Prayers to Lord Jagannatha,

Sri Krishna as the Lord of the Universe

Jagannathastaka
(As issued from the mouth of Lord Caitanya)

kadacit kalindi-tata-vipina-sangitaka-ravo
mudabhiri-nari-vadana-kamalasvada-madhupaha
rama-shambhu-brahmamara-pati-ganesharcita-pado
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

"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, Shiva,
Brahma, Indra and Ganesha. May that Jagannatha Svami be the object of my
vision."

bhuje savye venum Shirasi Shikhi-puccham katitate

dukulam netrante sahacara-kataksham vidadhate
sada shrimad-vrindavana-vasati-lila-paricayo
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

"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 Svami be the object of my vision."

mahambhodhes tire kanaka-rucire nila-shikhare

vasan prasadantah sahaja-balabhadrena balina
subhadra-madhya-sthah sakala-sura-sevavasara-do
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

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

kripa-paravarah sajala-jalada-shreni-ruciro
rama-vani-ramah sphurad-amala-punkeruha-makhaha
surendrair aradhyah shruti-gana-shikha-gita-charito
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

"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 Sarasvati,
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 Svami be the object of my vision."

ratharudho gacchan pathi milita-bhudeva-patalaih

stuti-pradurbhavam prati-padam upakarnya sadayaha
daya-sindhur bandhuh sakala-jagatam sindhu-sutaya
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

"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 Svami, along with His consort
Lakshmi, who was born from the ocean of nectar, be the object of my vision."

para-brahmapidah kuvalaya-dalotphulla-nayano
nivasi niladrau nihita-carano 'nanta-shirasi
rasanando radha-sarasa-vapur-alingana-sukho
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

"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 Nilachala Hill, and His lotus feet
are placed on the heads of Anantadeva. Lord Jagannatha is overwhelmed by
the mellows of love and He becomes joyful in the embracing of the body of
Srimati Radharani, which is like a cool pond. May that Jagannatha Svami be
the object of my vision."
 na vai yace rajyam na cha kanaka-manikya-vibhavam
na yace 'ham ramyam sakala-jana-kamyam vara-vadhum
sada kale kale pramatha-patina gita-charito
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

"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 Svami, whose glories are always sung by Lord Shiva, be the
constant object of my vision."

hara tvam samsaram drutataram asaram sura-pate

hara tvam papanam vitatim aparam yadava-pate
aho dine 'nathe nihita-charano nishcitam idam
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

"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 Svami be the object of my
vision."

[These prayers are available at www.stephen-knapp.com]