narayaneeyam

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NARAYANEEYAM

Narayaneeyam is the master piece of Melpathur and it is the most

widely read of all his works. As the poet himself has pointed, it is

a poetic work of hymn dealing with the story of Narayana, written by

Narayana (Melpathur Narayana Bhatathiri). The poet depicts the image

of Lord Guruvayurappan, in exemplary terms - "Sammohanam Mohanal

Kantham Kanthinidhanathopi, Madhuram Madhurya Dhuryadapi,

Soundaryotharathopi Sundaratharam”, and these become doubly

meaningful and apt when applied to this exquisite work also. The

theme of Narayaneeyam is based on the stories in Bhagavatham; it is,

almost, an epitome of the great Purana. But unlike Vyasa, who has

introduced in the first 'Skandha' itself, the speaker (Sree Suka

Brahmarshi) and the listener (Emperor Pareekshith), the poet himself

is the speaker in Narayaneeyam, who sings before the Lord

Guruvayurappan, in a sublime tune about His glories and prays to Him

to bless him to be cured of his disease

The ‘Parayana’ of Narayaneeyam is believed to possess the wonderful

power of healing afflictions, both mental and physical, of the

devotees. The personal experiences of the poet himself have proved

this beyond doubt. The “Nithyaparayana” of Narayaneeyam will enable

the devotees to attain “ Ayurarogyasoukhyam”.

In the realm of the hymns in Sanskrit, Narayaneeyam occupies an

exalted position. As a pure literary piece, it is pre-eminent. And,

as a unique hymn saturated with divine “Bhakthi”, it is unparalleled.

Dr. B. Ramakrishna Rao, who was the Governor of Kerala happened to

hear Narayaneeyam read out, and attracted by the greatness of it, got

it translated into Telugu and published in Andhra. Narayaneeyam has

been translated into Tamil also.

Narayaneeyam begins worshipping Lord Guruvayurappan in His divine form

which is “Sandranandavabodhatmakam” and ends depicting Sree Krishna as

if he sees Him before his mortal eyes.

Narayaneeya Sapthaham ( the recitation of Narayaneeyam and explaining

the meaning to the public) is conducted in Guruvayur temple by

Devaswom on the Narayaneeya Dinam and by others as offerings. It is

done for seven consecutive days from early morning till 6.10 pm in

the evening. Narayaneeya Sapthaham has started in Guruvayur in the

early 50's. It takes about 5 hours to read the slokas and about 45

hours for explaining the slokas.