Author: Meppathur Narayana Bhattatiri
Swami Tapasyananda/
Publisher: Sri Ramakrishna Math
Year: 2003
Language: English
Pages: 363
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8171204198
Description
The present edition of the Narayaneeyam aims at giving a lucid and readable translation of this great Sanskrit Text to the English reading public interested in Indian devotional literature. While the translation in free, it is never unfaithful to the original. It is based on the edition of the Text by two very competent Sanskrit scholars, Sri P S Anantanarayana Sastri and Sri Vatakumkur Raja Raja Varma, published in Malayalam script with a commentary.
The Narayaneeyam is a text that takes a high place in Sanskrit literature both as a poem and as a devotional hymn. This double role is responsible for the great popularity it has attained wherever it has come to be known. As its author was a poet-devotee hailing from Kerala, and as it was traditionally connected with the great Krishna Temple at Guruvayoor in that State, its popularity was, till the beginning of this century, confined mostly to that part of the country; but since then it has come to be known all over south India, and editions of it with translation and comments in different languages have appeared. It is only a question of time before it gains recognition in all the Sanskrit-knowing world on a par with great hymns like the Chandi, the Sandaryalahari, the Sivanandalahari etc., on the one hand, and with the great Kavyas of poets like Kalidasa on the other.
Contents
INTRODUCTION
Prelude
Creation and Dissolution
Accounts of Incarnations and Devotees
Sri Krishna the Perfect Incarnation
Devotion as the Synthesis of Yogas
Notes
Appendix I
The Temple of Guruvayoor
Appendix II
Anecdotes about the Author
Appendix III
References to Bhagavata
Appendix IV
Rig-Vedic References