vishnunarayanamangalacharanavyasa

නාරායණං නමස්කෘත්ය

Narayanam Namaskritya in Sinhala · සිංහල

🕉️ hindu·📿 3× repetitions·🕐 At the start of any scripture reading, study, recitation or katha; mornings are especially auspicious·📜 Mahabharata (mangalacharana / invocatory verse); also used in the Puranas

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Englishසිංහල𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

Origin & Story

Mahabharata (mangalacharana / invocatory verse); also used in the Puranas · Sage Veda Vyasa (traditional attribution) · Itihasa-Purana period

This benedictory verse stands at the threshold of the Mahabharata, the great epic compiled by Sage Veda Vyasa. Before narrating the vast 'Jaya,' the reciter salutes Narayana and His eternal companion Nara, the goddess of learning Saraswati, and Vyasa himself. By long tradition the same verse is used to open the recitation of Puranas and sacred stories, so that every holy narration begins with remembrance of the divine.

✦ As told in scripture

It is held that any scripture or sacred story begun with this invocation proceeds without obstacle and bears full fruit, for the reciter has first surrendered the work to Narayana, sought the speech of Saraswati, and bowed to Vyasa, the source of all the Puranas.

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The Mantra

Tap any line — or the ▶ button — to hear it recited

නාරායණං නමස්කෘත්ය නරං චෛව නරෝත්තමම් . දේවීං සරස්වතීං ව්යාසං තතෝ ජයමුදීරයේත් ..

Narayanam namaskritya naram chaiva narottamam Devim sarasvatim vyasam tato jayam udirayet

Meaning:Having bowed to Narayana (Lord Vishnu), and to Nara, the most excellent of sages, and to the Goddess Saraswati, and to Sage Vyasa — only then should one begin the recitation of the sacred narration (Jaya).

Word-by-Word Meaning

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නාරායණම්🔊NarayanamTo Lord Narayana (Vishnu), the resting place of all beings

නමස්කෘත්ය🔊NamaskrityaHaving bowed, having offered salutations

නරම්🔊NaramTo Nara (the eternal companion of Narayana, the sage)

ච ඒව🔊Cha evaAnd also

නරෝත්තමම්🔊NarottamamThe most excellent among men, the supreme sage

දේවීම්🔊DevimTo the Goddess

සරස්වතීම්🔊SarasvatimSaraswati, goddess of learning and speech

ව්යාසම්🔊VyasamTo Sage Vyasa (compiler of the Vedas and the Mahabharata)

තතඃ🔊TatahThen, thereafter

ජයම්🔊JayamJaya (the 'Victory' — the original name of the Mahabharata); the sacred narration

උදීරයේත්🔊UdirayetOne should recite, narrate, or begin

Benefits of Chanting Narayanam Namaskritya

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The traditional auspicious opening (mangalacharana) for reciting the Mahabharata, Puranas and sacred texts

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Invokes the blessings of Narayana, Nara, Saraswati and Vyasa before any holy undertaking

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Removes obstacles and sanctifies the beginning of study, recitation or storytelling

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Calls upon Goddess Saraswati for clarity of speech, memory and understanding

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Short and easily memorised — ideal to chant before reading any scripture

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Establishes the right humble, devotional mood at the start of spiritual learning

How to Chant Narayanam Namaskritya

Repetitions3times

Best TimeAt the start of any scripture reading, study, recitation or katha; mornings are especially auspicious

FaceEast or North

Recite this verse with folded hands before beginning the reading of the Mahabharata, a Purana, the Bhagavata, or any sacred text or storytelling. It is the customary invocation that consecrates the recitation. Chant it once or three times slowly, bowing inwardly to Narayana, Nara, Saraswati and Vyasa, then begin the main text.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Narayanam Namaskritya written in the Sinhala script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

It is the famous mangalacharana (auspicious invocatory verse) recited at the beginning of the Mahabharata and many Puranas. It salutes Narayana, the sage Nara, Goddess Saraswati and Sage Vyasa before starting the sacred narration called 'Jaya.'

Nara and Narayana are the twin eternal sages, considered partial incarnations of Vishnu, who perform austerities for the welfare of the world. Arjuna and Krishna are regarded as Nara and Narayana in the Mahabharata, which is why both are invoked at its outset.

'Jaya' (meaning 'Victory') is the original name of the Mahabharata. 'Jayam udirayet' means 'one should then recite the Jaya' — that is, begin the sacred narration after offering these salutations.

It is chanted at the very beginning of any scriptural reading, recitation, study or katha — especially of the Mahabharata, Bhagavata and Puranas — to invoke divine grace and an auspicious start.