The Mathematician Poet – Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri

Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri as his name indicates was born in the village of Melpathur in Kerala a very long time ago in 1560. His father Mathrudattan Bhattathiri, a learned Brahmin, undertook the responsibility of educating his son during his early childhood. As was the custom in those days a Brahmin child was also taught the Rig Veda, Tharka sastra or the science of debate and Sanskrit grammar. Narayana Bhattathiri was according taught these subjects too under the guidance of the most eminent scholars of that time.

Bhattathiri was exceptionally prodigious in mathematics - there being a discernible connection between Sanskrit grammar and this numerical discipline. Not surprisingly one of his greatest works was the Prkriya-sarvaswom, which presented an axiomatic system elaborating on Panini’s classic system.  Bhattathiri's remarkable scholarly prowess quickly gained recognition. By the age of 16 he had established himself as an esteemed scholar.

Bhattathiri fell in love with the niece of one of his most revered mentors Guru Achuta Pisharodi and eventually married her. Unfortunately, over time he became lax about his spiritual practices and studies. Gradually he lost all interest in religious pursuits. This shift was unfortunate considering his Brahmin upbringing that made him duty-bound to study and practice the teachings of the scriptures. His uncle-in-law and teacher, Pisharodi noticed this change in his once favourite and most brilliant pupil and he was deeply saddened. In a moment of great despondency Pisharodi said, “Even after being blessed with a human birth, in a pious Brahmin family and having studied the Vedas you are squandering your life in worldly pleasures and indulgences.”

The unhappiness in this revered teachers eyes was visible for all to see. Bhattathiri too could not miss noticing his teacher’s dejection. He knew that he had caused profound grief to his most beloved teacher and loving mentor. Deeply moved by his guru’s impassioned words Bhattathiri felt ashamed of his own behaviour. This was the turning point in Bhattathiri’s life. Pisharodi’s words had the desired impact on the young Brahmin. It transformed Bhattathiri. From that moment on, Bhattathiri became a devoted and serious student, completely dedicated to his guru.

A few years later Guru Achuta Pisharodi was stricken with rheumatism, a condition that eventually progressed into paralysis and he was unable to walk. Witnessing his beloved Guru in agony, Bhattathiri felt immense distress. He turned to prayer, fervently beseeching Lord Narayana (Lord Vishnu) to alleviate his Guru's affliction. Bhattathiri’s love and compassion for his Guru were so profound that he pleaded with the Lord to transfer the suffering from his Guru to himself.  The intensity of Bhattathiri’s plea resonated with the divine, and the Lord answered his prayer. Guru Achuta Pisharodi was relieved of his suffering, but Bhattathiri, as Gurudakshina, an offering of gratitude to his Guru, had willingly taken upon himself the ailment that now left him in acute pain and paralyzed.    

Bhattathiri searched everywhere for a cure. He consulted all the renowned Vaidyans (doctors of the time) and was prescribed innumerable medications, potions and herbal balms but all of it was to no avail. 

It was generally believed in those days, as it is even today, that heartfelt sincere prayers to Lord Guruvayurappan brings compete relief from all suffering.  Accordingly Bhattathiri was taken to Guruvayur Temple to pray to Lord Gurvayurappan. Though a devout Brahmin, knowledgeable in the scripture and a man of deep faith Bhattathiri was uncertain of which spiritual practices to undertake to be relieved of his ailment. He sent a message to Thunjat Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, a great devotee of Guruvayurappan, a renowned Kerala poet and the father of Malayalam literature, asking him for advice as to what spiritual practices he should embark on for his recovery.

On receiving Bhattathiri’s message, Ramanujan’s cryptic reply was, “Meena thottu kootu” which translated from Malayalam means ‘start with the fish’. On the face of it, the suggestion would seem offensive to an orthodox Brahmin, who was a strict vegetarian. Though others were appalled by this message, Bhattathiri’s astute intellect immediately deciphered its underlying significance. He understood that Lord Guruvayurappan was telling him to present the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu starting with the fish avatara, as recounted in the Bhagavatham.

Thereafter Bhattathiri would sit before the Lord at Guruvayur Temple and compose a set of ten slokas, known as a dasaka every day. The refrain in the concluding sloka of every dasaka is a prayer to Lord Guruvayurappan to alleviate his ailments and suffering. Though he ends each dasaka with the plea, “O Lord of Guruvayur ! Deign to protect me,” he explains the reason he wants to be spared his ailments at the end of the very first set of ten slokas. He begs the Lord to remove his afflictions so that he does not get distracted from his devotion to the Lord. He begs the use of his feet so that he may go to the temple, the use of his hands to perform worship, his eyes to see the auspicious presence of the Lord, his nose to absorb the fragrance of the holy tulasi placed at the Lord’s feet and his ears to listen to the wondrous stories of God’s eminence. He asked for a healing so that he could become the best and most ardent devotee of the Lord and not for any worldly pursuit.  

Every day he sang 10 slokas in the concise form of Srimad Bhagavatham. (The concise form of the Bhagavatham is the one that was revealed to Lord Brahma at inception.)

As Bhattathiri  progressed in his depiction of the Lord, he arrived at the sacred moment when he sought to capture the essence of the awe-inspiring Narasimha avatara. . Faced with the formidable task of encapsulating the magnificence and sheer power of Lord Vishnu in His man-lion form, he found himself at a loss for words. In the midst of his contemplation on the verses, a mystical air enveloped the surroundings. Suddenly, as if responding to the silent invocation, the divine manifestation of Narasimha emerged with unparalleled grandeur from one of the temple pillars, unveiling its majestic presence in a breath-taking revelation. The very essence of the Lord's might and divinity materialized before Bhattathiri, leaving an indelible impression on his soul.

As one immerses oneself in the verses penned by Bhattathiri within the Narayaneeyam, a profound realization unfolds. The poet, in the vivid strokes of his shlokas, intricately paints the divine spectacle of Lord Narayana enacting the entire Bhagavatham miraculously within the Sanctum Sanctorum of the temple. It is a breath-taking narrative unfolding before the poet's very eyes. Remarkably, the Shlokas, articulated in the present tense, bear witness to the poet's direct perception of the sacred episodes, as though the Lord orchestrates the divine drama in real-time for Bhattathiri. Notably, the Lord's divine approval becomes palpable at the conclusion of each chapter, subtly acknowledged through the nodding of His divine head, a celestial affirmation discernible in the concluding lines of Narayaneeyam's verses. The poet's words transport the devotee into the sacred realm, where the divine unfolds in a mesmerizing dance of words and presence.

One day while Narayana Bhattathiri was immersed in composing the sacred verses of the Narayaneeyam at Guruvayur temple, Poonthanam, a Malayalam poet and humble devotee of Lord Guruvayurappan arrived at the temple to pray. While chanting the Vishnu Sahasranamam he inadvertently pronounced 'Amaraprabhu' as 'Maraprabhu'. On hearing this Bhattathiri laughed at the mispronunciation - “Amar” meaning Immortal in Sanskrit and “Mara” meaning trees in Malayalam.  It was then that a celestial voice resounded from the sanctum sanctorum and proclaimed, “The Lord is Amaraprabhu as well as Maraprabhu.”

This divine revelation affirmed that in the eyes of the God the nuances of pronunciation hold little significance.   All that mattered was the pure love and unwavering devotion residing within the heart of His devotee. It is the sincerity of the bhakta’s devotion that is cherished by the Lord.

Poonthanam was by no means as erudite a scholar as Bhattathiri. Yet his poems of Lord Guruvayoorapan resonated with simplicity and fervent devotion. Poonthanam had always looked upon Bhattathiri as a figure of inspiration. Seeing Bhattathiri at the temple, fuelled by his deep respect for the poet he decided to show his own creative efforts to Bhattathiri. With some trepidation and complete humility he approached Bhattithri with his Malayalam work 'Jnanappana' ('song of wisdom’) seeking his esteemed guidance. Instead Bhattathiri, without so much as glancing at Poonthanam’s work, rudely and abruptly dismissed him saying, “The Lord values only Sanskrit not Malayalam!”

Rejected and scorned by a man whom he had idolized Poonthanam was shattered. A broken man he went home and cried bitterly.

It is said that that on that very fateful day as Bhattathiri prepared to recite the sacred verses of Narayaneeyam, a young Brahmin boy, in truth an incarnate form of the Lord, appeared before him. Commencing with the first verse, Bhattathiri was surprised when the boy gently pointed out an error. Graciously correcting himself, Bhattathiri proceeded to the second verse, only to have the boy identify two mistakes. In the third verse the boy found three mistakes and in the fourth four. This pattern continued seamlessly, with each subsequent verse revealing an increasing number of errors, reaching ten by the time Bhattathiri recited the tenth verse. It was then that a profound realization dawned upon Bhattathiri as he discerned the divine presence of Guruvayurappan in the young Brahmin boy. In that sacred moment of truth Bhattathiri acknowledged the untainted purity and profound depth of Poonthanam's devotion. Overwhelmed with remorse for his earlier dismissal of Poonthanam, Bhattathiri humbly prostrated himself at the boy's feet. In response, the Lord gently uttered, "Poontanam's bhakti is more pleasing to me than your vibhakti (knowledge)," conveying the supreme significance of devotion over mere scholarly knowledge.

Moved by a surge of remorse and humility, Bhattathiri had himself taken to Poontanam's house. He prostrated himself at the poet's feet, seeking forgiveness for his earlier arrogance. With genuine contrition in his voice, Bhattathiri implored Poontanam to grant him the privilege of perusing his work. As Bhattathiri immersed himself in the verses of Jnanappana, he realized that the composition was impeccable, devoid of any flaws.

In the aftermath of this profound revelation, an unspoken bond formed between Bhattathiri and Poontanam, transcending the barriers of misunderstanding. The echoes of their newfound camaraderie resonated through the corridors of their shared devotion, weaving the threads of forgiveness and friendship into the tapestry of their spiritual journey.

Day after day, with unwavering dedication, Bhattathiri immersed himself in the rhythmic recitation of the sacred shlokas from the Narayaneeyam. Each cluster of ten verses concluded with a heartfelt plea for swift healing. It took him 100 days to complete his composition. In the 100th canto Bhattathiri meticulously detailed the Lord's celestial form, depicting every divine aspect from head to foot. On that momentous day, the ethereal veil parted, and Bhattathiri was granted a profound Vishwaroopa Darshanam, a vision of the Lord in Vaikuntam. It was on 27 November 1586 that Bhattathiri marked the culmination of his magnum opus. Miraculously, on that very day, Bhattathiri witnessed not only the completion of his spiritual masterpiece but also the miraculous cure of his affliction - liberation from paralysis and freedom from pain.

He was just 27 years old when he completed the Narayaneeyam.

The Narayaneeyam is a devotional Sanskrit poetical hymn, consisting of 1036 verses. It is a summary of 18,000 verses of the Bhagavata Purana. The book of these slokas written by Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri was named as Narayaneeyam by Lord himself because Narayaneeyam is "about Narayana composed by Narayana". The day on which Narayana  Bhattathiri dedicated his Narayaneeyam to Sri Guruvayurappan is celebrated as "Narayaneeyam Dinam" every year at Guruvayur

Thereafter Bhattathiri never ever deviated from his spiritual path. One day he went to the Mookkola Devi temple, he sat down with a steadfast resolve to encapsulate a description of the Devi from head to foot in his verses. Having condensed the Bhagavatam 18,000 verses into 1036 verses in a hundred days he believed he could easily describe the Bhagavathi in his verses. Confidently he commenced his composition, envisioning a seamless depiction of Her divine form. He set to work but even after composing 70 stanzas, he could not move beyond describing Devi's feet. Once again Bhattathiri realized that his pride had come in the way of his divinity.  He realised his mistake. He once again regretted his conceit. Humbled he set aside his verses and prayed sincerely for several days at the Mookkola temple. He begged Bhagavathi for forgiveness. He pleaded with her to remove every trace of arrogance within him. Legend has it that one auspicious day a celestial vehicle appeared and carried Bhattathiri to Vaikunth. The sacred spot from where he ascended to Vaikunth is worshipped at the temple even today.

It is poignant to note that it was at the sacred precincts of the Mookkola temple, while immersed in prayer that Bhattathiri's earthly journey concluded. 

Bhattathiri collapsed and died at the very place he had sought forgiveness and grace. 

LIFE LESSONS

1.From Bhattathiri’s life we know that though we may deviate from our spiritual path God does help us return to Him.

2. Bhattathiri’s life proves that faith can create miracles

3.Bhattathiri’s story shows us that God loves all of us regardless of caste, creed, language or religion.

4.We learn that God will always protects his devotees.

5.We learn from Bhattahiri that ego has no place in devotion for the Lord.