HYMN TO THE TEN AVATARS

By Srinjay Chakravarti

Glory to the Lord of the Universe Hari!

Avatar the Second: Kurma
The world rests on Your back,
on the immense whorl
formed on Your carapace
when You assume the form
of the Tortoise.
Glory to the Lord of the Universe Hari!

Avatar the Fourth: Nrisingha
With the sharpened claws
on Your magnificent lotus hands
the bee of a body
of the demon Hiranyakashipu
is crushed as You incarnate
Yourself as the Man-Lion.
Glory to the Lord of the Universe Hari!

Avatar the Seventh: King Ramachandra
In the ten directions
You disperse the handsome gifts
of the ten heads
of Ravana, King of Lanka,
dearly sought by the ten lords
of the horizons:
when You are manifest
as Raghupati, Lord Rama of Ayodhya.
Glory to the Lord of the Universe Hari!

Avatar the Ninth: Shakyamuni
In the kindness of Your heart
You condemn the slaughter
of animals in sacrificial rites
prescribed by the scriptures
when You embody Yourself
as Gautama Buddha.
Glory to the Lord of the Universe Hari!