1.5
IN THE DELUGE of dissolution, undaunted you behaved
Like a sailing ship that the Veda would be saved—
Keshava-Krishna incarnate as the Fish!
Hosanna to the Lord of the World, Hari-Krishna!
Refrain
The earth was uplifted on your back, a shell
Circle-scarred and venerated well—
Keshava-Krishna incarnate as the Tortoise!
Hosanna to the Lord of the World, Hari-Krishna!
Like the darkness of a crescent moon was the world
Resting on your tusk, pointed and up-curled—
Keshava-Krishna incarnate as the Boar!
Hosanna to the Lord of the World, Hari-Krishna!
As though his body were but a bee’s, Hiranya·kashipu
was impaled
By a wondrous finger of your lotus-hand, a finger
sharply nailed—
Keshava-Krishna incarnate as the Lion-Man!
Hosanna to the Lord of the World, Hari-Krishna!
Staggering dwarf, you bamboozled Bali with your stride
And with water from your toes we were purified—
Keshava-Krishna incarnate as the Dwarf!
Hosanna to the Lord of the World, Hari-Krishna!