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Narayaneeyam is the master piece of Melpathur and it is the most widely
read of all his works. As the poet himself
has pointed, it is a poetic work of hymn dealing with the story
of Narayana, written by Narayana (Melpathur Narayana Bhatathiri). The
poet depicts the image of Lord Guruvayurappan, in exemplary terms - "Sammohanam
Mohanal Kantham Kanthinidhanathopi, Madhuram Madhurya Dhuryadapi,
Soundaryotharathopi Sundaratharam”, and these become doubly
meaningful and apt when applied to this exquisite work also. The theme
of Narayaneeyam is based on the stories in Bhagavatham; it is, almost, an epitome
of the great Purana. But unlike Vyasa, who has introduced in the first 'Skandha' itself, the
speaker (Sree Suka Brahmarshi) and the listener (Emperor Pareekshith), the poet himself is the speaker
in Narayaneeyam, who sings before the Lord Guruvayurappan, in a sublime tune
about His glories and prays to Him to bless him to be cured of his
disease.
The ‘Parayana' of
Narayaneeyam is believed to possess the wonderful power of healing
afflictions, both mental and physical, of the devotees. The personal
experiences of the poet himself have proved this beyond doubt. The
"Nithyaparayana” of Narayaneeyam will enable the devotees to attain
" Ayurarogyasoukhyam”.
In the realm of the
hymns in Sanskrit, Narayaneeyam occupies an exalted position. As a pure
literary piece, it is pre-eminent. And, as a unique hymn saturated with
divine "Bhakthi”, it is unparalleled. Dr. B. Ramakrishna Rao, who
was the Governor of Kerala happened to hear Narayaneeyam read out, and
attracted by the greatness of it, got it translated into
Telugu and published in Andhra. Narayaneeyam has been translated
into Tamil also.
Narayaneeyam begins
worshipping Lord Guruvayurappan in His divine form which is
"Sandranandavabodhatmakam” and ends depicting Sree Krishna as if he
sees Him before his mortal eyes.
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.
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