Poonthanam Nampoothiri

Courtesy: Sri.Gopala Krishnan

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POONTHANAM NAMPOOTHIRI I
(1547-1640)

Friends

When I wrote about Malappuram District there were responses to me there is NO
MALAPPURAM WITH OUT MELPATHUR AND POONTHANAM. Though I just mentioned about them
I could not go in detail because the postings were going lengthy. These
responses made me to write about them in detail and post separately.

I am really happy my postings are read, except one or two all are appreciating
my efforts. One or two members are there always critic expressing some sort of
dislike about me. I appreciate them also since they are also reading my posting.
Unless they are totally negative in their response, I respond to them also.

For many elder members of Kerala it may sometimes be more than refreshing. For
me I got much new information from websites not known to me (Or forgot also).
For middle aged it will provide excellent information, especially with US
Brahmins group. I am posting it in two parts since slightly lengthy. This is
first part of the posting.

Sincerely
Gopala Krishnan

1.INTRODUCTION

Poonthanam Nampoothiri (1547-1640AD) Malayalam devotional poet, lived in
Keezhattoor near Perinthalmanna in Malappuram district of Kerala. He was a
famous devotee of Lord Krishna (Guruvayurappan). He is remembered for his
masterpiece, Njanappaana which means 'the song of wisdom' in Malayalam.
Poonthanam was the family name, his personal name is not known

2. ORIGIN OF JNANAPANA

The legend about him goes like this: Poonthanam married at 20, but for a long
time, they had no children. He began to propitiate the Lord of Guruvayur and a
son was born. He called for a celebration and everybody known was invited, but
the child died an hour before the ceremony. Grief-stricken Poonthanam sought
refuge at Guruvayur and started praying with the puranic story of Kumaraharanam.

He considered Lord Krishna as his son and achieved enlightment. In his work he
writes: "While little Krishna is dancing in our hearts, do we need little ones
of our own?"

Poonthanam spent the rest of his life reading the Bhagavatham and singing the
Lord's glories in simple Malayalam. His magnum opus, Njanappana, was composed
during this period the house which he lived in Malappuram District is now taken
care by Guruvayur Devaswom.

Composed in a literary style called `Panapattu,' as suggested by the title,
`Jnanappana' consists of about 360 short lines in verse form simple in language,
musical in sound, rich in meaning and filled with philosophical wisdom, the poem
is a veritable treatise on `namasankirtan' or devotional worship. In chorus,
when every verse is repeated at the end with the refrain of

"KRISHNA KRISHNA MUKUNDA JANARDHANA...
KRISHNA KRISHNA MUKUNDA HARE HARAE"

The effect is one of long lasting joy and warmth of feelings. No wonder,
Poonthanam's `Jnanappana' is a household name in Kerala.

3. CONTEMPORARY OF MELPATHUR AND EZHUTHACHAN

He is contemporary of Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri, another famous poet
associated with Guruvayur. Since there are incidents in the life of Melpathur
relating Poonthanam and Ezhuthachan, Ponthanam is cotemporary of Ezhuthassan
also.

4.POEMS OF POONTHANAM

His popular poems are Bhasha Karnamritam, Kumaraharanam or Santanagopalam Pana
and Njanappaana. Primarily these are devotional work in Malayalam intended to
create Krishna bhakti in readers. The touching narrative in very simple and
straightforward language with fast moving verses makes it very attractive to
common devotees. Krishna's infinite love for his devotees is the central theme,
but the poem makes its appeal because of its down-to-earth realism and
unmistakable touch of authenticity.
While Unnikrishnan is playing in my mind, do I need another baby as my own?

This line of Njanappaana will simply make anybody feel deep from his or her
heart…The sad incident behind it has already briefed .

4.1KUMARA HARANAM PANA

Kumara haranam Pana is a touching narrative in very simple and straightforward
language and fast moving verse. It tells the story of a Brahmin father who lost
all his children and sought the help of the Pandava prince Arjuna.

Arjuna proudly offered to help him preserve his next child alive, but he was
unable to keep his word. The Brahmin abuses Arjuna to his great anguish and in
his wounded pride he decides to commit suicide by leaping into flames. Krishna
out of love for Arjuna intervenes at the last moment and takes him to Vaikuntha
from where they recover all the lost children of the Brahmin.

Krishna's infinite love for his devotees is thus the central theme, but the poem
also makes its appeal because of its down-to-earth realism and unmistakable
touch of authenticity.

4.2 JNANA PANA

Jnanappana or the Song of Divine Wisdom is a veritable storehouse of
transcendental knowledge which is firmly rooted in the experiences of this
world.

A few verses are translated and given below. The translation will not bring the
sweetness, but of the wisdom of Poonthanam in simple lines . I am compelled to
add it .

Is there scarcity of the Lord's name?
Or has fear of hell declined?

Is there life without use of tongues?
Have we escaped from mortality?
Alas, alas, without reflection
We roast and eat out life in vain.
After how many lifetimes of labour
We happened to be born here by luck!

How many lifetimes spent in water,
How many lifetimes lived like trees,
How many lifetimes as beasts, as cattle
Ere we could be born as men?

After so much hard labour
We fell into our mother's womb,
Ten months have been spent in the womb,
Ten or twelve years spent as a child too
And the rest of the time not knowing ourselves
We spend in self-centred vainglory.

A large number of hymns and prayer songs which are still popular have been
attributed to Poonthanam.

5. POONTHANAM- PERSONAL LIFE

Poonthanam married an heiress at 20, but for long time, they had no children. He
began to propitiate Lord Guruvaayoorappan. Finally his prayers were granted, a
son was born in 1586. He did the Initial samskaras for his son like jathakarma -
done soon after the baby is born; Nama karana - naming of the child etc.

When the baby was six months old, Poonthanam decided to celebrate the child's
Annaprasanam - first feeding of cooked rice. He fixed an auspicious date for
that and invited friends and relatives. The preparations were all done well. On
the day of the ceremony everybody in the house were busy, Poonthanam's wife gave
bath to the baby and dressed him up. She put him to sleep on a mat on the floor
and tucked with a nice white sheet.

Before the commencement of samskara the child was found left the abode to heaven
by all.

This incident made Poonthanam divert all his attention towards Guruvaayoorappan,
his devotion became more intense he decided to consider Unnikrishnan (baby
Krishnan) who is playing always in his mind, as his own baby.
6. POONTHANAM –END OF LIFE

Poonthanam spent the rest of his life of 90 odd years reading the Bhagavatham
and singing the Lord's glories in simple Malayalam.

Lord Guruvaayoorappan has appreciated Poonthanam's bhakthi various times
directly and it is believed that he himself came down to earth and taken
Poonthanam personally to Vaikuntam.

7. MELPATHUR DOWN GRADE POONTHANAM

Poonthanam Nambudiri was contemporary of Melpathur Bhattatiri - author of
Narayaneeyam. Melpathur was the most knowledgeable and scholarly personality of
that time. He was suffering from severe arthritis and was pleading to
Guruvayoorappan for a remedy when he started his composition of Narayaneeyam. By
the time he finished Narayaneeyam he was completely out of his sickness and
became renowned for his devotion.

Those days Malayalam was not considered equal to Sanskrit and was not well
accepted in the learned circle, Melpathur also had contempt for Malayalam.
Poonthanam had submitted the draft of Njanappaana to Melpathur, he refused to
see this work but told him blatantly to go and learn Sanskrit before writing.

8.MELPATHUR REALISE HIS MISTAKES

This act of Melpathur hurt Poonthanam very much. Melpathur was composing
Narayaneeyam those days, the next day, as usual when he came to offer dasaka or
ten slokas to the Lord, he could not utter a single word.

A small boy in his teens, never seen before presented he and pointed out
mistakes after mistakes in all slokas composed by Melpathur. After ten mistakes
in ten slokas Melpathur realised the divinity of the boy. He fell at the feet of
the boy but the boy disappeared and there was an asareeri - celestial voice
saying, "Poonthanam's Bhakthi - devotion is more pleasing to me than Melpathur's
Vibhakthi - learning or knowledge in Sanskrit grammar."

Melpathur realised his mistake and asked Poonthanam to pardon him and amended
his arrogance by reading the works of Poonthanam. It is also said that within a
few days after this occurrence of refusing Poonthanam's composition;
Bhattathiri's arthritis started acting up again.

In his meditation, he heard the Lord Guruvayoorappan telling him that
Poonthanam's composition with humble devotion is more precious to him than
Bhattathiri's high knowledge with arrogance. Bhattathiri realize his mistake and
he understood the magnificence of Njanappaana and gave due respect to Poonthanam
and his famous composition. He got well with in a short period

9. PADMANABHAO MARAPRABHU

Though Poonthanam and Melpathur were great devotees of Lord Guruvayurappan, Poonthanam, a great poet, who wrote his verses in the vernacular, was famous for his bhakthi - devotion where as Melpathur, an erudite scholar and great poet in Sanskrit was known for his vibhakthi - knowledge.

It looks like Guruvayurappan was partial towards Poonthanam than Melpathur. Melpathur used to be arrogant and laugh at Poonthanam's Sanskrit reading and recitation.

One day Poonthanam was wrongly reciting "Padmanabho Maraprabhu," which means Lord of trees in Malayalam. Melpathur openly laughed at Poonthanam and corrected saying, Padmanabha is not Maraprabhu - Lord of trees but Amaraprabhu - Lord of immortals.

Immediately, there was an asareeri - celestial voice from the inner shrine, " I am also Maraprabhu". There is a statue of "Maraprabhu" in the Sreevalsam Guest house compound fully made of clay. This is the biggest idol made of clay in Asia.

10 LORD SIVA RECITE BHAGAVATHAM

There are many stories about Poonthanam's bhakthi and his bond with the sacred Bhagavatham. The temple of Kottiyoor in North Kerala is very popular; it is believed that Daksha Yaga was performed there. The significant deity in this temple is Lord Siva. The temple was kept open only for a few days during a year. There were no human activities in that place for the rest of the year.

Once Poonthanam reached at the Kottiyoor temple, had a bath in the Holly River; he worshiped compassionate God Siva, felt happy, and stayed there for a few days. He recited Bhagavatham everyday in front of the deity.

There is a famous part in the tenth chapter of Bhagavatham named "Karhichith". This part contained a story of Lord Krishna asking his wife Rukmini "WHY DID YOU GET MARRIED WITH ME WHO IS JUST A SHEPHERD? YOU WOULD HAVE HAD MUCH BETTER LIFE IF YOU HAD MARRIED THE KING SISUPALA.

Hearing this Rukmini faints and Lord consoles her. This part is described very well in Bhagavatham with inner meanings. Poonthanam finished reading this part of the chapter and kept the bookmark on that page.

10.1 BOOK MARK MADE BY POONTHANAM GET ALTERED

Next day he found the bookmark at beginning of the same chapter. So Poonthanam read the same part for the second time. This was repeated for the rest of the days. It was the last day to close the temple for the year. Poonthanam returning from the temple with the other devotees. Then he remembered about his Bhagavatham, which he left at the temple. He hurried back; crossed the river and reach the entrance to the temple, which was closed. He was all-alone. He could hear somebody reciting the same part of the chapter from Bhagavatham inside the temple.

10.2 IS MY READING AS GOOD AS POONTHANAM'S

As he looked through the keyhole he saw Lord Siva himself reading from Poonthanam's Bhagavatham. Goddess Parvathi and his other Bhaoothaganas were listening. Their eyes were filled with tears out of devotion. Poonthanam stood there motionless and heard the whole recitation. At the end Paramasiva asked Parvathi "was my reading as good as Poonthanam's"?

PARVATHI REPLIED IT WAS NOT GOOD AS POONTHANAM'S. Hearing this Poonthanam who stood outside was shaken up and uttered the name Narayana loudly. When he watched again the Gods had disappeared. It was God Siva who put the Bookmark at the beginning of the chapter every time when Poonthanam recited at the temple. This story shows that God places true devotees much higher than him. ( Friends – This Legend is new to me . What about you?)

13.MANGATTU ACHHAN

Poonthanam used to walk about 100 kilometers to take darshan of Guruvayurappan every month. Once on his way, in the forest some robbers attacked him. He gave them everything he had the money and his ring, still they were at him. They were after the small packet he was clinging to. It was his whole treasure the Bhagavatham book, which he did not want to part with.

When Poonthanam said it was only a book, the thieves were not convinced. Sensing the danger of getting killed, he closed his eyes and cried out for Lord's help. Hearing the noise a man suddenly appeared on the horseback. Who put down those deceits and got the money and the ring back for Poonthanam.

It was Mangattachan - the Minister of the Zamorin Raja who happened to be passing by. Poonthanam was very happy, he thanked the young man and offered him his ring as a gift. Mangattachan accepted the gift and guided him up to the temple and disappeared.

13.1 RING GIVEN TO MANGATTACHAN ON GOD'S FINGERS

The same night, Melsanthi of the Guruvayur temple had a dream of an Unni Namboodiri telling him "You will find a ring on the idol, give it to Poonthanam, who will come tomorrow." Quite miraculously, next morning when the Melsanthi went to the temple to do Nirmalya pooja he saw a ring on Deity's finger. Poonthanam was promptly there at Guruvayoor temple for Nirmalya Darshnam and vaka charthu around 2.30 morning.

Melsanthi came out from Sreekovil and gave Poonthanam the ring and told him what happened. Poonthanam was flabbergasted to see that the ring was his own, which he had presented to Mangattachan, the day before!. POONTHANAM COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT IT WAS LORD GURUVAYURAPPAN HIMSELF, WHO CAME TO THE RESCUE AS MANGATTACHAN.

This episode has been immortalised in `Aa Mothiram' (`That Ring'), a Malayalam poem by Vallathol, a famous poet of the last century.

14.EDATHPURATH TEMPLE

Poonthanam used to visit Guruvayur once in every month. As he grew old, it became more and more difficult for him to walk the distance. Once when he got very tired he sat down and cried, "Oh Krishna! I cannot walk any further".

Krishna appeared by his side immediately and told him gently, "I am here with you. You need not come to Guruvayur to see me and on wakig Poonthanam found an idol of Krishna . "Poonthanam installed the deity there. Since Krishna appeared on the left hand side of Poonthanam illam , the place was called Idath Puram meaning left side. He started pooja to the deity and soon there came up a small temple.

This temple is about one KM north east of Thirumandhamkunnu temple, Angadipuram

14. JOURNEY TO VAIKUNTAM

It is well-known that Lord Guruvaayoorappan himself personally took Poonthanam to Vaikuntam. While Poonthanam was getting old, he couldn't travel much, so remained at home spending most of his time reading Bhagavatham and meditation. He used to get visions of God very often, but others couldn't understand what he was talking about, SO THEY THOUGHT HE BECOME SENILE.

One day Poonthanam said, " Guruvaayoorappan is coming to visit us tomorrow. So the whole house needs to be decorated and so on." He got himself busy with preparations. The family thought he was going crazy. Still they helped him with all the arrangements. Next morning while he was resting after meditation he could see a plane coming. He behaved weird and acted as if he is welcoming and offering services to Guruvaayoorappan.

By the time the Lord was leaving, he called his wife and asked her to get ready to go to Vaikuntam with him. She didn't take it serious and said she had to do a few more things in the kitchen. A maid who was listening to all this conversation asked for his permission to go with him. Poonthanam gladly agreed. After a few minutes Poonthanam's wife finished her chores and came out to find that Poonthanam is missing and the maid dead.

knr

--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.

  Every moment, thank God