Orissa Review * May - 2005 Hymns to Jagannatha JAYADEVA Translations by Dr. Subas Pani Jayadeva lived in the twelfth century and is the literature. The ten avataras are also presented in well-known author of the musical epic Sri sculptures on the outer walls of the sanctum of Geetagovinda. He hailed from the Kenduli village the Srimandira. These have been revealed to us in the Prachi valley between Bhubaneswar and only recently after the de-plastering of the temple Puri. He spent most of his life at Puri and surface. The monastery established by Jayadeva composed the songs of Sri Geetagovinda as is also known as the Dasavatara Matha and is musical offerings to Lord Jagannatha. Padmavati, situated near the Gundicha temple to the east of his beloved wife, danced to the songs sung and the Saradhabali, the open grounds in front of the choreographed by Jayadeva. The composition former. Many of the avatara sculptures can still was probably performed first on the twin be found in this temple today. occasions of the dedication of the Srimandira and The main dramatic theme of Sri the coronation of Kamaamava as the crown Geetagovinda relates to the dalliance of Radha prince in 1142 AD during the reign of and Madhava on the banks of Yamuna and their Chodagangadeva, the founder of the great Ganga secret love play. Yet throughout the twenty-four Empire in the east coast of India. Jayadeva, a songs and seventy-two slokas, the thread of deep great scholar and composer was a devotee first devotion runs like a subterranean stream. Jayadeva and a poet next. His Sri Geetagovinda is a hints at the true import of the composition in the glorification of the essence of Jagannatha following words in one of the introductory slokas. Chetana or Jagannatha Consciousness - the path of simple surrender, which later Sri Chaitanya If chanting the name of Hari Does please your heart, popularised as the Gopi Bhava or the Radha If to know the art of amorous enjoyment, Bhava. Does your curious mind desire, Jayadeva presents Sri Jagannatha as Then should you hear The songs, sweet, soft and pleasant, Jagadeesha and Hari and identifies him with the The verses, melodious and tender, Supreme Divinity, the creator of incarnations or Those that poet Jayadeva, composed ! avatari rather than an avatara. Jayadeva’s presentation of the ten avataras became so He, by the Goddess of Speech is blessed. popular that the sequence and the set has been “Remembrance of Hari”, is, in fact, the accepted as the final version of the many variants thread, which holds the entire composition of the avatara concept found in classical together. 1 Orissa Review * May - 2005 This collection includes translations of the Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Manipuri or Mohini first two songs of Sri Geetagovinda. Both are Attam as it is of every singer of devotional music invocatory songs addressed to Lord Jagannatha. or bhajan. Depiction of the ten avataras is also The first one is famous as the Dasavatara Song popular in all forms of plastic arts in Orissa -as and covers the ten avataras. Jayadeva presents sculptures in temples or as decorative pieces, palm the entire legend and mythological episode leaf etchings, pattachitra paintings and connected with each of the ten incarnations- in a woodcarvings. succinct two-line stanza. In conveying the essential narrative, Jayadeva uses deceptively simple but The second song of Sri Geetagovinda is exquisitely beautiful visual imagery through the use also an invocation but instead of focussing on the of apt similes. As in his entire composition, the incarnations it draws upon the episodes of lilting lyricism and essential musicality of the song, Krishna Leela while at the same time emphasizing enhances the attraction of his words manifold. the Supreme Divinity of Krishna-Jagannatha. In Jayadeva also highlights the great compassion of place of Jagadeesha, or the Lord of the Universe, the Lord in each of his incarnations. The words Jayadeva uses the simpler appellation of Hari in have a nectarine sweetness, an ineffable the refrain of the second song. What is important madhurya, which is the hallmark of his to note is the subtle juxtaposition of the Vishnu composition. After presenting the ten incarnations, aspect with the Krishna aspect of Jagannatha in Jayadeva offers his salutations to Krishna as the this song. This song, in a way, captures the process creator of these and thus categorically identifies of Krishnaization of Jagannatha and his Krishna and Jagannatha as the avatari. He does transformation from Nilamadhava or a so twice, first in the bhanita, or the signature manifestation of the more orthodox and classical stanza of the hymn and later in a sloka, which. representation of Vishnu-Narayana to his more summarizes all the ten incarnations in a capsule popular and almost folk representation as the form. The concept of avataara is explained in cowherd God Krishna. More detailed discussion the Bhagavad Gita and in the Srimad Bhagavat, of the topic is beyond the scope of the present Krishna is called God Himself -”Krishnastu brief introduction. Bhagabana swayam.” However, perhaps This song is equally popular with singers Jayadeva alone states this subtle distinction and dancers but more importantly with the lay between an incarnation and the creator of an incarnation so loudly and clearly. public. Devotees in the Puri temple sing it almost daily by devotees, especially in the evening hours. The great popularity of this song is evident from the embellishment of the Srimandira with Dasavatara sculptures depicting the ten incarnations, the name From the depths of the great deluge of the matha, monastery established by Did you the Vedas rescue, Jayadeva, the appellation of Dasavatara Kshetra Taking the form of a boat did you salvage With ease, the scripts, auspicious and noble.1 used for Puri and even the name of Dasavatara Glory to the Lord of the Universe ! Jatra used for the famous festival of chariots. Its To Keshava, who took the body of a Fish ! popularity has not diminished even after a On thy vast back doth the earth repose. thousand years and even today it is part of the The weight of carrying the world’s load Does etch repertoire of every classical dancer in Odissi, thereon, a giant wheel-mark.2 2 Orissa Review * May - 2005 Glory to the Lord of the Universe! Glory to the Lord of the Universe ! To Keshava, who took the Tortoise form ! To Keshava, who took the body of Kalki ! Perched on the tip of thy tusk, Sri Jayadeva, the bard, presents these noble songs, The earth to you does cling These that contain the world’s essence.11 3 As the petite blemish does the moon embrace. Hear, hear, these auspicious, joyous songs. Glory to the Lord of the Universe ! Glory to the Lord of the Universe ! To Keshava, who took the form of a Boar ! (3) To Keshava, who took the ten incarnations ! On thy lotus hands did strange nail-peaks sprout, Sloka With which you did, the demon, tear apart As if crushing the body Of some giant bee, Rescuer of the Vedas, carrier of the world, You did gore Hiranyakasipu’s heart.4 Upholder of the earth, tearer of demon, Glory to the Lord of the Universe ! Deceiver of Bali, destroyer of the warrior clan, Victor To Keshava, who took the Man-Lion form ! of Pulasti’s progeny,12 Wielder of the ploughshare, As the strange dwarf your prowess you displayed. Dispenser of mercy, You beguiled Bali and his pride curbed. Killer of unclean hordes, Water from thy toenails became a stream Creator of the ten incarnations, That absolved men from worldly woes.5 13 Glory to tbe Lord of the Universe ! To Thee ! O Krishna, To Kesbava, who took the Dwarf form ! I offer my salutations ! (S -5) Drenched in the blood of the warrior race, Source for original Sanskrit hymn, “Pralaya payodhijale" and As if in water performing your daily rites, the sloka following it: Panda, Bhagaban. Ed. Sri Gitagovinda You rid the world of all its sins. Mahakavyam. Bhubaneswar: Directorate of Culture, You cooled the world’s burning heats.6 Government of Orissa, 1985. pp. 19-42. Glory to the Lord of the Universe ! To Kesbava, who as chief of Bhrigu clan was born ! Kamala Sheltered in the orb of Kamala’s bosom,l4 Destroying tbe ten-headed demon, O Lord, To each handsome God of the ten Directions, O, Lord, whom the ear pendants adorn ! l5 You did prorate one severed head, You sport a pretty garland of wild blossoms. As fair oblation of battleground.7 Glory be to Lord Hari! Glory to the Lord of the Universe ! By the halo of the Sun bedecked, To Kesbava, He who took the body of Rama ! Destroyer of the travails of the world.l6 ! Thy ample figure is adorned You do reside in the minds of the sages 17 By robes dark as the rain-filled cloud, As on a serene lake, the goose. Blue as the deep waters of river- Yamuna Glory be to Lord Hari ! When afraid of being struck by thy mighty plough, Humbling the serpent Kaliya18 Scared, she came running to you.8 Did you the people please. Glory to the Lord of the Universe ! As to the lotus bloom, the sun, To Keshava, who took the Ploughshare-carrier form ! Dear are you to the Yadu clan. Touched was thy tender heart Glory be to Lord Hari! By every sight of sacrificed beast. Destroyer of the demons Madhu, Mura, and Naraka,l9 You did disapprove the yagnic rite, O Lord ! You ride the eagle Garuda.20 9 Although the Vedas did deem it right.