The nārāyaṇīyam (pronounced naaraayaneeyam or IPA: [nɑːrɑːjəɳiːjəm]) condenses the Bhagavata Purana into 1034 verses, divided into one hundred dasakam, or cantos. The work occupies a very high place in Sanskrit literature, both because of the intense devotional fervour of the verses, and because of their extraordinary literary merit. Thenārāyanīyam is one of the most popular religious texts in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and devout Hindus often recite it together in festivals and groups. Nārāyanīyam is the story of Lord Narayana. It is a work consisting of 1034 slokas or verses, divided into 100 dasakams or chapters, each dasakam consisting of approximately 10 slokas. It is a condensed version of Bhagavata Purana, which consists of 18,000 slokas authored by Veda Vyasa. It is said that the work has the blessings of Lord Krishna or Guruvayoorappan, the presiding Deity of Guruvayur. Narayaneeyam narrates a series of episodes from the Bhagavata Purana, choosing the most pious of the lot. The incarnations of Vishnu are traced with piety, Bhattathiri transforms the episodes into solemn prayers, pouring out his soul in total supplication before the Lord. The final dasaka, Kesadipaada Varnanam, embodies top-to-toe picture of little Krishna in all grace and glory . Both as a poem and as a devotional hymn, Narayaneeyam occupies a very high place in Sanskrit literature. Narayaneeyam is the master piece of Melpathur and is the most widely read of all his works.The poet depicts the image of Lord Guruvayurappan, in exemplary terms - "Sammohanam Mohanal Kantham Kanthinidhanathopi, Madhuram Madhurya Dhuryadapi, Soundaryotharathopi Sundaratharam" The ‘Parayana' of Narayaneeyam is believed to possess the wonderful power of healing afflictions, both mental and physical, of the devotees. The "Nithyaparayana” of Narayaneeyam will enable the devotees to attain " Ayurarogyasoukhyam”. 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. The day on which Narayaneeyam was completed, 28th Vrichikam, is celebrated by the Devaswom as Narayaneeyam day. Discourses and debates on Narayaneeyam written by Melpathur take place. Special functions are held at Melpathur Illapparambu also.

1. Rendition By A. P. Sukumar, Canada

2. From the ocean, there first flowed out the kalakuta poison,
like a raging fire; Lord Siva, who was delighted by the gods
praising him, swallowed it fully in order to please Thee.
garalaM taralaanalaM purastaa jjaladherudvijagaala
kaalakuuTam |
amarastutivaada mOda nighnO girishastannipapau
bhavatpriyaartham ||

3. Oh Lord of three abodes ! On further churning of the ocean by the
gods and demons, the celestial cow, Surabhi was born and Thou gifted
her to the sages. Then came the gem among horses, (Uchaisravas),
followed by the gem among elephants, (Iravata); then came the
celestial tree, Kalpakavriksha, and after that the celestial damsels or
the Apsaras. Thou presented all these to the gods.
vimathatsu suraasureShu jaataa surabhistaam
R^iShiShu nyadhaasitradhaaman |
hayaratnamabhuudathebharatnaM dyutaru
shchaapsarasaH sureShu taani ||

4. Oh Jagadisa ! Then there appeared, Goddess Mahalakshmi,
most charming and attached to Thee alone. Seeing her
immaculate beauty, everybody was tempted at heart and
wished to possess her.
jagadiisha bhavatparaa tadaaniiM kamaniiyaa
kamalaa babhuuva devii |
amalaamavalOkya yaaM vilOlaH sakalO(a)pi
spR^ihayaambabhuuva lOkaH ||

5. To that Goddess, whose heart was given to Thee, Indra, the
lord of gods, presented a gem studded throne. Then with
the collection of coronation paraphernalia brought by all,
the sages poured holy water on her, amidst the chanting of
Vedic hymns.
tvayi dattahR^ide tadaiva devyai tridashendrO
maNipiiThikaaM vyataariit |
sakalOpahR^itaabhiShechaniiyai-rR^IShayastaaM
shrutigiirbhirabhyaShi~nchan ||

6. Her slender form, already adorned with Thy charming,
sidelong glances, was further beautified with jewel studded
earrings, yellow silk garment, necklaces and the like, by
the gods after the holy water had been poured on her for
coronation.
abhiSheka jalaanupaati mugdha tvadapaa~Ngai
ravabhuuShitaangavalliim |
maNikuNDala piita chela haara pramukhaistaama-
maraadayO(a)nvabhuuShan ||

7. Holding the wedding garland, with bees buzzing round, she
walked at a slow pace, due to the weight of her pitcher like
breasts, toward Thee, accompanied by the tinkling
sound of her anklet bells and a shy smile on her face.
varaNa srajamaatta bhR^inga naadaaM dadhatii saa
kuchakumbha mandayaanaa |
padashi~njitama~njunuupuraa tvaaM kalitavriila
vilaasamaasasaada ||

8. Knowing that all the other gods like Siva and Brahma,
though virtuous, were still not blemishless, she offered the
divine garland to Thee, who art the eternal embodiment of
perfection and charm.
girishadruhiNaadi sarvadevaan guNabhaajO-
(a)pyavimukta dOShaleshaan |
avamR^ishya sadaiva sarvaramye nihitaa
tvayyanayaa(a)pi divyamaalaa ||

9. urasaa tarasaa mamaanithainaaM bhuvanaanaaM
jananiimananya bhaavaam |
tvadurO vilasattadiikshaNa shrii parivR^iShTyaa
paripuShTamaasa vishvam ||
Goddess Lakshmi, who is the mother of all the worlds and
who is attached to none other than Thee, was instantly
embraced by Thee and given a place of honour on Thy
breast. At once the whole world was showered with wealth
and prosperity, owing to her gracious glances, as she sat
radiant on Thy breast.

10. ati mOhana vibhramaa tadaaniiM madayantii khalu
vaaruNii niraagaat |
tamasaH padaviimadaastvamenaa-
matisammaananayaa mahaasurebhyaH ||
Then there appeared the Goddess Varuni, (the presiding
deity of liquor), who was extremely intoxicating and
alluring. Thou presented her, who was the seat of
ignorance, to the great demons, as if it were a gift of a very
high order.

11. Then, indeed, Thou arose from the ocean in the form of
Dhanvantari, looking beautiful like a fresh cloud, and
carrying the vessel of divine nectar in Thy hands. Oh
Guruvayurappa ! May Thou remove all my afflictions.
ati mOhana vibhramaa tadaaniiM madayantii khalu
vaaruNii niraagaat |
tamasaH padaviimadaastvamenaa-
matisammaananayaa mahaasurebhyaH ||