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॥

kadācit kālindī taṭa vipina saṅgīta taralo
mudābhīrī nārī vadana kamalā svāda madhupaḥ
ramā śambhu brahmāmarapati gaṇeśārcita pado
jagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana patha gāmī bhavatu me ..1..

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 Lakshmi, Siva, Brahma, Indra and Ganesa. May that lord 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॥

bhuje savye veṇuṃ śirasi śikhipicchaṃ kaṭitaṭe
dukūlaṃ netrānte sahacara-kaṭākṣaṃ vidadhate .
sadā śrīmad-vṛndāvana-vasati-līlā-paricayo
jagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana-patha-gāmī bhavatu me ..2..

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 lord 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॥

mahāmbhodhestīre kanaka rucire nīla śikhare
vasan prāsādāntaḥ sahaja balabhadreṇa balinā .
subhadrā madhyasthaḥ sakalasura sevāvasarado
jagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana-patha-gāmī bhavatu me ..3..

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 lord 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॥

kṛpā pārāvāraḥ sajala jalada śreṇiruciro
ramā vāṇī rāmaḥ sphurad amala paṅkeruhamukhaḥ .
surendrair ārādhyaḥ śrutigaṇa śikhā gīta carito
jagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana patha gāmī bhavatu me ..4..

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 lord 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॥

rathārūḍho gacchan pathi milita bhūdeva paṭalaiḥ
stuti prādurbhāvam pratipadamupākarṇya sadayaḥ .
dayā sindhurbandhuḥ sakala jagatāṃ sindhu sutayā
jagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana patha gāmī bhavatu me ..5..

When Lord Jagannatha is on his Ratha-yatra cart and is moving along the road, at every step there is 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 lord, 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॥

parambrahmāpīr̤aḥ kuvalaya-dalotphulla-nayano
nivāsī nīlādrau nihita-caraṇo’nanta-śirasi .
rasānandī rādhā-sarasa-vapurāliṅgana-sukho
jagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana-pathagāmī bhavatu me ..6..

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 lord 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॥

na vai yāce rājyaṃ na ca kanaka māṇikya vibhavaṃ
na yāce’haṃ ramyāṃ sakala jana kāmyāṃ varavadhūm .
sadā kāle kāle pramatha patinā gītacarito
jagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana patha gāmī bhavatu me ..7..

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 lord, 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॥

hara tvaṃ saṃsāraṃ drutataram asāraṃ surapate
hara tvaṃ pāpānāṃ vitatim aparāṃ yādavapate .
aho dīne’nāthe nihita caraṇo niścitamidaṃ
jagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana patha gāmī bhavatu me ..8..

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 lord be the object of my vision.

इति श्रीमद् शङ्कराचार्यप्रणीतं जगन्नाथाष्टकं सम्पूर्णं॥
जगन्नाथाष्टकं पुन्यं यः पठेत् प्रयतः शुचिः ।
सर्वपाप विशुद्धात्मा विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति ॥९॥

iti śrīmad śaṅkarācāryapraṇītaṃ jagannāthāṣṭakaṃ sampūrṇaṃ..
jagannāthāṣṭakaṃ punyaṃ yaḥ paṭhet prayataḥ śuciḥ .
sarvapāpa viśuddhātmā viṣṇulokaṃ sa gacchati ..9..

This is the completion of the Jagannatha Ashtakam by Srimad Shankaracharya.
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.

Jagannath Ashtakam Description

Jagannath Ashtakam

The divine composition Jagannath Ashtakam is a beautiful prayer dedicated to Lord Jagannath, the beloved deity of Puri. Devotees chant Jagannath Ashtakam to experience peace, devotion, and spiritual strength in their daily lives. The verses describe the compassionate form of Lord Jagannath and inspire believers to walk on the path of faith and purity. In many homes and temples, Jagannath Ashtakam is recited during morning prayers to create a positive and sacred atmosphere.

The spiritual value of Jagannath Ashtakam continues to inspire followers across India and around the world. Many devotees connected with Devotional india believe that this hymn helps calm the mind and brings inner happiness. The melodious verses of Jagannath Ashtakam also remind devotees about surrender, humility, and divine love. During festivals and religious gatherings, Devotional india communities often sing this sacred prayer together with great devotion.

Listening to or chanting Jagannath Ashtakam regularly can strengthen spiritual awareness and deepen one’s connection with Lord Jagannath. Followers of Devotional india appreciate the timeless beauty and emotional depth found in every verse of this hymn. The teachings hidden within Jagannath Ashtakam encourage kindness, faith, and dedication toward God. For countless devotees associated with Devotional india, this prayer remains a source of spiritual comfort and divine blessings through every stage of life. Shri Jagannath Ashtakam was composed by Adi Sankracharya in praise of Lord Jagannath on his visit to Puri. The merit of reciting the sacred Jagannath ashtakam carefully is such that, one becomes sinless and pure hearted and gains entrance to Vishnuloka. In this poem, Shankaracharya sees Jagannath as Krishna, adored by Gopikas and as Vishnu, served by all demi Gods.

He prays that Jagannath Swami, who resides in a palace on the golden Nilachala hill on the shore of the great sea with his powerful brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra placed in the middle and worshipped by all gods, be the object of his vision. While travelling on a chariot, He was offered prayers by the Brahmins at every progress. Hearing these prayers He, who is Ocean of Mercy and Friend of all the Worlds, gives His grace to them. May that Jagannath Swami along with the daughter of the great ocean (Lakshmi, His divine consort), be the objective of our vision.

Adi Shankaracharya, the proponent of advaita philosophy, came to Puri and composed the highly popular devotional Sanskrit poem known as Sri Jagannath Astakam. He also established an Ashram in Puri which is known as Govardhan peetha. It is one of the four original mathas established by Adi Shankaracharya. Sri Nanak Dev came to Puri and is said to have offered his prayers at the lotus feet of Lord Jagannath even though Nanak was primarily a proponent of Nirguna Brahman. He stayed in Puri for some time and established a matha that is today known as Mangu Matha. There was a saint from Assam known as Shankar Dev who was also a Nirguna Panthi. But when he visited Puri he offered his devotion to the Lord who is a manifestation of Saguna Brahman.

Sant Kabir visited Puri and found that there was no difference between Allah and Jagannath. The Kabir Ghat on Puri seashore is testimony to his visit and stay at this divine town. In Puri there is a memorial called Tulsi Chaura. Saint Tulsi Das meditated here and as a result was able to see Lord Rama in the idol of Lord Jagannath. When Ganesha devotee Ganapati Bhatt came to Puri he saw lord Gansesha in Sri Jagannath.

There have been numerous such devotees from Non-Vaishnav and Non-Hindu backgrounds. When they came to Puri they became overwhelmed with devotion in spite of their backgrounds. The presence of large number of mathas and other memorials of different sects stand testimony to their devotion. Lord Jagannath also puts on different types of costumes and avatars to resemble different forms of Gods like Ganesha, Buddha etc. on specific days to signify that “He is in all” and “all are in Him”.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a great devotee of Lord Jagannath. Some people believe that he is an incarnation of Krishna. He preaches that chanting Krishna’s names is just enough to be a bhakta. It is a simple precept and anybody can do that. Thus a common man need not have to learn Sanskrit to pray God. Recitation of His name is enough and no less than any mantra in its effect. His chanting method has popularized the bhakti traditions. Because of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s love for Krishna, some people also believe that he is a male incarnation of Sri Radha.

-Hare Murare Madhu Kaita