Gayatris and Other Mantras for Assistance

These are various gayatri mantras to the Lord and His different expansions, and to various demigods, for particular purposes.

To Lord Sri Krishna, for spiritual success: Aum Devkinandanaye Vidmahe Vasudavaye Dhi-mahi Tanno Krishnah Prachodayat. Translation: Om. Let us meditate on Sri Krishna, beloved son of Devaki and Vasudeva. May that Lord Krishna of dark complexion, who steals the heart, inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Radha, for increasing our devotion and divine love: Aum Vrashbhanujaye Vidmahe Krishnapriyaye Dhi-Mahi Tanno Radha Prachodayat. Translation: Om. Let us meditate on Sri Radha, the beloved of Sri Krishna, the daughter of Vrishabhanu. May that Radha Devi inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Vishnu, for welfare Aum Narayanaye Vidmahe Vasudavaye Dhimahi Tanno Vishnu Prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on Sri Narayana, the Lord who dwells in all beings, and is known as the Sovereign of the world. May that Sri Vishnu inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Goddess Lakshmi, for increasing wealth, luxuries, promotion, status. Aum Mahalakshmaye Vidmahe Vishnupriyaye Dhimahi Tanno Lakshmih Prachodayat Another similar Gayatri for Lakshmi is: Om Mahalakshmyai cha vidmahe Vishnu patnyai cha dhimahi Tanno Lakshmihi prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on the Great Goddess Sri Lakshmi, the consort of Sri Maha Vishnu. May that effulgent Maha Lakshmi Devi inspire and illumine our mind and understanding.

Another traditional mantra is: Om sreem hreem kleem kamale kamalalaye prasida prasida sreem hreem kleem sri maha lakshmyi namaha. Underlying Vibration of all creation, abundance please, cherishing your lotus feet, be pleased Great Lakshmi Goddess, I bow to You. To Lord Rama, for security and status Aum Dasharathaye Vidmahe Sita Ballabhaye Dhimahi Tanno Ramah Prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on the divine son of King Dasharatha. May that Sri Rama, beloved husband of Sita Devi, inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Srimati Sita, for increasing power to work on oneself, penance, and tolerance. Aum Janaknandiniye Vidmahe Bhumijayai Dhimahi Tanno Sita Prachodayat To Lord Narayana, to increase administrative power Aum Narayanaya Vidmahe Vasudevaya dhimahi Tanno Narayanah Prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on the Great Lord Narayana who pervades all creation. May that glorious Maha Vishnu, who appeared on Earth as the adorable Sri Krishna, son of Vasudeva, inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Lord Narasimha, to increase our ability to help others: Aum Ugranarsinghaye Vidmahe Vajranakhaye Dhi-Mahi Tanno Narsingha Prachodayat. Translation: Om. Let us meditate on the fierce and terrible form of Lord Narasimha, the half-man and half-lion form. May that great God, with nails hard and strong as diamonds, inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. A similar Narasimha Gayatri is: Om Narasimhaya vidmahe Vajra nakhaya dhimahi Tanno Narasimha prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on Sri Narasimha, who incarnated as half-man and half-lion. May that Lord with adamantine claws inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Hamsa, for increasing power of discrimination Aum Paramhamsaye Vidmahe

Mahahamsaye Dhimahi Tanno Hamsah Prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on Sri Hamsa Deva, the glorious, pure white divine swan of supreme discrimination. May that great Lord in the form of a swan, who exemplifiesparamahamsas, blissful self-realized souls, inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Hayagriva, to increase courage and remove fear Aum Vanishwaraye Vidmahe Hayagrivaye Dhimahi Tanno Hayagrivah Prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on the glorious Lord Hayagriva, who is the embodiment of Sri Maha Vishnu. May that great Vagishwara, the Lord of Speech, and consort of Vagishwari, Sarasvati Devi, the Goddess of Knowledge and Speech, inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Lord Shiva, for easing problems, and giving peace & prosperity: Aum Pancvaktraye Vidmahe Mahadevaye Dhimahi Tanno Rudra Prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on the great Lord with five faces. May that fierce Rudra inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Goddess Durga, for victory over obstacles, pains & enemies: Aum Girijaye cha Vidmahe Shiva Priyaye cha Dhimahi Tanno Durga Prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on Girija Devi, Daughter of the Mountain. May that beloved of Lord Shiva inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Ganesh, for removing obstacles: Aum Eikdantaya vidmahe Vakratunaye Dhimahi Tanno Buddhih Pracodayat Another Gayatri similar to this is: Aum Eka dantaya vidmahe Vakra tundaya dhimahi Tanno dantih prachodayat Translation: "Om. Let us meditate on Sri Ganesh, the lord with one tusk. May that great lord with curved elephant trunk inspire and illumine our mind and understanding." To Brahma, for increasing productivity Aum Parmeshwaraye Vidmahe Paratattvaye Dhimahi

Tanno Brahma Prachodayat Another similar Gayatri for Brahma is: Aum chatur mukhaya vidmahe Hamsarudhaya dhimahi Tanno brahma prachodayat Translation: Let us meditate on the glorious lord with four divine faces, who is seated on a pure white swan. May that great Brahma, Creator of the Universe, inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Goddess Saraswati, for memory, wisdom, knowledge, and creativity: Aum Saraswateye cha Vidmahe Brahmaputriye cha Dhimahi Tanno Saraswati Prachodayat. Translation: Om. Let us meditate on Sri Saraswati Devi. May that glorious consort of Lord Brahma inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Indra, for security in aggression or war Aum Sahasra-Netraye Vidmahe Vajra hastraye Dhimahi Tanno Indrah Prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on Indira, the Lord with a thousand eyes. May that great God who holds the invincible thunderbolt in his hand inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Hanuman, for love of selfless service Aum Anjaneyaye Vidmahe Mahabalaye Dhimahi Tanno Hanuman Prachodayat Another similar Gayatri for Hanuman is: Aum anjani sutaya cha vidmahe Vayu putraya cha dhimahi Tanno marutih prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on Sri Hanuman, whose mother is Anjani Devi. May that supremely brave and strong Maruti, son of the Wind god, inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Surya the sun deity, for freedom from disease Aum Bhaskaraye Vidmahe Divakraraye Dhimahi Tanno Suryah Prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on the shining Sun god who gives light to the whole world. May that Divakara, the radiant lord who is the cause of day, inspire and illumine our mind and understanding.

To Chandra the moon deity, for subduing anxiety and worries Aum Kshirputraye Vidmahe Amrittattvaye Dhimahi Tanno Chandrah Prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on the glorious son of milk, the glowing Moon. May that Chandra, the essence of nectar, inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Yama the lord of death, for freedom from the fear of death Aum Surya-Putraye Vidmahe Mahakalaye Dhimahi Tanno Yamah Prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on the great son of the sun god. May that Yama Deva, the lord of time, inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Varuna, for increase of love between man & woman Aum Jalbimbaye Vidmahe Nila Purushaye Dhimahi Tanno Varunah Prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on the great Lord Varuana. All the waters in the world are His reflection. May that glorious Varuna Deva, whose form is a beautiful luminous blue, inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Agni the fire deity, to provide vitality and ojas to the body & mind Aum Mahajwalaye Vidmahe Agnidevaye Dhimahi Tanno Agnih Prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on the great God of fire in the form of blazing flames. May that radiant Agni Deva inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Prithvi, for stability, patience, cooperation Aum Prithvidevye cha Vidmahe Sahasramoortaye cha Dhimahi Tanno Prithvi Prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on Prithvi Devi, Mother Earth. May that Mother Prithvi of a thousand forms inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. To Kam, for increase in stamina, vitality, & sexual power Aum Kamdevaye Vidmahe Pushpvanaye Dhimahi Tanno Kamah Prachodayat The Sri Tulasi Gayatri: Aum tulasi devyai cha vidmahe Vishnu priyayai cha dhimahi

Tanno brindah Prachodayat Translation: Om. Let us meditate on Sri Tulasi Devi, who is very dear to the heart of Lord Maha Vishnu. May that glorious Devi, the divine embodiment of the sacred tulasi plant also known by the sweet name of Brinda, inspire and illumine our mind and understanding. The Devi Varahi Mantra (Mantra to the consort of Lord Varaha for ridding oneself of negativity) Om shreem hreem kleem dhum jwaalaa jwaalaa shulini asya yajamaanasya sarva shatroon samhara samhara kshema laabham kuru kuru dushta graham hum phat svaha

The Famous Sri Gayatri Mantra

Om bhur bhuvaha svah tat savitur varenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yo nah prachodayat (Rig-veda 3.62.10) This is a very important and well known Gayatri mantra, chanted silently in the mind, three times a day. It translates as: Let us meditate on that worshipable effulgence of the divine sun, Savitri, Creator of the Earth, Heaven and ether, and who enthuses our meditation.

Additional Mantras
Invocation to Ganesh: Gajananam Bhutganadisevitam Kapittha Jamboo Phalcharu Bhakshanam Umasutam Shokvinashkarakam Namami Vighneshwar Padpankajam Translation: "Oh Elephant-faced, worshiped by the existing beings, of all living beings, tasting the elephant apple (kaith) and jambolana (jamun), the Son of Uma, destroyer of grief, I bow to the lotus feet of Ganesh who is lord of all." To Ganesh for removing obstacles, a good way to start any project or ritual: Ganapati Bappa Morya Pudhachya Varshi Lovkar Yaa

Use this to Ganesh prayer before beginning any new project so impediments may be removed and your endeavor may be crowned with success: Om gam ganapataye namaha. Also: Om gam-gau-ganapataye Bighna-binashi ne-svaha For one who wants wealth and prosperity, meditate on the golden color of Ganesh and say this prayer: Om Lakshmi Ganapataye namaha. Another to Ganesh, Japa is 5,000 times a day for 25 days: Om Gang Ganapataye Namaha, Om. To Ganesh: Om gam ganeshaya namaha Om klim gam gam gam mahaganapataye namaha To Goddess Lakshmi. This mantra is said to get siddha after chanting it 108 times a day for 11 days. This mantra is never failing for one who seeks success in business and financial prosperity, or who faces barriers in business growth, or other obstacles to prosperity. This mantra is very dear to Goddess Lakshmi, who told Vasistha that, "I am very pleased by this mantra and if any person recites this mantra even once, I will establish myself in his home." Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Shreem Laxmirachagachha Mama Mandire Tishtha-Tishtha Swaha Another mantra to Lakshmi. Shring is the seed. Japa is 100,000 times after which one gets the blessings of peace and prosperity. Aum Shring Hring Kleeng Maha Lakshmaye Namaha, Aum. The Shri Rigveda MahaLakshmi Devi Mantra is: Om Shrim Hrim Shrim Kamale Kamalalaye Praseedha Praseedha Shrim Hrim Shrim Om Shri Mahalakshmi Devyai namaha The Shri Soubagya Mahalakshmi Mantra is: Om Shrim Hrim Kilm Aim Kamala Vasinyai Swaha Another to Lakshmi is: Sarva mangala mangalye sive sarvardha sadhike saranye trayambake devi narayani namostute

To Lord Kuvera, the treasurer of the demigods. The ancient books refer to this as the supreme mantra. Lord Shankara revealed its secret to the powerful Ravana. Through its use he could create his golden capital and could attain supreme financial accomplishments. This mantra has been found to be powerful enough to yield beneficial results very quickly. It becomes siddha after chanting it 108 times each day for 11 days. It is good for financial progress, removal of obstacles, material happiness, home ownership, reputation, victory, longevity, etc. Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhana-Dhanyadi Pataye Dhana Dhanyadi Samruddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Swaha. To Goddess Sarasvati, it is said that after japa of 500,000 times, one becomes enlightened and all knowledge is revealed. Aing is seed of the Sarasvati mantra: Aum Aing Saraswatye Namaha, Aum. Another to Sarasvati: Om Aim Shreem Hreem Saraswathi Devyai Namaha. Shiva Panchakshari Mantra Om namah shivaya Shiva Shakti Panchakshari Mantra Om hrim namah shivaya A popular mantra to Durga, japa is 500,000 times: Om Aing Hring Kleeng Chamundaye Vichchey, Om. Also: Om dung Durgaye Namaha, Om. The Shri Durga Mantra is: Om Hrim Dhum Durga Devyai namaha A mantra for Kali, Kring is the seed of the Kali mantra. Japa is 500,000 for mantra siddha: Om Kring Kalikaye Namaha, Om. The Shri Annapurna Mantra is: Om Annapurnayai namaha Om Sadapurnayai namaha The Shri Chakra Mantra is: Om Shri Chakravasinyai namaha Om Shri Lalithambikayai namaha

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Mantra to Lord Shiva for removing ailments and fear Om Triyambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam Urvarukamiva Bandhanat Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritat Translation: We worship the Three-eyed One (Lord Shiva) who is fragrant and who nourishes well all beings, and grants liberation just as the cucumber is severed from bondage to the creeper. Om Sarvesham Svasti Bhavatu Sarvesham Santir Bhavatu Sarvesham Purnam Bhavatu Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu May everybody have prosperity. May everybody have peace. May everybody have perfection. May everybody have auspiciousness. Sarve Bhavantu Sukinah Sarve Santu Nirmayaah Sarve Bhadrani Pasyantu Ma kaschid-Dukha-Bhag-Bhavet May all be happy. May all be free from disabilities. May all look for the good in others. May none suffer from sorrows. Om Asato Ma Sat Gamaya Tamaso Ma Jyotir-Gamaya Mrityor-Ma Maritam Gamaya Lead us from the unreal to the real. Lead us from darkness (ignorance) to light. Lead us from death to everlasting immortality. Om Purnam adah Purnam idan Purnat Purnam udachyate Purnam eva Vashishyate Purnam eva Vashishyate Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantihi. Om or God is the Complete Whole, and this world is perfectly complete since it arises from the Perfectly Complete. If we remove this world, that which remains is the Perfectly Complete (God). Om peace, peace, peace be unto us.

Mantras for the Planets

(Used when certain planets need to be strengthened in our astrological chart) To the Sun, Japa kusuma-sankarsham kashyapeyam maha-dyutim tamo-rim sarva-papa-ghnam pranato smi divakaram Let us chant the glories of the Sun god, whose beauty rivals that of a flower. I bow to him, the greatly effulgence son of Kashyapa, who is the enemy of darkness and destroyer of all sins. To the Moon, dadhi-shankha-tusharabham kshirodarnava-sambhavam namami shashinam somam sambhor mukuta-bhushanam I offer my obeisances to the Moon god, whose complexion resembles curds, the whiteness of conch shells, and snow. He is the ruling deity of the soma-rasa born from the Ocean of Milk, and he serves as the ornament on top of the head of Lord Shambhu. To Venus for creativity and success in such things as trading in the markets: hima-kunda-mrnalabham daityanam paramam gurum sarva-shastra-pravaktaram bhargavam pranamamy aham I offer my obeisances to the descendant of Bhrigu Muni (Venus), whose complexion is white like a pond covered with ice. He is the supreme spiritual master of the demoniac enemies of the demigods, and has spoken to them all the revered scriptures. To Mars, dharani-garbha-sambhutim vidyut-kanti-samaprabha kumaram shakti-hastam cha mangalam pranamamy aham I offer my obeisances to Sri Mangala, god of the planet Mars, who was born from the womb of the earth goddess. His brilliant effulgence is like that of lightening, and he appears as a youth carrying a spear in his hand. To Mercury, priyangava-gulikashyam rupena pratimambadam saumyam saumya-gunopetam tam budham pranamamy aham I bow down to Buddha, god of the planet Mercury, whose face is like a fragrant globe of the priyangu herb and whose beauty matches that of a lotus flower. He is most gentle, possessing all attractive qualities.

To Jupiter, devanam cha rishinam cha gurum kanchana-sannibham buddhi-bhutam tri-lokesham tam namami brihaspatim I bow down to Brihaspati, god of the planet Jupiter. He is the spiritual master of all the demigods and sages. His complexion is golden, and he is full of intelligence. He is the controlling lord of all three worlds. To Saturn, nilanjana-samabhasam ravi-putram yamagrajam chaya-martanda-sambhutam tam namami shanaishcharan I bow down to slow moving Saturn, whose complexion is dark blue like nilanjana ointment. The elder brother of Lord Yamaraja, he is born from the Sun-god and his wife Chaya. To Rahu, ardha-kayam mahim-viryam chandraditya-vimardanam simhika-garbha-sambhutam tam rahum pranamamy aham I offer my obeisances to Rahu, born from the womb of Simhika, who was only half a body yet possesses great power, being able to subdue the Sun and Moon. To Ketu, palasa-puspa-sankasam taraka-graha-mastakam raudram raudratmakam ghoram tam ketum pranamamy aham I offer my obeisances to the violent and fearsome Ketu, who is endowed with the potency of Lord Shiva. Resembling in his complexion the flower of a palasa plant, he serves as the head of the stars and planets.

Mantras for Each Day of the Week

For Sunday: Om namo Narayanaya Reverence to Narayana (Vishnu) brings love, prosperity, power, and glory. For Monday: Om namah Shivaya Reverence to Shiva, destroys negative tendencies and effects. Gives freedom from attachments that bind one to material consicousness. For Tuesday: Om Sri Subramunyaya Namah

Reverence to Subramunya, Shiva's son, gives success, drives away evil influences, gives spiritual victory and in battle. For Wednesday: Om namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Reverence to Lord Krishna, the all-pervading Divine Lord. Gives success in all activities and offers divine love, and eases a troubled mind. For Thursday: Om namo Bhagavate Shivanandaya Reverence to the guru who can give great power and bliss of enlightenment to you. For Friday: Om Sri Maha Lakshmiyai Namah Reverence to Lakshmi, bestows prosperity, truthfulness, nonviolence, humility, spiritual understanding, and spiritual wisdom. For Saturday: Om Sri Hanumate Namah Reverence to Hanuman, invokes unbounded love for Lord Rama, gives strength, success in devotional activities, reveals the power of the soul that can triumph over adversities for attaining highest realizations.

The highest spiritual mantra for all purposes:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
[These prayers are available at www.stephen-knapp.com]

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Prayers to Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune

These are Prayers to all of the qualities of the Goddess and the blessings that She gives. The First is the Lakshmi-Stuti, from Vishnu Purana, 7.9.116-138, The Second is the Sri Suktam. This Stuti eulogy of Lakshmi, which was spoken by Lord Indra, is the source of all opulence. In this world, poverty never dwells among those who recite this stuti daily. indra uvacha namasye sarva-lokanam jananim abja-sambhavam Shriyam unnidra-padmaksim vishnor vakshah-sthala-sthitam Indra [the demigod king of heaven] said, "I offer my obeisances unto the lotusborn mother of all beings, unto Sri [the Goddess of fortune], having full-blown lotus-like eyes, and reposing in the bosom of Vishnu." padmalayam padmakaram padma patra-nibheksanam vande padma-mukhim devim padma-nabha-priyam aham "I offer my obeisances unto the Goddess who is the abode of lotuses, who holds the lotus, whose eyes resemble the petals of a lotus, whose face is a lotus, and who is dear to the Lord who has a lotus navel."

tvam siddhis tvam svadha svaha sudha tvam loka-pavani sandhya ratrihi prabha bhutir medha sraddha sarasvati "You are siddhi, nectar, Svaha and Svadha, O purifier of the worlds. You are twilight, night, effulgence, opulence, intelligence, faith and Sarasvati." yajna-vidya maha-vidya guhya-vidya cha shobhane atma-vidya cha devi tvam vimukti-phala-dayini "You are the knowledge of sacrifice, the worship of the universal form, and occult learning, O beauteous one. You are the knowledge of Brahman, O goddess, and

the bestower of the fruit of liberation." anvikshiki trayi varta danda-nitis tvam eva cha saumyasaumyair jagad rupais tvayaitad devi puritam "You are the science of dialectics, the three Vedas, Varta, the knowledge of chastisement. O goddess, this universe is filled with your gentle and terrifying forms." ka tv anya tvam rte devi sarva-yajna-mayam vapuhu adhyaste deva-devasya yogi cintyam gada-bhritaha "O goddess, who except you can dwell in the person of that God of gods, who consists of all forbearance, the bearer of the mace, who is contemplated by the yogis?" tvayi devi parityaktam sakalam bhuvana-trayam vinashta-prayam abhavat tvaye danim samedhitam "O goddess, the three worlds, having been abandoned by you, were on the verge of destruction--because of you, they have again recovered their position."

dara-putras tatha garam suhrid-dhanya dhanadikam bhavaty etan maha-bhage nityam tvad-vikshanam nrinam "O exalted one, men are endowed with wives, sons, houses, friends, grain and wealth due to your constant glance." sharirarogyam aishvaryam ari-paksa-ksayam sukham devi-tvad-drishti-drishtanam purushanam na durlabham

"O goddess, freedom from bodily ailments, riches, destruction of enemies, and happiness are not difficult to attain for persons who view your glances."

tvam mata sarva-bhutanam deva-devo harih pita tvayaitad vishnuma chadya jagad vyaptam-characharam "You are the mother of all creatures, as that God of gods, Hari, is their father. And this universe, consisting of moving and nonmoving entities, is presently permeated by you, as well as Vishnu."

ma nah kosham tatha goshtham ma griham ma paricchadam ma sariram kalatram cha tyajethaha sarva-pavani "O purifier of all, if you forsake us, neither our treasures, nor our cows, nor our houses, nor our possessions, nor our bodies, nor our wives, are secure." ma putram ma suhrid-vargam ma pashun ma vibhushanam tyajetha mama devasya vishnor vaksah-sthalalaye "O you whose abode is the chest of Vishnu, if you forsake me, neither sons, nor friends, nor animals, nor ornaments can be mine."

sattvena satya-shaucabhyam chatha shiladibhir gunaih tyajante te narah sadyaha sansyakto ye tvayamale "O spotless one, men who are forsaken by you are also forsaken by goodness, truth, purity, good character and other virtues." tvayavico kitah sadyaha shiladyair akhilair gunaih kulaishvaryaish cha muhyante purusha nirguna api

"And those who are glanced upon by you, although devoid of any good qualities, are infatuated by all good qualities, such as good character, lineage, wealth, etc."

sa shlaghyah sa guni dhanyaha sa kulinaha sa biddhinam sa shurah sa cha vikranto yas tvaya devi vikshitaha "O goddess, he who is glanced upon by you, is praiseworthy, accomplished, fortunate, intelligent, high-born, heroic and possessed of power." sadyo vaingunyam ayanti shiladyah sakala gunaha paranmukhi jaga-dhatri yasya tvam vishnu-vallabhe "O nurse of the universe, O beloved of Vishnu, all virtues, character, etc., immediately abandon him from whom you turn away."

na te varnayitum shakta gunan jihvapi vedhasaha prasida devi padmakshi masmams tyakshih kadachana "Even the tongue of Brahma is incapable of describing your qualities. O lotuseyed one, be auspicious unto me. Please do not abandon me." [Thus ends the Lakshmi-stuti] Sri [the Goddess of Fortune] said: "I shall never turn my face from one who praises me every morning and evening with this hymn."

Sri Dasavatara-stotra
These are verses glorifying the ten main incarnations of Lord Keshava, Krishna, from the Gita-Govinda. These show that Lord Krishna is the source of all other incarnations of God. By Jayadeva Gosvami (1) pralaya-payodhi-jale dhritavan asi vedam vihita-vahitra-charitram akhedam

keshava dhrita-mina-sharira jaya jagadisha hare O Keshava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a fish. All glories to You. You easily acted as a boat in the form of a giant fish just to give protection to the Vedas, which had become immersed in the turbulent sea of devastation.

(2) kshitir iha vipulatare tishthati tava prishthe dharani-dharana-kina-chakra-garishthe keshava dhrita-kurma-sharira jaya jagadisha hare O Keshava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a tortoise. All glories to You. In this incarnation as a divine tortoise the great Mandara Mountain rests upon your gigantic back as a pivot for churning the ocean of milk. From holding up the huge mountain a large scar-like depression is put in Your back, which has become most glorious.

(3) vasati dashana-shikhare dharani tava lagna shashini kalanka-kaleva nimagna Keshava dhrita-shukara-rupa jaya jagasihsa hare O Keshava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a boar. All glories to You. The earth, which had become immersed in the Garbhodaka Ocean at the bottom of the universe, sits fixed upon the tip of Your tusk like a spot upon the moon. (4) tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-shringam dalita-hiranyakashipu-tanu-bhringam keshava dhrita-narahari-rupa jaya jagadisha hare O Keshava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of half-man, half-lion. All glories to You. Just as one can easily crush a wasp between one's fingernails, so in the same way the body of the wasp-like demon Hiranyakashipu has been ripped away by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful lotus hands.

(5) chalayasi vikramane balim adbhuta-vamana

pada-nakha-nira-janita-jana-pavana keshava dhrita-vamana-rupa jaya jagadisha hare O Keshava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a dwarf-brahmana. All glories to You. O wonderful dwarf, by Your massive steps You deceive King Bali, and by the Ganges water that has emanated from the nails of Your lotus feet, You deliver all living beings within this world. (6) kshatriya-rudhira-maye jagad-apagata-papam snapayasi payasi shamita-bhavan-tapam keshava dhrita-bhrigupati-rupa jaya jagadisha hare O Keshava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Bhrigupati [Parashurama]. All glories to You. At Kurukshetra You bathe the earth in the rivers of blood from the bodies of the demoniac kshatriyas [rulers] that You have slain. The sins of the world are washed away by You, and because of You people are relieved from the blazing fire of material existence. (7) vitarasi dikshu rane dik-pati-kamaniyam dasha-mukha-mauli-balim ramaniyam keshava-dhrita-rama-sharira jaya jagadisha hare O Keshava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Ramachandra. All glories to you. In the battle of Lanka You destroy the tenheaded demon Ravana and distribute his heads as a delightful offering to the presiding deities of the ten directions, headed by Indra. This action was long desired by all of them, who were much harassed by this monster. (8) vahasi vapushi vishade vasanam jaladabham hala-hati-bhiti-milita-yamunabham keshava dhrita-haladhara-rupa jaya jagadisha hare O Keshava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Balarama, the wielder of the plow. All glories to You. On Your brilliant white body You wear garments the color of a fresh blue rain cloud. These garments are colored like the beautiful dark hue of the River Yamuna, who feels great fear due to the striking of Your plowshare. (9)

nindasi jajna-vidher ahaha shruti-jatam sadaya-hridaya darshita-pashu-ghatam keshava dhrita-buddha-sharira jaya jagadisha hare O Keshava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Buddha. All glories to You. O Buddha of compassionate heart, you descry the slaughtering of poor animals performed according to the rules of Vedic sacrifice. (10) mleccha-nivaha-nidhane kalayasi karavalam dhumaketum iva kim api karalam keshava dhrita-kalki-sharira jaya jagadisha hare O Keshava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Kalki. All glories to You. You appear like a comet and carry a terrifying sword for bringing about the annihilation of the wicked barbarian men at the end of Kaliyuga.

(11) shri-jayadeva-kaver idam uditam udaram shrinu sukha-dam shubha-dam bhava-saram keshava dhrita-dasha-vidha-rupa jaya jagadisha hare O Keshava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed these ten different forms of incarnation. All glories to You. O readers, please hear this hymn of the poet Jayadeva, which is most excellent, an awarder of happiness, a bestower of auspiciousness, and is the best thing in this dark world. (12) vedan uddharate jaganti vahate bhu-golam udbibhrate daityam darayate balim chalayate kshatra-kshayam kurvate paulastyam jayate halam kalayate karunyam atanvate mlecchan murchayate dashakriti-krite krishnaya tubhyam namaha O Lord Krishna, I offer my obeisances unto You, who appear in the forms of these ten incarnations. In the form of Matsya You rescue the Vedas, and as Kurma You bear the Mandara Mountain on Your back. As Varaha You lift the earth with your tusk, and in the form of Narasimha you tear open the chest of the daitya Hiranyakashipu. In the form of Vamana You trick the daitya king Bali by asking him for only three steps of land, and then You take away the whole universe from him by expanding your steps. As Parashurama you slay all of the wicked kshatriyas, and as Ramachandra You conquer the rakshasa king Ravana. In the form of Balarama You carry a plow with which You subdue the

wicked and draw toward you the River Yamuna. As Lord Buddha You show compassion toward all the living beings suffering in this world, and at the end of the Kali-yuga You appear as Kalki to bewilder the mlecchas [degraded low-class men].