Śrī Jagannāthāṣṭakam (traditional Puri style)

Translation: 1. Sometimes in great happiness Lord Jagannātha, with His flute, makes a loud concert in the groves on the banks of the Yamunā. 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 Lakṣmī, Śiva, Brahmā, Indra and Gaṇeśa. May that Jagannātha Svāmī be the object of my vision. 2. In His left hand Lord Jagannātha 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 Vṛndāvana. May that Jagannātha Svāmī be the object of my vision. 3. Residing on the shore of the great ocean, within a large palace situated upon the crest of the brilliant, golden Nīlācala Hill, along with His powerful brother Bala-bhadra, and in the middle of Them His sister Subhadrā, Lord Jagannātha bestows the opportunity for devotional service upon all godly souls. May that Jagannātha Svāmī be the object of my vision. 4. Lord Jagannātha is an ocean of mercy and He is beautiful like a row of blackish rain clouds. He is the storehouse of bliss for Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī, 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 Upaniṣads. May that Jagannātha Svāmī be the object of my vision. 5. When Lord Jagannātha is on His Ratha-yātrā cart and is moving along the road, at every step there is a loud presentation of prayers and songs chanted by large assemblies of brāhmaṇas. Hearing their hymns Lord Jagannātha is very favorably disposed towards them. He is the ocean of mercy and the true friend of all the worlds. May that Jagannātha Svāmī, along with His consort Lakṣmī, who was born from the ocean of nectar, be the object of my vision. 6. He is the ornament of the head of Lord Brahmā and His eyes are like the full-blown petals of the lotus. He resides on the Nīlācala Hill, and His lotus feet are placed on the heads of Anantadeva. Lord Jagannātha is overwhelmed by the mellows of love and He becomes joyful in the embracing of the body of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, which is like a cool pond. May that  Jagannātha Svāmī be the object of my vision. 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 Jagannātha Svāmī, whose glories are always sung by Lord Śiva, be the constant object of my vision. 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. Ah, this is certain that Lord Jagannātha’s lotus feet are bestowed upon those who feel themselves fallen and have no shelter in this world but Him. May that Jagannātha Svāmī be the object of my vision. Learn Sanskrit Pronunciation and Chanting: