Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri (560–1656 CE) was a celebrated author of Narayaneeyam, a highly devotional Sanskrit poem. In addition to Narayaneeyam, several other works are attributed to him. He was a contemporary of Thunchath Ramanuja Ezhuthachan, the composer of the Malayalam version of the Ramayana.

Narayana Bhattathiri was a talented student, though somewhat proud and headstrong in his youth. Despite this, he was deeply devoted to his Guru, Achutha Pisharady. When his Guru became afflicted with rheumatism, Bhattathiri prayed to the Lord to transfer the disease to himself, believing his prayer would be answered. His faith was rewarded—his Guru regained his health, and the disease afflicted Bhattathiri instead. He accepted this with unwavering faith, trusting that the Lord would eventually relieve him of his suffering. He then decided to surrender himself at the feet of Lord Krishna in the temple of Guruvayur and seek His grace.

Bhattathiri sought guidance from the poet-philosopher Thunchath Ramanuja Ezhuthachan. According to local legends, Ezhuthachan instructed him to "start with fish," meaning Bhattathiri should begin by glorifying the Lord’s incarnations, starting with Matsyavatara (the incarnation as a fish). The ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, as described in the Bhagavata Purana, inspired Bhattathiri to compose an abridged version of the Purana, which became the Shriman Narayaneeyam Stotram.

Despite his debilitating rheumatism, Bhattathiri reached the temple of Guruvayur, where he fully surrendered to the Lord. In deep devotion, he began to pray and sing the Lord's glory daily. He composed and rendered one Dashakam (a set of 10 stanza) of Narayaneeyam each day. Through 100 days of sincere worship, Bhattathiri completed the 100 Dashakams. According to local legends and the poetry itself, Bhattathiri was miraculously relieved of his disease on the 100th day.