There is so much to learn from our elders in our community which is often taken for granted. I never realized the impact my grandmother has had on the Indian community here In Boston. I knew that she taught Narayaneeyam and many other things to several students but I had no idea that she was the force that started a movement of Narayaneeyam in the Boston area. When I finished this interview with my Mamamma, as I call her, I was so moved by her passion for teaching and for Narayaneeyam, I decided to become her student.
   
Ms. Janaki Subramaniam is an 80 year old mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a school teacher in her youth and then dedicated herself to raising her children. Her husband passed away in 2000 and since then, she divides her time between Boston, Salem, NH and Chennai. Recently, she celebrated her 80th birthday. It was a surprise party that was held at her daughter’s home where all of her students gathered to chant a section of  the Narayaneeyam. Ms. Subramaniam said, “I felt it was the best way to celebrate my birthday. Instead of aimless chatting, it was a very good experience…very spiritual.”

Here is the transcript of our interview:

How did you first learn the Narayaneeyam?

I learned about Narayaneeyam in 1991. I started chanting when I was in Coimbature. I used to attend all of the Sampoorna Narayaneeyam. When I heard it, I became interested and by God’s grace I was able to learn it. Now I am fortunate enough to teach as well.

Could you tell us about Narayaneeyam?

Narayaneeyam is a poem on Bhagavan Naaraayanaa written by his great devotee Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri. Bhattathiri was a Sanskrit scholar and a great devotee who lived in the 16th century. He composed the Narayaneeyam, a condensed version of Srimad Bhagavatam’s 18000 slokas in 1036 Sanskrit verses. to cure himself of the paralysis he transferred unto himself from his Guru. Each word was composed addressing the Lord directly in the Guruvayur temple, and on the 100th day he was cured of his illness. One can attain Guruvayurappan’s blessings by chanting it.

Sampoorna Narayaneeyam is the practice of a group of people coming together to chant the entire Narayaneeyam which will take almost eight hours to do from beginning to end.

Why did you decide to first start teaching?

When I came to the US after my husband’s first death anniversary, I was very bored and down. My son-in-law told me to teach Narayaneeyam in the Sri Lakshmi Temple and this is how my teaching career started. At first I only had four students. I was a little nervous, but God gave me the blessings, strength and ability to teach.

How many students have you taught? 

I have taught almost fifty students total both in the US and in India.

What is your method of teaching?

Narayaneeyam is in sanskrit. There are many challenging words. I teach how to break up all the words to say it properly. I teach with the meaning of each dasakam (chapter) to the students. For each student it may take anywhere from sixty to ninety lessons to learn the entire Narayaneeyam depending on the student’s ability and time schedule. I teach every student one at a time for one hour or more and depending on their schedule I will teach everyday if necessary. I feel all my students are very sincere. Whatever I teach, they are disciplined, and they practice and recite the next class.

Using Skype has been very thrilling. It has been helpful to reach many students. Many of my students help me learn how to use the computer. I have an iPad now and I am able to take many lessons through Skype. It has been a good experience and students also don’t need to waste their time to come in person.

What has been the greatest impact of your teachings you have seen?  How has the teaching affected you?

I love teaching because I feel like I am giving an awareness about God. Teaching has changed me because it gives me peace of mind. Whenever I am sad, when I am teaching Narayaneeyam I gain energy from that. I get peace through teaching. I have gained patience. I see teaching as my duty- I think like that only - God has sent me to teach Narayaneeyam.

What is the Narayaneeyam community in Boston like? How often do they meet?

The first Sampoorna Narayaneeyam was held in my daughter’s home. I was nervous about the first time. There were only four or five people but it was a great success. Now a days, Narayaneeyam is being conducted three or four times a year with at least ten to fifteen people chanting in person and some through skype.

What other things do you teach?

I also teach Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Sahasranamam and Lalita Sahasranamam. I am open to teaching anyone of any age or background.

How can people contact you to learn Narayaneeyam?

I can be reached by phone at my daughter’s home in Ashland: 508.881. 9585. I can also be reached by email at:  janakisubramaniam34@gmail.com

I am ready to teach any student in any situation. Even if I’m tired or unwell. I will never say no to anyone. My wish is for more people to join this group and chant Narayaneeyam to bring peace to the whole world.

STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES

To me Janaki Mami transcends age and anyone, young and old, can relate to her and talk to her. She has been a friend, philosopher and a guide. During certain challenging moments in my life, an unseen force guiding me came in the form of Janaki Mami. I attended Mami’s classes regularly and I was drawn into it mind body and soul. Reading the Narayaneeyam kept my mind from wandering into negative thoughts and instead it helped me channel my thoughts in a more positive way. It gave me a feeling of complete surrender - surrendering my problems to the Lord’s feet and letting go. Although at first I started out with a selfish motive thinking about what I would get out of chanting, what remained in the end was my attachment for the divine nectar that is Narayaneeyam. It is the cog in a the wheel that keeps life going smoothly. Any scripture read with sincerity will give strength, humility and the ability to gain a different perspective where one accepts what is given in life as prasadam of the Lord.
    
                                Narasimhan Nagan (Grafton, MA)


I have just started learning Narayaneeyam from Janaki Mami. I was not confident at first to learn because I did not know Sanskrit and I was not used to chanting. I started learning Bhagavad Gita from Mami and this was a good introduction. I was very scared in the beginning because I was not comfortable chanting out loud on my own. Every class I felt like I wanted to drop out, but Mami was very encouraging and motivating. Slowly I gained confidence and now I really look forward to class. Mami spends time to teach the correct pronunciation and the meaning of everything. Learning on Skype is very convenient. I often have to take my children to various after school activities. During their classes, I sit in the parking lot with Skype on my phone and learn from Mami. Also, Vasant, my youngest son, learned Vishnu Sahasranamam from her.

                                Devi Ganesh (Shrewsbury, MA)

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