Jagannath Ashtakam
जगन्नाथाष्टकम्
What is the Jagannath Ashtakam?
Jagannath Ashtakam The Jagannath Ashtakam is an eight-verse Sanskrit hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya in praise of Lord Jagannath of Puri. Each verse closes with the same line, jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me, a heartfelt prayer asking the Lord to always stay within the devotee's sight.
Legend holds that Adi Shankaracharya wrote these eight verses after standing before the wooden form of Lord Jagannath in Puri and finding ordinary words too small for what he felt. The Jagannath Ashtakam moves between two pictures of the same Lord: the flute playing cowherd of Vrindavan and the wide eyed deity who rules Puri from his temple by the sea. Every verse circles back to one simple request, that this Lord never leave the devotee’s line of sight. Many people turn to it around Rath Yatra, when Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra ride out through the streets of Puri on their chariots, though it’s chanted year round by anyone drawn to Krishna’s playful and protective sides at once.
Jagannath Ashtakam Lyrics (Sanskrit & English)
Each of the eight verses below closes with the same refrain, jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me. Tap any verse to read its meaning in plain English.
Kadacit kalindi-tata-vipina-sangita-taralo mudabhiri-nari-vadana-kamalasvada-madhupah
rama-shambhu-brahmamara-pati-ganesharcita-pado jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
कदाचित् कालिन्दी तट विपिन सङ्गीत तरलो मुदाभीरी नारी वदन कमलास्वाद मधुपः
रमा शम्भु ब्रह्मामर पति गणेशार्चित पदो जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे
Meaning
He who now and then loses himself playing the flute in the forest groves along the Yamuna, whose presence tastes the joy on the faces of the cowherd women the way a bee lingers on a lotus, and whose feet are honored by Lakshmi, Shiva, Brahma, the gods and Ganesha himself, may that Jagannath stay always in the path of my eyes.
Bhuje savye venum shirasi shikhi-piccham kati-tate dukulam netrante sahacara-kataksham ca vidadhat
sada shrimad-vrindavana-vasati-lila-paricayo jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
भुजे सव्ये वेणुं शिरसि शिखि पिच्छं कटितटे दुकूलं नेत्रान्ते सहचर कटाक्षं च विदधत्
सदा श्रीमद्वृन्दावन वसति लीला परिचयो जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे
Meaning
Carrying a flute in his left hand, a peacock feather crowning his head, fine cloth at his waist, and a sidelong glance kept ready for his beloved companion, forever caught up in the sweet, familiar pastimes of Vrindavan, may that Jagannath stay always in the path of my eyes.
Mahambhodhes-tire kanaka-rucire nila-shikhare vasan prasadantah sahaja-balabhadrena balina
subhadra-madhyasthah sakala-sura-sevavasara-do jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
महाम्भोधेस्तीरे कनक रुचिरे नील शिखरे वसन् प्रासादान्तः सहज वलभद्रेण बलिना
सुभद्रा मध्यस्थः सकल सुर सेवावसर दो जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे
Meaning
Dwelling in a golden shrine atop the dark hill that rises by the great ocean's shore, seated with his own brother, the mighty Balabhadra, and his sister Subhadra between them, giving every god in turn the chance to serve him, may that Jagannath stay always in the path of my eyes.
Krpa-paravarah sajala-jalada-shreni-ruciro rama-vani-ramah sphurad-amala-pankeruha-mukhah
surendrair-aradhyah shruti-gana-shikha-gita-carito jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
कृपा पारावारः सजल जलद श्रेणि रुचिरो रमा वाणी रामः स्फुरदमल पंकेरुह मुखः
सुरेन्द्रैराराध्यः श्रुति गण शिखा गीत चरितो जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे
Meaning
An ocean of compassion, glowing like a row of monsoon clouds full of rain, kept company by Lakshmi and Saraswati, his lotus face ever blossoming, worshipped by the king of the gods and sung about at the very crown of the Vedas, may that Jagannath stay always in the path of my eyes.
Rathaarudho gacchan pathi milita-bhudeva-patalaih stuti-pradurbhavam prati-padam-upakarnya sadayah
daya-sindhur-bandhuh sakala-jagatam sindhu-sutaya jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
रथारूढो गच्छन् पथि मिलित भूदेव पटलैः स्तुति प्रादुर्भावं प्रति पदमुपाकर्ण्य सदयः
दया सिन्धुर्बन्धुः सकल जगतां सिन्धु सुतया जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे
Meaning
Riding out on his chariot through streets lined with gathered Brahmins, pausing at every step to hear the praises rising around him, gracious and full of mercy, kin to every being alive alongside Subhadra, daughter of the ocean, may that Jagannath stay always in the path of my eyes.
Param-brahmapidah kuvalaya-dalotphulla-nayano nivasi niladrau nihita-carano-nanta-shirasi
rasanandi radha-sarasa-vapur-alingana-sukho jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
परंब्रह्मापीडः कुवलय दलोत्फुल्ल नयनो निवासी नीलाद्रौ निहित चरणोऽनन्त शिरसि
रसानन्दी राधा सरस वपुरालिङ्गन सुखो जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे
Meaning
The Supreme Being himself, his eyes opened wide like blue lotus petals in full bloom, resting on the dark hill of Puri with his feet cradled on the hood of Ananta Shesha, delighting in the closeness of embracing Radha, may that Jagannath stay always in the path of my eyes.
Na vai yace rajyam na ca kanaka-manikya-vibhavam na yace-aham ramyam sakala-jana-kamyam vara-vadhum
sada kale kale pramatha-patina gita-carito jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
न वै याचे राज्यं न च कनक माणिक्य विभवं न याचेऽहं रम्यां सकल जन काम्यां वरवधूम्
सदा काले काले प्रमथ पतिना गीत चरितो जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे
Meaning
I do not ask for a kingdom, nor for gold, gems or riches, nor do I long for a beautiful bride that every other person desires. I only ask that Jagannath, sung of across the ages by Shiva himself, stay always in the path of my eyes.
Hara tvam samsaram druta-taram-asaram sura-pate hara tvam papanam vitatim-aparam yadava-pate
aho dine-anathe nihita-carano nishcitam-idam jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
हर त्वं संसारं द्रुततरमसारं सुरपते हर त्वं पापानां विततिमपरां यादवपते
अहो दीनेऽनाथे निहित चरणो निश्चितमिदं जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे
Meaning
Take from me, quickly, this hollow, passing cycle of birth and rebirth, O Lord of the gods. Wash away this endless weight of my sins, O Lord of the Yadavas. His feet, surely, rest with the poor and the helpless, so may that Jagannath stay always in the path of my eyes.
Meaning & Significance
Read one after another, the eight verses trace a kind of journey. The first two stay in Vrindavan, picturing Krishna with his flute and peacock feather among the cowherds who loved him. By the third verse the scene has shifted to Puri, to the temple on the dark hill where Jagannath sits with his brother Balabhadra on one side and his sister Subhadra between them. The middle verses praise his compassion and his beauty, the kind that made sages and gods want to sing about him. Verse five pictures the Rath Yatra procession directly, the Lord moving through crowds who call out their praises as his chariot rolls past. The last two verses turn personal: the devotee asks for nothing but Jagannath’s presence, not wealth, not comfort, only relief from a tiring cycle of birth and death. That is really what nayana-patha-gami is asking for, to stay close enough that the eyes never have to search for him.
How to Chant the Jagannath Ashtakam
- Sit and settle – Find a clean, quiet spot, sit comfortably, and take a few slow breaths before you begin.
- Picture Jagannath – Bring his image to mind, the wide round eyes and gentle smile, whether from a photo, an idol, or memory of Puri.
- Chant each verse slowly – Read the Sanskrit or the transliteration aloud at a steady pace rather than rushing toward the end.
- Let the refrain land – Treat the closing line, jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me, as an actual request each time it comes around.
- Close with the phalashruti – Recite the final verse describing the hymn's fruit, then sit quietly for a moment before returning to your day.
What Are the Benefits of Chanting?
Devotees who chant the Jagannath Ashtakam regularly describe a few recurring effects, though the hymn itself is clear that its real gift is closeness to the Lord rather than any material reward.
- Inner calm: The steady rhythm of the verses and their focus on surrender tend to settle a restless mind.
- A felt connection to Puri: Even far from Odisha, the verses carry your attention to the temple by the sea and the chariots of Rath Yatra.
- Relief from guilt or worry: The phalashruti promises that sincere recitation clears away sin, which many people experience as an emotional unburdening as much as a spiritual one.
- Devotion without demands: Verse seven's refusal of riches and comfort is a useful reminder to want the Lord's presence more than his favors.
- A steady daily anchor: Reciting the same eight verses each day gives many people a small, dependable ritual to return to.
Who Composed This Stotram?
Tradition credits the Jagannath Ashtakam to Adi Shankaracharya, the eighth century philosopher known for founding four mathas across India, one of them at Puri itself, the Govardhan Matha. Accounts differ on the exact circumstances, but the common thread is a visit to the Jagannath temple where the sight of the deity, part childlike, part cosmic, moved him to compose these eight verses on the spot. Whether every detail of that story holds up to scrutiny or not, the hymn reads like the work of someone who had actually stood in that temple and felt Krishna’s Vrindavan stories and Vishnu’s more universal, protective form meeting in one wooden image. That double nature, playful cowherd and Lord of the Universe in one, is why the Jagannath Ashtakam still speaks to pilgrims who travel to Puri for Rath Yatra each year, and to anyone chanting it quietly at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote the Jagannath Ashtakam?
Tradition attributes it to Adi Shankaracharya, the philosopher-saint who established the Govardhan Matha at Puri. He is said to have composed these eight verses after seeing Lord Jagannath in the temple there.
What does jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me mean?
It translates roughly to may Lord Jagannath, the master of the universe, stay in the path of my eyes. It is the closing wish of every verse, a simple request for the Lord's constant presence in view.
Is the Jagannath Ashtakam connected to Rath Yatra?
Yes, many devotees chant it especially around Rath Yatra, when the deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken out in chariots through the streets of Puri, though it is also recited on ordinary days.
How many verses does the Jagannath Ashtakam have?
Eight main verses, each ending in the same refrain, plus a short phalashruti verse at the end that describes the benefit of reciting the hymn with a sincere heart.
Can I chant the Jagannath Ashtakam without knowing Sanskrit?
Yes. The transliteration and verse by verse meaning on this page let you chant along even while you are still learning the pronunciation. Reading slowly and with attention matters more than getting every syllable perfect at first.
What language and meter is the Jagannath Ashtakam composed in?
It is written in Sanskrit, in a flowing meter called Shikharini, which is part of why the verses sound so musical even to listeners who do not follow every word.
॥ जय जगन्नाथ ॥