Narayaneeyam Malayalam Transliteration with English Translation Dasakam 050

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. Recitation A P Sukumar, Vancouver, BC, Canada

2. Oh Gracious Lord ! In that beautiful Brindaavana, with hordes of
honeybees buzzing around, Thy resplendent form, armed with the
horn, flute and stick, wandering about with Balarama, (carrier of
the plough) and other cowherd children, ardently tending the
calves, was a sight most pleasing to the eyes.

3. Oh Lord of Lakshmi ! When Thy two feet, which protect the entire
universe and which are fondled lovingly by the lotus-like hands of
Lakshmi, touched the sacred Brindaavana, the entire surroundings,
including the trees, creepers, water, earth, mountains, soil, fields
and all else, became most fertile and productive, teeming with
wealth and prosperity.

4. Thou roamed about, playing the flute, while tending the calf herds
on the lush green grasslands in the forest, or on the banks of the
broad Yamuna river, wafted by the gentle cool wind, or on the
peaks of the lofty Govardhana mountain. On one such occasion,
Thou spotted a demon in the guise of a calf.

5. As he was waiting for the opportunity to attack Thee, with his tail
wagging fast and his neck slightly turned, and a sly look on his face,
Thou, grabbed his feet and lifting him up, rapidly spun him round
and round, until he was dead. Thou,flung his dead body on to a
huge tree, closeby.

6. Oh Hari ! That powerful demon, evilminded by birth, fell with a
mighty crash (regaining his original huge form) on to the trees,
squashing the trees by the momentum of his fall and ruining the
forest region all round. At once the gods in heaven, gathered
together and rained flowers on Thy head.

7. The cowherd children were curious to know wherefrom this bunch
of sweet-scented flowers fell on Thy head. Thou, jestingly told
them that the impact of the demon's body on the treetops, when
Thou threw him, had sent the flower bunches flying upward and
that they were slowly coming down now.

8. Then, on one very hot day in the summer season, Thou, along with
others, went to the river Yamuna, to quench Thy thirst. There,
Thou espied the demon Baka in the form of a huge crane, flapping
its wings and looking like another Mount Kailas, whose wings
Indra had forgotten to clip, when he cut off the wings of
mountains.

9. As the cowherd children were drinking water, the crane rushed to
Thy side and gobbled Thee whole; but instantly he threw Thee out
as though he had swallowed fire. Then he tried to tear Thee apart,
with his long beak; Oh Almighty Lord ! Thou, who art accomplished
in destroying the cruel and evil, quickly caught hold of the two
ends of his beak and split him apart.

10. Thus, that demon Baka, went to Yamaloka or the abode of death,
as if eager to meet his dead sister Poothana, already there, or as if
to look forward to welcoming his younger brother, Agha, (who
would soon follow him in like manner). Then, while the gods were
showering flowers on Thee from the sky, Thou returned home from
Brindaavana.

11. Hearing the sweet, lilting notes of music from Thy flute, even while
Thou wert still at a distance, the gopis came flocking to Thy side,
full of delight. Oh Souri ! who resides at Guruvayur, May Thou who
wert a source of joy to Thy mother Yasoda and Thy father Nanda,
remove all my afflictions.