Narayaneeyam
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Narayaneeyam is a devotional Sanskrit work, in the form of a poetical hymn, consisting of 1034 verses (called 'slokas' in Sanskrit). It was written by Melputhoor Narayana Bhattapathar and gives a summary of 14,000 verses of the Bhagavata Purana. Narayaneeyam was written during 1586.
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[edit] The writer
Melputhoor Narayana Bhattapathar was born in 1560 at Melputhoor Illam, located 3.5 km from Thirunavaya, on the northern banks of Nila River, (Bharathapuzha River). He was born into a family of Namboodari Brahmins. By the age of 16, he had mastered Sanskrit grammar, traditional Indian logic, and the Rig Veda. When his Guru became sick, Bhattapathar, by invoking his yogic powers is believed to have taken the ailment on himself.
[edit] The legend
Melputhoor Narayana Bhattapathar is believed to have proceeded to Guruvayoor Temple, located in Kerala state, India, on 19th Chingam of circa 761 ME - Malayalam Era, Malayalam calendar. There, he had written these verses and submitted before Guruvayoorappan, the presiding deity of Guruvayoor. These verses were submitted to the deity to get his chronic rheumatic disease cured as advised by his well wishers. He had completed the work in 100 days by submitting one cantos (of 10 verses, called "Dasakam" in Sanskrit) before Guruvayoorappan on each day.
Each set of 10 poems ends with a prayer for early cure. The last poem ending with "Ayurarogya Sowghyam" was written on 28th Vrischikam, circa 762 ME, corresponding to 27 November 1586.
During these hundred days of his prayers at Guruvayoor temple, he summarized the entire Bhagavata Purana in 1034 verses, composing one cantos, consisting generally of ten verses everyday. Each cantos ended with a prayer to the Lord of Guruvayoor to cure him of his illness. On the hundredth day, he had a vision of the Lord in the form of Venugopalan.
The 100th canto composed on that day gives a graphic description of this form of the Lord from the head to the foot. On that day, he became completely cured of his disease.
[edit] The first verse
- The first verse (sloka) in Roman script:
SAndrAnandAvabhOdAtmakam Anupamitham kAladEshAvadibhyAm nirmuktam nithyamuktam nigamashathasahasrEnha nirbhAsyamAnam aspashtam drustamAthrE punaruru purushArthAthmakam bhrahmathatvam tthathAvadbhAthi sAkshAd gurupavanapurE hantha bhAgyam janAnam
- English version of the first verse:
That is of the form of complete knowledge, happiness, incomparable, beyond time and space, ever unattached, although praised by 100,000 verses in the vedas and still beyond description.
This brahman, on seeing which one attains the purpose of life (the four purusharthas of dharma, artha, kama and moksha), is HERE shining, in front of us at Guruvayoor, for humble people to see as their own bagyam (fruit of vows). Indeed a blessing!
Narayaneeyam was printed only during 1851 by Irayimman Thampi at the Government Press, Thiruvananthapuram.
[edit] Significance
This work details authentic Bhakti traditions of India in a short compass. It also portrayal the life of Sri Krishna.
