Śrī Daśāvatāra-stotram
“O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a fish! All glories unto You! You easily acted as a boat in the form of a giant fish just to give protection to the Vedas, which had become immersed in the turbulent sea of devastation.”
“O Keśava! Due to holding up the world, a large round sore-like mark has been made in the wide expanse of Your back. O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a tortoise! All glories unto You!”
“O Kesava! O Supreme Lord, You have assumed the form of a boar! O Lord! The planet earth rested on Your tusk and it appeared like the moon engraved with spots.”
“O Kesava! O Lord Hari, You have assumed the form of half-man and half-lion! The lotus flower is very soft, but Your most beautiful lotus-like nails are astonishing. The body of the mountain peak-like demon, Hiranyakasipu, has been ripped apart by them because they are also so hard. O Lord of the universe! All glories unto You!”
“O Kesava! You assumed the form of Vamana to trick the great demon Bali Maharaja by Your steps, and to purify all living entities by the water that emanated from the nails of Your lotus feet. All glories unto You, Lord of the universe.”
“O Kesava! You have assumed the form of Bhrigupati (Parasurama)! By bathing the earth in rivers of blood from the bodies of the demoniac kshatriyas You slew, You washed away the sins of the world. O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari! All glories unto You!”
“O Keśava! In the form of Rāma you cut off the ten heads of Rāvaṇa and made delightful gifts of them to the lords of the ten directions. O Lord of the universe! All glories unto You, manifested in the form of Rāma!”
“O Keśava! You assumed the form of Haladhara, wielder of the plough! You wear blue garments, which are colored like the water of the River Yamunā who feels great fear due to the striking of Your plough. O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari in the form of Haladhara, all glories unto You!”
“O Keśava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Buddha! All glories unto You! O Buddha of compassionate heart, You decry the slaughtering of poor animals performed according to the rules of Vedic sacrifice.”
“Lord Keśava assumes the comet-like form of Kalki with a terrible sword to annihilate the wicked barbarians. O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari! O Lord in the form of Kalki, all glories unto You!”
O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed these ten different forms of incarnation! All glories to You! O readers, please hear this hymn of the poet Jayadeva, which is most excellent, an awarder of happiness, a bestower of auspiciousness, and it is the best thing in this dark world.