ਆਹੇ ਨੀਲਸ਼ੈਲ (ਹੇ ਜਗਨਨਾਥ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ)

Composed by Bhaktakavi Salabega, a 17th-century saint born to a Muslim father and an Odia Brahmin mother, who became one of Lord Jagannath's most beloved and passionate poet-devotees.

As he could not enter the Sri Mandir in Puri, Salabega sat on the Grand Road (Bada Danda) outside and poured his soul into Jananas (supplicatory prayers). Tradition holds that Jagannath's chariot stopped during Ratha Yatra until Salabega arrived.

Salabega addresses Jagannath as Nila Saila (the Blue Mountain) and compares Him to a majestic, rutting wild elephant (matta barana) who stamps upon and destroys the lotus pond (nalini bana) of mortal misery.

Verses 2 to 6 vividly recount five classic rescues: Gajendra the elephant in the lake, the doe in the forest, Draupadi in the Kuru assembly, Vibhishana at Rama's feet, and child Prahlada from the pillar.

In the final verse, Salabega names his own humble birth, singing Kahe Salabega heena jatire mun yabana ('Says Salabega, lowly in birth am I, a Yavana'), and offers his plea at the lotus feet of Sri Ranga.