The lila as a stage, dharma to be set up
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
ये दशे चरित्र केलें नारायणें । रांगतां गोधनें राखिताहे॥1॥
हें सोंग सारिलें या रूपें अनंतें । पुढें हि बहु तें करणें आहे ॥2॥
आहे तुका ह्मणे धर्म संस्थापणें । केला नारायणें अवतार॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Such were the deeds Narayana performed while still crawling and herding cattle. This chapter of His play was concluded in this form, but much more remained ahead. Says Tuka, the incarnation was taken for the establishment of dharma.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
In this stage of life Narayana did his deeds, guarding the cattle while still crawling as a child. This act of the play was finished in this form, but much more was still to be done ahead. Tuka says: the incarnation was taken by Narayana to establish dharma.
What it means
Tukaram pauses the narrative to mark a scene change. The childhood deeds, done even as the infant crawled and herded, were only one act of a larger play, and more remains to come. He names the purpose behind it all in his signature line: Narayana took this incarnation to set dharma back on its feet. The verse frames Krishna's whole life as a single drama with a stated aim.
Krishna Leela
Poems celebrating Krishna's birth, childhood, and divine play.
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