“Narayana Manthiram” by P. Susheela and a chorus comes from the soundtrack for Bhakta Prahlada. Lyricist Alangudi Somu and composer S. Rajeswara Rao created the piece. It opens by defining the chant as a “divine instrument that offers supreme grace.”
Narayana Manthiram
Chorus | P. Susheela • From “Bhakta Prahlada”
Bhakta Prahlada’s Narayana Manthiram Lyrics Translation
The lyrics challenge traditional ascetic practices. Alangudi Somu writes there is no benefit in penance that punishes the body or restrains breath. The song suggests a heart calling the divine name is free from sorrow.
Om Namo NarayanayaI bow to Lord Narayana
Om Namo NarayanayaI bow to Lord Narayana
Om Namo NarayanayaI bow to Lord Narayana
Om Namo NarayanayaI bow to Lord Narayana
Om Namo NarayanayaI bow to Lord Narayana
Om Namo NarayanayaI bow to Lord Narayana
Narayana ManthramThe Narayana ‘mantra’
Adhuve Nalum PerinbamThat alone is eternal bliss
Narayana ManthramThe Narayana ‘mantra’
Adhuve Nalum PerinbamThat alone is eternal bliss
Piraviyil Vantha Bhandhangal TheerthuIt severs the bonds that come with birth
Parama Arul Tharum SadhanamThe divine instrument that offers supreme grace
Narayana ManthramThe Narayana ‘mantra’
Adhuve Nalum PerinbamThat alone is eternal bliss
Narayana ManthramThe Narayana ‘mantra’
Adhuve Nalum PerinbamThat alone is eternal bliss
Udalinai Varuthi MoochinaiThere’s no use in penance that punishes the body
Adakum Thavathal Payan Illaiand restrains the breath
Udalinai Varuthi MoochinaiThere’s no use in penance that punishes the body
Adakum Thavathal Payan Illaiand restrains the breath
Uyirgalai Vadhaithu HomangalThere’s no need for fire rituals
Valarkum Yagangal Thevai Illaithat harm living creatures
Uyirgalai Vadhaithu HomangalThere’s no need for fire rituals
Valarkum Yagangal Thevai Illaithat harm living creatures
Madhava Madhusudhana EndraIn a heart that calls out ‘Madhava, Madhusudhana’
Manathil Thuyaram Illaithere is no sorrow
Madhava Madhusudhana EndraIn a heart that calls out ‘Madhava, Madhusudhana’
Manathil Thuyaram Illaithere is no sorrow
Narayana ManthramThe Narayana ‘mantra’
Adhuve Nalum PerinbamThat alone is eternal bliss
Narayana ManthramThe Narayana ‘mantra’
Adhuve Nalum PerinbamThat alone is eternal bliss
Adhiyum Anthamum NarayananeNarayana is the beginning and the end
Annaiyum Thanthaiyum NarayananeNarayana is the mother and the father
Bhakthiyum Mukthiyum NarayananeNarayana is devotion and liberation
Pagalum Iravum NarayananeNarayana is the day and the night
Piraviyil Vantha Bhandhangal TheerthuIt severs the bonds that come with birth
Parama Arul Tharum SadhanamThe divine instrument that offers supreme grace
Narayana ManthramThe Narayana ‘mantra’
Adhuve Nalum PerinbamThat alone is eternal bliss
Narayana Hari NarayanaNarayana Hari Narayana
Narayana Lakshmi NarayanaNarayana Lakshmi Narayana
Narayana Hari NarayanaNarayana Hari Narayana
Narayana Lakshmi NarayanaNarayana Lakshmi Narayana
Narayana Hari NarayanaNarayana Hari Narayana
Narayana Lakshmi NarayanaNarayana Lakshmi Narayana
Narayana Hari NarayanaNarayana Hari Narayana
Narayana Lakshmi NarayanaNarayana Lakshmi Narayana
Narayana Hari NarayanaNarayana Hari Narayana
Narayana Hari NarayanaNarayana Hari Narayana
Narayana Hari NarayanaNarayana Hari Narayana
Narayana Hari NarayanaNarayana Hari Narayana
Narayana Hari NarayanaNarayana Hari Narayana
Narayana Hari NarayanaNarayana Hari Narayana
Narayana Hari NarayanaNarayana Hari Narayana
Narayana Hari NarayanaNarayana Hari Narayana
Narayana Hari NarayanaNarayana Hari Narayana
Narayana Hari NarayanaNarayana Hari Narayana
Hari NarayanaHari Narayana
Hari NarayanaHari Narayana
Hari NarayanaHari Narayana
Hari NarayanaHari Narayana
Hari NarayanaHari Narayana
Hari NarayanaHari Narayana
Hari NarayanaHari Narayana
Hari NarayanaHari Narayana
Narayana Manthiram Music Video
The track is arranged as a devotional chant with a distinct call-and-response pattern. It ties the divine name to all parts of life, from day and night to family. This structure presents divinity as an all-encompassing, accessible reality.