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Sandrananda Avabodhatmakam (Narayaniyam Opening) Meaning — Line by Line

सान्द्रानन्दावबोधात्मकम् (नारायणीयम् आरम्भ)

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Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Sandrananda Avabodhatmakam (Narayaniyam Opening) with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

Verse 1#

Sāndrānandāvabodhātmakamanupamitaṁ kāladeśāvadhibhyāṁ

सान्द्रानन्दावबोधात्मकमनुपमितं कालदेशावधिभ्यां निर्मुक्तं नित्यमुक्तं निगमशतसहस्रेण निर्भास्यमानम् । अस्पष्टं दृष्टमात्रे पुनरुरुपुरुषार्थात्मकं ब्रह्म तत्त्वं तत्तावद्भाति साक्षाद्गुरुपवनपुरे हन्त भाग्यं जनानाम् ॥

Sāndrānandāvabodhātmakamanupamitaṁ kāladeśāvadhibhyāṁ Nirmuktaṁ nityamuktaṁ nigamaśatasahasreṇa nirbhāsyamānam | Aspaṣṭaṁ dṛṣṭamātre punaruru­puruṣārthātmakaṁ brahma tattvaṁ Tattāvadbhāti sākṣādgurupavanapure hanta bhāgyaṁ janānām ||

MeaningThat essence of Brahman, made of concentrated bliss and pure consciousness, incomparable, free from the bounds of time and place, eternally liberated, revealed by a hundred thousand Vedic scriptures — unclear to ordinary sight yet directly perceived, the very embodiment of the supreme goal of life — that same reality shines visibly here in Guruvayur. Oh, what great fortune is this for the people!

Verse 2#

Evaṁ durlabhyavastunyapi sulabhatayā hastalabdhe yadanyat

एवं दुर्लभ्यवस्तुन्यपि सुलभतया हस्तलब्धे यदन्यत् तन्वा वाचा धिया वा भजति बत जनः क्षुद्रतां क्षुद्रबुद्धिः । एषोऽहं विश्वमूर्ते तव चरणयुगं देवपूज्यं प्रपद्ये हन्त वासुदेव क्षपय दुरितं द्रागयो माममुं ते ॥

Evaṁ durlabhyavastunyapi sulabhatayā hastalabdhe yadanyat Tanvā vācā dhiyā vā bhajati bata janaḥ kṣudratāṁ kṣudrabuddhiḥ | Eṣo'haṁ viśvamūrte tava caraṇayugaṁ devapūjyaṁ prapadye Hanta vāsudeva kṣapaya duritaṁ drāgayo māmamuṁ te ||

MeaningThough such a rare treasure has thus come easily within reach, alas, the small-minded person still chases trivial things with body, speech and mind. O you whose form is the whole universe, I take refuge at your two feet, worshipped even by the gods. O Vasudeva, swiftly destroy this suffering of mine — I who have come to you.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

सान्द्र-आनन्द
sandra-ananda
dense, concentrated bliss
अवबोध-आत्मकम्
avabodha-atmakam
of the nature of pure consciousness/awareness
अनुपमितम्
anupamitam
incomparable, beyond all comparison
कालदेशावधिभ्यां निर्मुक्तम्
kala-desha-avadhibhyam nirmuktam
free from the limits of time and space
नित्यमुक्तम्
nityamuktam
eternally free / ever-liberated
निगमशतसहस्रेण निर्भास्यमानम्
nigama-shata-sahasrena nirbhasyamanam
revealed by a hundred thousand Vedic texts
अस्पष्टम् दृष्टमात्रे
aspashtam drishtamatre
unclear at first sight, yet directly perceptible
उरु-पुरुषार्थ-आत्मकम्
uru-purushartha-atmakam
the very embodiment of the highest human goal (liberation)
ब्रह्म तत्त्वम्
brahma tattvam
the supreme reality, Brahman
साक्षात् गुरुपवनपुरे भाति
sakshat gurupavanapure bhati
shines directly (manifest) in Guruvayur
हन्त भाग्यं जनानाम्
hanta bhagyam jananam
oh, what great fortune of the people!
हस्तलब्धे
hastalabdhe
though obtained (so easily) in one's own hands
क्षुद्रबुद्धिः क्षुद्रताम् भजति
kshudrabuddhih kshudratam bhajati
the small-minded person pursues trivial things
विश्वमूर्ते
vishvamurte
O you whose form is the entire universe!
तव चरणयुगं प्रपद्ये
tava charanayugam prapadye
I take refuge at your two feet
वासुदेव क्षपय दुरितम्
vasudeva kshapaya duritam
O Vasudeva, destroy (my) suffering and sin
द्राक्
drak
quickly, at once

Origin & History

Source: Narayaniyam, Dashaka 1, verses 1-2 (Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri)

Author: Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri

Period: 16th century CE (1586 CE)

Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri, a scholar of Kerala, took upon himself the paralysis of his guru. Advised to surrender to Guruvayurappan, he composed ten verses each day in praise of the Lord, drawing from the Bhagavatam. He began with these verses celebrating the presence of Brahman at Guruvayur. On completing the 1,034th verse, he beheld a vision of the Lord and was healed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Narayaniyam?▼
The Narayaniyam is a devotional Sanskrit poem of 1,034 verses (100 dashakas) condensing the Srimad Bhagavatam, composed in the 16th century by Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri at the Guruvayur temple in Kerala. These are its opening verses.
What does the first verse declare?▼
It declares that the supreme Brahman — concentrated bliss and consciousness, beyond time and space, praised by countless Vedic texts — shines directly and visibly as the Lord of Guruvayur, calling this the great fortune of the people.
Why is the Narayaniyam linked with healing?▼
Tradition holds that Bhattathiri composed it to be cured of paralysis, taking upon himself the ailment of his guru. As he completed it before Guruvayurappan, he was healed — so the poem, beginning with these verses, is cherished as a prayer for health and grace.
Can these two verses be recited alone?▼
Yes. While they open the full poem, the two verses form a complete meditation on the presence of Brahman at Guruvayur and a prayer of surrender to Vasudeva, and are often recited on their own.

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