Caught in the cycles of the three gunas, you suffer greatly. Hold fast to these four companions and maintain your course. Play the game and then stand apart, untouched. Give up this frenzy of sensory indulgence. By that very play you will become the champion; know this to be true, my brother. The tailor's son Nama was one such player who made Vitthal his champion. He taught his companions the moves with great urgency and kept the arena alive at all times. Playing with a single stroke, he never faltered anywhere, and the saints and people were all won over by him. Jnaneshwar, Muktabai, Vateshwar, Changa, and Sopan played together in bliss. They made the cowherd Krishna their champion and danced around Him in circles. When all of them joined in a single stroke, even Brahma and the gods bowed at their feet. Rama was the champion and Kabir the player; what a fine pair they made. Five companions played with a single stroke, and from that union arose a beautiful resonance. Even Brahma and all the gods together could not surpass that game. The son of a Brahmin was one fine player who made the whole world into players. He made Janardan the champion and gathered together the fellowship of Vaishnavas. Playing with a single stroke, he played and played until he himself became the champion. Whoever follows the course of those who went before succeeds. Whoever falters in that single stroke falls into the throw of worldly bondage. Twelve and sixteen players form the group, and the seventeenth is the champion.