Sriman Narayaneeyam - ஸ்ரீமந் நாராயணீயம்-My Learning Journey _Part -1

Asmin parathman nanu paathmakalpe

Thvamithamutthapitha padmayonihi I

Anantha bhooma mama roga raashim,

Nirundhi vaathalaya vaasa vishno. II

அஸ்மின் பராத்மன் நனு பாத்மகல்பே

த்வமிதமுத்தபித பத்மயோனிஹி

அனந்த பூம மம ரோக ராஷிம்

நிருந்தி வாதலய வாச விஷ்ணோ

  

Years before this study started, I used to recite this sloka(dasakam-8) every day for the benefit of my younger kid. I didn't know much at the time; I just knew that it was from Sriman Narayaneeyam, and Periva had advised me to recite this mantra because it was said to cure all illnesses. Those benefits were much needed, and I continue to think that they were the result of pure intuition and faith.

I began learning the sacred Sriman Nārāyaṇeeyam written by Melpathur Narayana Bhattathri from November 24, 2025. By the grace of Lord Guruvāyūrappan and the blessings of our revered guru, Smt. Seethalakshmi mami, we completed 25 Daśakams by the end of January. Our classes are held three days a week, each one conducted with discipline, devotion, and reverence. Every session begins with the chanting of the Dhyāna Ślokas and concludes with the closing ślokas. 

Our guru mami, despite her age, dedicates herself wholeheartedly to teaching. With extraordinary patience and devotion, she ensures clarity in meaning, precision in pronunciation, and ensures we adhere to the correct rāgam for every śloka. Her teaching method is systematic and nurturing.She chants the first line for us to repeat twice, and upon completing each śloka, she recites it once fully, which we repeat twice before proceeding. Learning under her guidance has been a sacred blessing.

She also tells us the branch stories related with Srimad Bagavatam to help us understand the meaning better way. 

For example, Vaivatsvata Manu’s story, at its core, is about survival and the continuity of life through a cycle of creation and destruction. 

 Dhruva five year old boy and his desire to meditate upon Lord vishnu by chanting powerful mantra upadesh that he received from sage Narada "Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya." Dhruva’s antarmuka meditation reminds us - no matter what obstacles or challenges come your way, staying focused on your goals and trust in the divine can bring transformation.(dasakam-17)

Prahlada’s story is all about faith. Even when everything around him was against him, his unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu is the heart of the story. 

When hiranyakasibu questions prahlada

adhiiteShu shreShThaM kimiti paripR^iShThe(a)tha tanaye
bhavadbhaktiM varyaamabhigadati paryaakuladhR^itiH |

what is the most important lesson he learnt so far?

prahlada replies unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu.

We were guided through the Daśakams with careful attention to their traditional rāgams.So far we have learnt Santhra ragam, Kalyatham Ragam,Mokshapthi ragam & Astapadi Ragam.

After completing  five Daśakams, we were blessed with the opportunity to attend a Mini Sriman Nārāyaṇeeyam Pārāyaṇam held at our guru mami’s home. In her boundless compassion, she invited me and my friend (We both are learning together)to participate despite our beginner status. Listening attentively and following the chanting after the 5th Daśakam during the pārāyaṇam was a moment of profound grace and humility.

Aṣṭapadi rāgam-Dasakam 9, was challenging yet we managed to learn by spending two days to master the raga and chant with proper pronounciation.

We also learnt the sacred Nārāyaṇa Kavacham ślokas, to be chanted after 23rd dasakam.

The 25th Daśakam, in Santhra rāgam, described the glorious Narasimha Avatāram.After each dasakam SriGuruvayurappan nods his head agreeing to   sri Bhattathri's request. But Sri Guruvayoorappan refuses to nod his head after last line of 25th dasakam as Bhattathri wrote 

prahlaada priya he marutpurapate sarvaamayaatpaahi maam ||

Baghavan says i am not merely prahlada priya but Bhaktha -priya

Bhaktha priya he marutpurapate sarvaamayaatpaahi maam ||

Then Sri Guruvayurappan nods to bhattathri  

On that auspicious day, Pānagam was offered as naivedyam after class, transforming our learning into a heartfelt offering to Lord Krishna.

This journey through Sriman Nārāyaṇeeyam guided by a devoted guru, enriched by disciplined learning, and sustained by divine grace has been deeply transformative. Today i see this practice as more than learning or devotion. This has become my self care routine for this new year - a gentle way to care for my mind, body and thus maintain inner peace.

Prostrating at the feet of our revered guru and ācharyas, we pray for their continued blessings to carry us forward in devotion and discipline, enabling us to complete the learning of the entire one hundred Daśakams of the sacred Sriman Nārāyaṇeeyam.

Gurur Brahmā, Gurur Viṣṇuḥ,

Gurur Devo Maheśvaraḥ

Gurur Sākṣāt Parabrahma,

Tasmai Śrī Gurave Namaḥ

Book:- Various books available online but Sriman Narayaneeyam written by Miss.A.V.Gowri is really very good one as suggested by our Guru Mami.

https://routemybook.com/products_details/sriman-narayaneeyam-bold-print-3149

to be continued..............