दशावतार स्तोत्रम् — प्रलयपयोधिजले (जयदेव) — Word-by-Word Meaning
दशावतार स्तोत्रम् — प्रलयपयोधिजले (जयदेव)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
Complete Translation
गीत गोविन्द से जयदेव रचित भगवान विष्णु के दश अवतारों (दशावतार) की प्रसिद्ध स्तुति — मत्स्य, कूर्म, वराह, नृसिंह, वामन, परशुराम, राम, बलराम, बुद्ध व कल्कि रूपों का वंदन, प्रत्येक श्लोक के अंत में 'जय जगदीश हरे' — हे जगत् के स्वामी हरि, आपकी जय हो!
Origin & History
Source: Gita Govinda by Jayadeva
Author: Jayadeva
Period: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Pralaya Payodhi Jale' Dashavatara Stotram?▼
It is Jayadeva's famous hymn to the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu — Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Balarama, Buddha and Kalki — from the Gita Govinda, beginning 'Pralaya payodhi jale'. Each verse ends with the refrain 'Keshava dhrita... jaya jagadisha hare'.
Who composed it?▼
It was composed by Jayadeva (12th century), the great Sanskrit poet of Kenduli in Odisha, as part of his lyrical masterpiece the Gita Govinda. It is sung daily before Lord Jagannatha at the Puri temple and is a treasure of Odia devotional tradition.
Which ten avatars are praised, and why Balarama instead of Krishna?▼
The ten are Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Balarama, Buddha and Kalki. In this Vaishnava (and especially Gaudiya/Odia) list, Balarama is counted among the ten and Krishna is regarded as the source of all avatars (Svayam Bhagavan), not merely one of them.
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