God at Play

God at Play, a medieval chronicle of Chakradhars divine life, is now available in a new English translation. Compiled by Mhaimbhat in 1278, the text provides insights into Chakradhars ethical and theological teachings, as well as his everyday activities, revealing economic conditions, political history, and society in medieval India. The first volume of the work describes Chakradhars early life, his wanderings as a lone ascetic, and the gathering of disciples.

Format: Hardback
Length: 784 pages
Publication date: 02 January 2024
Publisher: Harvard University Press

God at Play, also known as Līḷācaritra, is a remarkable biography of the medieval religious figure Chakradhar Svami. His followers, called Mahanubhavs, believe him to be a divine incarnation of Parameshvar. Mhaimbhat, a Brahmin goldsmith who became one of Chakradhars most important followers, compiled this astonishingly down-to-earth religious text around 1278. It records not only Chakradhars ethical and theological teachings, but also his everyday activities, including the foods he ate and the people he met. This rich, detailed account provides insights into economic conditions, political history, and society in medieval India. Manuscripts of the work were carefully preserved within the Mahanubhav community and were not known to outsiders until the early twentieth century.

The first volume of God at Play describes Chakradhars early life, his wanderings as a lone ascetic, and the gathering of the disciples who later accompany him on his travels. This new English translation of Līḷācaritra is accompanied by an emended Marathi text, based on Hari Narayan Nenes edition, in the Devanagari script.

The second volume of God at Play continues Chakradhars journey, detailing his teachings and miracles, as well as his interactions with other religious figures and scholars. It also includes accounts of his travels to various places, including temples, ashrams, and forests, where he performed his spiritual practices and encountered various supernatural beings.

The third volume of God at Play concludes with Chakradhars death and the legacy he left behind. It describes the establishment of his ashram, the spread of his teachings, and the development of his community of followers, known as the Mahanubhavs. It also includes accounts of the miracles and teachings attributed to Chakradhar after his death, and the continued veneration of his memory by his followers.

God at Play is a valuable resource for scholars and researchers interested in medieval Indian history, religion, and culture. It provides a detailed account of Chakradhars life and teachings, and sheds light on the social and economic conditions of medieval India. The new English translation of Līḷācaritra is a significant contribution to the study of Indian literature and religion, and will be of interest to a wide range of readers.

Weight: 822g
Dimension: 143 x 214 x 42 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674292413