According to tradition, Bhattathiri was suffering from a debilitating form of rheumatism (often cited as paralysis). He sought the blessings of his guru, Thunchath Ezhuthachan, who advised him to "start with the beginning." Interpreting this as a command to commence his worship with the Gajendra Moksham (the liberation of the elephant king), Bhattathiri began composing the Narayaneeyam to cure his illness.
This Dasakam is a unique and versatile text that addresses the struggles of spiritual seekers at all stages. While the ultimate goal is self-realization ( Atma Jnana ), the text recognizes that even after hearing and reflecting on spiritual teachings, ingrained negative tendencies can prevent one from becoming firmly established in that knowledge. The practical antidote for this is the Durvasana Pratikara , which is the very subject of this text. durvasana pratikara dasakam pdf