𝑺𝑹𝑰𝑴𝑨𝑵 𝑵𝑨𝑹𝑨𝒀𝑨𝑵𝑬𝑬𝒀𝑨𝑴

 𝑺𝑹𝑰𝑴𝑨𝑵  𝑵𝑨𝑹𝑨𝒀𝑨𝑵𝑬𝑬𝒀𝑨𝑴

Sriman Narayaneeyam is a Sanskrit text in a poetic form consisting of 1,034 verses summarizing Bhagavata Puranam which is 18,000 verses. It was composed by Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri in 1586 AD at the age of 27.

The story goes that behind his writing Narayaneeyam, Bhattathiri's Guru Achyuta Pisharodi suffered a severe attack of rheumatism and fell victim to unbearable pain. Bhattathiri couldn't bear the painful sight of his Guru's suffering and prayed fervently to Shri Krishna for the disease to be transferred to him, thus freeing his Guru from his illness. Shri Krishna granted Bhattathiri his wish, and he soon became victim to a severe painful attack of rheumatism. Despite all his treatments, his condition soon deteriorated into a crippled state. He decided to surrender himself at the lotus feet of Shri Krishna in the temple of Guruvayur and seek His grace.

One day he met Tunjath Ezhuthachan (Ramanuja), a philosopher and a devotee of Shri Krishna, and was approached by Bhattathiri for guidance. Ezhuthachan advised Bhattathiri to 'Start with faith.' Bhattathiri soon understood the meaning behind Ezhuthachan's words – if he could compose a hymn praising Shri Krishna's 10 incarnations, starting with the fish incarnation (Matsyavatara), he would be cured. Bhattathiri fully surrendered himself to this task.

Bhattathiri devoted himself to the feet of Shri Krishna of Guruvayur and began composing Narayaneeyam. He wrote one "Dashakam" every day, each consisting of ten verses, and completed the entire Narayaneeyam in a hundred days. At the end of each "Dashakam," Bhattathiri prayed for mercy and kindness from the Lord. On the 100th day, the Lord blessed him with His divine vision.

The 100th Dashakam of the Narayaneeyam, titled 'Agre Pashyami', which translates to 'here I see Him in front of me', vividly describes the enchanting form of Shri Krishna from head to toe. After composing this Dashakam, Bhattathiri was completely cured of his ailments and went on to live a long life, reaching the age of 96 years, during which he was respected as a philosopher, poet, and saint.

The entire poem is written in the first person singular as a direct conversation with the Lord. It was written in pain and agony by the poet and portrays the poet’s sincere devotion and prayer to Shri Krishna. Narayaneeyam is also read as a cure for ailments and a tonic for Aayu, Aarogya, and Soukhyam – longevity, health, and happiness for all those who consider it with sincere devotion.