Phad Gita Govinda, Part 2

BY: SUN STAFF - 31.10 2024

Dasavatara, Phad Gita-Govinda

A series on Gita-Govinda.

In our last segment we introduced the Phad scroll painted by Sh. Pradeep Mukherjee. Mukherjee illustrated a rendition of the renowned Gita-Govinda, which was first written by Sri Jayadeva, the court poet for King Lakshmanasena, who ruled Bengal during the 12th century.

As an avid devotee of Lord Krsna, Sri Jayadeva first offered all glories to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and his plenary expansions in Gita-Govinda. Today, we look at the Phad illustrations of the Dasavatara, the ten major incarnations of Lord Visnu.

Many Vedic scriptures include a description of the Lord's innumerable manifestations. The Bhagavat Purana, for example, enumerates 24 incarnations of the Lord. In Jayadev's Gita-Govinda, the Dasavatara Stotra forms the first section of the poem. Dasavatara Stotra > is a Hymn of salutation to the ten incarnations the Supreme Personality, and a fitting introduction to the lila pastimes of Sri Sri Radha Krsna.

Following is the text of Dasavatara Stotra from Gita-Govinda, accompanied by images from the Phad scroll:

Matsya Avatara

pralaya-payodhijale dhrtavanasi
vihitavahitra-caritra-makhedam
Kesava dhrta minasarira
jaya jagadisa hare

O Kesava!, in the form of Fish (minasarira), In the waters of deluge, You held the Vedas like a vessel undeflected from its course. To preserve the knowledge of Vedas, You took the incornation of Fish! Hail Hari, Lord of the universe!

Lord Kurma

Ksitirati-vipulatare tava tisthati prsthe
dharani-dharanakina-cakragaristhe
Kesava dhrta kacchaparupa
jaya jagagadisa hare!

O Kesava!, in the form of Tortoise (kacchaparupa), On the ample expanse of your back rests the world, creating circular marks. Hail Hari ! Lord of the universe!

Lord Varaha

vasati dasanasikhare dharani tava lagna
sasini kalankakaleva nimagna
Kesava dhrta sukararupa
jaya jagadisa hare

O Kesava!, in the form of the Boar (sukarupa)! The earth rests in peace on the tip of your tusk, like the dary marking on the disk of the moon. Hail Hari ! Lord of the universe!.

Lord Nrsimhadev

tava kara kamalavare nakhamadbhutasrngam
dalita hiranyakasipu varabhrngam
Kesava dhrta naraharirupa
jaya jagadisa hare

O Kesava!, in the form of Man-Lion (naraharirupa)! The sharp nails on your hands became wonderful claws that tore up the body of demon Hiranyakasipu (To protect Prahlada). Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!

Vamanadev

chalayasi vikramane balim adbhutavamana
padanakhanira-janita-janapavana
kesava dhrta vamanarupa
jaya jagadisa hare

O Kesava!, in the form of the Dwarf, Vamana ! You artfully defeated Bali, the mighty king of the world. Ganga, the purifier of the world has come out from your toe-nails. Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!

Parashurama

ksatriyarudhiramaye jagadapagata papam
snapayasi payasi samitabhavatapam
kesava dhrta bhrgupatirupa
jaya jagadisa hare.

O Kesava!, in the form of the Lord of Bhrigus (Parasurama), You have gotten rid of the tyrannous rulers, thus cleansing it of the sin and destroying the anguish of the world. Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!

Lord Rama

vitarasi diksu rane dikpathiamaniyam
dasamukha-mauli-balim ramaniyam
kesava dhrta ramasarira
jaya jagadisa hare

O Kesava!, in the form of Lord Sri Rama! To uphold dharma, You scattered the ten heads of demon Ravana splendidly in the four directions, rendering the guardians there of resplendent! O Kesava! You assumed the form of Rama! Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!

Krsna Balarama

vahasi vapusi visade vasanamjaladabham
hala-hati-milita-yamunabham
kesava dhrta-haladhararupa
jaya jagadisa hare

O Kesava!, in the form of Balarama, the bearer of the plough! You wear on your radiant body a garment of the color of the cloud, blue like the Yamuna river, flowing as if in fear of your plough! O Kesava! You assumed the form of Balarama. Hail Hari! Lord of the universe.

Lord Buddha

nindasi yajnavidhe-rahaha srutijatam
sadaya-hrdaya darsitapasughatam
kesava dhrta buddhasarira
jaya jagadisa hare.

O Kesava!, in the form of Buddha, the enlightened! Out of compassion of Your heart you have condemned the ritualistic portion of the Vedas ordaining the killing of animals. Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!

Kalki Avatara

mleeccha-nivaha-nidhane kalayasi karavalam
dhumaketumiva kimapi karalam
kesava dhrta kalkisarira
jaya jagadisa hare

O Kesava!, in the form of the fierce Kalki! For the destruction of the wicked, You carry a comet like sword in hand, trailing a train of disaster to them. Hail Hari! Lord of the universe!