narayaneeyam

12-08-2003, 07:00 PM

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.