THE SONG OF DIVINE WISDOM, ENCYCLOPEDIA OF LIFE
THE LIGHT TO ENLIGHTENMENT

Jnanappana is a devotional poem written by the 16th century Malayalam poet Poonthanam. This poem written as a devotional prayer to Guruvayoorappan is considered as an important work in Malayalam literature. Written in simple Malayalam, the Jnanappana was Poonthanam's magnum opus and is an important work of Bhakti literature from Kerala and is revered for its poetic merit and intensity of devotion.Jnanappana can be considered as the Bhagavad Gita of Malayalees. This is a darshanika kavyam or philosophical poem expressed in simple Malayalam for ordinary people. The Jnanappana is noted for its literary quality, the use of simple phrases, its philosophical strength and reflects Poonthanam's deep bhakti to Guruvayoorappan. Jnanappana consists of 360 lines of verse written in the pana metre of Malayalam poetry. The Jnanappana is noted for its use of opposing images through which Poonthanam draws out the cosmic acts of Krishna through the web of karma

His Holiness Poonthanam Nambudiri, an ardent devotee of Shri Guruvayurappan, transformed his unbearable sorrow from his infant son"s death into a "Yogavishesham". He used this sad experience to build his Bhakthi Soudham or House of Devotion and opened it for all devotees for all time. Even though the language is very simple, Njanappana, the song of Divine wisdom, the encyclopedia of life or the light to enlightenment deals with the essence of all Vedas and Upanishads.