vitthalpandurangapandharpurabhang

Yei O Vitthala (Yei Ho Vitthale)

येई हो विठ्ठले

🕉️ hindu·📿 1× repetitions·🕐 Morning or evening, especially on Ekadashi and Ashadhi/Kartiki Wari·📜 Varkari sant-sahitya (Marathi devotional abhang tradition)

Also known as: yei ho vitthale · yei o vitthala · yei ho vitthale majhe mauli ye · vitthal aarti janabai · येई हो विठ्ठले

📜 Complete Lyrics 📖 Word-by-Word Meaning ✨ Benefits & How to Chant ⬇️ PDF Download

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ English සිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

Yei O Vitthala ("Come, O Vitthal") is one of the most beloved abhang-aartis of the Varkari tradition, attributed to the saint-poetess Sant Janabai. With the intimacy of a child calling its mother, the devotee begs Vithoba of Pandharpur to come, describing how the Lord stands on the brick with a tender face, absorbed in meditation. It is sung daily in Pandharpur and across Maharashtra as a heartfelt invitation for the Lord's darshan.

Origin & Story

Varkari sant-sahitya (Marathi devotional abhang tradition) · Sant Janabai (traditional attribution) · 13th century CE

Sant Janabai was a maidservant in the home of Sant Namdev in Pandharpur, and her abhangs are marked by an extraordinary intimacy with Vitthal, whom she treats as her mother, friend and household companion. In 'Yei O Vitthala' she calls out to the Lord as a child longs for its mother, watching the road and sending word with every passing traveller that her 'mother and father' dwell in Pandharpur. The abhang has become one of the signature songs of Varkari devotion, sung as an aarti and invitation for the Lord's presence.

✦ As told in scripture

Tradition holds that Vitthal so loved Janabai that He would come and help her with her chores — grinding grain and gathering dung-cakes with her — and that He answered such heartfelt calls as 'Yei O Vitthala' by appearing to His devotees. Singing it with a longing heart is believed to draw the Lord's loving presence near.

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Complete Text with Meaning

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Verse 1

येई हो विठ्ठले माझे माउली ये । निढळावरी कर ठेवुनी वाट मी पाहे ॥

Yei Ho Vitthale Majhe Mauli Ye | Nidhalavari Kar Thevuni Vaat Mi Paahe ||

Meaning:Come, O Vitthal, my dear Mother, come to me! Placing your hand upon my forehead, I keep watching the road, awaiting you.

Verse 2

आलिया गेलिया हातीं धाडी निरोप । पंढरपुरीं आहे माझा मायबाप ॥

Aaliya Geliya Haati Dhadi Nirop | Pandharpuri Aahe Majha Maaybaap ||

Meaning:With every traveller who comes and goes I send a message: my mother and father dwell in Pandharpur.

Verse 3

पिवळा पीतांबर कैसा गगनीं झळकला । गरुडावरी बैसोनी माझा कैवारी आला ॥

Pivala Pitambar Kaisa Gagani Zhalakala | Garudavari Baisoni Majha Kaivari Aala ||

Meaning:How the yellow silken garment shone forth in the sky! Seated upon Garuda, my champion and protector has come to me.

Verse 4

विटेवरी उभा दिसे दीनवदना । लागलीसे समाधि माझ्या नारायणा ॥

Vitevari Ubha Dise Deenavadana | Lagalise Samadhi Majhya Narayana ||

Meaning:He stands upon the brick, His face full of tenderness for the humble; my Narayana is absorbed in deep, serene meditation.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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येई🔊YeiCome (an affectionate call)

हो विठ्ठले🔊Ho VitthaleO Vitthal (Vithoba, the Lord of Pandharpur)

माझे माउली🔊Majhe MauliMy Mother (the Lord addressed as the loving mother)

निढळावरी🔊NidhalavariUpon my forehead

कर ठेवुनी🔊Kar ThevuniPlacing your hand

वाट मी पाहे🔊Vaat Mi PaaheI am awaiting (watching the path for you)

आलिया गेलिया🔊Aaliya GeliyaWith those who come and go (travellers)

हातीं धाडी निरोप🔊Haati Dhadi NiropI send a message in their hands

पंढरपुरीं🔊PandharpuriIn Pandharpur (the holy town on the Bhima/Chandrabhaga)

माझा मायबाप🔊Majha MaaybaapMy mother-and-father (the Lord as both parents)

पिवळा पीतांबर🔊Pivala PitambarThe yellow silk garment (pitambara)

गगनीं झळकला🔊Gagani ZhalakalaShone forth in the sky

गरुडावरी बैसोनी🔊Garudavari BaisoniSeated upon Garuda (the eagle mount of Vishnu)

माझा कैवारी आला🔊Majha Kaivari AalaMy champion/protector has come

विटेवरी उभा🔊Vitevari UbhaStanding upon the brick (the vit at Pandharpur)

दीनवदना🔊DeenavadanaWith a gentle, compassionate face turned to the humble

लागलीसे समाधि🔊Lagalise SamadhiAbsorbed in deep meditative stillness

माझ्या नारायणा🔊Majhya NarayanaMy Narayana (the Supreme Lord)

Benefits of Chanting Yei O Vitthala (Yei Ho Vitthale)

✦

Awakens intense, child-like love (bhakti) for Vitthal of Pandharpur

✦

Calms a restless mind and fills the heart with longing for the Lord's darshan

✦

Cherished as a daily morning or evening invocation in the Varkari tradition

✦

Strengthens the devotee's sense of the Lord as both loving mother and father

✦

Beautiful and easy to sing, drawing the whole family into devotion

✦

Especially auspicious on Ekadashi and during the Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage

How to Chant Yei O Vitthala (Yei Ho Vitthale)

Repetitions1times

Best TimeMorning or evening, especially on Ekadashi and Ashadhi/Kartiki Wari

Sit before an image of Vitthal (Panduranga), light a lamp, and sing the abhang slowly with feeling, treating the Lord as your own mother. It is traditionally sung as part of the aarti or bhajan, often followed by other Varkari abhangs such as 'Sundar Te Dhyan' and the Pandurang aarti 'Yuge Atthavees'. Let the longing in the words carry the heart toward Pandharpur.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vitthal (also Vithoba or Panduranga) is a form of Vishnu/Krishna worshipped at Pandharpur in Maharashtra, who stands on a brick (vit) with His hands on His hips, eternally awaiting His devotees. He is the presiding deity of the Varkari saints.

This abhang is traditionally attributed to Sant Janabai, the 13th-century maidservant-saint and devotee in the household of Sant Namdev, who is famous for addressing Vitthal with the closeness of a mother and friend.

In the Varkari tradition the Lord (and the saints, especially Dnyaneshwar) are lovingly called 'Mauli', meaning Mother, because Vitthal's grace is felt to be as unconditional and nourishing as a mother's love.

It is sung in daily worship, during bhajan and kirtan, on Ekadashi, and especially during the great Ashadhi and Kartiki pilgrimages (Wari) to Pandharpur.