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
The Narasimha Incarnation

2. When Hiranyakasipu struck the pillar with his sword, so forcefully,
there arose a deafening roar, shattering his ears and seeming to stir up
the inner contents of the bowl of the earth, striking terror all round.
Never having heard such a terrible sound before, the demon king's
heart was shaken by an unknown feeling of dread. Even Brahma was
jolted from his seat by that sound.

3. Oh Lord ! As the demon, full of rage, was rolling his eyes in all
directions, there emerged from the pillar Thy form, which was neither
beast, nor man. While the demon, his mind, filled with bewilderment
at this strange vision, was wondering who this dreadful creature could
be, Thou grew to immense proportions, roaring terribly, and radiant
with Thy thick, white, fierce mane.

4. May this divine form of Thine flourish and conquer. Thy eyes shining
like molten gold, rolling fiercely; Thy copious, flying mane seeming to
obscure the entire sky; Thy mouth wide open like a huge cave, with its
long projecting tongue, flitting like a sword; the two incisor teeth on
either side of the tongue, looking fierce and terrible. Oh Lord ! This
form of Thine is the wonder of wonders.

5. Oh Lord ! I prostrate before that Narasimha form of Thine which is a
fusion of man and lion; the fierce looking jaw, criss crossed by swollen
nerve ends, seeming to tear the cheeks apart, the short, stout neck,
the hundreds of strong hands with pointed claws, emitting fiery rays,
the terrible roar like that of thunder clouds, driving away the
enemies; I bow down to all these divine features of Thy Narasimha
form.

6. Realising without doubt that Thou wert Vishnu himself, the demon
leapt toward Thee, brandishing his club, but Thou caught him in Thy
powerful arms. Thereupon, he slipped out of Thy hold, and grabbing
his sword and shield, and exhibiting his amazing prowess in battle
tactics, he lunged at Thee, who art capable of swallowing the entire
world like nectar.

7. Then, again, quickly grabbing that lowly demon, who was spinning
round and round, attacking Thee, in Thy two arms, Thou laid him
across Thy two thighs, seated as Thou wert on the threshold, and
tearing his breast apart with Thy claws, Thou drank his blood, gushing
out profusely, with great vigour and satisfaction, roaring as if it were
the end of the Universe.

8. Then, again, quickly grabbing that lowly demon, who was spinning
round and round, attacking Thee, in Thy two arms, Thou laid him
across Thy two thighs, seated as Thou wert on the threshold, and
tearing his breast apart with Thy claws, Thou drank his blood, gushing
out profusely, with great vigour and satisfaction, roaring as if it were
the end of the Universe.

9. Thy body looking gruesome with its gory coating of flesh and fat, and
wearing the bloodsoaked entrails of the demon, like a garland, Thou
wert seated in the midst of the assembly hall, roaring loudly with
uncontrollable rage. At that time, none had the courage to come near
Thee, in the entire world. All gods, including Siva, Brahma and
Indra, stood afar, out of fear, praising Thee, individually.

10. As Thy anger remained unabated, the child, Prahlada, at the instance
of Brahma, prostrated at Thy feet, without fear. Thou, with Thy heart
filled with compassion, calmed down and placing Thy hand on his
head, blessed him. To him who was singing Thy hymns of praise,
without any desire for favours, Thou granted the boon of
steadfast devotion, and Thy blessing to the world.

11. Oh Lord Omnipresent ! Thou who played this dreadful drama, Thou
whose glory is sung lucidly in the Tapaneeya Upanishad, Thou of
extremely pure form, Who can surpass Thee, who art matchless and
the most exalted among all. Oh Guruvayurappa !, Beloved of Prahlada
! May Thou protect me from all maladies.