Narayaniyam of Narayana Bhattatiri

Narayaniyam is undoubtedly the most widely read among the Sanskrit compositions of Kerala origin.  In the course of the little over four centuries after its dedication to the Lord of Guruvayur, it appears to have become a highly cherished household possession among the devotees and scholars in Kerala.  In this condensed version of the Bhagavata Purana in 100 Dasakas of ten verses or more, the poet is addressing himself directly to the Lord whom he is trying to propitiate through the devotional lyric.  Narayana Bhattatiri, the composer of the poem who had become afflicted with a severe ailment and had lost all hopes of recovery had a miraculous cure by the time he completed the work which ends with a prayer for health, happiness and longevity to all devotees.  The poem whose circulation had earlier been confined to Kerala has gained wide popularity during the latter half of this century.  Overtopping the Western Ghats and crossing the Vindhyan ranges it has reached the original home of Sanskrit and its popularity is progressively increasing.  Though translations have come in many of the modern Indian languages and in English too, this is the first time a translation has been attempted in poetry form in English by a writer who has to his credit a large number of such translations.