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. The Tortoise Incarnation

2. Sage Durvasa, once gifted to Indra, the divine garland,
presented to him by celestial maidens. That garland was
trampled upon and crushed by Iravata, lord of elephants,
belonging to Indra. Seeing this, the sage cursed him out of
anger. Since Durvasa was not born of Thee, (but of Rudra),
tolerance was not one of his qualities.

3. Due to that curse, Indra, hitherto known as Nirjara, or The
Unaging One, was afflicted by old age; the gods were
defeated by the demons and lost all their glory and strength.
Oh Thou Source of Deliverance ! All the gods including Siva
went to Brahma, and along with him came to Thee for help.

4. Oh Varada ! Grantor of Boons ! Thou whose glory was long
sung by Brahma and others, appeared before them,
radiating supreme light and ordered them to enter into a
pact with the demon race and churn the ocean for nectar.

5. The gods, entering into a peace pact with the demons,
proudly brought the Mandara mountain to be used as a
churning stick, but it fell down half way. Then, Thou seated
aloft Garuda, the king of birds, lifted it effortlessly, as if it
were a badara fruit and soon, placed it in the ocean of milk.

6. Using Vasuki, the serpent, as the churning rope, the gods
and demons began to churn the ocean of milk, with all the
vital seeds embedded in it. At that time, Thou, cunningly,
placed the demons, facing the serpent, near its mouth.

7. When the ocean was thus vigorously churned, the churning
stick, the Mandara mountain, due to its own heavy weight,
began to sink in the rolling waters below. Seeing the gods
becoming distressed by this, Thou, wishing to help them,
ook the form of a hardbacked tortoise.

8. Oh Vishnu ! Thou, assuming the form of a tortoise, with its
outer shell harder than diamond, and its width spanning a
lakh of yojanas, entered the depths of the ocean,
and lifted the lord of the mountains, that lay sunken there.

9. As the lord of mountains emerged from the water, there was
gaiety all round, and the gods and demons churned with
redoubled vigour. Thou, at that time, entered the hearts of
the two groups and the lord of serpents, enthusing them
and driving away their fatigue.

10. To prevent the Mandara mountain from being toppled,
owing to the vigorous churning and the consequent speedy
revolution, Thou, held it firmly in place with Thy lotus like
hand. Seeing this, Siva, Brahma and others, showered
flowers on Thee from the heavens and sang Thy praises full
of wonder and delight.

11. The poisonous breath emanating from the serpent's mouth,
made the demons feel parched and uncomfortable. The
gods also felt the heat, but to a lesser extent, as they
were in the rear. Owing to Thy mercy, Oh Lord ! The clouds
rained water on the gods, but not on the demons.

12. Even though the ocean was churned for a long time, with
the multitudes of whales and crocodiles swimming round in
agitation, nothing happened. Then Thou, holding the ends
of the serpent lord in Thy two hands, churned the ocean, all
by Thyself. Oh Guruvayurappa ! May Thou, of such amazing
prowess, protect me from diseases.