Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Poonthanam was born in the month
of Masi with the birth star Ashwini in the year 1547 in Keezhattoor, Malappuram
District. Poonthanam was the name of the
family in which a passionate devotee of Lord Krishna was lived. Poonthanam composed various enthralling verses
in Malayalam praising the glories of Lord Krishna. He was married at the age of 20, but the
couple had no offspring for quite some.
Poonthanam fervently prayed to Lord Krishna for a child and his prayers
were answered. In due course of time,
this couple had a child. Poonthanam
organized a grand ceremony to perform the rite of Annaprasam of the child at
the right age. All the guests were assembled,
but just few hours before the ceremony the child was expired. The couple was inconsolable and deeply
mourned at the death of their dearest child.
A mysterious voice spoke “ Poonthanam don’t get dejected, I am your
child and show me your lap.” Thus Lord Krishna appeared before Poonthanam and
took seat on his lap. Poonthanam in a
state of ecstasy sung the glorious verses ‘ Unnikrishnan Manasil Kalikkumbol,
Unnikal Mattum Venamo Makkalai? ‘ It
was just the beginning of the creation of marvelous composition called ‘Gnanappan’
contained full of devotion and eternal wisdom was famously known as ‘The song
of Wisdom’. Melpathur Narayana
Bhattathiri, a great Sanskrit scholar and an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna who
has composed the glorious ‘Srimad Narayaneeyam’ publicly refused to accept the
stunning composition of Poonthanam, criticized the same as mediocre and it has
no grammar in it, Lord Krishna felt hurt
at the disgraceful comment of Melpathurnarayana Bhattathiri. When Narayana Bhattathiri visited the temple
of Lord Krishna at Guruvayur, Lord commented ‘ Narayana Bhattathiri, you do not
get disappointed at my statement, I like Poonthanam’s composition in Malayalam
which contains utmost devotion than your composition of Srimad Narayaneeyam
which contains your highly scholastic skill in Sanskrit.’ Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri realized his
folly immediately after listening to the comments of Lord Krishna, eventually
he fallen at the feet of Poonthanam and requested for forgiveness.
Poonthanam continued to write
enthralling verses sung praising the glories of Lord Krishna for several
years. His unparalleled devotion and faithfulness
to Lord Krishna was pulled towards Lord like a magnet. One day Lord Krishna invited Poonthanam to
reside in his Abode. Poonthanam in a state of bliss enquired people
surrounded to follow him to the Abode of Supreme Lord, but none of them were
listened to him. There was a woman who was
serving the family of Poonthanam with daily chores desired to follow her
Master, eventually Poonthanam attained salvation at the feet of Lord Krishna at
the age of 93 in the year 1640.
Gnanappana lyrics will be
available on the following links:
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