Dashavatara Stotram — Pralaya Payodhi Jale (Jayadeva)
Dashavatara Stotram — Pralaya Payodhi Jale (Jayadeva) in English · English
✦ Meaning
This Dashavatara Stotra ('Pralaya Payodhi Jale') was composed by the great poet Jayadeva of Kenduli in Odisha, as part of his Gita Govinda. It praises the ten avatars of Vishnu in exquisite Sanskrit and is sung daily before Lord Jagannatha at Puri — a treasure of Odia and pan-Indian devotion, chanted for the Lord's protection through every age.
Origin & Story
Gita Govinda by Jayadeva · Jayadeva · 12th century
Jayadeva, the court poet of King Lakshmana Sena and a native of Kenduli (Kendubilwa) in Odisha, composed the Gita Govinda — one of the supreme works of Sanskrit devotional poetry. Its opening Dashavatara Stotra, 'Pralaya payodhi jale', praises the ten incarnations of Vishnu and has been sung for centuries in the seva of Lord Jagannatha at Puri, making it one of the most beloved hymns of Odisha and of all Vaishnavas.
✦ As told in scripture
It is said that to sing the deeds of all ten avatars in this one hymn is to take shelter of the Lord in every form He assumes for the protection of dharma — age after age, 'jaya jagadisha hare'.
The Mantra
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pralayapayodhijale dhṛtavānasi vedaṃ vihitavahitracaritramakhedam | keśava dhṛtamīnaśarīra jaya jagadīśa hare || 1|| kṣitirativipulatare tava tiṣṭhati pṛṣṭhe dharaṇidharaṇakiṇacakragariṣṭhe | keśava dhṛtakacchaparūpa jaya jagadīśa hare || 2|| vasati daśanaśikhare dharaṇī tava lagnā śaśini kalaṅkakaleva nimagnā | keśava dhṛtasūkararūpa jaya jagadīśa hare || 3|| tava karakamalavare nakhamadbhutaśṛṅgaṃ dalitahiraṇyakaśiputanubhṛṅgam | keśava dhṛtanaraharirūpa jaya jagadīśa hare || 4|| chalayasi vikramaṇe balimadbhutavāmana padanakhanīrajanitajanapāvana | keśava dhṛtavāmanarūpa jaya jagadīśa hare || 5|| kṣatriyarudhiramaye jagadapagatapāpaṃ snapayasi payasi śamitabhavatāpam | keśava dhṛtabhṛgupatirūpa jaya jagadīśa hare || 6|| vitarasi dikṣu raṇe dikpatikamanīyaṃ daśamukhamaulibaliṃ ramaṇīyam | keśava dhṛtarāmaśarīra jaya jagadīśa hare || 7|| vahasi vapuṣi viśade vasanaṃ jaladābhaṃ halahatibhītimilitayamunābham | keśava dhṛtahaladhararūpa jaya jagadīśa hare || 8|| nindasi yajñavidherahaha śrutijātaṃ sadayahṛdayadarśitapaśughātam | keśava dhṛtabuddhaśarīra jaya jagadīśa hare || 9|| mlecchanivahanidhane kalayasi karavālaṃ dhūmaketumiva kimapi karālam | keśava dhṛtakalkiśarīra jaya jagadīśa hare || 10|| śrījayadevakaveridamuditamudāraṃ śṛṇu sukhadaṃ śubhadaṃ bhavasāram | keśava dhṛtadaśavidharūpa jaya jagadīśa hare || 11||
Meaning:Jayadeva's celebrated hymn to the ten incarnations (Dashavatara) of Lord Vishnu, from the Gita Govinda — saluting Him as Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (boar), Narasimha (man-lion), Vamana (dwarf), Parashurama, Rama, Balarama, Buddha and Kalki, each verse ending 'Jaya Jagadisha Hare' — Glory to You, Lord of the Universe, O Hari!
Benefits of Chanting Dashavatara Stotram — Pralaya Payodhi Jale (Jayadeva)
Glorifies all ten avatars of Vishnu in a single hymn — recited for the Lord's protection and grace through every age and circumstance.
A masterpiece of Jayadeva's Gita Govinda, sung daily at the Jagannatha temple in Puri and cherished across Odisha and India.
Cultivates deep devotion (bhakti) and remembrance of the Lord's deeds; melodious and beloved in kirtan.
Especially auspicious on Ekadashi, Janmashtami, Rama Navami and during Vishnu festivals.
How to Chant Dashavatara Stotram — Pralaya Payodhi Jale (Jayadeva)
Bathe and sit facing east or north before an image of Lord Vishnu or Jagannatha. Light a lamp and sing or recite the ten verses melodiously, dwelling on each avatar, ending each with 'Jaya Jagadisha Hare'. It is often sung as kirtan and is especially loved on Ekadashi.
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Read the full Dashavatara Stotram — Pralaya Payodhi Jale (Jayadeva) with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts