[1] Pisharati is known to have scolded and provoked an errant Narayana to take up the Brahmin's duties of prayer and religious practices.
Later when Pisharati was struck with paralysis (or rheumatism by another account), Narayana, unable to bear the pain of his dear guru, by way of Gurudakshina took the disease upon himself.
As a last resort, Narayana went to Guruvayur and requested Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, a great devotee of Guruvayoorappan, to suggest a remedy for his disease.
Ramajunan Ezhuthachan advised him to compose a poetical work on the Avatars (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu beginning with that of Matsya (Fish).
Narayana composed beautiful slokas in praise of Lord Guruvayurappan and recited them before the deity.