This eight-verse hymn praises Lord Jagannath of Puri in Odisha. The first three verses are given here. Each one ends with the same line, asking that Jagannath be always before the eyes of the devotee.
Jagannathashtakam (Lord Jagannath of Puri): full text
कदाचित् कालिन्दीतटविपिनसङ्गीतकरवो
मुदाभीरीनारीवदनकमलास्वादमधुपः।
रमाशम्भुब्रह्मामरपतिगणेशार्चितपदो
जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयनपथगामी भवतु मे॥१॥
भुजे सव्ये वेणुं शिरसि शिखिपिच्छं कटितटे
दुकूलं नेत्रान्ते सहचरकटाक्षं विदधते।
सदा श्रीमद्वृन्दावनवसतिलीलापरिचयो
जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयनपथगामी भवतु मे॥२॥
महाम्भोधेस्तीरे कनकरुचिरे नीलशिखरे
वसन् प्रासादान्तः सहजबलभद्रेण बलिना।
सुभद्रामध्यस्थः सकलसुरसेवावसरदो
जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयनपथगामी भवतु मे॥३॥
In Roman letters
Kadachit kalindi tata vipina sangita karavo
Mudabhiri nari vadana kamalasvada madhupah
Rama shambhu brahmamara pati ganesharchita pado
Jagannathah svami nayana patha gami bhavatu me (1)
Bhuje savye venum shirasi shikhi picchham katitate
Dukulam netrante sahachara kataksham vidadhate
Sada shrimad vrindavana vasati lila parichayo
Jagannathah svami nayana patha gami bhavatu me (2)
Mahambhodhestire kanaka ruchire nila shikhare
Vasan prasadantah sahaja Balabhadrena balina
Subhadra madhyasthah sakala sura sevavasaradah
Jagannathah svami nayana patha gami bhavatu me (3)
Meaning in simple words
Verse one pictures Krishna on the banks of the Yamuna, playing his flute and drinking in the joy of the gopis, a bee at the lotus faces of the cowherd women. Verse two describes the flute in his left hand, the peacock feather on his head and the yellow silk at his waist. Verse three places him on the blue hill by the great ocean, in a temple with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra at his side. The refrain: "May Lord Jagannath be ever before my eyes."
How to recite it
Bathe, sit in a clean place, light a diya and read with a calm mind. For an aarti, sing together and ring the bell. Check today's panchang for the best day and time. Today's panchang.
Questions people ask
When should I recite the Jagannathashtakam (Lord Jagannath of Puri)?
Rath Yatra, and any day. You can also read it on any day with faith.
Who wrote the Jagannathashtakam (Lord Jagannath of Puri)?
Attributed to Adi Shankaracharya (8th century).