayaḥ | yasya nātho jagannāthastasya duḥkhaṃ kathaṃ prabho || 3|| yā tvarā draupadītrāṇe yā tvarā gajamokṣaṇe | mayyārte karuṇāmūrte sā tvarā kva gatā hare || 4|| matsamo pātakī nāsti tvatsamo nāsti pāpahā | iti vijñāya deveśa yathāyogyaṃ tathā kuru || 5||
Meaning:A beloved prayer of surrender to Lord Jagannatha of Puri (Nilachala, the Blue Mountain) with His siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra — "Salutations to You, eternal Supreme Self, dweller of Nilachala. You are the Lord of the helpless; how can sorrow touch one whose Lord is Jagannatha? The haste with which You saved Draupadi and freed the elephant Gajendra — where has it gone now, O merciful one?"
Benefits of Chanting Jagannatha Stotram (Nilachala Nivasaya)
A prayer of sharanagati (complete surrender) — recited to place oneself wholly in the protection of Lord Jagannatha.
Said to remove sorrow, fear and helplessness, recalling the Lord's swift rescue of Draupadi and Gajendra.
Especially dear during Rath Yatra and on Ekadashi, and to pilgrims to Puri Dham.
Short and easy to memorise, suitable for daily recitation with devotion.
How to Chant Jagannatha Stotram (Nilachala Nivasaya)
Bathe and sit facing east or north before an image of Lord Jagannatha. Light a lamp and recite the verses slowly with a surrendered heart. It may be chanted daily, and is especially auspicious on Ekadashi, Thursdays and during the Puri Rath Yatra.
Frequently Asked Questions
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