Jagannath Ashtakam

 The Jagannath Ashtakam is a sacred hymn composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, one of the greatest saints and philosophers of India. Dedicated to Lord Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe, this stuti is filled with deep devotion and surrender. It praises Lord Jagannath’s divine form, His abode in Puri, and His mercy towards devotees.

Chanting or listening to the Jagannath Ashtakam brings peace of mind, protection from negativity, and spiritual upliftment. It is believed that those who recite it with devotion receive the blessings of Lord Jagannath, leading to inner purity, removal of sins, and progress on the path of bhakti. Devotees also experience a sense of closeness to Lord Krishna, as Jagannath is worshipped as a loving form of Krishna Himself.

Jagannath Ashtakam

कदाचित् कालिन्दी तट विपिन सङ्गीत तरलो

मुदाभीरी नारी वदन कमला स्वाद मधुपः

रमा शम्भु ब्रह्मामरपति गणेशार्चित पदो

जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे ॥१॥

Sometimes in great happiness Lord Jagannatha, with His flute, makes a loud concert in the groves on the banks of the Yamuna. He is like a bumblebee who tastes the beautiful lotus-like faces of the cowherd damsels of Vraja, and His lotus feet are worshiped by great personalities such as Lakshmi, Siva, Brahma, Indra and Ganesa. May that Jagannatha Swami be the object of my vision.

भुजे सव्ये वेणुं शिरसि शिखिपिच्छं कटितटे

दुकूलं नेत्रान्ते सहचर-कटाक्षं विदधते ।

सदा श्रीमद्‍-वृन्दावन-वसति-लीला-परिचयो

जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन-पथ-गामी भवतु मे ॥२॥

In His left hand Lord Jagannatha holds a flute. On His head He wears the feathers of peacocks and on His hips He wears fine yellow silken cloth. Out of the corners of His eyes He bestows sidelong glances upon His loving devotees and He always reveals Himself through His pastimes in His divine abode of Vrindavana. May that Jagannatha Swami be the object of my vision.

महाम्भोधेस्तीरे कनक रुचिरे नील शिखरे

वसन् प्रासादान्तः सहज बलभद्रेण बलिना ।

सुभद्रा मध्यस्थः सकलसुर सेवावसरदो

जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन-पथ-गामी भवतु मे ॥३॥

Residing on the shore of the great ocean, within a large palace situated upon the crest of the brilliant, golden Nilacala Hill, along with His powerful brother Bala-bhadra, and in the middle of Them His sister Subhadra, Lord Jagannatha bestows the opportunity for devotional service upon all godly souls. May that Jagannatha Swami be the object of my vision.

कृपा पारावारः सजल जलद श्रेणिरुचिरो

रमा वाणी रामः स्फुरद् अमल पङ्केरुहमुखः ।

सुरेन्द्रैर् आराध्यः श्रुतिगण शिखा गीत चरितो

जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे ॥४॥

Lord Jagannatha is an ocean of mercy and He is beautiful like a row of blackish rain clouds. He is the storehouse of bliss for Lakshmi and Saraswati, and His face is like a spotless full-blown lotus. He is worshiped by the best of demigods and sages, and His glories are sung by the Upanishads. May that Jagannatha Swami be the object of my vision.

रथारूढो गच्छन् पथि मिलित भूदेव पटलैः

स्तुति प्रादुर्भावम् प्रतिपदमुपाकर्ण्य सदयः ।

दया सिन्धुर्बन्धुः सकल जगतां सिन्धु सुतया

जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे ॥५॥

When Lord Jagannatha is on His Ratha-yatra cart and is moving along the road, at every step there is a loud presentation of prayers and songs chanted by large assemblies of brahmanas. Hearing their hymns Lord Jagannatha is very favorably disposed towards them. He is the ocean of mercy and the true friend of all the worlds. May that Jagannatha Swami, along with His consort Lakshmi, who was born from the ocean of nectar, be the object of my vision.

परंब्रह्मापीड़ः कुवलय-दलोत्‍फुल्ल-नयनो

निवासी नीलाद्रौ निहित-चरणोऽनन्त-शिरसि ।

रसानन्दी राधा-सरस-वपुरालिङ्गन-सुखो

जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन-पथगामी भवतु मे ॥६॥

He is the ornament of the head of Lord Brahma and His eyes are like the full-blown petals of the lotus. He resides on the Nilacala Hill, and His lotus feet are placed on the heads of Ananta Deva. Lord Jagannatha is overwhelmed by the mellow of love and He becomes joyful in the embracing of the body of Sri Radharani, which is like a cool pond. May that Jagannatha Swami be the object of my vision.

न वै याचे राज्यं न च कनक माणिक्य विभवं

न याचेऽहं रम्यां सकल जन काम्यां वरवधूम् ।

सदा काले काले प्रमथ पतिना गीतचरितो

जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे ॥७॥

I do not pray for a kingdom, nor for gold, rubies, and wealth. I do not ask for an excellent and beautiful wife as desired by all men. I simply pray that Jagannatha Swami, whose glories are always sung by Lord Siva, be the constant object of my vision.

हर त्वं संसारं द्रुततरम् असारं सुरपते

हर त्वं पापानां विततिम् अपरां यादवपते ।

अहो दीनेऽनाथे निहित चरणो निश्चितमिदं

जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे ॥८॥

O Lord of the demigods, please quickly remove this useless material existence I am undergoing. O Lord of the Yadus, please destroy this vast ocean of sins which has no shore. Alas, this is certain that Lord Jagannatha’s lotus feet are bestowed upon those who feel themselves fallen and have no shelter in this world but Him. May that Jagannatha Swami be the object of my vision.

जगन्नाथाष्टकं पुन्यं यः पठेत् प्रयतः शुचिः ।

सर्वपाप विशुद्धात्मा विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति ॥९॥

The self-retrained, virtuous soul who recites these eight verses glorifying Lord Jagannatha becomes cleansed of all sins and duly proceeds to Lord Visnu's abode.