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
Liberation of Gajendra

2. For the whole set of 100
presentations and/or videos
of Narayaneeyam dasakams
contact:
Ravi.mamparambath@gmail.com

3. Indradyumna, the king of the land of Pandya, was a staunch
devotee of Thee. Once, when he was engaged deeply in
worshipping Thee, in the Malaya mountain, Sage Agastya,
came there, expecting to be welcomed as an honoured
guest by the king; but the king, his mind fully immersed in
Thee, did not notice the sage at all.

4. Sage Agastya, overcome by rage, cursed him to become an
elephant of inferior intellect, for his arrogance, and went
away. The king became the lord of elephants, but was
graced with Thy remembrance as he had been thinking of
Thee, when he was cursed thus.

5. This king of elephants was engaged in romantic sports with
the female elephants in the Trikuta mountain, situated in
the middle of the ocean of milk, and was superior in
strength to all other animals. Oh Lord, Thy devotees attain
glory, wherever they go.

6. Owing to the divinity of the place and his own natural
strength, this elephant lord knew no hardship here. Yet,
once, by Thy impulsion, being scorched by the heat of
summer, he was playing with the other elephants, beside a
lake on the mountain slope.

7. At that time, a gandharva, named Huhu, having become a
crocodile, due to the curse of Sage Devala, was present
there. This crocodile caught hold of the elephant's foot.
Oh Lord, in order to give ultimate peace to Thy devotees,
Thou tests them by putting them through trial and
tribulation.

8. Gajendra, (in his previous birth), due to the glory of Thy
worship, had been continuously engaged in conflict, for a
thousand years. Now, when the time had come for him, to
attain liberation at Thy feet, Thou caused him to be afflicted
by the crocodile.

9. Oh Supreme Soul ! In his time of distress, Gajendra,
remembered his devotion and knowledge of the previous
birth; he began to worship Thee, offering lotuses with his
trunk held aloft, and chanting the best of hymns, learnt by
him in the past birth, extolling Thy Unqualified Supreme
form.

10. On hearing the entire hymn, describing the Unqualified
nature of the Universal Being, Gods Brahma, Siva and
others, knowing that it did not refer to them, did not come
there. But Thou, who art all knowing, manifested before
him, seated on Garuda, impelled by Thy flow of mercy.

11. Then holding Gajendra in Thy lotuslike hand, Thou tore
apart the ferocious crocodile, with Thy disc. The Gandharva,
was then liberated from his curse and the elephant
attained oneness with Thee, transcending all.

12. Oh All pervading Lord, According to Thee, whoever sings this
episode of Gajendra Moksham, at dawn and chants the
name of Gajendra and Thee, will attain all wealth and
prosperity. Having said this, Thou departed for Vaikunta,
along with him. Oh Guruvayurappa ! May Thou protect me.