Narayan Vaman Tilak
1861-1919 19th century
To recognize the beloved face at the end of a long search, and to hand everything over to him.
Who was Narayan Vaman Tilak?
A Marathi poet born into a Chitpavan Brahmin family, he met the Gospel during a train journey and converted to Christianity in 1895, at the cost of breaking with his own people. He wrote hundreds of hymns, the abhangas of Abhanganjali, and a life of Christ in verse left unfinished at his death and continued by his wife Lakshmibai. He sang Christ in the forms of Indian devotion, calling him Guru and brother.
In their own words
One who is all unfit to count as scholar in Thy school, Thou of Thy love hast named a friend, O kindness wonderful.
Heart and mind, possessions, Lord, I offer unto Thee; all these were Thine, Lord; Thou didst give them all to me.
Great Lord of Yoga, Thou hast yoked me with Thee.