“The name of Narayan Waman Tilak is stamped upon the life and worship of the Christian Church in western India. Tilak was a poet and a lover of words and music. He was a patriot, who wanted his songs and hymns to be on the lips of his own people in their own language. He was a true Christian, and his hymns hold their place in Christian affections because they repeat and convey the truths of the gospel” (Tilak, From Brahma to Christ, 11). With these words, R.P. Stacy Waddy introduces Lakshmibai Tilak’s biography of her husband, in which she thoughtfully details the experience that led Tilak to know and love Christ.
How Narayan Tilak Turned to Christ
Narayan Tilak was born in 1862 in South Bombay to a Brahmin family. From a young age, he demonstrated a remarkable talent for language—quickly earning a reputation as a celebrated poet and writer in Marathi circles.
Yet, Tilak was hungry for more than the adulation and praise of other scholars; he yearned to understand greater spiritual truths—a pursuit that led him to the Bible. In his words, this is how Tilak describes his journey to Christ.
Tilak described himself as one who “stood like a small child before God holding the hand of Christ
“You all know that any seeker after truth, who tries to assess the worth of the Holy Bible in the strength of his own deficient judgment, finds the miracles of Christ as related in the New Testament lying in his path like mountains. . . .The best way to bring conviction to such a seeker is to pray with him.
Through the great golden door of prayer he should repeatedly be brought into the presence of the Father, and in his heart should be awakened a true love of the merciful Father of this world. In this way, he will come to know the Father, and his doubts about the miracles will be removed naturally. I have always thought that God himself resolves such difficult questions for the true seeker” (Tilak, From Brahma to Christ, 33).
His Childlike Faith
Tilak described himself as one who “stood like a small child before God holding the hand of Christ” (Tilak, 34). For the next decade, even as he dealt with significant challenges in his family over his decision, Tilak devoted himself to his new-found faith, channelling the deep convictions into hymns and devotional poetry that would resonate with many Marathi Christians, even to this day.
In his forties, Tilak experienced a deeper experience of grace—what he would call a “spiritual conversion of the heart.” In Laskhmibai’s words, “his natural pride vanished, to be replaced by a spirit of dependence upon God” (Tilak 72-73).
He was determined to be a Christian Bhakta, devoted to an Indian pattern of discipleship under Christ. He sought to establish a truly Marathi Christianity and even dreamed of writing a poetic Marathi epic on the life of Christ called Christavan. Unfortunately, when he passed away in 1919, he had only finished 11 chapters.
His Poetry and Love for India
According to the biographer, J.C. Winslow, as an artist, Tilak wrote at a time when Marathi poetry was experiencing a “great revival.” Tilak explored new styles “as regards metre and conception.”
He was devoted to an Indian pattern of discipleship under Christ
The well-known Marathi poet, Professor Madhav Julian Patwardhan, noted that Tilak was credited as one of the pioneers of the New School of Marathi poetry, which sought to “bring heaven down” and root “poetry in this world and in the realities of material life” (Winslow 70-72). As a result, Tilak became increasingly known as the ‘Wordsworth of Maharashtra.’
Perhaps we see this dynamic interplay of the divine and the earthly most in Tilak’s poems about the nation. Tilak sought to bring together his love for Christ with love for his country. Indeed, in a beautiful verse, Tilak’s Christayan celebrates God’s love for Maharashtra.
A Verse From Christavan
And of this land, the hope and pride,
Is Maharashtra fair and free!
Through her, Lord God, Thine eyes shall see
The heart’s fond longing satisfied.
For Maharashtra’s sake I fain,
Taught by the Holy Spirit’s Word,
Would sing the praise of Christ the Lord
With glory of new-fashioned strain.
Ah! With a tide I cannot stem
Break forth my tears, when I behold,
My country even as Christ ‘tis told
Gazed weeping on Jerusalem.
Tilak exemplifies how a deep love for Christ can coexist harmoniously with a passionate love for one’s country. He shows us how the gospel can enrich and transform one’s patriotic and cultural expressions, bridging the divine will with the earthly realities of one’s nation. His poetry encourages Indian Christians to engage with their cultural and national identity thoughtfully, bringing a gospel perspective to how we think about our relationship with home and country.
Celebrating Christmas Through Narayan Tilak’s Eyes
Given his story, it comes as no surprise then that Tilak would write some incredibly beautiful poems about Christmas and the birth of Christ. I pray that the following poems might enrich your Christmas and remind you of the beauty of Indian Christian voices that have contributed much to the Church and the history of our great nation.
The Child Christ
(Translated by Narayan Tilak himself)
Sleep, sleep child Christ, Thou ruler of the world.
In the cradle of my delight, which is my heart.
Sleep, sleep, Thou master of Yogis, thou Christ, the hope of all
In the cradle of Thy delight, which is my will.
Sleep, sleep, Thou image of love, Thou very home of peace
In the cradle of delight, which is my life.
Sleep, sleep, oh Thou life of my life, Thou my salvation
In the cradle of my delight, which is all myself.
Hush Thee, Hush Thee
(Translated by Dr. Nicol Manciol)
Hush thee, hush thee, baby Christ,
Lord of all mankind;
Thou the happy lullaby
Of my mind.
Hush thee, hush thee, Jesus, Lord,
Stay of all Thou art;
Thou the happy lullaby
Of my heart.
Hush thee, hush thee, Home of Peace —
Lo, love lying there;
Thou the happy lullaby
Of my care.
Hush thee, hush thee, Soul of mine —
Setting all men free;
Thou the happy lullaby
Of the whole of me.
A Christmas Carol
(Translated by J.C. Winslow)
Come high, come low, come all of you,
The Saviour of the world to view.
‘All glory be to God Most High!’
The angel heralds sing
‘On earth be peace, goodwill to men!’
How happy their caroling!
And the wide firmament on high
Doth with the echoes ring.
Come, let us join our song
With this celestial throng.
Come high, come low, come all of you,
The Saviour of the world to view.
The prophets all, in heavens high hall,
Begin dance with gladsome feet;
The simple shepherds leave their flocks,
And haste with paces fleet;
And holy sages from the East
Set forth their Lord to greet.
Let us with them unite,
To view the wondrous sight.
Come high, come low, come all of you,
The Saviour of the world to view.
Love downward lies in human guise
To save our fallen race
With human bands to lift us up
Once more from death’s embrace.
Come, let us throne Him in our hearts,
And sweetly sing His grace;
Sound we through hill and dale
‘Hail Jesus! Saviour hail!’
Come high, come low, come all of you,
The Saviour of the world to view.
