Narayaneeyam Chanting was organized at Chinmaya Maauli Ashram, Pune, on the auspicious day of Kartik Paurnima on Saturday 6th December 2014. This was first of it’s kind programme organized in the Chinmaya Maauli Ashram. After early morning travel and assembled at Ashram. At 9 am, after breakfast programme started with Vishnu-Sahasranam Chanting by Swami Siddheshanandaji. Brahmacharini Maitreyi oranised beautifully decorated Puja alter with very handsom “Guru Vayur” Vigraha. Shashikala Amma started leading the chanting in her melodious voice in chores with all the devotees present. Rathna Amma coordinated the whole group’s transport and logistics. At various stages Puja was performed by Brahmacharini Maitreyi. At every avatara, special naivedyam was prepared by Lalatha Ramanathan Amma. Children men and women all participated in the event with great joy and experienced divine time. Sattvik Lunch was provided at the Ashram in the afternoon break. Second session of the chanting started with little one chanting Chatushloki Bhagavatam. Programme concluded at 5 pm, with Narayan Bhajan and Veidic Aarati with Shanti Path.
Hari: Om! Tat Sat ! Narayanrpanamastu.
Narayaneeyam
Srimannarayaneeyam is a masterly condensation of the famous Bhagavat Mahapurana and was composed by Melapathur Narayana Bhattatiri, a great devotee-poet who lived in Kerala during the 16th Century A.D. The Bhagavata consisting of about 18000 verses, has been summarized in this work in 1034 verses, divided into 100 dasakas (cantos). In the 100th Canto the poet says that he has named this work as Narayana-iyam (of Narayan) for two reasons – 1. It is about Lord Narayana and 2. The poet’s name is also Narayana. As a devotional hymn, this work ranks among the best of its kind. The superiority of the path of devotion, as compared with the paths of action (karma) and Knowledge (Jnana) is repeatedly stressed by the poet. He points out that Bhakti grows in the heart of an individual without any special effort on his part if he merely listens to the narrations about the incarnations and the deeds and excellences of the Lord. In these days when life is full of tensions and problems, the reading of at least a few verses every day is the surest way to preserve one’s equanimity and enjoy inward peace. To chant this on the great day of Kartik Pournima also, has a special significance and great importance. Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda ji says Melapathur Narayan Bhattatiri was a unique personality: erudite Sanskrit scholar, poet, Bhakta, Vedantin. Imagine the audacity of a young man in his twenties attempting a summary of Vyasa’s Bhagawatam in Sanskrit hymns! And see also the literary beauty, devotional content and Vedantic insight built into NARAYANEEYAM by Bhattatiri. Nothing short of poetic frenzy could have created such a touching hymn. NARAYANEEYAM is also a standing monument to Bhattatiri’s deep insight in Vedanta.